Damon (Jeepin 4 now)

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/15323/img_0061.jpg"></center><p>

Russ

If you plan on riding off road I would definitly recommend 3" of clearance on the top tube when standing on the ground. Even with road bike you sould have a 1" of clearance. Men usually have long torso's and short legs and the majoroty of bikes are made to a man's proportions. However to meet the requirments of your inseam heght you may feel the bike will feel short in the top tube - you may be scrunched up a bit in the upper body. You will have to play with seat postition and possibly look into getting a longer stem for the handelbars to strech out bit more if you go to a smaller frame. Take the bike you bought down to the shop, and ride it and the smaller one - see which feels better. Take into account what kind of riding you will be doing too. I would want the clearnace if you are going to blazing the fireroads in the backcountry becasue some time or another you will appreciate it. If the bike is more for casual riding then you just might find the bike comfotable enough. Hope this helps some

jyoteen

I have a Fisher myself, although I haven't ridden it in a year or two. LA traffic makes me very nervous to ride on streets. I got my Fisher AL1 about 10 years ago. Back then I was riding it every day, after I come home from work for about 12-15 miles. The bike was simply phenominal.

One word about fitment. Get one that fits. Not only do you want good "nut" clearance, but good fit between your hands and shoulders. The distance and the angle of the headset make all the difference. I got my Fisher for about $1000. It was super light back then, and stil is now, but my frame isn't too kind to Aluminum anymore :-(.

Get good gearsets and pedals and above all else, good grips. Back then, I got Biogrips (I'm sure they make a revised one). They fit my grip perfectly, and it was shaped perfectly. Also, get a great seat. This will ensure that you are comfortable. I have a gel Trek seat that I got and have had for years.

You may also want to invest in road tires. That way, you have flexibility in riding on the tarmac or in Moab.

With my height at 6'2", I have a 28" bike frame. See if they will take it back. You will have this bike for years, and therefore want to make sure it fits PERFECTLY!.

Nice purchase and in choosing a good all around bike.

James R.

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/227/fisherbrakes.jpg"></center><p>the thing stops on a dime...which really surprised me since you've got much less leverage and lower linear velocity...but it stops like mad anyhow.

Yeah I hear you on the AL frame...I'm no lightweight myself...but far from being heavy enough to challenge a AL frame, least that's what everyone has told me. The bike is not super light but it's not a tank either...on the postal scale it tipped in at about 27 lbs...the small should be even lighter.

Yeah I like my nuts just they way they are...and for this kinda money I think I want to make sure I get the bike that fits me properly so that I'll ride it more. Hopefully they'll take it back...it has essentially NO use...I would buy it w/o hesitation.

I got it for fun...and because I need more exercise...wait I need exercise period ;-) This looks like a good way to get some...I loved bikes as a kid...so why not now. Getting an $800 bike for $650 seemed like a good deal to me...even if I get stuck with this frame it will prolly be OK, but I'll be less likely to hit the offroad stuff as much for fear of the worst.

Regards,

James R.

jyoteen

You should ask StopTech if they have a solution for the Fisher :-)

RKA

Here's a site I found quite helpful when I bought my Fisher two years ago. (the audiworld of mountain biking)<ul><li><a href="http://www.mtbr.com/">http://www.mtbr.com/</a</li></ul>

James R.

LOL one rotor would outweigh the entire bike almost ;-) No thanks...hehe

Damon (Jeepin 4 now)

LoL. I was wondering how long before you'd post a close-up pic of that front disk. ;-)

James R.

it's supposed to be much nicer...but this works fine for now...when the pads start to wear on these maybe I'll get the hydraulic brakes and do the rear while I'm at it.

Regards,

James R.

Another Drew

Hey!! My first mtb was a hoo koo e koo too!