Submitted by
chrisgamartin
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Collins CO, Larimer Date Reviewed: October 6, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Deer Creek Canyon
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Lees Cyclery
Strengths:
It a great bike with nice comfort of a hard tail. The 29ers make really technical sections a lot easier and crushes decents.
Weaknesses:
The larger wheels make switchbacks more technical. I have had two rear hubs go out on in midride in under two years of owning the bike.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Tassarari and bitter silver
Bottom Line:
I love this bike and have been a dedicated Gary Fisher supporter for over two decades, but I am very frustrated with having rear hubs go out on me every year.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
homey
a Weekend Warrior
from South Chicago area Date Reviewed: September 25, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Prolly Palos cause thats all we have
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
my friends garage
Strengths:
feels solid; has a nifty little gussets scattered around it (i like gussets); cheap; sorta lightish kinda
Weaknesses:
feels solid; fork sucks monkey nuts
Similar Products Used:
i've never ridden a 29er for anything other then a short test, so i'd say nothing really similar for me. This is my first 29er.
Bike Setup:
xtr, fox f100 fork
Bottom Line:
Okay, being a frequent visitor of mtbr I knew it was just a matter of time before i threw my hands in the air and bought a 29er. I had my heart set on getting a Moots or Ventana but then my friend started looking at my (26") Talas on my Titus and asked me if I'd want to trade for his Cobia. Considering the slight cost penalty if I hated this whole 29er thing, I said yes and with that I officially entered 29er nerd-dom. My past experience is with full suspension 26" bikes so going from 5" travel bike to nothing was a bit dramatic, especially for my posterior. I've had a few reminders while i'm riding to stand instead of sitting it out but I can't fault the bike for my laziness.
I was expecting this bike to kinda suck to be honest, it had everything that I had come to hate over the years: its a Trek product (personal issue), hardtail, purple paint, Rock Shox fork.
The issue with Trek is slowly starting to fade b/c of how well this thing actually rides. I've had to stuff some of my pride and just enjoy riding this bike. It's as comfortable as any bike I've ever owned, it just seems to fit properly (dang you Trek!!). Also, as I replaced parts I noticed little gussets on the frame that seem to be well placed (at least for my eye) and other little things that are very nice to see at this price level. So, begrudgingly I have to say, kudos to Gary Fisher for making Trek build him a decent looking frame.
As far as the fork goes, i can still hate Rock Shox b/c the stock fork is terrible. I understand that it's a cheap fork on a cheap bike but come on, the fork ride like poop. I haven't taken it apart but I'm sure Rock Shox has used Jiffy peanut butter instead of oil for its compression! Same goes for the the rebound, I'm not sure why RS decided to have a sticker on it showing adjustments, it's either terrible or off. I hate this fork, so I bought a Fox. I have yet to find a Fox fork that I didn't want to bring to bed with me, I love this thing.
The hardtail thing and the purple paint are issues I can completely deal with and have learned to love over the last couple months. A hardtail is much easier to ride around town then a 5" full susser (duh) and I'm really considering never going back to the unnecessary weight of suspension. I've come to the realization that illinois (the place I unfortunately live) is flat... mountain bikes out here don't need full suspension, let alone 5 inches of it!
I'd totally recommend this bike to anyone looking for a bike that can grow with them without having to fork over big bills to ride 29er. Buy a new fork right away though, i've even heard the reba is decent... but get the fox, its perfect.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Zed89
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX, USA Date Reviewed: August 29, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Green Belt or Emma Long
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1050.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Sport Shop,
Strengths:
29er, geometry, amazing ride once some minor mods made. Climbing, acceleration, speed through technical trails.
Weaknesses:
Stock grips and handlebars
Similar Products Used:
None.
Bike Setup:
Stock, except Lizard Skin grips, carbon riser bars with no sweep, Thudbuster LT, Acid2 pedals.
Bottom Line:
BH228 is a genius -- I modified my bike the way he suggested in another post on this review thread, and it is now fantastic! Read that review as well.
