Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Farmington
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2007
Strengths: Feels light and relatively agile
Weaknesses: I think you could probably get better for the money. I dont like bontrager that much, and most Gary Fishers come stocked with their components because of Trek.
Bottom Line:
Not bad if you are into Gary Fishers. Between that and the equivalent version of Trek Fuel, Id go with the fuel though. I like the rocker link on it better.
Submitted by
Rich McCoy
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, Texas
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2006
Strengths: The bike does just about everything really well. Climbs like a mountain goat! The 29" wheels and the suspension allow you to float over obstacles like they aren't there.
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet...except for the seat. The Bontrager seats just don't seem to hold up as well as the Selle Italia or Specialized seats that I have replaced them with.
Bottom Line:
I love the bike. I am firmly in the Clydesdale class and find that the bike handles my extra weight just fine.
Don't put too much stock in other reports about the failure of the carbon seat stays. They hold up just fine and I have fallen on rocks quite a bit. If you're really worried about it, go ahead and cover 'em with rubber. For my part, I'm not worried and I like to shoe 'em off.
Another reviewers comments about the value of the carbon fiber seat stays are without merit. Carbon fiber was chosen for the seat stays not for its increased flexibility in the vertical direction (the suspension takes care of that), but rather for the increased lateral stiffness. And it does it quite well.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher Rig (well, it's a 29er anyway.
Bike Setup: Stock except for seat and the WTB Exiwolf on the front.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Clydesdale Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Jersey
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2005
Strengths: Climbs better than my previous 26" Full Susp mtb, feels very comfortable for bigger guy (6'3" 215lbs, 32" inseam), nice components, incl Reba w/ remote lockout
Weaknesses: None noted in 6 months of hard riding, adv racing, off road tri's, 24hr mtb racing
Bottom Line:
Sweated over this purchase b/c its a big jump going to 29" from standard 26". Previous mtb was GF Sugar Team; yes I cracked my frame like many Sugar and Trek Fuel riders do. Still, had to try this one. I ride all NJ trails, plus MD/VA/PA. This is a sweet Clydesdale's bike. It feels like a big man's bike. The noticeable difference is I climb better and can climb in a bigger gear. I've put 1.50 tires on this and it can move well onroad for adv races, etc. I've read all the reviews and people have wildly different opinions. I'll say this -I did 4 loops at Moab 24hr this year and this biked ROCKED out there. Also saw many, many other riders on same bike (GF 29ers are not an East Coast thing, but all GF29" SS, HT and FS are out there). The SRAM components are top level, as are brakes. I love the fork w/ remote lockout, but to my surprise hardly use it and wouldn't seek it out again. I see from rvws that some folks have big problems w/ fork - I defy you to find a fork review and NOT see huge opinions since some forks just suck out of the box. Other stuff is purely personal preference, only complaint is Cane Creek headset seems tight, easily swapped out. Bottom line - you only live once...there's no downside to trying a 29" bike, and b/t your LBS and online there are always forks, tires, wheels, tubes, etc. to get.
Submitted by
Kevin Wright
a Cross Country Rider
from Tempe, Arizona, USA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2005
Strengths: 29 inch wheels! Full Suspension. Fun to ride but you have to worry about frame breaking if you fall over.
Weaknesses: Carbon Fiber seat stays, ridiculous on an off road bike. Why, the thing has full suspension? CF is for absorbing shock. I'm old enough to have known better (40-something) what was I thinking?.
Bottom Line:
WARNING, heed the warnings of others, I didn't and now I'm very concerned about frame failure. I tipped over at zero MPH, landed among rocks and gouged the stays. Not too many rock-less trails around these parts. Wrote to Fisher seeking a full metal rear triangle. They suggested WRAPPING THE STAY IN AN OLD INNER TUBE TO PROTECT IT! Right, a 2 thousand dollar high tech bike with old inner tubes for protection. Give me a break. That is some serious customer service there, don't you think? I strongly recommend you find another brand of 29er to buy. Many out there safer than this bike. Poor design? No, but I think it's a dangerous error including CF in a part subject to hard impacts. CF de-laminates under sharp impact and damage may not be visible. Someone is gonna end up getting seriously hurt riding after a crash involving the stays. Looks like I'm going to have to find a custom frame builder to make up a non-carbon replacement rear triangle. Don't say you weren't warned!!! Check out the photos posted in previous review, wish I had before I bought one.
Similar Products Used: None, first mountain bike in 15 years
Bike Setup: Mary bars, otherwise a stock 2005.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Kevin Labick
a Cross Country Rider
from Ambler, PA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2005
Strengths: Very stable. Climbs great. Rolls over anything.
Weaknesses: Low bottom bracket. No disc brakes!
