iridebikes
12-01-04, 12:46 AM
Getting ready to buy a new Gary Fisher Tassajara. Seems to be the best buy for the bike. Like the geometry and domestic frame. Any comments.
Mountain Biking - Gary Fisher Tassajara
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geoduck
12-01-04, 10:01 AM
Be aware of the Genesis geometry concept that GF builds into their bikes. It results in a longer top tube, for a more 'stretched out' feel to the ride. If you've ridden the bike, you probably know this.
If there is a Kona dealer near you, you may want to check out a couple of their bikes, the Fire Mountain and Blast can be had for a few bucks less than the Tassajara. Much better component spec on the Blast than on the Tass.
I rode the Tass and the Kona Blast several times, and decided on the Kona. I haven't regreted it yet. The deal-breaker for me was the geometry of the Tass. It just did not climb as well as the Kona, IMO.
However, the Tass has a great reputation for a mass-production bike, despite a slightly weak component spec for the money. Are you sure that frame is produced in the USA?
If there is a Kona dealer near you, you may want to check out a couple of their bikes, the Fire Mountain and Blast can be had for a few bucks less than the Tassajara. Much better component spec on the Blast than on the Tass.
I rode the Tass and the Kona Blast several times, and decided on the Kona. I haven't regreted it yet. The deal-breaker for me was the geometry of the Tass. It just did not climb as well as the Kona, IMO.
However, the Tass has a great reputation for a mass-production bike, despite a slightly weak component spec for the money. Are you sure that frame is produced in the USA?
iridebikes
12-01-04, 06:44 PM
Thought it was a domestic frame. I could be wrong. I have not riden the Tass yet. I will check out the Kona line. I think there is a dealer close enough. Thanks a bunch.
theguythatbikes
12-01-04, 08:53 PM
go for the tassajara_disk 2004. great bike. probably on sale for 04 inventory clear out
Dusk
12-01-04, 09:02 PM
Getting ready to buy a new Gary Fisher Tassajara. Seems to be the best buy for the bike. Like the geometry and domestic frame. Any comments.
I took one to Ireland for a year along with a LeMond Poprad loved them both. But sold them both at profit when I left. Bought a Hoo Koo E Koo and a Cannondale Cyclocross to replace them later. Depending on what you are going to ride, you may not need a disk or want one. The Gary Fisher Tassajara is a good bike, and the GF stands behind the bikes, if you have any problem.
Cheers,
Dusk
I took one to Ireland for a year along with a LeMond Poprad loved them both. But sold them both at profit when I left. Bought a Hoo Koo E Koo and a Cannondale Cyclocross to replace them later. Depending on what you are going to ride, you may not need a disk or want one. The Gary Fisher Tassajara is a good bike, and the GF stands behind the bikes, if you have any problem.
Cheers,
Dusk
BurlySurly
12-01-04, 09:52 PM
The Tassajara was my first bike. Held up well for a long time. I loved it.
iridebikes
12-04-04, 09:20 PM
Be aware of the Genesis geometry concept that GF builds into their bikes. It results in a longer top tube, for a more 'stretched out' feel to the ride. If you've ridden the bike, you probably know this.
If there is a Kona dealer near you, you may want to check out a couple of their bikes, the Fire Mountain and Blast can be had for a few bucks less than the Tassajara. Much better component spec on the Blast than on the Tass.
I rode the Tass and the Kona Blast several times, and decided on the Kona. I haven't regreted it yet. The deal-breaker for me was the geometry of the Tass. It just did not climb as well as the Kona, IMO.
However, the Tass has a great reputation for a mass-production bike, despite a slightly weak component spec for the money. Are you sure that frame is produced in the USA?
The 04 (and previous) Tass is domestic Frame. The new 05's are foreign.
If there is a Kona dealer near you, you may want to check out a couple of their bikes, the Fire Mountain and Blast can be had for a few bucks less than the Tassajara. Much better component spec on the Blast than on the Tass.
I rode the Tass and the Kona Blast several times, and decided on the Kona. I haven't regreted it yet. The deal-breaker for me was the geometry of the Tass. It just did not climb as well as the Kona, IMO.
However, the Tass has a great reputation for a mass-production bike, despite a slightly weak component spec for the money. Are you sure that frame is produced in the USA?