I recently got back into mountain biking to try out the XTerra racing series. I liked the fit of the Cobia and the 29er wheels but was having some difficulty with hard tail on Texas trails and also with control on quick switchbacks. I bought riser bars and a Thudbuster and wow, what a difference! The "non-swept" bars make a huge difference on this bike -- now very intuitive on the trails. Love this bike now and have been thoroughly enjoying it. It'll take whatever I can throw at it and eats up the rock gardens. Thanks for the tips. I do notice the extra weight when trekking it over really large stuff, but that's minor.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
BH2288
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Texas Date Reviewed: August 1, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Green Belt
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
i have the new, made by Trek, version and it is a very handsome bike. The drive train works well. With future upgrades has light weight potential.
Weaknesses:
It is a little heavy because of the lower grade wheel set and over all component package. Stock handle bars were not very good, in my opinion.
Similar Products Used:
Mostly Frankenbikes that have had the best components I could afford. All 26 inch bikes.
Bike Setup:
All stock except for inexpensive Truvative riser bar and Oury grips. Oh, yeah, and a thudbuster seat post that I just got.
Bottom Line:
Those who should buy this bike are ones who are looking for a bullet proof bike that has a lot of cool factor for the price. I am 6'2" and weigh about 180 lbs. I am a fairly strong rider and pretty rough on a bike, but do not do "hucks" or other X-game type stuff. The trails in Austin have a lot of variety from single track to rock gardens to downhill. The Cobia has been an excellent bike for everything. I must say, though, the original handlebars that are flat, narrow and sweep back slightly, did not work well for me. The bike was sluggish in turns and I kept washing the front tire off of the trail (VERY FRUSTRATING!). I worried that all the talk about sluggish cornering 29ers was true and that I had made a bad purchase. After replacing the bars with riser bars that are also wider, I have had no more issues with cornering. The original bars were just too narrow and didn't provide enough leverage. I found it VERY helpful to pay special attention to the lever and shifter set up. A good place to start when adjusting the placement of your levers is to use a 6mm allen wrench to space the shifter pods away from the end of the grip. Then, sit on the bike and align the break levers so that the handle bar blocks you view of them and snug the shifter pods right up to the bottom of the brake levers. From there, make minor adjustments for comfort. If you have to rotate your wrist to get your fingers on the levers, you severely compromise your cornering performance. My friend that owns a bike shop taught me that and it worked well even though it didn't "look" right, at first. Fitting the bike is, as I learned, crucial to having a bike that you think is awesome. The SRAM drive train is excellent even at the X.5 level. I will never go back to Shimano, given the choice. Another thing that I like is that the X-large frame looks proportioned like a medium sized 26er. Usually 26 inch frames that fits me disappoint in the aesthetic department because the frame makes the tires look too small. I attribute the functionality of the 29er to be compatibility with my build. The Cobia fits me very well and I see it as a bike to keep and upgrade as parts wear out. Also, if you are worried about the weight (31 lbs), the Paragon feels much lighter, but is the same frame. It is also almost twice the cost of the Cobia. I can't tell you about the thudbuster seat post yet, but I am pretty sure it will be great! Finally, I want to thank all those who review responsibly. I have made several purchases I am happy with in large part to this forum. I am glad to contribute my part to the next guy/girl looking to sift past all the B.S. and hype out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Pawel
a Cross Country Rider
from Lublin, Poland Date Reviewed: July 28, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Beskidy
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1545.00
Purchased At:
rowerydwa.com
Strengths:
Very good confidence riding bigger wheels, They bite really well in mud, and the bigger wheel rolls great over obstacles. All components work well, will change them when they'll tear out
Weaknesses:
Saddle isn't comfortable for me, still trying get used to it, but probably will change it for San Marco Rolls, that suit me really well, Grips are weak, planning to change it for Ergon grips ASAP.
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Bike Setup:
Stock, just changed the pedals for shimano 540 clipless
Bottom Line:
I was thinking about 29er for so long, was inbeatween two models felt nine comp, and cobia, bought the second one, and i'm really happy with it. Bike roll so well, for eg. during downhils im just point where i want to go and roll with huge smile on my face, feel so confidence when im rolling bigger wheels, dont use the brakes so often during downhills, side cornering is awsome
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
WR88
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey Date Reviewed: June 29, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Danziesen and Quigle
Strengths:
Feels lightweight, brakes very strong, excellent frame, Tora fork feels durable and firm, 29in wheels.
