Fear Me, Gary Fisher
Tomorrow I will be heading up to Park City for the 2010 Fisher 29er Ride Camp, which, if I understand correctly, will be an opportunity for select, very important (and handsome) members of the cycling press to try out the latest Gary Fisher mountain bikes.
Which forces the question: has anyone from Gary Fisher ever actually read my blog?
I’m the opposite of cycling press. I’m completely subjective. I don’t even try to tell both sides of any given story. I make news up, and I twist the truth to suit my own ends.
Oh, waitasec. I guess I’m regular cycling press after all.
However, one way I am demonstrably different from the rest of the (illustrious and very handsome) cycling press is this: I am already in the tank for Gary Fisher.
Even before being wined and dined.
See, here’s the thing. Even without going out and riding in Park City and being told about all the neat features and increased horizontal stiffness and vertical compliance (neither of which, I might add, I can ever really feel, since the amount of air you have in your tires, what you ate for lunch, and whether you need to pee together affect ride quality much more significantly than the frame stiffness), I am willing to make a bold proclamation:
The Superfly Singlespeed (aka the SingleFly) is my favorite bike. Ever.
No caveats. No categories. It’s simply the bike I would rather ride than any bike I currently own or have ever owned.
Just look at the thing:
It’s a very sexy bike. The kind you don’t bring home to mother. Of course, a big part of the sexiness of this bike is the way I built it up: light and strong (and, frankly, expensive). Noir cranks.
Stans ZTR rims and Chris King hubs. Avid Juicy Ultimate brakes.
Salsa Pro Moto bar.
Arundel bottle cages. Never underestimate the wonderfulness of a good set of cages, and I think Arundels are the best. They have never ever ever lost a single bottle on me, but I don’t have to fight the cage to get bottles out. Magic.
I could have built it lighter, but I really don’t think I could have built it better. At 18.5 pounds, I think I’ve hit the sweet spot between lightness and ride-it-without-worrying-about-it durability.
Hey, the thing shot off an embankment with me at 35mph, ragdolled down a boulder field, and the only things that had to be replaced were the saddle and the grips.
Love
Of course, that’s all just parts, and parts can be debated.
What can’t be debated, though, is how much I love the way this bike rides. On it, I have become a stronger climber.
I have become a faster, more confident descender.
And on this bike, I am just happy.
And besides, I kind of love the fact that hardly anyone in the world has one of these bikes, what with it not ever having been made available to the public.
2010
I guess I should say that this bike was never made available to the public . . . until now.
Yeah, that’s right. For 2010 you can get my favorite bike. The only important difference is the new pivoting dropout, making it so you can use quick-release skewers in the back, as well as different-sized cogs without changing the number of chain links.
You’re Welcome
Since I badgered Travis Ott pretty much constantly, telling him that I demanded they make this bike available to the public, I feel like I should now be allowed to take credit for the fact that they have.
So. When I go riding in Park City with the (important, handsome) cycling press later this week, I will probably ride anything but their Superfly Singlespeed. I think my opinion is already pretty well-formed on this bike.
Oh, and also I will give Gary Fisher a giant man-hug, and possibly a manly kiss on the cheek. And by “cheek,” I of course mean the cheek on his face, since I have just now already kissed his other kind of cheek.
I will have my camera ready.
Comment by Big Boned | 09.9.2009 | 11:07 am
Oh Fat Cyclist,
Why do you torment me so? I asked, I’ve begged, now I’m pleading…
That is one GEORGEOUS TREE you keep showing pictures of. I have two questions:
1) Why do you keep obscuring my view of said tree with a veritable parade of bikes?
2) What kind of tree is it?
Big Boned
Comment by Mark in Boise | 09.9.2009 | 11:10 am
Phew, all this time wondering about the damage done to the bike after your horrific crash at Leadville. That sweet bike looks fast just sitting there. Thank goodness there wasn’t any more damage. Oh, and I am glad you came through ok as well.
Comment by Bill | 09.9.2009 | 11:14 am
Fatty,
For the sake of my marriage would you please stop talking about the Super Fly. I have the opportunity to obtain one and I fight the temptation daily.
Yes it is a sweet bike but no I don’t need one but I sure as heck do want one!
Please stop and remove this post immediately so I stop salivating at work.
Thank you and while you are with Mr. Fisher tell him to stop making such tempting bikes as well!