The 04 (and previous) Tass is domestic Frame. The new 05's are foreign.
geoduck
12-06-04, 09:40 AM
Thought it was a domestic frame. I could be wrong. I have not riden the Tass yet. I will check out the Kona line. I think there is a dealer close enough. Thanks a bunch.
Your first post indicated that you're 'getting ready' to buy the Tass, but you haven't even ridden it yet? Scary...
I can't stress enough that you MUST TEST RIDE a bike before you buy it, especially something with non-conventional geometry. In fact, I'd ride at least two or three from different manufacturers. At around $500 bucks, it should be easy to find stuff from the big guys like Trek, Giant, Gary Fisher, Cannondale, etc. Kona is a bit harder to find, but ride on of those, too.
Realistically, at that price point, bike fit is paramount. Once you get a good fit on one or more bikes, then start thinking about component set, upgradeability, etc. But first, get a bike that fits! And the only way to determine what feels good it to ride it.
Your first post indicated that you're 'getting ready' to buy the Tass, but you haven't even ridden it yet? Scary...
I can't stress enough that you MUST TEST RIDE a bike before you buy it, especially something with non-conventional geometry. In fact, I'd ride at least two or three from different manufacturers. At around $500 bucks, it should be easy to find stuff from the big guys like Trek, Giant, Gary Fisher, Cannondale, etc. Kona is a bit harder to find, but ride on of those, too.
Realistically, at that price point, bike fit is paramount. Once you get a good fit on one or more bikes, then start thinking about component set, upgradeability, etc. But first, get a bike that fits! And the only way to determine what feels good it to ride it.
seely
12-06-04, 09:50 AM
Well, Genesis Geometry doesn't actually stretch you out anymore than a conventional frame. What they are giving you is a longer top-tube + a short stem, so actual cockpit size is pretty standard. I think they handle like crap, but thats just my preference. A lot, if not most, mtb companies are using longer top tubes now anyways so I think the Genesis Geometry has really lost its uniqueness in the past 3 years. I mean my Specialized has a 24" top tube w/ a 120mm stem, it doesn't get much longer than that :D
LilRootRx7
12-07-04, 11:31 AM
I had a 2000 Tassajara and I loved it. It was a very lightweight and fast XC bike in my opinion. Unfortunatly it is just a frame now because i swapped all my parts to a urban assault hardtail. At sometime in the future im going to rebuild that frame because its got such beautiful geometry
iridebikes
12-07-04, 05:14 PM
Your first post indicated that you're 'getting ready' to buy the Tass, but you haven't even ridden it yet? Scary...
I can't stress enough that you MUST TEST RIDE a bike before you buy it, especially something with non-conventional geometry. In fact, I'd ride at least two or three from different manufacturers. At around $500 bucks, it should be easy to find stuff from the big guys like Trek, Giant, Gary Fisher, Cannondale, etc. Kona is a bit harder to find, but ride on of those, too.
Realistically, at that price point, bike fit is paramount. Once you get a good fit on one or more bikes, then start thinking about component set, upgradeability, etc. But first, get a bike that fits! And the only way to determine what feels good it to ride it.
Will ride the Tass. My son has a Marlin (same geo/same size). I like the feel real well. I am a road cyclist for the most part and just want to ride with my son. The long feel feals natural to me vs being so upright. Still looking and thanks for the great comments and suggestions. I looked at the Kona and Specialized line also.
I can't stress enough that you MUST TEST RIDE a bike before you buy it, especially something with non-conventional geometry. In fact, I'd ride at least two or three from different manufacturers. At around $500 bucks, it should be easy to find stuff from the big guys like Trek, Giant, Gary Fisher, Cannondale, etc. Kona is a bit harder to find, but ride on of those, too.
Realistically, at that price point, bike fit is paramount. Once you get a good fit on one or more bikes, then start thinking about component set, upgradeability, etc. But first, get a bike that fits! And the only way to determine what feels good it to ride it.
Will ride the Tass. My son has a Marlin (same geo/same size). I like the feel real well. I am a road cyclist for the most part and just want to ride with my son. The long feel feals natural to me vs being so upright. Still looking and thanks for the great comments and suggestions. I looked at the Kona and Specialized line also.