Weaknesses:
Bike feels light but extra weight from 29in wheels is very noticeable at higher speeds, shifting can be a bit harsh at times.
Bike Setup:
Stock although I am planning on buying some lighter rims
Bottom Line:
I had this bike nowhere on my radar when I was looking to upgrade from my old bike nor any 29er's. I decided to test it at a LBS and the way it climbs and goes over obstacles was astonishing. The BB5's worried me somewhat after reading some negatives reviews but after a little use they will lockup the wheel at will and send me over the handlebars with ease. What also sold me was the prospect of having a bike with 29in wheels that could be efficient on the road. Overall this is a fantastic bike at a decent price and if you are looking at a 29er, this is hard to beat.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Loggahead
a Weekend Warrior
from Pensacola Date Reviewed: April 7, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$950.00
Purchased At:
Bike Plus
Strengths:
29" tires; Genesis 2.0; Tora shock.
Weaknesses:
I have found none so far for my style of riding.
Bike Setup:
Stock except an upgrade to a Bontrager Select stem with a longer reach and a Bontrager Select flat handlebar.
Bottom Line:
So, I did a lot of reserch into this whole 29er debacle and decided to jump on one. Despite all the 26ers out there who don't believe in 29ers, I knew there was something great about 29ers when I found that every LBS worker I talked to in my area all swore they would never ride 26" again.
So the biggest concern that people talk about on 29ers was bike response in cornering and just in general. Not sure about the others in this class, but this new 08 Cobia responds just as well as my old GT 26". This could be because of the added tech put into the Genesis 2.0 and the fork offset...
At first I was a little discouraged with my purchase. I will say that the first couple of trail rides found me overexerting myself and not cornering well. This I now know was because I was not used to the feel of the new bike. My third trail ride however, I felt as if I finally had my legs beneath me and absolutely bombed the trails. I found myself cornering better with higher speed than I ever did with my GT 26". I found that I was blasting through the trails much more effortlessly with much less energy spent in keeping my momentum up. The 29" tires rock. Like others have said before, once you get them rolling they just don't want to stop.
Bottom line: After a few rides of learning the new 29er, I am outperforming myself when I was on my GT by a long shot. The others that were biking with me were saying things like "Geez, when we start the trail I'm back here pedaling trying to get moving and you're just gone...". For the $1000 price range for the enthusiast biker, you can't go wrong with the 08 Cobia.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick Blalock
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Charles, MO, USA Date Reviewed: March 23, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Chubb Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$950.00
Purchased At:
Momentum Cycles
Strengths:
Strong frame so far with the hydroformed top tube and down tube... An upgrade from the 2007 model. Also, the top of the rear triangle where it is welded to the seat tube is beefier as well as the rear derailer mount. It is equipped with decent components for the price. The color is also sweet, metallic grey!
Weaknesses:
The Avid BB5 brakes have been somewhat irritating in that they can be noisy at times from over heating on the longer downhills. I placed some masking tape over a couple areas where cable rub would have been inevitable. The seat tube clamp has to be clamped down TIGHT otherwise you'll find yourself sinking on the rougher trails.
Similar Products Used:
I also compared it to a 2008 Specialized Rockhopper Comp 29
Bike Setup:
Upgraded to BB7 brakes (203mm/185mm) and SD-7 brake levers. Will upgrade to foam grips soon. M520 pedals.
Bottom Line:
When I was in the market for a new mountain bike I knew I wanted a 29er and it came down to either the Gary Fisher Cobia or the Specialized Rockhopper Comp 29. The difference that did it for me was a video on youtube that compared the SRAM X5 derailer to the Shimano Deore in a side by side video going over the same terrain. The SRAM was very solid and the Shimano Deore(which is on the Rockhopper) and its chain were bouncing all over the place. The Gary Fisher was also much less $$$ than the Rockhopper... about 100 bucks. The Rockhopper also has schrader valves instead of the prestas on the Cobia.
