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Gary Fisher
Sugar Team Issue
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Submitted by
Doug Holzman
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee,Wi,US
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Nine Mile Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1199.00 | | Purchased At: | Emery's Cycle | | Strengths: | Rear lockout is nice for the hill climb and the fast portions of courses. Really light for a full suspension. Good bike for a 24 hour race. | | Weaknesses: | None, any chain suck was my own fault; not enough lube and sandy conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Fuel 90 1999 S30 | | Bike Setup: | 03 frame with 04 world cup fork, full xtr(old style) custom built wheelset(hugi hubs) | | Bottom Line: | I own a fuel and it is a tank compared to my Sugar. The sugar is truely a superior bike. Its a shame you can't get it anymore, and that Gary Fisher(Trek) never made a carbon fiber Sugar. It is lighter that my buddies Specialized Epic. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Lamb
a Racer
from Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Etc. | | Strengths: | The bike combines the comfort of a full suspension with the weight of a hard tail. It is very responsive in tight turns and if dialed in well, excelerates quickly. The bike is equipped with mostly top of the line components and is race ready out of the box. Good warranty support from Fisher. Being able to adjust the amount of air in the rear suspension and front fork allows to try different things for the change in terrains. | | Weaknesses: | The rear triangle on the 2003 is going to break (design flaw). Well that is great is you have 2 bikes, but if not you will be with out one for several weeks. I must admit that my bike shop went extremely out of their way to put a loaner rear triangle on the bike while I waited for the repacement. The front fork (Skareb) broke at the crown. I have experienced chain suck on several occasions and during the race it really sucks (no pun intended). The saddle (Titec) is ugly. | | Similar Products Used: | Lite Speed Pisgah (Hardtail) | | Bike Setup: | Swapped brakes to XTR, Swapped seatpost and handle bars to carbon fiber. | | Bottom Line: | After riding and racing a hardtail for several years I researched the many full suspensions to choose from. The Sugar met all of my specs and was very affordable. The swapping of components is a matter of preference. I prefer the XTR brakes over the avid (more responsive, look cooler), and the carbon fiber handle bars and seatpost was for comfort and weight. I am old school and prefer tube tires in the case you flat but I am quickly liking the tubeless with the stan's. Overall this bike is awesome and with my tendacy to break things the suppoer staff is very understanding and customer service oriented. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Handy
a Cross Country Rider
from Corte Madera
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3100.00 | | Purchased At: | Lombardi's | | Strengths: | Light and tight. It's almost a hardtail really. Fisher's warranty. Responsive support staff. Replaced rear triangle that cracked for free. | | Weaknesses: | Almost a hardtail. The rear suspension is really stiff even when the pressure in the Cloud 9 is dropped down to 75 psi. Chain suck. After 2.5 years and a lot of riding and over a dozen races I can't take it anymore. Sure, everything's fine when all the chainrings and chain are new and clean and perfected lubed, but the Genesis frame amplifies and exacerbates the effects of chain suck. There's no doubt about it. I've been on enough group rides in adverse conditions to know the difference. I even took it in to an authorized Fisher dealer to have the alignment checked and they came up with nada. I never planned to unload this bike after such a short time, but after my only DNF in a race because the chain sucked and broke on me I'm done. It's a shame really. It really is a great XC race bike otherwise. Fisher really needs to do something about this. | | Similar Products Used: | SC Superlight. | | Bike Setup: | All around XTR except Avid V brakes, FOX RLC 100, Cloud 9 rear, Bontrager Race Lite Rims, Bontrager stem and flat handlebar | | Bottom Line: | Until these chain suck problems go away and you can see that the frame is changed, beware. It's been too painful for me to deal with such a frame related issue that I can't do anything about. Unless you plan on extra chain/chainring maintenance and don't anticipate muddy or even highly dusty conditions be careful. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Racer
from LaPorte,IN
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | warsaw,in | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Handles great, climbs better than any hardtail | | Weaknesses: | Brakes flex the rear seat stays | | Similar Products Used: | Raven,Sugar +4, Schwinn Homegrown 4 banger | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR, Sid Race, Spinergy rims | | Bottom Line: | I have not had any problems with chain suck with this bike or my 2002 +4. However I never use my small chain ring, it is not very hilly were I live. I love this bike it is very quick and has handled 3 and 4 foot drops with no problems with chain drop. The rear brake feels a little weak at times because of some flex with the rear stays. Buy one on ebay and build it up if you can find one, then you can pick the parts you want to build a kick butt ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Wesley
a Cross Country Rider
from Battle Creek, Mi. USA
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Custer | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Team Active | | Strengths: | This is my first FS bike. I>ve been riding hard tails for about eight years and just didn't want the headaches of the full suspension bike and costs. This bike changed my mind. Going from a Fisher Mt. Tam to a Team Sugar, it didn't take long for my to adjust. The bike is light and fast. I rarely use the lock outs on the shocks. It climbs the steepest hills with ease. The bike handles and fits me well. I went from a 16 inch frame to the med. size Sugar, didn't have to adjust anything. I wondered at first if I spent too much, but after a season and a half, I'm glad I made the purchase. | | Weaknesses: | A few instances with chain suck and the paint on the drop outs has peeled away a bit. The bike does sqeek here and there a bit. I did replace the straight handle bars with a riser bar. Other than a few minor problems, I think it's a good buy. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek fuel and Specialize Stumpjumoer | | Bike Setup: | THe bike came with all the top end XTR stuff...Bontrager Race rims, I bought the Eggbeater stainlees steel pedals (luv them), and replace the rear tire once with the same IRC Sarac tire. | | Bottom Line: | I'm sure there are ways of making the bike a little better, but from what I have learned from this bike is, A full suspension bike may cost a little more, but in the long run, I would have gone through two more bikes before I got what I have out of the Team Sugar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose Rovira