Comment by Dan in Sac | 09.9.2009 | 11:15 am
Yep, she is a BEUT! I’m almost convinced to try a hard-tail single speed.
Comment by Rick S. | 09.9.2009 | 11:23 am
Look for me to jump out from the bushes and poach this event.
Comment by Bitter (formerly known as Lissee) | 09.9.2009 | 11:33 am
Oh fatty, you make me smile. :)
Comment by Andrew | 09.9.2009 | 11:43 am
I want to ride bikes where you ride bikes; it looks awesome out there!
Comment by James | 09.9.2009 | 11:57 am
Yo Elden – last time, I gave you a pass on using the phrase “rag doll” as a compound verb, because I was so relieved that you survived your high-speed dismount. This time, I’m giving you a pass because, well, your eloquent wit makes me covet your bicycle.
Please, don’t try me a third time. I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold back.
Comment by jilrubia | 09.9.2009 | 11:58 am
It’s sooooo beautiful. Got me a gigantaur “moutain/road” bike on the cheap 10 years ago. Haven’t ridden a bike since my oldest, now in 1st grade, was but a glimmer in our eye. But man oh man, would I be fast on that SS. Btw..LOVED it when the linked newspaper article about you called it a SugarFly. Nice!!! Hope you have some fun.
Comment by robert orler | 09.9.2009 | 11:59 am
I have such bike envy!
I must have one!
Comment by Aaron | 09.9.2009 | 12:02 pm
I am also one of the lucky few to have a Superfly SS. And, I have to say, it is also my favorite bike. I call mine the “Blinglespeed”. I love that bike. Nice to see that it’s going into production. In case something happens to mine, I can get a replacement.
Comment by VA Biker | 09.9.2009 | 12:08 pm
Hey, Elden, you should qualify your declaration of the Superfly as your favorite “mountain” bike. Don’t want to shut down future opportunities on road bike gifts!
Comment by lindsay | 09.9.2009 | 12:15 pm
whoa, elden, i didn’t realize you were a bkb’er! sweet =)
Comment by Tim D | 09.9.2009 | 12:35 pm
Fatty, looking at your bike setup with my professional eye it is obvious to me that the bike is too big/too small/too long/too short/too high a BB/too wide Q-factor/too short in trail/too short in rake (delete as appropriate) for you. In order to rectify this shortcoming, the only sensible advice would be to send it to me for my professional reappraisal. Although why the professional opinion of a junior IT manager would be of benefit, I’m not sure, but send it anyway. Please, pretty please, don’t make me beg.
Comment by ricky | 09.9.2009 | 12:42 pm
i have to stop staring at those pictures like this. dr. landy says i’ll go blind.
Comment by kenny | 09.9.2009 | 1:11 pm
I think you should dare GF to give me one of those bikes so I can try to break it. I’ll give it everything i have. I promise.
Comment by Rob | 09.9.2009 | 1:38 pm
Is there no end to the awesome things you get to do, awesome people you get to meet and awesome bikes you get to ride?
Please tell Gary hello and love his bikes. And since your so in love with your Singlefly…when they try to give you a Superfly 100 as swag….just send them my way! I’d be happy to take it and do a guest post review. Even though I don’t meet the handsomeness requirement for this blog…..
Comment by Joel P. | 09.9.2009 | 1:45 pm
I think I need to retract part of my comment from yesterday. Attaboys still for Brad and Kenny but I now think I could be coaxed off my road bike for one of these Gary Fisher beauties.
Joel P.
Comment by MellowVelo | 09.9.2009 | 1:45 pm
I don’t ride mountain bikes but even I know that’s a beautiful, beautiful thing…If someone sent me a SuperFly, I’d certainly start!
Comment by curtis | 09.9.2009 | 1:51 pm
Great photos Fatty, but I must admit, seeing the bike in person, it looks even better. 2 friends of mine that ride for the 29er crew were lucky enough to get the Superfly SS and one built it up to nearly match yours. It sure is pretty to look at. Enjoy getting to see all of the new 2010 stuff.
Comment by chefjt | 09.9.2009 | 1:52 pm
Wife caught me looking at the photos. Says it’s like I’m cheating on her and I’ve got to go!
Need a roommate that can cook?
Have fun at the event! Bring us some cool stuff to drool over.