Bottom Line:
I absolutely love this bike. First, it fits me like a glove -- it must be the genesis geometry b/c my gary fisher rig also fits me great. Second, it climbs exceptionally well -- much better than my Superlight. Third - the 29" wheels just rock. The bike is stable and rolls over anything. If you have a long torso and feel like you are going to endo on your current bike, give this bike a try.
Submitted by
Stefan Griebel
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2005
Strengths: This bike blasts down technical and bumpy terrain with ease. Never had a pinch flat
Weaknesses: ***Manufacturing Defects*** The rear triangle is made of carbon fiber. In my mind, this is a manufacturing defect that Fisher refuses to warranty.
Bottom Line:
I love the way this bike handles and rolls over obstacles.
The first (minor) incident was when I took a small fall on the steps at Dakota ridge. The nose of my saddle lifted and it was impossible to get back on. GF did not warranty this, but Full Cycle came through and gave me a free seat of my choice in the $40 range.
The next (major) incident occured in Moab. I fell trying to go up some obstacles, and banged my rear triangle on a rock. This was not a spectacular crash, as I was going 0 mph (well, maybe -1 mph) when I actually fell. I rode about 30 more miles on the bike that day. The next day, I noticed the carbon fiber was sort of buckling, but I rode anyway. 5 miles into my ride, the carbon fiber became fatigued enough to fail, and it sheared completely through. (Here are some pictures: http://www.climbingdreams.net/broken_bike/)
Fisher will not cover this repair, and it is costing me $400 for a new rear triangle, even with Full Cycle doing the labor for free! Not to mention, that it is taking them over 6 weeks just to get me a new rear triangle. I will probably sell the frame, and get a Lenz Sport Leviathan, or a pricey Mooto-X YBB.
Bottom Line: Carbon Fiber does *NOT* belong on mountain bikes! If you buy this bike, you better get a kickstand for it so you don't "accidentally" lay it down wrong.
Favorite Trail: Hall Ranch, Lyons. Gold Bar Rim, Moab. Dakota Ridge, Golden
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At: Full Cycle, Boulder
Similar Products Used: 2001 Sugar 2 (26")
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Ellert
a Weekend Warrior
from Cleveland
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2005
Strengths: the 29 inch wheels are killer, I was hooked after I demo'ed the bike for the first time, went right out and got me one.
Weaknesses: I SO REGRET buying a Fisher Sugar, after I showed up at rides everybody warned me about cracking the carbon fiber seat stay on the swing arm, sure enough I cracked mine and fisher/trek won't cover it under warrenty.
Low bottom bracket is going to ruin my cranks. doesn't clear much of anything which is suprising with the big wheels.
Bottom Line:
STAY AWAY from these frames. they work great in ideal conditions... ie. not ever falling. a side impact to the seat stay on the swingarm the carbon cracks and you are S.O.L. Be prepaired to shell out another $600 for fisher to sell you another swingarm. buy them bulk if you can! low bottom bracket clearence really shouldn't be that way.
I give it two chilis for overall because the bike with the 29 inch wheels changes everything.
Bike Setup: full XTR, built on the "easy to crack" sugar frame
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
JS Reilly
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2005
Strengths: Incredible stability, smooth, light for its size.
Weaknesses: Great stability might be regarded by some as lack of "feel", but if this is muted feel - i like it. not many fork choices - but growing options as these 29ers catch on.
Bottom Line:
the best mtn bike i have ever owned - and i have owned a lot of them. i have absolutely no complaints. as a note, i am 6'4 so i am on the xl model. i am unsure how well the 29er idea works on a smaller frame - it sure looks bizarre. the xl frame looks at home with the large wheels. the ride is really beyond description. all i can say is that it rides over roots like they are not there, it climbs great, it's light for its size. it is manageable around technical stuff - something that other told me it would not be.
Similar Products Used: surly karate monkey, santa cruz blur, santa cruz heckler, gt i-drive team, gunnar rockhound ... others i cannot remember.
Bike Setup: 2005 293 frame/shock, 2005 rock shox reba, sram xo rear der, x-9 shifters, maxm bar & post, stan's tubeless rims on hugi 240s disc, hope mono m4 brakes, truvativ stylo team cranks w/ gigapipe bb, crank bros ti beaters, sram cassette and chain, xtr front der.
Strengths: I demoed (and reviewed) a 2003 292 so the followings are mostly w.r.t that model. * ProPedal shock - an important upgrade * 100mm in front (was 80) which helps a bit with crank clearence * much better overall components * very stiff bike with the xt crank. * all the other thnigs I mentiobed in the 2003 review.
Weaknesses: * 2004 still without disks - fixed in 2005 but GF put a 6" rather then a 7" to offset for the larger wheel. * frame needs a special adapter for disks. * water bottle location. * Bike magazine lost their allure - I used to drool over the pages of MBA analyzing every little difference trying to imagine my next bike. Now all these differences seem negligible after moving to a 29er.
