Gary Fisher Utopia

Price Paid:  $1099.00 at Trek of Downers Grov

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Gary Fisher Utopia

Bike Setup:
Upgraded to a Bontrager carbon fiber handle bar, shimano clipless pedals, Trek trip computer, and Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires.

Summary:
It's a 2009. Good frame, fits me well being a clydesdale rider. I changed the tires to something with a less aggressive tread, and the fact I had three flats in as many rides! Disc brakes are absolute garbage. They squeal like a bottle rocket going off. I may put on some V-brakes and take off these disc's. Other than that, it has been relatively good.

Strengths:
Frame, Seat post.

Weaknesses:
Disc brakes, tires, component group is average at best, fork is spongey, but I do weigh in at 250lbs.

Similar Products Used:
Diamondback hardtails, Cannondale R1000

Price Paid:  $800.00 at Atlanta Cycling

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Atlanta Streets

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105 drive, Octavio crank, Avid BB5 disc brakes, Bontrager stem + horz bars, 700 CC Shimano wheels. I quickly switched out the hybrid tires from a 38 to a 32 semi-slick, Armadillo.

Summary:
Great bike for commuting; albeit, a little heavy. The the money, the bike is honey. The packaged components are basic entry level items; however, the frame is sturdy, durable, and will yield many years of service and pleasure.

Strengths:
Durable, well balanced, and fast for the size and weight. For a mid-priced commuter bike, you can't beat the Utopia. The geometry is even better if your heigth is in the torso, not the legs, like me. I'm 6', 220 lbs (down from 250 in 7 months) but most of my heigth is in the torso.

Weaknesses:
Weight and mediocre components. Shifting is sometimes unpredictable (Shimano 105) and the disc brakes will quickly teach you the art of adjusting and replacing pads yourself. None of these weakness diminish the strengths of this bike.

Similar Products Used:
Diamondback Topanga.

Price Paid:  $909.00 at Mike's Bike

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Iron Horse Trail and Canal Trail Bay Area

Bike Setup:
2007 Gary Fisher Utopia, Metallic Silver, stock, with bontrager bar ends, WTB Interwolf 38/38 700c tires, Forte toe clips, Performance pedal straps, Viewpoint flare 5 led light

Summary:
Nice, smooth, and fast ride on bike paths and along bike lanes. 75 mm travel Manitou shocks helps with small road bumps. Tried riding through light gravel dirt road. Experience some vibrations on the seat because it’s a hardtail. I noticed the tires are lifting some pebbles that some of them tiny stones got in my shoes, I guess WTB interwolf got smaller tractions on its tires, compared to regular mtb tires with wider tractions. But when I got back to a pave road, city, bike path, bike lanes or curb sidewalks, ah! I think that’s where the strength is, smooth ride. Went riding with a friend on his road bike and I was able to keep up. The bike is lighter than a mtb, but still slight heavier compared to a regular aluminum road bike. I’m gradually switching to road cycling and this bike is helping me to transition to it, and I plan to keep it.

Strengths:
Smooth, road bike fast, good handling, looks.

Weaknesses:
vibrations on seat during off road. I'm used to a full suspension with my old specilaized stumpjumper. Tires lifting up pebbles hitting downtube frame and sometimes gets in your shoes, still heavier than aluminum road bike.

Similar Products Used:
1999 specialized stumpjumper, 1981 shimano aluminum racer bike

Price Paid:  $719.00 at Bike Peddler

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Annadel State Park, CA

Bike Setup:
Stock plus... REBA Race 29 fork, XT front derailler, 29 / 2.1 WTB Motoraptor tires, Specialized Milano Gel 175 saddle, bar ends

Summary:
I bought the Utopia because I wanted to see if enjoyed mountain biking. Neeless to say, I did.

Consequently, I replaced the stock fork with the 29er REBA Race fork. Replaced the FD with a Shimano XT derailler to add clearance. Upgraded the tires to higher volume 29 x 2.1 Motoraptors. Now it's fully the equivalent of the Gary Fisher X-Caliber 29er and I'm very happy with it.

Strengths:
29er, strong frame, high quality, decent component set for the price, very stable at speed, Genesis geometry.

Weaknesses:
The stock fork isn't appropriate for anything more than bike paths. Rear wheel clearance is tight for high volume MTB tires unless the FD is upgraded.

Similar Products Used:
tested various hardtails

Price Paid:  $719.00 at Penn Cycle

Model Year:
2005

Favorite Ride:
GF Utopia

Bike Setup:
Stock except for the tires and pedals

Summary:
I purchased this bike to make the 7mi commute to school. I put some road tires on it and was in business. This is a very nice bike. It shifts really smooth even when pedalling hard up a hill. The front shock is nice to take the jarring out of holes in the road.

I orginally had some problems with the disc brakes, they were not set up correctly and after my first ride the front wheel would not spin freely. I ended up having to take it back to the bike shop to have them fix it. Other than the first problem I like the discs, they work well even when it is wet outside.
The pedals sucked, I switched them out for some clipless shimanos.
I really like this bike, I wouldnt take it offroading or anything despite being a hybrid, but it is good to get you around.

Strengths:
Everything except the pedals

Weaknesses:
The pedals and umm nothing.

Similar Products Used:
Trek