trek hifi plus 29er price

• Pinkbike.com
• Register New User
• First Looks
• Friday Fails
• Community Blogs
• Fantasy League DH
• Places Directory

Trek 2011 HiFi Plus 29

Review 2011 HiFi Plus 29

No reviews yet, be the first to write a review!

Specifications Compare to other All Mountain/Enduro/XC

Where to buy.

• Pinkbike BuySell
• Find a Trek Shop near you
• Trek Website

Cool Features

• Crosscountry
• Rider Notes

2011 Trek HiFi Plus

A 29″ aluminum frame full suspension crosscountry bike with upper mid-range components. Compare the full range

For This Bike

View more similar bikes →

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Similar Bikes

(descending)

Add custom gearing

Last updated June 29 Not listed for 2,487 days

MtnBikeRiders.com

Trek Demo: Gary Fisher HiFi 29er Pro Ponderings & Musings

Here are my humble ponderings and musings on the new HiFi 29er.

As a 29er advocate, I’ve been waiting with great anticipation to try out the innovative technology and geometry that Trek & Gary Fisher have begun to apply to the 29ers. Gary Fisher is an innovator when it comes to 29ers and his introduction of the new Genesis 2.0 (G2) is something I’ve been itching to get some saddle time on. Trek, with its steadfast belief in the 69er platform, piqued my interest as I wanted to understand what it was that made a whole company stand behind a blend of two wheel sizes. This past Saturday, I got my wish and I was able to first swing my leg over the new HiFi 29er Pro . Later on I got my chance at the Trek 69er FS but that’s for another post.

I was pretty lucky this time around because not only did I get to ride the two bikes I was interested in, I got to ride it on a trail I’m infinitely familiar with. This, to me, is much better than riding a new trail because this means I don’t have to worry too much about new trail issues (which way do I go, what’s around the next bend, that hill came out of nowhere) I can just ride and keep my thoughts on the bike.

The HiFi 29er Pro. First off, this is the current top of the level HiFi 29er. I say “current” because I’m hoping Gary Fisher decides to produce a carbon version of this baby like the little wheeled HiFi Pro Carbon. I’ve been pretty excited about trying this bike for two reasons: the claimed better slow speed handling and less flexy rear triangle. These were two problems I noticed in the previous version of Gary Fisher’s full suspension 29ers that I hoped they solved with the new HiFi’s.

Yes, the steering is MUCH better than the previous generation especially at slow speeds. At fast speeds, the steering handling is not noticeably better, but once you slow things down like negotiating a tight switchbacks or just carving some singletrack, I could tell the steering is better than original Genesis geometry 29ers I’d ridden.

By reducing the trail on the bike, the steering became quicker, but not so quick as to become twitchy. If you ever been on a 29er doing a singletrack switchback you’ll know what I mean when I say that turning the 29er at slow speeds can be difficult at times. I feel like I have to have perfect form in order to make the turn: drop the inside shoulder, lock out my outside arm and really concentrate on turning the bike. With the new G2, I didn’t feel this at all. I felt that as I turned the bike would follow and it was easy to turn. The best way to explain it is I’m not fighting the bike to turn it anymore.

The second issue I hoped that Gary Fisher addressed with their new HiFi 29ers was if the seatstays were still flexy. A few months prior to the release of the HiFi 29ers, I hopped on a 29er full suspension by GF and I immediately felt the flex in the rear stays. It was very disconcerting and I immediately got off to check if anything was loose. Nothing, it was just the bike. The new HiFi 29ers, I can confidently state, do not have the same problem. The comolded carbon seatstays are stiff (and I’m 215 lbs). I never felt any of that dreaded flex that I felt in Gary Fisher’s previous 29er full suspension bikes.

Some other observations related to design of the bike is that the HiFi 29er is not a plush full suspension bike. I find it to be more of a firm full suspension bike. Thankfully, I rather prefer a firm full suspension bike. Also, coming from a rigid and a hardtail 29er, I’m a stickler for pedal bob. Again, because of the design and the suspension, the HiFi had very little if any pedal bob at all. I never felt the inclination to reach down and turn the lockout feature on the Fox F29 fork. Nor did I ever reach down to mess with the Fox shock. In retrospect, I’m pretty surprised by this, but it’s a clear sign of what type of bike the HiFi 29er was intended to be.