a
from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Ciclo Mundo | | Strengths: | Colors look great. Got with the warrantee after a broken MT Tam Frame. | | Weaknesses: | The paint job started to peel off. The nuts & bolts of the rear suspension rusted and the bike all ways "squeeked" untill I replaced them with stainless steel one's. The bolts that hold the swing arm at the bottom of the frame cracked. The right brake boss(the stem that is attached to the frame that holds the V-brake in place) broke of. The chain suck, it took me 4 months to adjust the bb so it would not happen and it almost eate
| | Bike Setup: | XTR hubs & derailleurs, XT V-brakes, Marzocci 100mm, Fox Float RL, Sun Rino rims | | Bottom Line: | If you weigh 200lb and like to go down fast don't buy this bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom McHugh
a Racer
from Neenah Wi US
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Levis Trow Mounds | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel and Sprocket | | Strengths: | Lite weight climbs great love the shock on this bike it goes where you point it. | | Weaknesses: | Chain did come off once. | | Similar Products Used: | 29er | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike to avoid chain suck make sure you are not in the big cog in rear when you shift to the small chainring in front.I know this sounds like a pain but its faster than puting your chain back on.This bikes fits me great I tried the Trek fuel but did not feel as good also liked going back to the tubeless 26 inch wheel over the 29er.If you can get the bike on sale buy it the full XTR is great.This is a great bike for the racer or the weekend rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrik Gunnarsson
a Racer
from Del Mar, Ca
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Cuyamaca | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2999.00 | | Purchased At: | Trek Bike Store | | Strengths: | Handles great, climbes well, and very fun to ride...when it's not in the shop. | | Weaknesses: | Very poor shifting,(mis-shifting) chain suck, problems with the Skarab front fork. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper XC | | Bottom Line: | I like the bike, but very irritatated with the time I've had to have it in the shop because of very poor shifting. In the 6-8months I've had the bike, it's been in the shop approx. 8-10 times. I recently took the bike in because the shop claimed to have a sure fix for the shifting problems. It seems to have fixed the problem, but I've only ridden it 20 miles since then. The shop has been helpful, but I think
they could have done more to make me, the customer happy
with the $3000 I spent. If I was to do this all over again,I would have bought the Fuel 100 instead of the Gary
Fisher Team Issue. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tulio Fuentes
a Racer
from Guatemala
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | tight, steep(up n down) technical singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicimania | | Strengths: | Light, fast, no bobbing and very stiff.Great handler and easy maintenance for the suspension linkage. XC racer at heart | | Weaknesses: | It´s a racer type, so requires finess to drive. Extreme trail riders look elsewhere. Paint in carbon chain/seat stays chips off. Cable routing kinda annoying. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale CAAD 4 hardtail, Fisher Hardtail, GT LTS | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager Race Lite rims, Marathon SL(100 mm), Race Face cranks, XTR derraileurs and cassette, Carbon seatpost and handlebar. | | Bottom Line: | After being racing and riding hardtails for years, this is my first full suspension race bike. I was skeptical at first about full suspension for racing, but my dealer gave the bike for a test ride and it never came back to the store. I was sold! The bike was definitely a little heavier than my last hardtail, but once on the saddle, the extra weight is not noticeable. First ride out, I started climbing up fireroads and steep, rough singletrack. It felt just like my hardtail, except traction was exceptional. It climbs like a goat. Once I locked out the shock, I noticed everything the bike wasn´t doing before, like bouncing and skidding. Once pointed downhill, the bike is extremely fast and agile. My only complaint is the Manitou fork, which was kinda sketchy at speed. The Marzocchi Marathon came to the rescue. A bit heavier (1/4 pound)but worth it.
It´s not a plush bike, but for XC racing it´s great. Just enough travel for keeping control over rough terrain. Non racers should opt for a bike with more travel. The Marathon fork that I upgraded to really helped for bike control at speed. I´m upgrading the shock with a 5th Element for superior pedaling, although bobbing is almost non existent as stock. So far I´ve never had chainsuck problems or any other problem with the bike, except that the paint in the stays seems to be a bit fragile. Also, I had to cut the cable covers because they came too long. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luis Ortiz
a Cross Country Rider
from San Juan PR
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | any kind | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Ciclomundo | | Strengths: | light(for a FS),stiff rear end,nice geometry for my body type | | Weaknesses: | chain suck,chain drop | | Similar Products Used: | trek 8900,trek STP | | Bike Setup: | Mavic Crossmax SL,Bontrager Raccelite Cranks w/Race Face chainrings | | Bottom Line: | I recived this frame as a warranty for a broken STP,I had really bad problems with the cahin suck,even on the road!!(I train on pretty steep rural roads) Solved when I spaced the bottom bracket,AND changed to Race Face chainrings,after that I have had no more problems other than normal,and only in muddy conditions.But before that I broke a lot of chains and boiled over a few times ;(
The frame is very stiff,though,very responsive,It climbs like its glued,very very pleasant experience(once its working)it shines on technical,steep,rooted terrain.
