|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Socialed
a Cross Country Rider
from Waynesboro, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Climbing, climbing, climbing, Roll over ability, light weight, stable and balanced ride | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar, Gary Fisher HIFI | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Reba Race w/Poploc, X0 Rear Derailleur, Deore Front Derailleur, X7 Shifters, LX Crank, XTR Cassette, Avid 7 Disc brakes, X-lite Race rims, Stans No tubes, X-lite Race Saddle, Race stem and Handlebars, Cane Creek Solos Headset, and Specialized Captain front tire with WTB Nano Raptor on Rear. | | Bottom Line: | This bike weights in at 28.4 and climbs like mad!!! I've been riding a 2004 Sugar for the past year and have always struggled and been in the back of the pack on it. On the 293, I am much faster on climbs and can do climbs that I couldn't on the 26' Sugar. Those who knock the 29er simply haven't tried it. It is faster, rolls better, goes over everything, rails corners, and climbs like a mountain goat on crack!!! So far I absolutely love it and it has caused the 4 guys I ride with to all want one. One guy is getting a Paragon on Monday, another is looking to sell his 26' hifi, and the other is just wishing he could upgrade simply from riding the 29' wheels. If you can make the change, then by all means do it. You won't regret it!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyler White
a Weekend Warrior
from Stavanger, Norway
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Brothers, Norway | | Strengths: | 29ers rock and ROLL! Holds speed amazingly, stilllots of fun in tighter stuff, not too big, I say. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe a bit heavy, but with some carbon parts and XT components, not too shabby. Would have been nice to get disk brakes with it. | | Bike Setup: | Carbon handlebars, Thomson seatpost, XT components. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, I love it! I am fair sized, not huge (6'1, 195lbs), so I was nervous about the 29ers, turnes out a great fit. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Middleton, WI
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | CAMBA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Chemistry | | Strengths: | Sweet ride, fine component mix, big wheels keep on rollin' | | Weaknesses: | cockpit a little tight (size small, I am 5'9") | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Rush 800, GT idrive 1., several hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Stock with monkeylite carbon bars | | Bottom Line: | Don't think I will ever ride a hardtail again. I was a citizen racer on a hardtail and always wanted some help. It has arrived! As that I am 58 years old, I will never go back. 29s are fine! Great bike, screaming deal from BC! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a Weekend Warrior
from gainesville, fl,
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Love the handeling and speed of the bike. | | Weaknesses: | I have the 03 sugar 293 and my only complaint is that I tend to hit every rock, rook etc with my pedals and chain ring while going over logs. I would like to know if others have this similar issue with newer models??? | | Bike Setup: | stock with new avid disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | Great handeling, speed etc. Poor clearance of bottom bracket and pedals.
Please let me know if you experience a similar problem... Fisher has not been helpful at this point in time dealing with this issue. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruce Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Des Moines
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Too many to mention | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | ncj01 on the 29" Wheeled Bikes Board | | Strengths: | I have to review the frame only since I bought the frame from a fellow Mt. Bike Review member and built it up with my own choice of parts. A full suspension Gary Fisher Sugar time tested frame in the 29" wheel format. Frame has good geometry for me in the XL size and the weight of the frame comes in at a decent weight for a full suspension. I have really enjoyed the plushness of the full suspension and think the 2004 paint scheme is sharp and attractive. | | Weaknesses: | None that I have discovered yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Karate Monkey, Sugar 292. | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Sugar 293 frame. Avid 185mm disc brakes and Avid Ti Levers, Titec saddle, custom King/Dyad/Sapim wheelset, SRAM X.9 drivetrain, XT crank and BB, Xpedio pedals, SRAM Hollowpin chain, Jagwire cables and housing, Bontrager 2.2 ACX tires, WTB tubes, King headset, Bontrager seatpost and stem. | | Bottom Line: | I really love this bike. It's nice to have in my stable next to the rigid hardtail Karate Monkey I have in the XL size. I can choose between the 2 based on the trails and distance I am riding.
Since I am reviewing the frame, I have to say it has been a great purchase for me as the frame keeps its traction on climbs, provides ample suspension, looks great and has been nothing short of exceptional since I first rode it in the summer of 2004.
I don't know about the stock components on the 2004 model, so I am choosing value rating and overall rating on the frame only. My custom and high end parts would have raised the price a considerable level from the stock price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis Swicegood
a Racer
from Kansas City, Missouri
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Last leg of the FMSP trail in El Paso, Texas | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | The world's marketplace - eBay | | Strengths: | It's a Gary Fisher - couldn't be any stronger ;) Seriously, the Sugar setup is great. Strong componentry (except brakes). Good all around construction. | | Weaknesses: | Brakes - A bike this big that can go as fast as it can needs discs. Thus wheels carry a lot more momentum with 'em. The '05 Sugar 29x's both have discs. Of course, if you like playing with the latest in tires and forks, a 29'er might not be the bike for you. The selection is growing, but still pretty limited. | | Similar Products Used: | Nada - it has a unique feel. | | Bike Setup: | Stock '04 293 with the following changes: swapped out the Avid SD3's for my Ti's (discs with the next extra $300 I have laying around), carbon stem/bar. | | Bottom Line: | I've been eying a Sugar for about 2 years now. I wasn't dead set on a 29'er, but the opportunity just presented itself. I picked up this bike at a great price off of eBay, but after spending the weekend riding it I would still be happy if I had paid full retail for it. This is an excellent bike.