All over the net I’ve been hearing great things about the HiFi 29er and for the most part I’ve been pretty skeptical. But now I’ve changed my mind. This bike rocks. Frame stiffness is leaps and bounds better than Gary Fisher’s previous full suspension 29er and the handling set a new standard in the 29er industry for slower speed turning. Combining G2 and full suspension 29er has made for an excellent bike in the HiFi 29er.

Check out the Gary Fisher HiFi Pro here .

Related posts:

• Trek Demo: Trek Top Fuel 69er Ponderings & Musings
• Trek Demo at Fullerton Loop
• Trek Demo Review
• Ride Report: Whiting Ranch for a Bday Ride

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• MAGAZINE OFFERS
• BIKE INSURANCE
• Best Products
• Maintenance
• Accessories
• Long-Term Reviews
• BikeRadar Podcast
• First Look Friday
• Bike of the Week
• Tech Features
• Routes and Rides
• Bike Galleries
• BikeRadar Bargains
• Buyer's Guides
• Fitness & Training
• Sizing & Fit
• Mountain Biking UK
• Cycling Plus

Gary Fisher Hi Fi Plus 29er review

Jump on the big-wheeled bandwagon with Fisher’s smooth 29er

Jonny Gawler

Guy Kesteven

Despite its unique steering geometry, Gary Fisher’s lightweight Hi Fi trail bike has been a big success. At the same time, big-wheeled 29er bikes are starting to gain real momentum among high-mileage riders. Does the Hi Fi 29er offer the best of both worlds?

On the trail, the Hi Fi 29er turns out to be an incredibly smooth, low-stress performance bike for relaxed riders. It's a well priced, well thought-out bike.

However, its shortage of steering and acceleration responsiveness won’t suit aggressive riders.

Nevertheless, it's worth a very close look if you prefer to measure your rides in miles, rather than near-misses on the twisty stuff.

Ride & handling: dominated by the wagon wheels

Its big wheels are the most obvious aspect of the ride. Inevitably, their bigger circumference and greater weight means the Hi Fi takes a few pedal strokes longer to get into its stride than a 26in-wheeled bike of the same overall weight.

Once you’re rolling, though, there’s a real momentum and ease to the way it carries speed on smooth or rough terrain. There’s more inertia in the wheel, and the tyre hits stuff at a shallower angle, helping you spin the gears more smoothly on both long fireroad sections or rooty/ gravelly singletrack sections.

The fact we were generally using the same gears on the Hi Fi as we were on the other bikes here translates to a noticeably average higher trail speed once you’ve done the same ratio but bigger-wheel maths. Even gear changes seem smoother as the extra momentum carries you through the not-driving-but-shifting pause.

fisher’s new G2 geometry – based around a steeper fork offset – works well in a 29er format. We still steered wide around corners as we got used to the longer bike and bigger wheels, and you’ll need to come into tight stuff slower and more casually to be sure of getting out the far side intact, but it doesn’t feel barge-like as some 29ers do.

While the hardtail/full-suss difference is much less obvious on 29ers, the suspension works fine in combination with the big tyre volume. It’ll occasionally thunk and clunk as the bigger wheels struggle to get out of the way of sudden square hits or drops, but it does add a smooth, soothing rhythm to the overall overture.

In fact, the whole softly, softly approach seems to be the best method with the Hi Fi and 29ers in general. Try to push the pace – in terms of acceleration or steering – and you feel like you’re just fighting against the wheels. The frame still flexes enough to make it slur cornering accuracy and get pulled out of gear occasionally if you really wrestle it.

Let the bike gradually drop into its natural rhythm and then just coax it up to coasting speed though, and you’ll realise that you’re covering ground very quickly, and that the lungs of other riders around you are working a lot harder than yours are. Think driving Grandad’s old Mercedes, not your kid brother’s hot Citroen Saxo, and you’ll understand why 29ers are finding favour fastest among less technical, higher-mileage riders.

