Blue Collar Summary:
The Gary Fisher X-Caliber provides a high level of performance and reliability while staying in the Blue Collar price range at a retail price of $1269. The component set along with it’s agility and maneuvering delivers an all around enjoyable and comfortable ride.

Having tested in a wide variety of weather conditions and terrain over a time span of four months of constant riding, the testing I did on this bike was very thorough and tough. I pushed the bike hard in order to provide a fair review of it’s performance.

Disclaimer:
There is no money involved, so this is a completely unbiased review. This is, however, the first 29 inch bike that I have reviewed, however I reviewed the bike based on how it rode regardless of wheel size.

My background:
I am 5′11″, 190 lbs. My riding has been almost exclusively cross country and consistently ranges from moderate to very challenging and technical rides. I enjoy riding a wide variety of bikes including standard 26 inch wheels, geared, singlespeeds and now 29ers.

Testing Grounds:
I tested this bike on a wide variety of trails and conditions. Most of the testing was done at a local trail system called Peaks View Park in Lynchburg, VA. However I rode it on a variety systems ranging from beginner to expert. It was ridden on these trails in a variety of riding conditions including wet, dry and snow.

It was also tested on a variety of technically challenging trails including steep climbs and descents, root systems, creek crossings, rocky terrain, muddy trails, tight and off camper turns and lots of log crossings.

Bike Setup:
I tested the stock setup of a Gary Fisher X-Caliber, except for switching the crap Shimano pedals for Crank Brothers Egg Beaters. Everything from the grips to the tires are what you could expect to find on the same bike in your local shop. It was sized large which may be a little big for someone with my same build, however I felt very comfortable and the bike fit very well.

Some of the specs:

• RockShox Reba SL 29″ | 80mm travel (currently exclusive to Gary Fisher)
• SRAM X.7 trigger shifters and rear derailleur
• Bontrager Superstock 29″ Disc Specific wheel system
• Platinum Series ZR9000 internally and externally butted aluminum frame | Disc Specific | Genesis 29″ Geometry
• Bontrager ACX / 29 x 2.2 / 127 TPI folding tires

Performance and Observations:
The first thing I noticed about the X-Caliber was how much of a difference it makes in log crossings. The larger wheels give a lower angle of attack so it is much easier to roll over obstacles in the trail. I could tell that I didn’t have to pull my front wheel up quite as high in order to go over the barrier. What this provided me was the ability to continue going over obstacles after I was long since tired. Coupled with the performance of the Rockshox Reba forks, the X-Caliber allowed me to be more lazy on blocks on the trail and still efficiently cross them. Work less with the same result? I’ll take it!

The component set is well suited for the bike and is what you would expect to find on a bike in this price range. The SRAM X.7 drive train provided reliable shifting, however they tend to hang up when trying to downshift once on an incline. I can tell from experience that this is typical of most drive trains in this price range. The bars, stem and seat post are all Bontrager and felt very comfortable and strong. The stock Shimano pedals are by far the worst component on the bike. I have had pretty good experience with clipless pedals, however I can never reliably click in. This is true in dry conditions, so you can imagine how the east coast mud only worsened the problem.

An added benefit the Reba forks added besides the obvious 80mm of travel was the motion dampening control. With a simple flip of the thumb you are able to lock out the forks for a climb. I found this to make a huge difference when I used it. I tested it several times by riding the same incline with the forks both locked and unlocked. Every time I rode with the forks locked I could tell a noticeable difference in the efficiency of my climb. Since the forks are locked out, they are unable to bob like they would normally (especially in a standing climb) which allows all of your pedaling power to go towards moving the tires.

I took the hardest fall I have taken to date on the X-Caliber while trying to bunny hop at a high rate of speed (this is when I learned to never… never land on your front wheel). I went over the handlebars and landed hard. This is the only time I was able to do any kind of damage to the bike. I managed to knock the front wheel pretty well out of line, however it was still truable and I have been riding on the same wheel without incident for over a month now.

Another advantage the larger wheel diameter provides is having more tire on the trail. The obvious effect of this is an increase in cornering ability. I took the bike out on a particular stretch of trail I know pretty well that has a lot of tight and fast turns. I rode the section without my hands on the brakes and steadily increased my speed as I rode and took each turn progressively faster until I would finally wash out. I did this several times and can honestly say that I was able to ride quicker through turns on the X-Caliber then any other bike I have ridden before.

Strengths:

• increased ease of going over obstacles
• increased traction in corners
• efficient climbing especially with the motion dampening on the Reba forks
• Very stable and comfortable all around ride

Weaknesses:

• My only real complaint is the stock Shimano pedals

Read all the Blue Collar posts about the Gary Fisher X-Caliber…