Bike #1: Gary Fisher Paragon
The Gary Fisher Paragon is a great hardtail bike for intermediate riders. The new 98 model features Gary Fisher's new genesis geometry which supposedly makes it easier to climb hills and gives you more control on wild downhills. The 98 model of the Paragon comes in a black color with yellow writing and decals and comes with some of the following spefications. First of all, it is an aluminum frame which means that this bike includes a light frame which is easy to fly up hills on, and it also has a Indy SL which is one of the lightest forks on the market weighing in at 2.7 pounds. The bike also includes an XT Rear Derilleur, an LX Front Derilleur, LX Rapidfire Shifters, Avid 20 Brakes, and Velociraptor Tires. All of these features add up to a superb XC bike, and I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a bike in the $1,000 range.
Review by: Phil
Bike #2: Trek 8000
The Trek 8000 is a terrific cross country bike for all riders of different ability levels. This bike features Trek's new Alpha SL Aluminum which weighs in the 3.5 pound range, and should be good for riding up hills. This bike includes many good components and specs including a Judy T2 which is a $340 fork, and many ICON Components. The bike also has an XT Rear Derilleur, LX Front Derilleur, LX Shifters, and M-600 V-Brakes. As you could probably see, this is a terrific bike which you should also take a good look at if you are looking at a XC Bike in the $1,000 range.
Review By: Phil
Bike #3: Gary Fisher Supercaliber
The Gary Fisher Supercaliber is Gary Fisher's top of the line Aluminum hardtail which I would recommend for racers in the Sport or Expert Class if you belong to NORBA. This is a fascinating bike which Gary Fisher racer Paola Pezzo races on and loves it. It has an awesome blue and green and has some of the best components available on the market. I guess I'll start off with the S.I.D. (Superlight Integrated Design) which comes with this bike. This fork is the lightest on the market and has a nice 63mm of travel, plus a awesome blue color to fit the bike. The Supercaliber also has the Mavic Crossmax wheelset which is one of the lightest wheel sets made and sells for $800 a pair. The Drivetrain of this bike includes an XTR Rear Derilleur, XT Front Derilleur, and a Sugino Mighty Impel 900 Crankset. It comes with XT Brake Levers, and XTR Brakes to make sure that you step on the dime! Definitely check this bike out if you are looking around for a TERRIFIC cross country bike in the $2500 range.
Review By: Phil
Bike #4: Litespeed Owl Hollow The Litespeed Owl Hollow MTS I rode at my local bike shop. The bike was awesome and I'll explain to you just why it was. First of all, we can just start off by saying that it has a TITANIUM frame! It also comes with a Judy SL with or without the Long Travel Kit, and then you get a selection of either XT or XTR Components. The Rear Suspension on the bike is great, and I felt nothing when I went over any bumps or curbs. This bike is cross-country oriented in it's geometry, and they definitely did a great job at it. This is a terrific XC bike if you are willing to spend the $2,000 on the frame alone and then adding on the specs that will fit your needs. Review by: Phil The Gary Fisher Ziggurat is a terrific XC bike that I am probably going to get except with a Red Marzocchi Z2 BAM. The Ziggurat like the Paragon features Fisher's new Genesis Geometry which let's you go up hills easier, and gives you more control on downhills. This bike is also specced with many great components such as the following: Judy XC, XTR Rear Derilleur, XT Shifters, LX Front Derilleur, Rear XT Hub, Bontrager Valiant and Mustang Rims, Avid 20 Brakes, and Velociraptor tires. All of these components lead to flawless shifting, great breaking, and a magnificent all-around cross county racing bike. Review by: Phil Back to the Bergen County Biking Home Page