Frame: stiffer for 2008

First-generation Hi Fi bikes were crazily light, but definitely on the flexy side, so it’s not surprising they’ve been beefed up dramatically for 2008, with a taller head tube and massive gutter diameter down tube. The Fox RP2 shock gets supported by a swing link to add stiffness and a falling shock rate, while very neat ‘invisible joint’ carbon fibre seatstays run bridgeless back up to the shock from a rear pivot above the dropout.

It’s a remarkably clean-looking frame, considering the natural hammock effect of the big wheels at either end. Down tube and stay topside cable/disc hose routing is particularly neat, and the seat tube is keyholed in three places to reduce the chance of fatigue splitting from a single slot. There’s room for a big bottle inside the main triangle and another underslung mount, too, and even the tyre clearance is good, leaving a drop to 100mm travel from 120mm as the only real 29in concession you’ll notice.

Equipment: clever choices in 29er options

Considering the inevitable extra weight of the bigger wheels and tyres, Gary fisher has done a good job keeping overall weight down.

Tubeless compatibility on the tyres and wheels helps alleviate the otherwise tricky hunt for hen’s-teeth-rare 29er inner tubes.

The Reba SL fork is one of the best 29er forks around, with full dual pressure, rebound and compression control of its short 100mm stroke. The mixed Shimano/ SRAM drivetrain set-up also works totally fine, too.

The racer-style flat-bar cockpit will suit many of the marathon race/ high-mileage riders who are going to be drawn to this machine, The pronounced back sweep helps lighten the steering feel too, although it won’t suit all wrists. Bontrager Race and Select gear is pragmatic rather than pretty, but Deluxe and Pro versions of the bike are available if you’ve more cash to splash.

This price range presents a broad range of cockpit types, with everything from 28in high risers to 23in flats breaking up the usual monotony of 25in riser bars.

Fisher’s choice of a flat bar here helps keep the front-end height reasonable despite those big wheels, and the pronounced back sweep effectively lightens the steering feel somewhat. More width would give more leverage for heaving the Hi Fi through tighter trails, though.

Summary: 29er pros & cons

It’s fair to say that 29er bikes are an acquired taste. They trade easy mileage-eating momentum and serene smoothness for smash-and-grab technical reactions. The Hi Fi is well balanced and good value for a 29er, but with so many less compromised conventional bike choices, you’ll have to decide if you really want to go with its extra flow at the expense of other aspects.

Share this article

• Terms & Conditions
• Subscribe to our magazines
• Manage preferences

• Rocky Mountain
• Specialized
• YT Industries
• Allied Cycle Works
• Black Market
• DALLINGRIDGE
• Diamondback
• Early Rider
• EVO Bicycles
• Growler Bikes
• Guerrilla Gravity
• iGO Electric
• Intense 951
• Juiced Bikes
• View all brands
• Production Privee
• Rad Power Bikes
• Rambo Bikes
• Riese & Müller
• Soul Fast E Bikes
• Spark Cycleworks
• State Bicycle Co.
• Structure Cycleworks
• Surface 604
• Van Nicholas
• Vintage Electric
• We Are One Composites

• Cross Country

• All Mountain

Trek HiFi Plus 29

• AUS $ NZD $ USD $ CAD $ GBP £ EUR €

Size / SM, MD, LG, XL

At a glance

Where to buy.

Specifications

• Frame 6066 hydroformed butted aluminum mainframe & chainstays, co-molded carbon seatstays, cold-forged dropouts, G2 29" Geometry
• Fork Fox F100RL 29, 100mm travel, custom G2 Geometry 51mm offset crown, air spring, external rebound & lockout
• Wheels Shimano M525 w/M570 (LX) freehub/ Bontrager sealed front hub, Bontrager Duster 29" tubeless ready* 28mm wide disc rims, 32h
• Wheel Size 29"
• Tires Bontrager XDX, 29x2.1 (53/51), tubeless ready, abrasion resistant, 120 TPI, aramid folding bead
• Front Derailleur Shimano Deore M531
• Rear Derailleur SRAM X.7
• Shifters SRAM X.7, trigger
• Brakeset Avid Juicy 3, hydraulic disc, w/ 160mm G2 Clean Sweep 6-bolt rotors
• Handlebar Bontrager Race Big Sweep, 620mm width, 12d backsweep, 31.8mm
• Saddle Bontrager Race
• Seatpost Bontrager SSR, micro adjust 20mm offset head
• Stem Bontrager SSR OS, 10d rise, 31.8mm
• Headset 1-1/8" threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings

Q: Where to buy a 2009 Trek HiFi Plus 29?

