Originally Posted by
Zephyr11
Have him try them out. I have a Fisher Tass and a Giant Rincon (one of Giant's entry level hardtails), and they fit very differently. Gary Fisher uses the Genesis geometry in a lot of bikes, and it makes for a different feel than Giant's geometry. Chances are one of them will fit him better than the other.
+1, It's nice to surpise someone on Christmas, but it's better to have the right fit and feel. Take him to the shop and let him ride the bikes. It's been a few years since I rode a Gary Fisher, but I quickly learned the Genesis geometry is not for me due to my short arms. But GF makes great bikes.