Where does "Marlin" sit in the Gary Fisher range?

[JohnH]

In the mid-90s, I lusted after the Gary Fisher MTBs of that era -- the geometry of the frames just seems so perfectly proportioned to my eyes (ditto for Orange and Rock Lobster frames).

Joining this forum has really got me combing eBay on a regular basis, and I've stumbled upon two Gary Fisher Marlins for sale, about 1995 vintage. Can anybody tell me where the Marlin was in the model line-up?

 

[mtbfix]

See page 12 - http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/mai ... 5eb8a6989e

 

[JohnH]

Oh wow, thanks for the link mtbfix! That brochure has reminded me why I loved those Fisher frames so much!

Okay, so the Marlin is pretty much the entry-level bike... but I still think they look pretty good in spite of the bargain-basement groupset.

 

[JohnH]

Well, I was hoping to pick up the bike I had my eye on for about £50. Looks like it's too late for that... :roll:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gary-Fisher-Mount ... 0353759042

 

[barry2017]

Frankly, I reckon you've had a lucky escape there.
I reckon it's only worth half that.

 

[JohnH]

Cheers Chris, I think that you're right.

There was another Marlin up for grabs about a week ago -- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GARY-FISHER-older ... 0326481279 -- with a starting price of £29, and it received no bids. Admittedly it looked pretty grubby, but nothing that a good wash wouldn't have mostly sorted out.

Based on that, I thought that this one (clean and in better condition) would fetch £40-£50. But, no... £81!

I should have bid on the grubby one with the rack... :roll:

 

[barry2017]

I gave away a Hoo Koo E Koo last week.
If it's only a prosaic bike you want, I wouldn't look too hard.

 

[JohnH]

I gave away a Hoo Koo E Koo last week.

:shock: I really hope you're joking... :cry:

I should have bid on the grubby one with the rack... :roll:

Well, well, well...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GARY-FISHER-older ... 0329418746

 

[barry2017]

That really isn't a very good bike. If I were you, and I wanted something from the Fisher range, I'd try for something a bit higher up the range and a bit more attention to detail. Without wishing to sound a snob, I don't rate anything cheaper than the Hoo Koo E Koo, they just don't have the attention to detail.

 

[JohnH]

Thanks for the advice, Chris -- I do appreciate it!

I would like a Hoo Koo E Koo; it's got that superb frame geometry and it's steel. In fact there was a Gary Fisher Grateful Dead on eBay a few months back in fantastic condition -- but that paint job isn't really my cup of tea.

The search continues...