The 2009 Trek HiFi Plus 29 may be purchased directly from Trek .

Q: What size wheels does the 2009 Trek HiFi Plus 29 have?

The 2009 Trek HiFi Plus 29 has 29" wheels.

Q: What size 2009 Trek HiFi Plus 29 should I get?

No comments on this bike yet. Why not be the first?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want more MTB in your mailbox?

The latest on mountain bikes delivered straight to your mailbox.

More Bikes in Range View All

Trek HiFi Plus

Trek HiFi Deluxe 29

Trek HiFi Pro 29

More cross country bikes view all.

Rocky Mountain Whistler 30

Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro 625/500

- XS/SM have 27.5″ wheels; MD/LG/XL/XXL have 29″ wheels - Available with 625 Wh or 500 Wh battery - Internal cable routing with internal dropper seatpost routing - Kickstand/fender/rack mounting…

Mondraker Ventura Pro

Deals view all, view all deals, recent posts view all.

Blackburn Honest Digital Pressure Gauge Review

It's 2020 people. The squeeze and bounce test doesn't cut it anymore (and this is…

Comparing Mountain Bikes

Mountain Bikes are complicated machines. They have parts from hundreds of different manufacturers, come in…

Undomestic Mountain Bikes: Here’s what we know

Update March 2020: Undomestic has announced that they are manufacturing frames "at this moment" and…

Send Feedback

Have a suggestion? Looking for a bike that's not on MTB Database? Or perhaps you've spotted an error?

We'd love to hear from you. Let us know with the form below.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Learn more.

About MTB Database

Explore, search and compare thousands of the world’s best mountain bikes here on Mountain Bike Database.

Compare prices, components, suspension, reviews, images and more on current and past MTB’s. You can even share reviews, comments and questions on mountain bikes. View and compare a huge selection of bikes from brands such as Trek , Specialized , Giant , Santa Cruz , Norco and more .

We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information for mountain bikes on MTB Database. If you’ve spotted any issues, please let us know . We also include helpful tools, such as our frame size calculator, to assist you in choosing the right mountain bike. Bear in mind that these tools serve as a guide and simply provide a general indication. Refer to information provided by your bike manufacturer for the most applicable information for your bike.

Bikes By Brand

Bikes by year, bikes by riding style, bikes by wheel size, popular bikes.

• 2022 Specialized Epic EVO Comp
• 2022 Trek Marlin 6
• 2022 Specialized Enduro Comp
• 2022 Specialized S-Works Epic EVO
• 2022 Specialized Epic EVO Expert
• 2022 Giant Fathom 29 1
• 2022 Trek Marlin 7

Latest Bikes

• 2023 Commencal SUPREME DH V5 SIGNATURE 70'S
• 2023 Orange Phase 29 Factory
• 2022 Commencal META SX V4 TEAM Frame
• 2023 Commencal SUPREME DH V5 SIGNATURE LTD
• 2023 Commencal META SX V4 - Frame
• 2023 Riese & Müller Swing4 vario
• 2023 Riese & Müller Swing4 silent

• Trek HiFi Plus 29 2009
• Crosscountry

158cm - 171cm

168cm - 180cm

178cm - 189cm

186cm - 199cm

Bike summary

Bike components.

6066 hydroformed butted aluminum mainframe & chainstays, co-molded carbon seatstays, cold-forged dropouts, G2 29" Geometry

Suspension Fork

Fox F100RL 29, 100mm travel, custom G2 Geometry 51mm offset crown, air spring, external rebound & lockout

Rear Derailleur

Front derailleur.