Comment by Bob | 09.9.2009 | 1:56 pm
Hey Fatty-
Could you tell us what you think of Fishers HiFi Pro 29? I have one on order that is a few weeks from delivery.
Cheers
Bob
Comment by Hamish A | 09.9.2009 | 2:02 pm
A thousand thankyou Fatty! Your nagging of Mr.Ott paid off for us mortals and I no longer have to drool enviously over the photos of your Singlefly. Thankyou! Thankyou! (etc).
And I’d suggest riding the Superfly 100 at the GF event. That is about the only bike that I could be tempted to cheat on the Singlefly with…
Have fun!
Comment by alex | 09.9.2009 | 2:31 pm
uuuhhhh I don’t see the kickstand on this bike?
Comment by Mir | 09.9.2009 | 2:33 pm
*catcalls*
Sexy!!
Comment by 100poundsago | 09.9.2009 | 2:40 pm
Why oh why must you taunt us….if its not rubbing your superior physique in our faces it teasing us with your superior bikes. When will it end Fatty….when will it end?
Comment by brian chasm | 09.9.2009 | 2:43 pm
is that a BKB jersey you go there?
Comment by Frank | 09.9.2009 | 2:47 pm
Thank you Elden for making me laugh at the worst time of my life.
FLS
Comment by Fat bike racer | 09.9.2009 | 3:24 pm
Good to hear you getting one notch back towards normal, even though nothing will ever be normal again.
Comment by Powerful Pete | 09.9.2009 | 3:26 pm
First the Orbea with Di2. Now you remind us that you ride this beauty. As 100poundsago has already asked (and he is far more eloquent than I)… why do you taunt us so?
When will you mail me, your favorite Rome-based reader (I am making this assumption because my mamma always told me I was… rather, am, special), a free Superfly? I understand that you are concerned that other readers might believe that you are playing favorites, but you need not concern yourself with their lesser, selfish attitudes.
Please?
Comment by Beth | 09.9.2009 | 4:44 pm
um……bike’s nice, but WHAT A VIEW……good grief, I would donate money to have a week looking at that backdrop……..
Comment by Clydesteve | 09.9.2009 | 4:48 pm
Meh. The adjuster bolts for the (I cannot believe this cool of a feature) pivoting dropouts look kind of wimpy. Better just ship this ol’ thang to me.
Comment by surlyrider | 09.9.2009 | 4:59 pm
Great bike. I have trouble being objective about bikes that I love as well. I do love that Salsa bar. It is on my single speed and I think it is the perfect SS bar. Remember to tell the Trek/Fisher folks that even big guys can ride that switchblade fork with no issues.
Comment by Shaun from AUS | 09.9.2009 | 5:51 pm
“The superfly is my favourite bike. Ever” Thats off road right ? Have you forgotten yor love for the Orbea ?
Comment by Chris Turner | 09.9.2009 | 6:00 pm
The cheek versus cheek kissing thing, now that’s funny!
Comment by Kathleen@ForgingAhead | 09.9.2009 | 6:02 pm
Feel the love!
Comment by vito | 09.9.2009 | 7:07 pm
Bike Porn!
Comment by Jim | 09.9.2009 | 7:22 pm
****, dude.
Okay, so do they want one kidney or two, and where do I send the kidneys? Or do they just want my right arm and a leg? Because I’ll pay it.
Comment by Niall @ Brisvegas | 09.9.2009 | 7:29 pm
Elden, please…too much humour. I lost it at the thought of whether you need to pee together affects ride quality (para 7) and have been unable to read without wiping tears away since then. I have now used up all the laughs allocated for today.
Comment by Andrea | 09.9.2009 | 7:42 pm
Your Photoshop skills will always amaze me Fatty, sincerely.
Comment by Brandy | 09.9.2009 | 9:21 pm
Awesome!!!
Comment by SurlyCommuter | 09.9.2009 | 9:59 pm
What happened to the double boinger diamondback?
Comment by Dan O | 09.9.2009 | 10:15 pm
Insanely nice bike. Looking forward to the full Gary Fisher report.
Comment by Philly Jen | 09.9.2009 | 11:10 pm
Cue the Astaire & Rogers music:
“…and I seem to find the happiness I seek/
When we’re out together dancing cheek to cheek.”
(Though I do not care to see anyone riding backwards and in heels, thanks.)
Glad to know the Singlefly lived to ride another day. By extra nice to it or it might attempt another round of Ding-Dong-Ditch on you.