After taking off all the reflectors and installing my clipless pedals I hit the trails. I found that my seat tube would slide down on the bouncy parts and I had to really crank the lever down hard to keep that from happening again. The only other thing that gave me a headache was the brake system. They are equipped with the Avid BB5s which, for me, tended to overheat and become noisy on the longer, steeper downhills. With 29" wheels I upgraded to the BB7s with a 203mm rotor in the front for wicked power and zero fade and a 185 in the rear. The BB5s would be fine for someone who rides trails that don't have long, steep hills. I upgraded the FR5 levers to SD7 levers after braking one of the originals... good upgrade for being able to adjust the leverage!
I would definitely recommend this bike for someone in the hardtail, 29er market. It comes with great value, frame strength, quick shifting, and reliability.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JD
a Cross Country Rider
from Lynchburg Date Reviewed: December 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
East Coast Singletrack, Candlers
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$899.00
Purchased At:
Bikes Unlimited
Strengths:
GF geometry, Warranty service, solid hardtail
Weaknesses:
Not a great value in componentry for the money; GF could have at least thrown in an XT rear derailler and shifter to match.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Superlight, Specialized S.J.
Bike Setup:
Upgraded the seat (Fizi'k Gobi), seatpost(Thomson), shifters (Sram Rockets), Specialized flat bar, new knobbies to replace the "no grip" stock tires
Bottom Line:
I am 6' tall and 220#. I enjoy single-track and started to incorporate a little bit of downhill in my rides. What started out as a last resort to getting exercise, I have a blown left knee that cannot handle lateral exercise, has taken on a life of its own; I love to bike and for two years now my ride continues to evolve. The GF Cobia was a great fit for me two years ago. It climbs like a pack mule, the brakes are great, the weight is negligible and bottom line, it is a 29'r. I am sold on them (until I try a 69'r, that is). I have heard talk about GF frames being a bit weak, and guess what? My 19" frame cracked at the top bar's cable guide. However, GF replaced it w/in three weeks; it was replaced with an Xcal 17.5" frame do to the fact I hate the blue used for the Cobia model and know this....you need to go down a frame size when you buy a 29'r. I wish I knew this before the Cobia purchase. My agility and therefore speeds have greatly increased as well as my confidence and enjoyment since I now have greater control of the bike. With some new upgrades, this can eventually be rated a lot higher...once the derailers have been replaced w/ XTRs or X9s and the wheel sets are replaced w/ lighter ones, I would like to think that my bike is where it needs to be. Bottom line...Buy this bike as an entry level 29'r or spend extra on the Paragon.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Chapel Hill, NC, USA Date Reviewed: November 5, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Dark Mtn, N. Wilkesboro
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Clean Machine, Chapel Hill
Strengths:
Ride, the fact that it's a 29er, fork lock-out, serious roll on the descents, climbs beautifully, despite its weight, a touch mushy in the quicks.
Weaknesses:
Brakes are a pain in the d**k, but when they're properly adjusted, they work pretty well Weight in the climbs/acceleration
Similar Products Used:
1st mtn bike in 6 years... previously had a StumpJumper comp '99
Bike Setup:
all stock, except ergo bargrips and eggbeater pedals
Bottom Line:
A really fun bike to ride. My first 29er, and I'm really happy with it. I'm a bigger guy, and so I wouldn't mind a stiffer ride, but as this was my first bike purchase in several years, I figured I didn't want to go balls out on the money end of things. For the money, pretty excellent. Am going to upgrade to BB7s (instead of stock BB5s), and glad i went with new eggbeaters--the stock pedals sorta sucked.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC, USA Date Reviewed: October 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
US National Whitewater Center
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$799.00
Purchased At:
Ultimate Bikes
Strengths:
Rolls over everything really well. Surprisingly put it up against my Trek 8700 Carbon Fiber XC racer and the Cobia is smooth as ice. It floats over everything like a dream.
Weaknesses:
Component spec, but for the money it is pretty amazing. I didn't have 2 grand to drop on a bike so I get what I pay for. I can see myself replacing the Deore with xt in the future and maybe at some point when I have some money replacing the front shock with a Reba or Sid 29er (If they make a SID 29er).