Shimano Deore M531

Shift Levers

SRAM X.7, trigger

SRAM PG950 11-34T, 9spd

Shimano M505

Shimano M525 w/M570 (LX) freehub/Bontrager sealed front hub, Bontrager Duster 29" tubeless ready* 28mm wide disc rims, 32h

Bontrager XDX, 29x2.1 (53/51), tubeless ready, abrasion resistant, 120 TPI, aramid folding bead

Avid Juicy 3, hydraulic disc, w/ 160mm G2 Clean Sweep 6-bolt rotors

Bontrager SSR OS, 10d rise, 31.8mm

Bontrager Race Big Sweep, 620mm width, 12d backsweep, 31.8mm

1-1/8" threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings

Bontrager Race

Bontrager SSR, micro adjust 20mm offset head

Bike geometry

About this model.

HiFi Plus 29 is a Trek Hifi model. Trek released 39 bikes variations of this model so far. Check out the entire range from 2009 of this model, by clicking this link .

Your safety should be the top priority when you go for a ride. In short, make sure that you always use a helmet, high visibility clothing , and proper lights when riding at night-time.

Crosscountry bikes average price

If you want to purchase a solid Crosscountry bike, it is important to know that the average cost is 1905 $ . However, even if your budget is less than the average, you might still be able to get a top-quality Crosscountry bike. As a general rule of thumb, you should always read reviews about the bike and its components before buying it to ensure you don’t pay too much.

HiFi Plus 29 components

The HiFi Plus 29 comes factory-installed with the Fox fork. This has a travel range of 100mm . Bike forks are great for shock absorption and provide you with a smooth ride. To sum it all, when buying a bike, ensure that you look for a fork capable of decent travel.

The HiFi Plus 29 2009 bike is equipped with 29″ aluminum wheels when leaving the factory. These wheels are more forgiving when you go over roots, rocks, bumps, or other obstacles you encounter on your ride. However, these wheels are not ideal for smaller people.

Stopping the bike when needed, it’s essential for your safety. This bike has Hydraulic Disc brakes. Hydraulic disc brakes are perfect for mountain biking, road cycling, and commuting. To sum up, these are ideal for anyone.

HiFi Plus 29 comes in 4 sizes , that range from 158 cm – 199 cm (5.18 ft – 6.53 ft) . In short, it won’t be difficult to find the right one for you.

Trek Hifi models from 2011

Trek hifi models from 2010, trek hifi models from 2009, trek hifi models from 2008, trek hifi models from 2007.

Not sure what's your riding style?

Find your ideal bike in seconds!

Take our 30 seconds quizz and find out which bikes suit you the best.

Handy tools

Tools to help you even more.

• HiFi Deluxe

Accessories

• ALL MOUNTAIN
• ACCESSORIES
• ALL (130 Forums)
• WHEELS & TIRES

Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe 29 29er Full Suspension

• Frame: 6011 hydroformed butted aluminum mainframe & stays, cold-forged dropouts, G2 29" Geometry, top swing magnesium link, E2, ABP
• Wheels: Bontrager Alloy, Shimano M525SL hubs, Bontrager Duster 29 rims, Bontrager XDX tires
• Componentry: Shimano SLX Direct Mount front derailleur, SRAM X.9 rear derailleur, SRAM X.7 shifters, Shimano FC-M542 crank, Avid Elixir 5 hydraulic disc brakes
• Suspension: Fox F100 RL 29, 100mm travel, custom G2 Geometry 51mm offset crown; Fox Float RP2, 110mm travel, 2-position Pro Pedal
• USER REVIEWS

Nice frame, looks good, bomber construction, Fox suspension, G2 geometry

Little on the heavy side, not the best shifters, brakes, wheelset

This bike is great. Geometry is very comfortable. I swapped many of the parts when I got it used to make it a little lighter and fit my riding style. Shorter stem, carbon riser bars, dropper post, deus XC crankset, XT shifters, XT rear draileur, Set the wheels up tubeless, carbon saddle, bigger brake rotors. All that said, the bike climbs awesome and descends well. Would I like thru axels? yes. Would I like a 120mm Fox 34 fork? yes. But I didn't have the money for that. Would probably got the Rumblefish if I could have. That being said this bike is the best bike I've owned, and I've been riding more than 20 years. It does everything well. Is it the lightest, No. But it does go up and down pretty damn fast. The frame is stiff and feels strong. Gives me a very confident feeling while riding. I just dented the rear rim and even tho it's still holding air I went ahead and got a better used set of Rhythm elites so that should drop a little weight. who cares, I'm not racing anyway. I'd rather be comfortable, and this thing is like sitting on a big caddilac you don't feel any of the small to medium size rocks and roots. I would highly recommend this bike to anyone who's not a serious racer.