It inspires confidence when bombing down trails and finds traction on unbelivable terrain,thanks in part to UST tires and low tire pressures ;)
I dont think its a plush bike at all,its more of a racer-boy kinda thing,but the suspension does does help a lot,on the climbs and on the DH,at least if you come from a HT or ST...I also did a 13 hour survival race and my back was just fine(yeah right...) after it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Freilich
a Racer
from St Albans UK
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Karimoor at CYB North wales | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Employee Purchase | | Strengths: | This state of the art full susser is a great riding experience. Lighter than many hardtails it really digs in when climbing with no bob and I mean none. Friends following on SC blurs have commented on it's smoothness. Descending is good also with stable handling. It is a bit of a shame it wasn't built with a Sybil link for increased rear travel when riding epics (Yes, I know it is a race bike). The wheels are fantastic and look soo cool. The front end is so light I had trouble taming it when climbing on it's first outings. Kept wanting to lift off the ground! The 03 XTR kit works superbly now b/b beaking problems have been sorted. I had to get the B/B shell faced and replace the bearings 4 times! Those Avid Ultimates. Simply the best V brake on the planet IMHO. | | Weaknesses: | Problems with initial set up. The b/b was incorrectly spaced out of the box.
The chain sucks in the mud normally resolved by applying finishline xc lube but it is more of a problem than it should be and I don't use the granny much at all. Generally ok in dry conditions though. Cables wearing paint away around the head tube. They should braze some cable stops on there.
The stock saddle must be too wide for most. left me walking like John Wayne! Now replaced with a Flite | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 GF Sugar2
GT XCR 3000 (yuck) | | Bike Setup: | Stock set up with Easton Carbon sl bars, Conti Explorer USTs, Flite Ti, Time Carbon ti Pedals, Connex Wipperman stainless steel chain. | | Bottom Line: | I've very mixed feelings. The bike's performance is the ultimate for an xc racer. It is so entertaining to ride that I have decided to hang on to it even if I only use it in the summer of for epic rides.
For my needs I would prefer a longer travel option and disc brakes for the uk winter.
The chain suck, though not quite so much of an issue for me as for some shouldn't be there at all!
The set up out of the box was un-forgiveable.
It is a great great bike to ride but with those niggles. A bit like those exotic cars beginning with F? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Andrew
a Racer
from Norwalk, CT
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Warranty Replacement | | Strengths: | Efficient and stiff frame. | | Weaknesses: | Could be lighter. | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Sugar 1 and an early OCLV | | Bike Setup: | LX Cranks, XT, SRAM Mix | | Bottom Line: | This is a followup of my previous review of the 2002 Sugar 1 I got as a warranty replacement for my beloved OCLV hardtail. My 2002 Sugar 1 had a horrible chainline which made several gear combinations unusable or chaindrop and chainsuck would occur. I am a finesse rider and very aware of shifting under light load, being in the correct chainring, and keeping a straight chainline but it was ridiculous.
My Fisher rep sent me a replacement 2003 Sugar 1 with the Fox Float shock and all is well. All the same parts from the last DEFECTIVE frame worked FLAWLESSLY on the new frame. It sucks to get defective stuff but my gary Fisher rep got it resolved. I am glad I had the knowledge and tools to build and strip both frames myself or it would have cost some major $$$$ not to mention the time without a bike. At least nothing ever breaks on my road bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lance Romance
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything dry | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Sporting Life | | Strengths: | Light, fast. Crisp handling for fast trail riding. (Not for hucking.) | | Weaknesses: | The chain-suck issue but I solved it - see below | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Cloud Nine rear shock, Marathon SL fork, XT drive train, Comp S Light Tires, Thompson post, Easton Monkey Bar etc. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that if you are spending serious dollars on a bike in the Toronto area shop at Sporting Life.
This summer I bought a beat up 2000 model year Sugar 2 from a friend and on the fourth ride the frame cracked. Sporting Life went to bat for me and presto - 2003 Team Issue with Cloud Nine - NO CHARGE. When the frame was built up chain suck was constant - even on the shop stand! Sporting Life's excellent mechanics then spent two hours testing numerous different parts and set-ups to try to solve the problem. In the end the solution was to get rid of the aluminum granny chain ring and replace it with a high quality stainless steel part. The second important change was to put a spacer that moves the crank arm and all chainrings about 1.5 millimeter away from the BB. This added space stops the chain from wedging between the rings and the chainstay in the event of chain suck. I haven't ridden the bike a great deal (I am a roadie at heart) but I have not had chainsuck since. Good idea to clean and lube drive train after every ride.
However there is no excuse for the manufacturer. It's a shame that such an excellent product is marred by such a serious problem. This situation is of course mitigated by the companies excellent warrantee. Overall the bike is fantastic but you better know how to handle it - both on the trail and in the shop.
I don't want to sound like an ad for a retail store but again I can't say enough good things about how I was treated at Sporting Life. All the extra work and parts were provided at no charge and I was given the impression that the mechanics would not give up until the bike was perfect. (And remember, I didn't even buy the original bike at Sporting Life.) Thanks to Dave Reynolds, Simon Fisher, Brian Spargo and Brian Travis and the rest of the team at "The Life".
Value for me 5 chilis - I darn near stole the thing. Only for 4 overall because of the extra effort required to make it work.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PATRICK
a Cross Country Rider
from MORGAN HILL,CA,USA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | ONE I AM RIDING | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | WARRANTY | | Strengths: | Great Warranty | | Weaknesses: | Rear Shock bushings on my 2000 Sugar 3. I noticed the design is changed for 2003 that eliminates the problem. | | Bike Setup: | Was a stock 2000 Sugar 3. | | Bottom Line: | I rode my 2000 Sugar3 from Ohio to Moab to California and it performed very well up until the day I found a small crack in the chainstay. I contacted my local Fisher dealer for parts and to my suprise was given a brand new team issue with shock since my old one would not fit.