Similar Products Used:
X-Caliber, Trek 69er, Cannondale Caffeine
Bike Setup:
Completely stock. Tora Fork, complete Deore, Avid Mechanical BB5, Bontrager just about everything else.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that you need one of these if you are in the east, you love the hard-tail, you don't have a ton of money, and you are tired of washboarding over roots. This bike, while 6 lbs heavier than my Trek, climbs just as well, feels like a mountain goat the way it holds to the trail, and is really comfortable over the crazy mess of roots we have out here. I am very pleased with my purchase.
I don't take heavy jumps, I do mostly xc so you won't see me doing any crazy drops on black diamond or bike park trails, but I am completely comfortable on blues and reds with lots of climbing involved.
I am a clyde and was worried a little about the strength of the wheelset, but it is pretty beefy and does very well for the 235# it is holding.
Standover is a little tighter, but having a long torso I love the top tube's length. It is also very nice to have the extra height to the bottom bracket, I haven't bottomed out once.
The Tora fork is a little less than perfect, but it is strong and I love being able to change the air pressure to suit my needs as a heavy rider. My last two forks were very low on the totem pole before (Manitou THREE/Jett C), so I am loving the plush fork that doesn't bottom out when I do catch a little air.
I also have not had the problems that others have had with the seat post or the frame, maybe they fixed them? I have only had this bike for two months, so I may run into some issues with the seatpost, but so far so good. Worst comes to worst I will replace the seatpost with and Easton. I am going to give this an outstanding on both counts for it's value and it's overall.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from West Hartford, CT Date Reviewed: August 17, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Glastonbury state forest
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Newington Bke
Strengths:
Frame, fork lockout, climbs like a billy goat
Weaknesses:
portly weight, component spec a little weak for the money, especially in the wheels
Similar Products Used:
Mostly road and tri bikes in the last five years
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
Let's face it, this is an inexpensive bike in the grand scheme of serious trail worthy rides. I picked this bike up as a training tool and to complete some of the local off road triathlons. I went to my LBS and explained what I was looking for and the owner suggested the Cobia (I had worked for him several years and I sincerely don't feel he was trying to unload something on me).
I expected to find a mediocre ride, especially given component spec. The parking lot test was good and I instantly fell in love with the bike when I first rode it in the woods. I found that I could ride climbs that I previously could not. Singletrack riding is a little tighter than on a "standard" mountain bike and acceleration is a little slower, but I attribute much of that to the lower quality of the wheels and not the size (a race weight 29er wheel is going to accelerate faster than a beefy 26 inch wheel).
Descending is only a problem when drifting in corners on loose rock. Once up to speed, this bike flies.
While I plan on replacing the Deore parts when they wear out with sram x9 or shimano xt parts over time, they still do complete the task at hand. The Avid brakes likewise work well. The wheels are beefy and will be replaced as soon as I wear them out. Despite their weight, however, they do function well enough for the moment and I anticipate they should serve me well throughout the fall, winter, and spring seasons.
Many of the complaints about GF surround frame quality. I have not had any of those problems yet but, I should temper those comments with a disclaimer that I am only 5' 10" and about 160 pounds. Thus far, I am impressed with the quality of the frame and the higher quality tubing. I did read an article once that said that marketing 29ers toward taller riders was a mistake as it is more difficult to make stronger wheels. I don't necessarily buy that but in retrospect, that makes sense.
Overall, as an entry point into the 29 inch world, this bike is hard to beat. I would have liked to have some LX parts for the money but given the economies of scale and the lighter weight frame tubing, deore parts a good trade off. For many of us working on a budget and other financial commitments, a niner with I9 wheels and an xtr set up is out of the question. With some upgrades, this could easily become a long distance racer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dallas Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Fayetteville, AR, USA Date Reviewed: August 12, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Lake Leatherwood
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$989.00
Purchased At:
Fayetteville Bicycle Company
Strengths:
inexpensive, looks good
Weaknesses:
Heavy, poor handling, poor acceleration
Similar Products Used:
non, have ridden treks, and cannondale 26ers
Bike Setup:
stock, upgraded to a rigid carbon pace 29er fork
Bottom Line:
This bike is all hype. If I could do it over again I would definitely not purchase this bike. This bike handles very poorly. I tried adding a rigid fork to quicken the steering up but it still feels sluggish. Changing lines on the fly quickly just doesnt wo It does roll over stuff easier but thats it. The acceleration is horrible it just doesn't get up to speed as quickly. This bike makes you feel the bumps a little less and that is it. I have ridden a Carver 69er and seems the best of both worlds, wicked acceleration, and it handles like its on rails, plus it rolls over bumps better. I am going to try putting a 26 inch wheel on the back to see if I can get some acceleration and better handling
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jared
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern Utah Date Reviewed: July 24, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Fisher's Cyclery
Strengths:
Tora shock is a great deal for the price. It's no Reba Race, but it holds up well. 2007 models have sorted out the frame issues, no creaking here. Genesis geometry works great on this bike. When set up right, the front wheel stays right where it should be. As a friend of mine said when he tested the bike, "it climbs like a mountain goat!" Tora is a great entry-level fork. Bontrager wheels seem quite durable and stock Bontrager tires are SUPER grippy.