Comment by Mike Roadie | 09.10.2009 | 5:24 am
She’s a SuperFreak….she’s super freaky!!!!
FLS
Comment by Lowrydr | 09.10.2009 | 7:49 am
So your hooked on the SingleFly. Why don’t you start riding only on dirt and just send me the Orbea.
All my friends would be so jealous, really they would. And I could pass them with a big grin on my face catching bug and everything.
Good to know that it was just a seat and grip repair after your daring jump off that edge in Leadville.
Enjoy the GF camp as we await the write up that will follow.
FLS
Comment by Haven (used to be Kt) | 09.10.2009 | 10:19 am
Look out Gary! It’s Stanley Tucci!
Great pics, again. Stop it, okay, I’m trying to get some work done over here.
Pingback by Gary Fisher Product Launch This week - Goldstream Sports Fairbanks Alaska | 09.10.2009 | 11:36 am
[...] Lorien on Sep.10, 2009, under Bike, news The dude from Fat Cyclist is gonna keep us updated on the 2010 GF 29er product launch. It’s gonna be swell! :Fisher [...]
Comment by TimK | 09.10.2009 | 12:34 pm
You know with those super hero quads, lungs so powerful that probably pull leaves off trees when you inhale, and the drive to choose the hardest route; you really should pass the bikes that make it easier on to someone else.
I think I might be able to keep up with you if I were on the Single Fly and you were on a bike bought at Walmart.
Oh well, I’ve got Mr. Fisher’s sig on my Rig. Maybe I can forge it on a promissory note for another Fisher prize.
Comment by Jamie | 09.10.2009 | 2:31 pm
Is the Superfly aka the Singlefly a 29er?
Comment by bcpedaler | 09.10.2009 | 2:31 pm
I got to see the prototype belt drive version of the Singlefly, piloted by Jesse Lalonde, a couple of weeks ago at the WORS race in Green Bay, WI. Pretty fly indeed.
Comment by KT | 09.10.2009 | 2:38 pm
I also have a Gary Fisher. It’s my first “real” bike. I love it!
http://www.bikepedia.com/Quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2006&Brand=Gary%20Fisher&Model=Tassajara%20Disc%20GS&Type=bike
Comment by Julia | 09.11.2009 | 3:24 am
Hey Elden, love your blog! I grew up in Marin County, Ca and lived in Fairfax around 1980. I remember passing Gary Fisher on my bike on my way to school. He was in his twenties and even then known as a cool dude who played around with bikes and did crazy stuff with them. Nice to see he’s aged so well.
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » Gary Fisher 29er Ride Camp Lecture-Rama LiveBlog | 09.11.2009 | 7:42 am
[...] Fear Me, Gary Fisher [...]
Comment by dlr1967 | 09.11.2009 | 6:27 pm
I have a 29er fisher, it is the only way to ride now!
Pingback by Gary Fisher 29er Ride Camp Lecture-Rama LiveBlog | Dyna Fat Loss | 09.11.2009 | 7:03 pm
[...] Fear Me, Gary Fisher [...]
Pingback by Fat Cyclist » Blog Archive » 2010 Gary Fisher Ride Camp: This Time We Ride | 09.14.2009 | 6:48 am
[...] believe I’ve weighed in sufficiently on the Superfly Singlespeed. I think my feelings about this bike may even be somewhat [...]
Pingback by 2010 Gary Fisher Ride Camp: This Time We Ride | Dyna Fat Loss | 09.15.2009 | 7:00 pm
[...] believe I’ve weighed in sufficiently on the Superfly Singlespeed. I think my feelings about this bike may even be somewhat [...]
Comment by Tim Az | 05.5.2010 | 9:37 pm
Hey, Fatty I have some questions for you regarding this bike. I am getting the 2009 version of this bike just like yours. It is coming with the G2 Fox 80mm 29′er fork with the 51mm offset. I live in Park City, Utah and with all of the climbing available and relatively smooth trails I want to keep the weight down. I am intersted in the On One fork that you are using, but am wondering how it will play with the geometry of the bike? The offset is 47mm if I am not mistaking and the head tube angle of this bike is 69.90 deg. How does the fork trail play in to this? I know this fork is do-able, but I am trying to understand the fundamentals behind it all. Any help from anybody would be great.
Thanks,
Tim