What an incredible warranty! It shows that when you buy a new product from a respectable company that they really stand behind there product.
As for chainsuck I never had any unusual problems on my Sugar 3 but I also ran my chain about 3-4 links shorter than the Shimano recommendation.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hans Raven
a Cross Country Rider
from harderwijk
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bouillon, ardennes belgium | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | leo steijn ermelo holland | | Strengths: | faaassstttt, great steering and handling, adds comfort, light, Both fore CC racing and marathons (incl. Transalp Challenge), great looks when the bike set up is 'custom' | | Weaknesses: | they say, chain suck. I have no more trouble than with other bikes or other poeple driving other bikes. I shortend the chain to prevent it from falling of in downhills. There seems to be missing a link in the rear part, in part of where the brakes are positioned. I think that placing a connectionlink in between would make the rear part stiffer. Starnge why they didn't do that. The former model had it (where the mudd kept staying..) | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 2 model 2000. Giant NRS, FUEL 90 | | Bike Setup: | X0 rear, Xtr cranck and front, X0 shifters, crossmax XL 2002, Michelin WG 2003, front and back lock out, easton ea 70 parts, slr saddle. Look s really great, light. | | Bottom Line: | Like most fans allready said: light, faaassssttt, f* good handling and steering, adds some xtra comfort which makes riding so much more fun.Good looks. I like the options to lock out the front and the back suspension. So you can climb very well on long climbs, or get a race bike feel when riding on the road. Before this one, I had a sugar 2 from 2000, which I also loved very much. This one though is more in balance, better fork and more space between the rear tire in case of muddy conditions. More stiffness in the front and a little bit lighter than the 2000 model. I did the Adidas Bike Transalp Challenge on this bike, and it drove very very well. And, I never got one single chain suck. (In total I drove it more than 700 miles )Once, when I just had bought it, the chain fell often off in choppy, rocky downhills. I made the chain a little bit too short as it should be, and the problem was over. I had never a lot of problems when shifting form middle to small, that is not more as with other bikes. But I must say, I never do that on full pressure. When you are riding marathons, that is mostly not neccessary. When you know what comes, anticipate and if you have strong leggs, take your time for shifting. In fast CC games, you mostly use a lot of power and never or very few times the small chain ring. I believe that a lot of bikes get trouble when shifting fast, caused by the fact that the chain falls deeper than from third the second chainring. I have the new xtr cranck, and the superb X0 derailleur. This one has much more tension on it's spring, so the (shortenned) chain is under more tension. A girlfriend of mine has a Su2/2002, and she has much trouble with the suck. But she has an xtr rear derailleur, and is way too wild on her bike. Most bikes would get the chain fall of with her riding style, but the problem is that the chain is stuck between the cranck and the chainstay. That is caused by the little space. I never drove the bike in really muddy conditions (great summer weather this year!!), and will get back to mtbr (and my shop) when it happens at my bike like other users say. But I hope it won't, cause I really like rocking this bike, which got me over the alps andother marathons in a f* good way! One last comment: the price (€ 5000) and no full carbon makes me give it 4 chills instead of five. And the fear of getting the chainsuck lik eother people in muddy conditions. This winter will learn... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sleepy LaBeef
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, Oregon
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Weight, acceleration, climbing ability. Bike was great until some suckaa busted my window and stole it out of my Landcruiser. | | Weaknesses: | drum roll please....Chain Suck! Could use a little more rear end travel | | Similar Products Used: | SC Heckler, Giant NRS | | Bike Setup: | XT drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | My GF Hardtail cracked so I went for the warranty upgrade to see what all the chain suck hoopla was all about. If you read these postings, you would think that you couldn't ride three blocks without the chain falling off. Luckily, that has not been my experience. Prior to getting the bike I emailed Trek/GF for a comment. They actually aknowledged the issue, but gave me a range of suspect excuses as to why chain suck occurs. Per their recommendation I specked the new frame out with a full XT drivetrain.
In the 300 miles that I had the bike, I only had three instances of chainsuck. Early on I learned that when dropping to the small crank cog from the middle on an incline you risked chainsuck. When making this shift I would make sure not to put too much tork on the cranks. This seemed to work, but yes I had to change my riding style. Still, I wasn't that worked up about it since I did not pay $3K, but rather $380 for the frame plus the XT DT. Being my first full suspension, I was pretty stoked. It was everything my hardtail was and more. I pulled off bigger, steeper climbs, faster downhills and cruised on the flats. My riding buddies complained that they had a hard time keeping on my wheel. Everything was all good. Then you go for an apres ride beer and BANG! Some crackhead steals your bike out of your car. Then you got nothing but your $500 homeowners deductible. Well, I'm grateful to have insurance, but sorry to report that the next rig will not be a Sugar. I've succombed to the Blur rage and when I get that insurance check I'm putt'n an order. I want stable platform, but I also want more travel in the back, which is something the Sugar XC racer lacked. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Lynn, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | wolfpits Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | MA | | Strengths: | Limited. | | Weaknesses: | Defective design. | | Bottom Line: |
Am I reading these things correctly ?
Please tell me that you all are not trying to justify the fact that you spent 3000+ dollars of your hard earned cash on a flawed product by suggesting that we "shift differently" and "adjust our riding styles" to accomodate the obvious defect in this product.
Bottom line is that the Sugar does not work as advertised. Bike shops admit it, riders have dealt with it for years and the company admits that many frames are "mis-aligned".