Weaknesses:
Seatpost slips. Badly. I have to raise it every time a hit a rough trail. Initially, my bars creaked a good bit. The BB5 brakes fade FAST. Stock Bontrager grips still slide around like a Criscoed up 300 lb. fat guy down a slide. The bike is a tad on the heavy side at 30.5 lbs. or so. Deore front derailleur has been a problem for me, but the rear is great.
Similar Products Used:
My first 29er
Bike Setup:
Stock 19" 2007 Gary Fisher Cobia. Shimano M324 SPD Pedals, Hayes Nine Brakes
Bottom Line:
Once I got the bike properly set up, I really began loving it more. I discovered very quickly that my LBS didn't set the bike up properly and it required some tweaking on my end, but that's not Gary Fisher's fault. Needless to say, my first few rides were nasty.
I've had to adjust the front derailleur several times and I'm still not happy with where it's at. I really need to mash the lever to get the chain to a larger ring. Sometimes, I need to mash it twice. This may be a problem stemming from the poor initial setup and my lack of knowledge about derailleurs. The rear unit hasn't given me a single issue.
The stock BB5 disc brakes aren't so great. They whine, even when being adjusted time and again. Worse though, They've become VERY soft on me during a few downhill rides and that is not a good feeling. I have replaced them with some Hayes Nines which seem to do a much better job at keeping their cool. I kept the roundagon rotors which seem to do a good job of clearing the junk out from between the pads.
My headset has come loose once and I determined that, again, was due to a poor initial setup. As previously mentioned, the stock grips stink. I've done everything I can to lock them down, but they still slide.
Last negative, the bike is heavy, but a few minor parts swaps can shave off a few pounds quick.
I should say how much I love the way this bike looks. After looking at my bike for so long, 26er wheels look abnormal. The larger wheels look aggressive and ride wonderfully. They smooth out the little bumps and maintain speed like a mother. That being said, my first couple of rides on the Cobia were brutal. Then again, I got broke in on two brutal trails. I haven't ridden for 10+ years so, it was particularly difficult.
My wheels have taken a good beating so far and are still as true as they were when I got the bike. The stock tires will probably be bought again when I need tires because they hold on to everything.
I run my tires at about 40 psi and it makes a huge difference. Initially, I was riding with a much lower pressure, and my legs paid the price. I've been told that 29ers can run with a lower pressure, but I prefer not to go that way on the rocky terrain around here. I blaze over sand with the bigger wheel while my buddies on 26ers get bogged down.
The Tora shock is easy to tune to your tastes. I run my ride with about 180 psi and the compression adjuster just turned up just a tad. It's nice to lock it out on uphills. I also run the rebound just a few clicks up from the lowest setting. At my weight, this works great for me. It's a GREAT entry-level fork.
Cockpit size and length seems almost perfect for me (6' flat and 193). Now that the bike is dialed in, I smoke my buddy going uphill and downhill and the large wheel really performs some of the local rolling terrain. Sure, it takes a little more effort to pedal the thing, but my body has adjusted quickly.