Bottom Line:
I am not just happy with my choise, I am elated. There is a permanent smile on my face and it is worth more than some deep analysis on behaviour etc. But overall the bike is stiff and climbs impresively well. It overcomes obstacles in a remarkable way, inspire confidence and decent so fast and stable that I wish none of the other guys around will get one;)
Submitted by
Gabe
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, Co, USA
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2004
Strengths: Awesome bike, I can't get enough of it. It doesn't downhill as well as my big hit but that goes without saying. I love being able to just roll on.
Weaknesses: Brakes, the bigger wheels = faster = needs more breaking power.
Submitted by
Russ
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver Colorado
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2004
Strengths: This is an extremely well made and very well designed 29'er for this 6'7" Clydesdale. Excellent std. gear- Hayes Disks, Reba Shock with lock-out...nice touch. Rear has lock out as well, and both are easy to access on the run.
Weaknesses: A little heavy with all the gear, and the 29'er size. don't care for the red color. Pricey.
Bottom Line:
If you're looking for a 29'er, that is relatively light, very well made, can support a clydesdale, and has 90% of the gear already on it that you would want...I can't think of anything that is nearly as good as this bike.
Similar Products Used: Came off an XL Homegrown hardtail at about 23 lbs. That bike was great, but took a toll on my back. Tried the '04 292 and the '05 is a HUGE step forward as far as the componets go...Disks and Front shock in particular.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bill Bain
a Weekend Warrior
from Virginia Beach, VA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2004
Strengths: I have a 2005 Sugar 292 with SRAM X.0 and Hayes 9 disc brakes. This bikes strenth is in its ability to maintain momentum. Riding on a trail with rolling terrain is easier with 29" wheels since less speed is lost on the descent and more speed is maintained since the larger wheel rolls over obstacles easier. The full suspension along with the larger contact patch of the tires allows better control on off-camber trails with tree roots. Handlebar mounted controls for the Rockshock Reba fork allow for lock-out on the fly. The component selection is good and has worked well. The X.0 rear derailleur is easy to clean and mechanically simple. I opted out of the shimano pedals and am riding Crank Bros Candy pedals which work well. Overall fit and finish are good.
Weaknesses: I expected a better saddle than the Bontrager model it came with. The SRAM thumb actuated shifters are hard to use and are the cause of many inadvertant shifts especially during jarring descents. I plan on shifting over to grip shift in the near future. I also would have expected a better crankset than the Bontrager. The crankarms were scratched up after one ride. Probably will go XT or FSA in the future.
Bottom Line:
The 29" wheel concept is solid. The only problems I ever had were tight technical sections that had to be ridden at low speed. The wheelbase of this bike is very long. With the seat post height set for proper leg extension, my foot will not reach the ground while seated. As I adjust to the bike and improve my riding, I am sure my bike handling will improve and the low speed stuff will come along. I would recommend this bike to anyone of above average height.
Favorite Trail: Am moving to Hawaii, will have to get back to you.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At: HDK Cycles Virginia Beach
Similar Products Used: This is my first mountain bike in many years. I was originally a mtb rider in the late 80s and started riding road to gain fitness. I live in a flat area with no challenging trails. I am moving to Hawaii and plan on exploring as much as I can.
Bike Setup: Stock setup with SRAM and XT components. Reba shock with Hayes hydraulic disc brakes.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
matt
a Cross Country Rider
from san diego, ca
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2004
Strengths: fast, stable, and super comfortable!
Weaknesses: lacks stock disc brakes, steering not as responsive in the tight stuff.
Bottom Line:
I really wanted to like the Cake more than the 292 (came with more stuff) but after test riding both bikes a couple of times I had to go with the 292...just felt better. I definitely recommend the carbon handlebars but I chose to go with the shorter handlebars to make the steering more responsive (worked great). thanks Gary!
I paid my MTBR Classfied Ads fee, so wanted to announce a Gary Fisher Sugar 292 size small for sale in case anyone is looking for such a bike on this board. I ride the Sugar 293 m Read More »
I am new to this forum, so if this question has already been asked and answered, I appologize in advance.
I have been riding a Sugar 292 for about a year, and was wondering why GF Read More »
Someone posted some photos here of a really nice cable routing mod for Fisher Sugar 292/293. Anybody remember who it was or know how to find the photos? Really excellent work, ab Read More »
Before I shell out some $$ - sight unseen - for a [URL="http://www.entro.com.sg/arundel.htm"]sideloader[/URL] water bottle cage to fit in the limited space area on a Fisher Sugar 2 Read More »
Hello all,
I need a new fork for my Sugar 292, and am trying to compare the 2009 Reba Team and the Fox f100 RL with G2 off set. Which do you think I would be happier with, both Read More »