How they have not been sued yet, I cannot figure out.
If you are looking for a new XC racing bike, do not buy a Sugar.
Go with a company that takes pride in their design and craftmanship like Intense or Rocky Mountain.
Do not pay premium dollars for a frame that has to be ridden in a "adusted manner" to work properly.
If you're going to spend your hard earned cash on a nice bike, get one that can take anything you throw at it and adjusts to your riding style - not the other way around.
I suffered with a Sugar for 2 years - two actual bikes and months of adjustments and letters to the service team -
Then, I test rode the Rocky ETS-X 70 and the Intense Spyder and eventually settled on the Spyder for availability purposes.
Both companies make quality bikes and are more concerned about customers than marketing the ego of the company's founder.
Trust me on this one.
Sugar is not sweet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hardcore Racer
a Racer
from The Mtns, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All of Them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Incredible climbing bike, comfortable, and stable. | | Weaknesses: | CHAIN SUCK!(thought I'd conform and not give my own opinion) | | Similar Products Used: | Intense Spider, S.C. Blur, Specialized Epic | | Bike Setup: | XTR, Marzocchi Marathon SL, Magura Marta SL, Chris King ISO hubs, Thomson stem and post, etc. - nothing stock. | | Bottom Line: | If you know how to shift, chain suck does NOT exist on this bike. I've been racing this bike for a full season (24hr events) and have only had one chain suck issue. This is hands down one of the best race bikes in production. Very fast sprinting bike, and the best climbing bike around. Genesis Geometry is very comfortable and makes for a very stable platform. On fast technical descents it can get a little sketchy since it has under 3" of travel. This bike is definetley designed for racing, get a sugar 2+ if you want a trail bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
b l
a Cross Country Rider
from walnut ca
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | great bike | | Weaknesses: | a bit sensitive to riding style | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | i experienced chain suck when i first got my sugar and chain dropping unto the bb when shifting from 2nd to granny. this will help.
1.dont shift chain rings under pressure (i.e. climbing), be in gear of choice before climb.
2. when riding down hill cross your chain. (i.e. large chain ring w/ larg"er" gears on cassette).
have fun riding. for all you that still have your sugar get it professionally setup again and try the tips. have fun. u have a olympic race proven bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
grace
a
from clemson, sc, usa
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | No bob, extremely light, great parts spec, awesome handling. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | trek fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | stock for now...w/ crank bros candy sl's | | Bottom Line: | This bike is light - 23 lbs stock! '03 XTR is great. Climbs & descends like a champ. This bike was everything I expected and more! No problems w/ chain suck or anything else. Great XC race bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Bolton
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Albion Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Broadway Cycle Toronto | | Strengths: | My 2001 sugar 2 frame cracked and Garry Fisher came through with a new Team Issue frame and shock upgrade for me. The bikes are very similar. The team issue is a stable, fast, light, great climbing bike. I have never had chain suck with my sugar 2 even in the worst conditions. I completed a 100 km mountain bike race from Mattawa to North Bay in the pouring rain without a problem. Although I have only ridden the Team Issue a few times I have had no problems shifting or riding in the small chain ring. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 2, Rocky Mountain Hammer Race | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike! Fast and surefooted. Makes you a better rider. Even prevents some spills. Gary Fisher stands behind their products. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Santa Fe, NM USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Simple, efficient, great handling. | | Weaknesses: | Ya ya... chain suck | | Bike Setup: | fox float fork, tubes | | Bottom Line: | Just a thought, the genesis geometry, specificly the short chain stays, are the cause of the chain suck. The shorter stays lead to steeper angles in the cross chain department. This allows the chain to hang up on the rings easier during shifting. I'm no engineer but blah blah blah... Everything else about the bike I absolutely love, I'm a bit more careful shifting to granny than I've been with other bikes and I've learned to live with the chain suck just fine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Collett
a Cross Country Rider
from Johannesburg, South Africa
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | Action Outfitters, Stowe, Vermont | | Strengths: | A true cross country racing bike, light, agile, very quick uphill. Finished 8 Classics (75km races) in mud, rock, dust without a complaint. A great all round bike for those who want to get on and race without spending all day tuning, comparing, complaining! | | Weaknesses: | Unlike most of the reviews, I haven't had chain suck. Perhaps I haven't tried hard enough, maybe I got a good frame. The remote lockout for the Fox took time to set up properly. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Mt Tam, KHS 904, Giant 9500 | | Bike Setup: | Mazzochi SL fork, Mavic Crossmax UST wheels, Hutchinson Python tires, Easton Carbon bar and seat post, Cane Creek Ergo bar ends, full XTR, Selle Flire gel saddle. Weight 11,8kg | | Bottom Line: | A great race bike, predictable handling, great climber. Worth every cent. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gregory Hiv
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Life Game,CO