I'm sold on the 29er concept and I would recommend a Cobia to anyone looking for an inexpensive entry into 29ers. Future upgrades to stem, bars, and derailleurs will be nice, but not necessary for a great ride. Definitely upgrade the seatpost. If you can afford the extra money, upgrade to the Paragon or X-Caliber for the better components, but for what I paid for the bike, I'm totally happy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian S
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey Date Reviewed: July 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
(sub)urban jungle
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Danzeisen & Quigley
Strengths:
Frame, Fork, Drivetrain (for the cost), ride
Weaknesses:
Seatpost, weight (its a "big" bike)
Similar Products Used:
GT hardtail
Bike Setup:
Stock except for seatpost (Titec El Norte) and saddle (old Selle Italia from my road bike)
Bottom Line:
Re-review after a few months...mostly the same as before. Seapost can go "immediately" after purchase and will cure the slippage problem (my Titec was a good buy... a bit of a pain with 4 bolts, but is rock solid)...saddle should go too (its cheap...a low end WTB would do you better). I think the wheels may be a bit flexy, but surprisingly the tires have held up ok (few rocks/thorns around here...mostly sand, grass, and asphalt). Shimano Deore kit might be cheap but its worked smoothly so far. The Tora is actually really, really good (makes the bike actually). No frame problem for me and I haven't had any rear tire/front-derail issues either. I think this year's bike comes w/ a Bontrager crank (mine's Shimano) so you'll have to find out if that's good/bad yourself. Bottom line...would I buy it again? Yes, with the disclaimer of "for the money". Would I buy a 29'er again...definitely. Essentially, this bike has the low end 29'er bike category all to itself. There is really nothing better you can get for the money. For what it is, the bike is really very good. For anyone "normal" sized 29'ers are the way to go...you won't regret it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, Tx, USA Date Reviewed: June 22, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Bull Creek
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Bicycle Sports shop
Strengths:
Speed and price are the top of the list here for me
Weaknesses:
The low end components are wearing out very quickly, but I have put on over 300 miles in under six months and most of those in thick to watery mud, I guess I can't complain
Seat slippage is an issue. I also bent my seat, but I'm 6' 240 so I can't say much.
The weight is a bit much but that's also comparing to my road bike.
Similar Products Used:
no 29ers, but a few giant mountain bike, including one FS.
Bike Setup:
Stock, but is currently getting an XT rear hub as I ride in teh mud and water too much. I'm also having an new seat put on. I'm probably going to put some crank brother's mallets on as well.
Bottom Line:
The speed of this bike for it's components is simply amazing. This was my first mountain bike and after only 2 months of riding my more experienced friend was complaining that the 29ers where an unfair advantage because I was out riding him and not trying.
It's also priced nicely for an entry level bike.
I'm very happy the guy at the sportshop talked me into it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, Idaho, USA Date Reviewed: June 21, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Rock Garden/Table Rock Loop
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$945.00
Purchased At:
Idaho Mountain Touring
Strengths:
29' Wheels, Tora fork, stable and easy frame, clipless and normal pedals.
Weaknesses:
Deore components aren't the best for the buck, but they get things done. Upgrade if you can. Seatpost slips easily.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Hard Rock COMP
Bike Setup:
Stock. Getting new rear and front DR soon. Maybe a new seatpost as well.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. One of the most noticable things about it is that I can take turns much faster and more stable than I could on a 26' bike. The big wheels make for more fluid rides over rocks and obstacles. The frame feels extremely stable and very comfortable. If you want a competitive 29er and dont want to break your bank, consider the Cobia.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Walnut Creek, CA, USA Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Downieville
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Roaring Mouse, SF, CA (Great guys!)
Strengths:
29ers are the way to go. If you're thinking about it, it probably is for you. I was going to hold off writing this review for a while, but then I did the Downieville Downhill (AMAZING!). At this point I've done windy singletrack, long grinding uphills, and crazy, rocky downhills. I feel I can now thoroughly and fairly review this product.
Weaknesses:
There is noticeable flex in the rear wheel. When pedaling hard uphill it actually helps because the wheel is less apt to spin out when you're less than smooth with your strokes. Checking speed on real downhills can be unnerving, though. It almost feels as though you have a flat. I'm going to look into going to 7 or 8 speed to take some dish out of the wheel.
The seat post also slips, and I don't want to risk snapping the clamp bold by cranking it down any harder.
Similar Products Used:
Test-rode Cannondale and higher-end Gary Fisher 29ers. Have also owned a Stump Jumper and a Trek Fuel (which is also a great, great bike).
