Welcome into the Sparky household - The Gary Fisher Roscoe III.

 This is the latest offering from the Fisher range for 2009. It's a 140mm trail muncher and super planted All Mountain beast.

Main features onthe bike is a  custom 140mm TALAS (Travel Adjustable Linear Air Spring) fork and new for Fox/Fisher , the custom DRVC Fox shock, offering coil like plushness without the weight.

 Other notable features are the E2   (1 1.5 to 1 1/8th)  headtube, and the much liked ABP system "borrowed" from the Trek Remedy range. A new, and very striking viewpoint is the "squashed bell" hydroformed tubing which gives strenght in a very lightweight and thinwalled tubeset. The Roscoe III, with Crank Brothers Candy pedals, weighs in at an impressive 28lbs.

 So, how does it ride?

 YeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaa!

 It's a blast!

It doesn't climbs as fast  as my Gary Fisher HiFi Carbon (yet!), but it does very well. It's main forte is on the level and especially in gravity assisted moments. It is superb on the downward sections of any trail, and takes hits like no other. The 66.9deg headangle is just slack enough to get the job done with out compromising handling in any aspect. I've actually scared myself on a couple of occassions with going off stuff I normally never do

 I've been over to Leith Hill twice over the last couple of days and both times it's handled everything I've thrown myself at. Stopping comes inthe form of Avid's new Elixir CR brakes with 185 and 160 front/rear discs. Very good stopping power! Much better than the Avid Ultimates on the HiFi. I've kitted the Bontrager Rhythm Scandium Pro Wheels with Schwalbe Nobby Nic's which track very nicely, even on the many off camber roots prevalent to the area.

 Although it's early days with the bike (44 miles on the clock), I'm very very pleased with this £2900 offering, and I've not had any inclination (apart from the tyres) to change anything on the bike.

 I'm sure it will do me proud in the Lakes, Wales and elsewhere over the next few months or years.

 And it does look pretty, next to the other bikes in the room (must get bigger room!)

 I'll have some trail pics and videos to compliment this little write up soon

Full specs here www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/roscoe-iii