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | cruisin for guys on the barr trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45000.00 | | Purchased At: | tyrees basement | | Strengths: | i think the thing that stands out the most with the sugar team issue is the sweet climbing abilities. This climbs like a baby mountain goat that has a laser fighting brown love ring and has intentions to take over the world with his radioactive powers from the thompson brand microwave. I also like how this bike has two wheels so it is actually considered a two wheeled riding machine. i love this bike with all of my heart and my microwave. | | Weaknesses: | the only thing that i have found wrong with this two wheeled riding machine is that the frame seems to break in half when you do random 40 foot cliff drops, but i am a fat boy that has man mammories, but luckily i had my tree powered hand welding kit and i welded that piece of pie back together and then i nailed that random drop, i freakin nailed that thing. I also hate how this bike is a pedal powered big, where is the engine? I also hate how this thing hovers over water, i want to dive not float. i hate myself. | | Similar Products Used: | i once tried a three wheeled riding machine but this one is way better, i also have tried a microwave with a baby once, that rocked. this bike definatly does not top that, nothing does. | | Bike Setup: | two wheels and NO ENGINE? I hate myself. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line with this bike is very simple. I hate this bike so very very much. First of all it has no engine so you have to use your legs and then it has two wheels, what is with that? I also hate how this thing attracts women instead of sausage. really really hot sausage. I also dislike how this bike does not comform with the pdga rules and now i can't use it when i disc golf. I guess the bottom line is that i hate this bike with all of my heart. Does anyone know who the inventor of the microwave is? I ask because i love this kitchen appliance for cooking the greatest and most sweetest meat in the world. But it is a little messy with the slaughering and all. Cuba will live forever and i love Cuba. Happy yam kippur. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain Lakes
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Strengths: | components | | Weaknesses: | Chain Suck | | Similar Products Used: | Blur | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Obviously chain suck is a huge issue with this bike. Why doesnt someone goto Gary Fisher and get to the bottom of this? Maybe Mountain Bike Magazine could do a story on this. There really seems to be alot of people complaining about literally the same issues. This is rediculous. Dont give me this crap about "oh the chain might not be lubed properly" or "are you shifting properly?" Give us all a break! There is obviously something mechanically wrong with this bike and I believe the bike is just improperly made. Period. How the hell can so many people be complaining about the same problem!? Doesnt make sense. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a
from Erie
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | employee purchase | | Strengths: | Very nice part spec | | Weaknesses: | CHAIN SUCK!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | last years sugar 1, chain suck with that also | | Bike Setup: | Time world cup pedals, not stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great when its not chainsucking!! I believe that mine weighs in at 23lbs and there is alot i could change to take it below 20. Um chain suck is a huge issue. OH AND FOR ALL YOU PEOPLE WONDERING ABOUT THE CAKE, IT WILL NOT BE A REPLACMENT TO THE SUGAR!! THE CAKE WILL BE THE SAME PURPOSE BIKE AS THE LIQUID FUEL A.K.A. EPIC/TRAIL BIKE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain Lakes
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Strengths: | Components | | Weaknesses: | Chain Suck | | Similar Products Used: | Intense | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Chain suck is a HUGE problem with this bike. I dont care if you race or not for this price it should be flawless. I have had my bike looked at by a bunch of bike mechanics. Some favor Gary Fisher products, some dont. One of the largest dealers of Gary Fisher products in my state FLAT OUT told me that they are ready to drop GF entirely from their line because of the problems they have had over the last 2 years with this bike and the Trek Fuels. The problem is that the chainring is made too closely to the swingarm. Yes, GF also had problems with some bikes a year or so ago regarding the bottom bracket. It was made off line. The new Cake is supposed to fix this but at this point who really cares. I also agree with Scott on his post. At this price range and if you are really passionate about riding I would rather invest my money in what he calls "a really good microbrew bike company." Santa Cruz, Kona, Intense, Seven, Litespeed to name a few. At this price it should be about quality, not quantity. Not saying GF or Trek is a bad company, they just mass produce, mass produce, mass produce. Also go with a nice small shop that knows their stuff and is passionate about mountain bikes. Build a relationship with them. Work with them. Thats what its all about. Thats what it should be all about. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Racer
from Southern Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Catwalk (UP n' down, shuttle weenies!!!) | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | test in marin | | Strengths: | handling, weight, skareb fork, no pedal bob (just like MY sugar 3+) | | Weaknesses: | none other than the fact that I can't afford one | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90 disc, sugar 3+ disc | | Bike Setup: | stockaroo | | Bottom Line: | two words for all you guys complaining about the chain suck...TOUGHEN UP. I can see you complaining about not being able to use ur granny ring on a 2+ 3+ 4+...etc, but if you're dropping the change for a full on racing bike...why are you using a granny ring?!?!?! middle or big ring it people, or heaven forbid...buy a chainsuck guard (ya know the little ones that go inbetween your chain stays and your bb shell and are staggered to conform to chainrings) and add a boat anchor 20 grams to ur bike, or quit complaining and ride harder...pshh, and If you really hate the bike that much, lemme take it off your hands then, I'll be glad to put up with the chainsuck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy Vercetti
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, Co, USA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Weight | | Weaknesses: | Engineering | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 3, Superlight, Jeckyl | | Bike Setup: | stock, Monkeylight bars | | Bottom Line: | Scott is right. The chain slap has worn huge digs in the CF chainstays due to misallignment of the rear triange/crank. Check the reviews for 2002 Sugar 1, its the same bike. LBS says "this just happens."
I say, not for $3,800 MSRP. This is a used car for Ch**st's sake, the d**n thing should be near perfect.