Bike Setup:
Pretty much stock but with Time pedals (awesome) and WTB Nano tire on the back (I guess the factory ran out of the cheap tires). I found the Nanos to be a little dinky for my style of riding, though. I liked Fire XCs, and will eventually get something similar.
Bottom Line:
The truth is I could have afforded much more bike, and could have justified it, too, as I'm planning on riding it for a decade or more. But after looking around and trying different models I couldn't see that it was worth shelling out the extra cash. Back in New England I rode a FS as the trails were so much rockier. But in NorCal the trails are pretty mellow, so I figured just the bigger wheels would be adequate. That turned out to be right on. If what you do is downhill, then you should have a downhill bike. But for the rest of us who ride up before bombing down, there's nothing a rear shock can do for you that you can't do better with strength and skill. Just ask those guys back there.
The Tora fork is great, though I'll admit I haven't owned many forks. Deore components are just fine when new, and with the money I saved I'll replace them bit by bit with XT as they wear. The BB5 breaks are surprisingly good, but I can't wait to have hydraulics again. The hydros just have that feel.
Points off for a sloppy rear wheel and the Incredible Sinking Seat Post, but overall, I would definitely buy this very same bike again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver CO USA Date Reviewed: May 14, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
This is my first mountain bike. I'm 6'4", 200 lbs., and 56 yrs. old. It's very stable at slow and medium speeds. The 29" wheels soak up bumps very well. The forks work well on relatively smooth doubletrack. It seems to climb well. Frame seems stiff enough. I put 55 psi in both tires. The 21" size frame and the 29" wheel geometry fits me perfectly. Saddle is not bad even after 90 + minutes of riding. I have also had no problems with the seat post. This is a newer Fisher frame that has a seat tube with consistent inside diameter. The seat post requires a little adjustment at the start and the clamp must be set fairly tight. Once set, it stays in place. Mechanical disk brakes work well on the trails I've tried. Front derailleur shifts quickly and positively.
Weaknesses:
Somewhat heavy. Thin tires and tubes invite flats from stickers, goatheads, etc. Get tire liners, Slime, or both. Grips are junk, I replaced them with Ergo grips. Shimano M-505 pedals are difficult to adjust and get in or out of. I replaced them with some Forte (Performance Bike) $40 SPD pedals which are 100% better. Shimano Deore rear derailleur upshifts slowly, probably an adjustment problem. Adjustment of the mechanical disk brakes is a little tricky the first time. Mud sticks to the tires.
Stock except for taller stem, Forte SPD pedals, and Ergo grips.
Bottom Line:
A good entry-level bike for tall riders. Components and wheels are serviceable and can be upgraded later, if needed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Eastern WA, US Date Reviewed: May 11, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Strengths:
Stable at low speed, very stable at high speed, really doesn't want to endo, all components work well
Weaknesses:
Heavy, not the easiest in switchbacks, frame geometry gets weird in smaller sizes, horrible saddle
Bike Setup:
stock '06 except the saddle
Bottom Line:
I crash less and have more fun on this bike. The 29" wheels make for noticeably greater stability even at the slowest creep, but especially at speed. The Genesis setup is everything it's cracked up to be. The bike doesn't want to endo, has great climbing traction, and it's easy to lift the front wheel over obstacles. The flip side is that it tends to wheelie on steep seated climbs, but that's easily avoided by pulling up on the bars.
Drivetrain components are cheap for a $900 bike but work well. No complaints about the fork or brakes.
My only real gripe is that the tall front end inherent to 29ers makes for pretty odd frame geometry on the smaller sizes. On the smallest, the front triangle is tight enough that there's only room for one bottle cage.
As for the mention of frame flex or cracking in other reviews, I haven't seen a hint of it. My dealer claims that those problems existed in older Cobia frames but have since been corrected.
I'm convinced that most riders would be better off on a 29er, and this is the cheapest way to get one. Stay away if weight is a major concern or if the drivetrain spec still bothers you after a test ride.
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Submitted by
Brian S.
a Weekend Warrior
from South Jersey Date Reviewed: March 25, 2007
$ 989.99
Overall Rating:
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