Mountain Biking - Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe

Anyone have one? How do these ride? I have read (from the internet) a lot of good things about them. I just have hardtails right now and would like to make the jump (sic) to full-suspension.

There are so many full-suspension bikes out there, with so many designs. How does the GF HiFi system compare? Thanks

Dont know much about it but as I understand it's the aluminum version of their carbon pride-and-joy 'superfly'. If so, I suspect that the HiFi will be rather awesome ride. Pitty that it's hard to find reviews anywhere for many bikes these days. How's a fella to wade through the overwhelming options to find the one that fits the bill. Hard to testride everything..

I was looking at them and found them in short supply. I ended up with a Trek EX8 and am very happy with it.

FWIW I bought a HiFi Pro late last year, basically an upgraded Deluxe, and really like it. It's probably more bike than I need as I generally ride garden variety XC stuff and mildly technical downhill, but it's worked out great for me. I came into it from a 2001 Jeckyl with a much less sophisticated suspension setup and it does everything better. It's a great climber, and having disc brakes that modulate perfectly (for me) and a modern tuneable suspension is a godsend. Any modern FS bike would have these, but the light weight and responsiveness of the HiFi Pro won it over for me. I'm quite small, so the classic 26" wheels work fine. All the new bikes in the HiFi series are 29ers.

So far I've only changed out 2 items on the bike. The stock tires were a disappointment, nondescript knobbies and I pinch flatted one at my whopping 110 lbs. loaded weight on one of my first rides. Upon removing them I could easily fold them into a pretzel. Not impressive. I also installed an 11/34 cassette, but that's my preference as I do a lot of steep climbs near stall speed. The stock 11/32 with the 22 granny ring would be plenty low for most people.

I've been a die hard, hardtail rider for 15 years and just bought a GF HiFi Pro 29er a few months ago. Used but new to me........I never thought I would hear myself say it, but I love riding this thing. Full suspension, disc brakes and 29" wheels are all new to me and I honestly don't think I could go back to riding a steel hartail offroad. My home trails are rocky, technical roller coasters and the hartail was really beating me up.........now it feels like I'm cheating with the technical aspects of this place, but alot less self abuse.