This bike is not worth the money. Do youself a favor and buy a Yeti or SC frame and build it up with the best parts possible. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Morristown, NJ
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All, anywhere, anytime, all the time | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Wont Say | | Strengths: | Components | | Weaknesses: | CHAIN SUCK! | | Similar Products Used: | Blur | | Bike Setup: | Monkey Lites, Shimano SPD, Fire XC | | Bottom Line: | Bike feels great. Fun ride. Chain suck is the problem. Bike is improperly made, period. From what was written in the new Mountain Bike Magazine, GF is coming out with new bike called Cake. Perhaps this will replace the Sugars? One can only hope. Same problem is found on the Fuels. Same frame. Here's my solution. Buy a bike from a really good "micro brew" company. One that takes pride in their products. Not a company that just mass produces their products. I have gone through numerous frames, every one of them same problem. Thank God I am working with a great bikeshop because if I didnt I'd be screwed. Lots of good bikes out there. Try them all. I would just stay away from the Sugar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robin
a Racer
from Jackson, WY USA
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light, responsive, fast and fun! Great geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Hard to change tires on the Bontrager Race Lite UST wheels. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 100. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Speedplay Frogs and Michelin Comp S Lights. | | Bottom Line: | Amazing ride. I love how this bike handles, climbs and descends. The ride is so comfortable and I am positioned perfectly thanks to the Genesis Geometry. I am so much more comfortable and in control on this bike than I was on my Fuel 100 (though the Fuel is a great bike - just not as great a fit for me and the chainsuck I had on it was maddening). The Sugar suspension has been stellar. I would recommend the Sugar Team to anyone looking for a XC race ready, full suspension ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stand
a Cross Country Rider
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Strengths: | Light, fast, responsive. | | Weaknesses: | Fox SL with remote, difficult to set, still cannot set it properly with remote lockout working. | | Similar Products Used: | Mountain Cycle | | Bike Setup: | XT, XTR, Sid race fork, mavic 517, easton graphite bar. | | Bottom Line: | It is a light and fast bike, I am not that fit and 170lbs and still overtaking a lot of my friends. Great climbing. Only the shock's lockout function is not that good, but that's fox's problem. No chainstuck problem having ride for more than 500km. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Cross Country Rider
from Lynn, MA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Bow Ridge Extension | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheelworks, Belmont, MA | | Strengths: | Light-weight, nimble, very efficient climber. | | Weaknesses: | Chainsuck: Serious alignment problems. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Paragon HT | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded XTR BB and cranks, TIME ATAC, Easton Riser Bars, Thompson Extended Stem, Avid Mechanical Discs, Mavic Tubeless Disc Wheels. | | Bottom Line: | There is a flaw in the design of the Sugar.
The manufacturer will tell you that there is no flaw in the actual design, only that some of the bikes off of the assembly line suffer from mis-alignment.
What I can tell you is that if you are over 200 lbs and like to ride Epic rides on an efficent, but tough machine, look elsewhere.
I bought the 2001 Sugar 1 XL frame and rode it for a year. The chain would drop consistently on climbs when moving from the 2nd to the 1st ring. The chain would become wedged down between the BB and the chainstay and I would have to pull it out with force which would cause the chain to tear into the frame itself.
Trek Service offered a myriad of ideas including swapping out BB's and changing cranks. None of which worked. After 4 months of clugee fixes, they offered to swap the frame and upgrade to the 2003 Team Issue.
5 minutes into my first ride with the new frame, the same problem happened. The explanation from the Service Team was that both bikes must've been 'mis-aligned' and that it was an awful coincedence, but I am not buying it - and neither should you - literally and figuratively.
The company needs to face the very challenging fact that their marquee design does not work well for larger riders and they should recommend that segment of the market stay away from that product.
If you are over 6 feet and over 200 lbs, go in a different direction. This is not the bike for you no matter what the dealer might tell you.
Too bad too, if the chain would stay on...it would be an excellent choice.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reed
a Cross Country Rider
from Hailey, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pio, Johnstone, Bear, Parker | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Sun Summit South | | Strengths: | Everything! | | Weaknesses: | none really | | Similar Products Used: | my first full suspension bike | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Marathon S, 2002 XTR, Race Face crank, Panaracer Fire XC Pro | | Bottom Line: | After eleven years on a Trek OCLV I was amazed by the Sugar. After about 200 miles of riding the bike just gets better. Climbing is even better than my hardtail and the handling is just as quick and accurate. Obviously coming from a hardtail I think the descending is a dream. I did run into minor chainsuck after about 150 miles, but feel it was due to a long chain and shifting while the rear suspension is excessively active. After taking a couple links out of my chain, and being aware of the limitations of shifting while bobbing, I have never had a problem. And it has not affected my riding negatively. Without trying for a light bike it came in well under 27 pounds and is the best XC bike I have ever ridden. If you are looking for a light, full suspension, XC climbing machine look no further. If you are in Sun Valley, Chip at Sun Summit South is a total pro! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RS Prestwood
a Cross Country Rider
from Redington Shores, FL USA
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Outfitters | | Strengths: | When the chain is not WEDGED into the BB this thing is light,responsive and fast.Paint is really nice. Minimal pedal induced bob. | | Weaknesses: | It's not your ordinary chain suck, it is chain WEDGE, the mother of all chain suck! | | Similar Products Used: | Giant XTC 1 NRS | | Bike Setup: | RaceFace Next LP BB and crank. XTR transmission. XT cassette. Chris King hub and wheel by Dave's Speed Dreams. Thompson stem/seat post. Easton bar. | | Bottom Line: | Deja Vu ! The paint looks great. The bike zzzzips along at the speed of light. It is scary fast and nimble. UNTIL... chain suck! I watched the guys at my LBS work,sweat,stress and ponder for days over this bike. The fix, so far, has been the replacement of the XT cassette. They moved the RaceFace BB in a mm then out two, then back, then out, then aaahhh! They checked the frame, tried different chains, different chain lengths,diffent chain rings, different wheels, etc.
BOTTOM LINE ! They got it working, but THERE IS NO CONFIDENCE in MR. FISHER's products. Next time, Ellsworth, Orange, Santa Cruz. Oh yeah, they got it fixed but it shaved the pretty new frame to the point of obscene.