Similar Products Used:

Gary fisher Rig SS

Not many, seems how I can't get trek to fix the warranty issue with all the pivots and headset freezing up. The bike was great for the first 3 months, after that a huge piece. Trek is not concerned with good customer support, they don't stand by the bikes they make. Third trek I have owned, never again, going else where.

Warranty; the fact that trek will bull sh!# all day about how its fine; really hurts during riding season.

I would not recommend this bike for anyone who likes to ride, it will disappoint you. The sad thing is that this company that my family has been loyal to, sucks! Buy a bike from a company that will support you when they send you a messed up bike. I understand that some bikes are just not right, what I don't understand is why trek is not standing by their product.

light, nice balance, fast

rear triangle

Loved the bike, but common problem with rear triangle breaking. I am a 57 yr old intermediate rider and there is no way that the rear triangle should break. It breaks in the lower arm near the welds. My buddy's hifi pro broke in the same place. Trek does not have any replacements available.

none yet, but probably switching to specialized epic

Great suspension, solid components, good price point, love the color scheme (and the satin-finish / non-glossy paint job), as light as my old hardtail, 29-inch wheels roll over everything.

I've read it in other reviews, but believe me... the tires really do stink.

I love this bike... granted, it's the first full-suspension bike I have owned (been riding the same hardtail for the past 10-years, so anything is going to be an improvement), but I still think it's a great bike. Aside from the dual suspension, I love the 29-inch wheels... I have ridden Ute Valley & Palmer Park for many years on 26-inch wheels and I am now going over obstacles that used to be troublesome. I like the lock-out feature on the rear suspension and use it frequently on climbs... minimal bobbing on the ups & it eats up the downhills with ease. It turns well, even around the tightest corners and shifts wonderfully. The only downside is the tires... the Bontrager sidewalls are already wearing out... I've even developed an eraser-sized hole in one of the sidewalls already... in the first 100-miles! They are crap & I fully intend to upgrade to better tires as soon as these go (which shouldn't be too long). I got a great price on it because I got an employee discount at the vendor, plus they happened to be offering $100 of in-store credit if you bought a 29-er... it was too good of deal to pass up. I bought it rather impulsively and have ZERO regrets. I'm a pretty aggressive rider and feel it's the perfect bike. Plus, I'm relatively beefy (6-foot, 215-lbs) and it holds up great... the geometry is great, the frame size is great... I will be happy with this bike for a number of years. I'm looking forward to taking it to Moab this fall during our annual guys weekend away. I'm certain I'll love it.

Have demo'd an Ibis Mojo SL (in Fruita, CO) & a Niner Rip 9 (at Moab)... have ridden an old-school Schwinn Homegrown Comp for years! I hated to give it up, but after trashing the rear-derailleur at Moab this past fall, I was hesitant to put any more $$$ into it... might as well spend that $100 towards a new & modern bike!

G2 geometry works great for me. Great frame and fork for the $.

Tires are terrible. Swap out handlebar for something with less sweep. Brakes were tough to get set up.

The 2010 HiFi is a really well balanced trail bike. I've been on a Fisher Rig since 2008 and really like the steering of the G2 front. The HiFi is perfect for the Colorado front range, enough travel for techy trails but still can hang with the xc racer crowd. If I could only have 1 bike it would be a 4" travel 29er. I looked at the Tall Boy and Epic 29er but for the $ the HiFi had exactly what I was looking for. Before leaving the shop I would upgrade the tires to something like a Nobby Nic front and Racing Ralph rear. I think in it's current build my HiFi weighs in around 27lbs and is incredible at climbing steep and technical trails.

Santa Cruz Heckler, Gary Fisher Rig,

Nice geometry, flies down hills and rolls over most anything. Good in tight turns for a 29er.

Stupid swept handlebars. Lousy tires.

