This past June, I decided to get an entry level hardtail. After testing several brands I decided to get a Gary Fisher. I chose a Piranha because of the components and the lockout on the fork. By that time, I could not find on in a 21 inch frame.

I now see the new specs for the 2008 models and it seems that Fisher has upped the components (along with the prices) on all of the bikes. I am now thinking about a 2008 Marlin Disk instead of the 2008 Piranha. The 08 Marlin seems pretty comparable to the 07 Piranha from what I can tell.

I am hoping to get others advice. Is this the case or am I completely missing something? I have been out of biking for quite some time so I am not familiar with all of the components and how they rate.

Thanks for your help!

Yeah, they keep moving the component levels up on their models. My '04 Tass was $600 and ran Deore components and V-brakes. Now its $900 and the Marlin, two notches below, is running Deore and V-brakes for $589. Looks like a good deal - I can't say that BB5 disc brakes and compatable rims are worth the extra hundred for the Marlin Disc.

But its kind of hard to say without knowing what kind of riding you're planning on and what you want out of the bike. Are you fast/aggressive? Will you see mud? Your weight and height would help, too.

Thanks so much for your advice! I am 6'3 and weigh about 190. I don't plan on riding in the mud very much. I really will not be that hardcore.....more beginner to intermediate trails really. I was kind of wondering if disk brakes would be worth an extra $100 or not. Thanks again.

go for em, if you dont, youll just want em later

It sounds like you're on target for the type of bike you want/need.

I think you'll be fine with either brakes. I would try to get my shop to put on BB7s for a small upcharge because both brake pads are manually adjustable (takes seconds) instead of just one.

Its likely you won't have this problem, but my BB5s nned regular trailside adjustments, and BB7s would have made this much easier.

I'll look into that. Thanks for your help!

Yeah, they keep moving the component levels up on their models.

Interesting observation. I have noticed the opposite with some manufacturers. Could it be that GF knows his target market ;-)

I ride a Marlin and love it but I wished I would have bough a Tass or Piranah because for a couple of hundred more you get several hundreds extra. BUT, the new Marlin has all you need. IMO, for recreational XC riders like the vast majority of use Deore is plenty fine and economical to replace.

Ahh, the disc brake issue. I would definitely want disc hubs so you have the option later if you do buy the v-brakes. Disc hubs are so much cheaper when you buy them stock on your bike then adding them later.

With that said, most people seem to want disc brakes--if nothing else they make you look like a serious rider (you're so fast you need a motorcycle style brake to stop; you ride through such tough conditions that you need them...). After a year of riding I've opted to stay with v-brakes and know a lot of guys who feel the same. They're simple to work on and cheap to fix. Peformance-wise they are as good as discs in dry conditions. You do notice some drop in performance in wet conditions, but if you're not doing downhills, then it's not that big of a deal. For me it's more of an issue with repairs. Things break. I like simplicity. BUt, I'm in the minority it seems these days. I would advise most people to get a disc set up and go v-brake later if they want the simplicity. That's easier and cheaper than doing it the other way around.

Rambling, I know, but maybe you got $.02 worth.

I just bought a 2008 v-brake Marlin and it was disc ready with mounts and hubs.

Burn the cash, your going to anyway, and get the 08' Piranha. I just picked mine up the other day and I can't put it down. Seriously, $100 more for that much more awesome is a no brainer. Matte pearl white all the way, very sexy.

Do it.... do it....

LOL.....I did it about two weeks ago. I actually had decided to get a Trek 6000 but when I test rode them one last time, I couldn't resist the Piranha. I have liked it so far.

Can't speak to the Tassajara vs Marlin vs Piranha (believe all Gary Fishers are outstanding bikes, so you can't go wrong with any of them), but have strong views on brakes. A set of good disks is totally worth the extra $100, if you're doing any kind of serious riding, even on simple trails. I'm trying to use my brakes less these days, but find the Avids on my new bike (Hifi) very reassuring when I'm going down a steep slope of into a fast corner -- I know I can stop when I need to. My old V-brakes were nowhere near as good.

And upgrading later is expensive. I had a Trek 6500, and thought I could upgrade to disks because my fork was 'disk-ready'. Turned out I'd need new wheels as well, so the whole upgrade would have cost in the region of $400..... easier to just upgrade the whole bike!

:)

what about the Cobia? a little on the high end of your price range, but i just might be worth it....

my 08 Marlin came with disc compatible hubs making it a killer deal right now. you can get BB-7s for pretty cheap and be done with it. the new Dart II fork is pretty awesome for the price as well.

oh, i see that was already said and the bike is already bought. congrats!

I just bought an '07 Marlin, no disk brakes, but I paid $150.00 less for the '07 than what the '08 is going for, I'm a beginner so disc brakes or v-brakes didn't really make my decision, but the '07 and '08 Marlin are disc ready with mounts and hubs.