This looks like a Class Action Law suit for releasing a known defective design.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott R
a
from Arlington
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Great ride | | Weaknesses: | Chain Suck | | Bottom Line: | Chainsuck has always been a problem with Sugars. I have a 2001 and has this problem until I replaceed my BB with a 118 Shimano XT (Hollowtech Crank and BB) design. No problems since other than you feel like neandrathal man peddaling your bike.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Pocono Mtn.
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bikery | | Strengths: | Components | | Weaknesses: | CHAIN SUCK | | Similar Products Used: | Lots | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I agree with the previous post. Whats the story with this bike? Chainsuck all the time, when climbing, switching into granny gear. WHY? Its not me. There is definately some kind of structural design problem with this bike. Chainring is too close to the chainstay or something. You cannot even get the chain out once its stuck. Not right. Its not a minor problem, its major. I had a mechanic look at this bike who does not sell Gary Fisher and he said the same thing. The design on this puppy is incorrect. Any feedback would help because just about everyone on this board is having the same comments. Why doesnt GF do something about this? For $3500 they can do better. What about the Trek Fuel's? Arent they the same frame or no? I love the feel of this bike however. When your going it really goes. I would too like to give it 5 chilis but cant. Right now I just want to get rid of it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Waterdog | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great geometry make climbing steep technical trails a breeze. | | Weaknesses: | CHAIN SUCK!! Especially in muddy conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | Sugar 3 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Chainsuck is a big flaw in the design of the Sugars. True, you can avoid chainsuck if you pre-shift to the granny gear before you put heavy pedaling pressure on the drive train. However, in muddy conditions it is unavoidable and I have to abandon my granny gear altogether.
As I start climbing a steep trail in the granny gear, the mud accumulates on the chain and causes it to stick to to the teeth longer - the chain inevitably gets jammed into the chainstay. The Sugar's pivot point and chainstay is very close to the chainring and is designed to be about half an inch lower than chainstays on most other bikes. When the chain gets jammed in between the gear and the chainstay, it grinds through the protective plastic that sheaths the carbon fiber and may do structural damage to the chainstay.
On my last ride in muddy conditions, chainsuck cause a chainlink to bend and weaken. As I grinded up a steep hill the chain broke, got caught in my rear derailluer pulley and my last downstroke caused the dearailluer to break in two. I ended up walking my $3,000+ bike three miles to the parking lot. On several muddy rides with me, my riding partner has never had chainsuck problems at all on his Giant Ranier with XT cranks. It's a real pain when I'm having major chainsuck issues on a bike that costs four times as much as his. I love the way this bike performs and would give it five flamin' chilis in normal conditions. But now I feel I have to use a different bike when the weather gets bad. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stan Bercovitz
a Racer
from Ketchum, Idaho & Buffalo Crk. CO
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Fisher Creek | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3700.00 | | Purchased At: | Sun Summit Ski & Bike | | Strengths: | Light Weight, Genesis, frankly the entire bike is a strength | | Weaknesses: | Comes with out pedals! What's up with that for almost 4K? Tires are so-so | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR Pro | | Bike Setup: | Monkey Lite bars, Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires, Thompson Elite Seat post, WTB SST 98 Seat, SPD ti spindle pedals | | Bottom Line: | Even you do nothing to this bike it is an amazing machine at 23.5 lbs! If you can afford it, buy it. One of the few guarantees in life is that you will not regret one penny spent for this bike. Also, the shifters take about 30 minutes to get used to and now I love them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Olmsted Falls OH USA!
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mary's Loop Utah | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Eddy's | | Strengths: | Weight and components XTR Shifters
| | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | sugar 3+, cannondale jekyl | | Bike Setup: | Stock so far time pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike is awsome. Worth any amount of money. The weight is amazing and the full XTR rocks. I didn't think i would like the new shifters but after ridding them i would recomend them to anyone. They are great. The bike handles awsome and the acceration is amazing. Both skareb and fox shocks are great. Love the bike. If you don't race and don't plan on it don't buy it but if you race it is the bike to get. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Dutcher
a Cross Country Rider
from Lenexa, KS
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere I can ride! | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Genesis geometry. 2003 XTR grupo! | | Weaknesses: | Nothing. | | Similar Products Used: | 2002 Sugar 1 | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | I was able to test this bike this last month. This bike really is a great bike. I own a 2002 Sugar 1 and have not found a suitable replacement for such a great bike until now. The 2003 bike is awesome. This is partially due to the new 2003 XTR components that are on it. The bike performed flawlessly. No chainsuck issues. No mis-shifts. Nothing! I was quite impressed, yet again. Gary Fisher bikes are great for the Genesis geometry. I would suggest this bike to any body. I can't wait for another opportunity to ride the 2003 Sugar Team Issue again. If you have the means, buy this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Westminster, Co.
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything steep but rideable | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Everything--I've had no chain slap or more chainsuck than my other bikes. Genesis geometry! Low bottom bracket so I can dab when I need to without falling over. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Basically full XTR | | Bottom Line: | Maybe this review doesn't belong in the 2003 section, but I've owned a Sugar frame built up to full XTR for over two years and I still rave about it to anyone who'll listen. When I read the low score for this years Sugar Team I couldn't believe it. Yeah, maybe $3800 is a little steep, but that's a dollar issue not a quality of bike/ride issue. Genesis geometry rocks, I don't feel hunched over, I love how my bike climbs and descends--it's a joy to ride at all times. Demo a Sugar for yourself under all riding conditions and make up your own mind. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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