What a great bike. I was still in love with my '97 Paragon HT when the frame froze and got trashed. I had always resisted FS and 29ers but after I rode a HT and an FS side by side on a nice little climbing trails behind the shop I was sold on FS. This bike is just plain fun. It does not feel as spry as the paragon(yet) but I am still getting used to it. I do love how it rolls on the trails. I watch my poor wife pedaling down technical trails on the 26" Hoo Koo E Koo while I coast and need to use the brakes. Climbing is very good although I am still tweaking tire pressure to find the optimum setup for traction and rolling resistance. Have yet to try some extreme technical stuff that I could always clean on my Paragon. At first I hated the shifters. I have been using Sram twisters for 15 years. I was constantly up shifting by accident with the push/push shifters. My big thumbs were hitting them and I kept confusing the up and down from each other. Lots of hunting for the right lever. But once I positioned them properly, I had much less mis-shifts. Some don't like the graphics but I think the bike looks very cool. Although branded as a Trek it does have Gary Fisher signature graphics on the swing arms. Nice touch to add the neoprene chainstay guard.

Killer geometry and almost no flexy undulations on fast downhills. Awesome climbed thanks to ABP. Works well in tight technical stuff and flies down fast sections without having to watch how far to push it's limitations.

Tires and brakes. Could be a pound or two lighter and have a tad bit more front end travel.

This bike rips it and will sell any skeptic on a life as a 29er. Has attributes of a cross country racer, all-mountain stomper and can handle some pretty radical DH for fun. ABP really works as it allows for out-of-the-saddle climbing. Have not found limitations on this bike yet. The faster you push this thing....the smoother the ride. This includes rim eating rock gardens and drastic wash outs.

Geometry feels awesome, climbs well, and decends great for a 100mm travel bike

Big sweep handle bars, stock tires, x7 shifters aren't great.

This bike is sweet. Its my first fully suspended bike and is a absolute blast to ride. It climbs almost as well as my old hardtail (I actually like it better on really technical ascents, just make sure the propedal is on with the shock), and I can crush people descending. Its definitely not a big travel bike but if you keep those wheels turning fast you should be able to go over almost anything. I also love the geometry. At first it felt a little weird because i was sitting farther forward, but now I love it. There are definetly a few weaknesses but nothing that makes me regret getting this bike. I swapped out the wheels for some bigger tread immediately and put on some handle bars with less sweep. The stock ones arent too terrible but I prefer the ones I have now. I also put on a salsa bash guard, mostly because it looks bad ass but also so i dont rip my right calf off. My biggest complaint so far is with the shifting. I dont have a lot of experience but the X7 shifters require much more frequent adjustment than the X9 ones that were on my old bike. When I was buying this bike I was choosing between it and a Specialized Epic comp 29. The geometries were different ( the HIFi sits farther forward, so it feels like you can put out more power) and the epic had the brain, which I really liked. In the end the HiFi was much cheaper and I didn't really need the brain... If I was racing a lot I would have chosen the epic because the brain gives you more rigidity on uphills, but for what I am doing with it it wasn't really necessary. Overall, I would recommend this bike to anybody. With a few modifications, it could be amazing.

Redline D660

This is my first 29er, and my first full suspension bike that fits me well. I haven't noticed any of the standard complaints about either of these or the combination, so... Climbs well, rolls through rock gardens, soaks up 1-2 foot drops just fine, comfortable on long rides.

The stock wheelset goes out of true way easier than I'd like. The elixir 5 levers are flimsy as hell. The tires aren't my favorites.

This bike is fun.

K2 Zed team and Razorback team

It's a nice bike for the money ,on the races what I do it's well hang with the high $ bikes...Stable ,good handle bike ,rolls over anything...

Tires ,Bontrager Duster rims get out of shape easy...

If you only have max 2500 $ ,this bike going to do anything what a 3500$ specialized epic does....By watching the rims (keep it trued and tensioned),and changing the tires you will be a competitive rider on club level races ....Nice bike for the money!!!

Giant Talon2 29er

Get the latest mountain bike reviews, news, race results, and much more by signing up for the MTBR Newsletter

Hot Deals See All Hot Deals >>

• CLASSIFIEDS
• TERMS OF USE
• PRIVACY POLICY
• ADVERTISING

VISIT US AT

© Copyright 2024 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved.