Big Mountain Riding

Review: Scott Schekman

Photos: Scott Schekman & Randy King

This is a review of a 2008 Gary Fisher HiFi Deluxe 29. (The newer, redesigned HiFi’s geometry resembles the Superfly 100 )

The HiFi 29 hooks up well on steep, technical terrain

I had been looking to demo the Gary Fisher HiFi 29 for more than a year. So, I jumped at the chance when one of the guys at a local bike shop was nice enough to let me borrow his for a week.  The HiFi Deluxe 29 features 100MM (4-inches) travel on both ends, courtesy of a Fox RP2 shock and a Fox F29 RLC fork. The rest of the components were a mix: Avid BB7 brakes, Shimano SLX crankset and XTR front derailleur, SRAM X.0 rear derailleur and throwback grip shifters.  I used my own wheels and tires, a Continental Mountain King (front) and Race King (rear) tires mounted on Stan’s arch rims laced to WTB Laserlite hubs. With the light wheelset, the bike weighed in at 26lbs 2oz (11.8KG) including the Eggbeater pedals.  I also set up the 17.5″ (44.45CM) frame tested with an 80MM stem, which worked well for my height.

A fan of big wheels, I currently own two 29er’s, both hardtails- one setup as a rigid single speed. I have owned and ridden 26” full suspensions, including the 26” HiFi.  Alright, enough of the details. I rode this bike at my local trails, Virginia’s Candler’s Mountain (now called Liberty Mountain trails). These are an epic (+/- 60-miles/96.6KM) mix of single track, steep climbs and descents, fast fire road and technical trails. Now, on to the best part- the riding itself.  I found this bike to be pretty responsive to pedaling input even with the rear shock’s Pro Pedal in full open mode – although it is not as responsive as the new Gary Fisher Superfly 100. The ride was good but not plush, similar to the 26” HiFi.  This bike climbs well, whether the rider is seated or standing. It really hooked up on the steep, technical climbs that I seem to search out.

One challenging climb especially surprised me; it’s a steep, rooty climb that I have only cleaned once out of about thirty attempts on my Salsa Mamacita.  I got it on my third try on this bike. I think full suspension with wagon wheels make a great combination in this situation. The steering and handling were very good and predictable at both slow and higher speeds.  Switch backs were not a problem either, whether going up or down. I noticed no flex in the frame, but heavier riders may.

Overall, the longer I rode this bike, the more I enjoyed it.  It does everything well.  If you are looking for a big wheel full suspension bike that you can ride (and race) in most situations, this one is worth looking into. In fact, you may want to start checking eBay and Craig’s List to find a used one for sale.

© Big Mountain Riding

Wagon Wheels and dual suspenders pair well on the HiFi 29

Review and Photos: Randy King

The Remedy eggs you to take the rough route home

Cruising Moab’s main drag for the first time, my brother and I dug all the signs of this vibrant culture we had joined: the Moab Cyclery safari truck with mounts for 20 bikes, the Gonzo Inn, the Poison Spider Bikes mural. One of our favorites was a campground that boasted: Fun Pigs stay at Slickrock. The Trek Remedy 8 is made for those self-same fun pigs. It is a bike that eggs on its rider and will feed your porcine speed-needs until you find yourself hours later, still pushing personal limits and stuttering gibberish like that laughable Looney Tunes porker.

It takes craft to make something that rides like such cheap fun, and this is a well-made all-mountain rig. Trek redesigned the Remedy with matched 150MM (6″) of quality Fox travel front and back, and it rips along the trail. Although it seemed a bit portly on the climbs, I rode a Large frame (not the XL that Trek recommends for my height), and the Remedy is spec’d with a wide, low-rise bar. I think a bit more of a rise on the bars and the correct size frame would make the bike climb better for me. As it was, I felt too low for really efficient climbing – especially in my knees and hands.  The suspension and geometry did not seem to be the culprits in this climbing conundrum.

Yet who are we kidding here, with all this talk about climbing? A bike like this pays its way at high speeds and on the descents. Know that aboard the Remedy you will not have to walk up too many hills, and when you get to the top, you can expect a stable, velvety ride during the gravity-fed madness that awaits.

The Fox Float RP-2 with DRCV shines on the Remedy

Riding the Remedy at Bedford Co’s Falling Creek Park, I instinctively veered toward the rough lines, and flowed over natural obstacles instead of following the path more traveled that swung around them. Indeed, the bike and I both wanted more challenges, although I did not test the Remedy on any drops higher than a couple of feet.

In Big Mountain Riding Review #6, I highlighted Trek’s proprietary Fox Float’s with DRCV. The extra-volume shock shines on the Remedy 8 too, making the back-end feel bottomless during aggressive trail riding over roots, rocks and features. Although I did not drop it off anything of size, the bike’s suspension, solidness and geometry feel like it would handle easily drops of 3-5 feet (0.9 -1.5 M). That’s more than enough for me – as drops above 3-feet make me grow increasingly attached to my front teeth (and to keeping them intact).

Other spec highlights that shone on the $3,700 Remedy 8:
Fox 32 Talas RL fork

Avid Elixir R Carbon disc brakes with 203 MM rotors

The Remedy 8 wears its brawn well, tipping the scales at under 30 pounds (13.6 KG) and rumor has it that a few upgrades can trim off a couple more pounds without removing muscle. Today’s efficient suspension and light weight materials enable all-mountain riding, and when pulled together in bikes like this, they inspire fun pigs everywhere to point their front wheel toward the big mountains and ride a little farther. Go for it; nobody would understand your gibberish back in civilization anyway, Porky.

© Big Mountain Riding

Fun Pigs will find much to like in the Remedy's smooth travel and light weight