It climbs relatively well given it's size and weight – it tips the scales tire about 29.5 lbs. The suspension keeps the rear wheel on the ground, so traction isn't an issue - you've just got to have the engine room to motor up the hills.
I've always felt much better descending with the Genesis geometry. People love it or hate it, I just happen to be one who loves it. I haven't played with this bike on any extremely fast trails yet, but on the up and down and over and around that I have done with it's been great. I almost ate it on the first ride because I went into a corner too fast – you just don't realize how fast you're going.
The one problem I think it might have is the brakes. The SD3's were way to flexy for me, so I switched them out for a set of Avid Ti's I had on my old hardtail. That helped with the stopping power, but I still feel discs would be much more responsive given the size of those wheels. Might be mental, though, only time will tell.
A few things to keep in mind with a 29'er, wheels, tires, and shocks aren't going to be as easy to come by as your standard 26” stuff. If being able to play with the newest tread pattern (guilty), or trying every shock that is made (if I had the money...) is what gives you joy a 29'er isn't going to help you meet that craving. On the other hand, if you just want a fun bike to ride with a proven and efficient suspension, this bike will fit the bill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Singing SingleTracker
a Weekend Warrior
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 1700 | | Strengths: | This bike is as expected - SWEET! Holds its line and soaks up everything thrown at it. You can go for hours without getting very sore on this rig - and it's a great climber to boot. | | Weaknesses: | Rim Brakes? | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Well worth the price for the ride you get. Disc brakes will be a must for most as the first upgrade. But, hey - at least the hubs take rotors so the upgrade can be economical. The rest seems pretty decent for the price. Sweet frame and a sweet ride worthy of some flames. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Lafayette, Colorado
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hall Ranch: Lyons, CO | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Full Cycle, Boulder | | Strengths: | Smooth Ride. Have only been riding a year, but have improved on this bike. It is smooth on some of the toughest stuff Colorado has to offer. | | Weaknesses: | Recently snapped the frame literally in HALF!! I have replaced the rear cassette and XT derailer. | | Similar Products Used: | TREK Fuel. | | Bike Setup: | LX/XT, Fox fork. Upgraded to XTR on the back and have been very happy with this. | | Bottom Line: | Almost 12 months of great riding, but recently a major problem: literally snapping the frame in half. I am 6'5" and weigh 270. Cannot help but to think this had something to do with this. Despite the major set back, I will be again buying this bike.(Assuming Fischer comes though on their warranty.)Hopefully this will be quick as I have a race in Breckenridge in September and Moab-24 hours in October!! The 29's are awesome. I demo'd many 26 inch bikes and never felt good on any of them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Racer
from Little Rock, Arkansas
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | C.A.R.P. Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Arkansas Cycling and Fitness | | Strengths: | The bike is buit off of Gary Fishers proven sugar design with the 29" wheels. This makes the bike perform well and gives a great feel to the ride. The 29" wheels roll over everything, including your competetion, without hesitation. | | Weaknesses: | The 293, unlike the 292, is cheaper in price due to the lower quality of components. This is understandable when you want to pay a lower price for a great bike. I bought the bike so that I would have the same 292 platform to customize with parts and components of my choosing. With that said, the only problem I have with the bike is the paint dosent seem to hold up well to abuse, but whats a bike without any scratches....not used? | | Similar Products Used: | I test rode the Fisher line of bikes during one of their tour stops. I was instantly sold on the 29" wheels and the sugar frame. I have been riding a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo (Hard Tail) for a few years now and I throughly abused the bik. I am sold on Gary Fisher bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Mostly factory right now. Upgrades are the Avid Mechanical Disk Brakes and Cane Creek Bar Ends. Future upgrades are Rear Fox Float R to a Cane Creek AD-12, factory headset to a Cane Creek Double X. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great platform for someone that wants performance without the cost. If you are a racer that needs high end components, this is also your bike. Why waste the money for the 292 if you are going to upgrade and customize the components? Over all this has been a great bike for all of the abuse I have put it through. I Adventure Race so my bike has to take long periods of abuse and perform in all conditions. Since I have only had the bike a few months, but it has performed well in several races and survived a few hard hits. I dont race in many mountain bike races, but I race heavily in many adventure races each year, so I can recomend this bike to anyone needing a great bike, at a fair price, that will take most of the abuse you can throw at it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scott
a Cross Country Rider
from chaska, mn, USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | the Farm | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | private party | | Strengths: | 29 inch wheels roll over everything. Much higher confidence than with 26inch.
Forks and shocks are perfect. Ride adjustable from soft to hard but never has a loose feels.
Rear XT is perfect.
Tires work well in varying conditions.
Light weight for a fsr.
Brakes are all-weather stoppers. | | Weaknesses: | Wheels feel a little flexy. Probably just my imagination.
Frame has room for small bottle only; no room for pump.
LX front ring is adequate.
Limited tire selection, fortunately the ACX's are excellent.
Cable routing is interesting in places. | | Similar Products Used: | X-Caliber 29, Fuel 90 (nearly same components), Fuel 80, Kona hardtail, | | Bike Setup: | factory | | Bottom Line: | This is my first true mountain bike. I test drove several models and brands, but instantly fell in love with the feel of the 29ers. On a side-by-side comparison of the exact same obstacles (on a dealer's test track), the 29er goes places that stop 26ers. It's a great feeling on the single track popping over logs and through ruts. A real confidence builder.
Forks feel great, ETA gives a quick adjustment for shock hunker down. Good for long up hills and dirt roads. Rear Fox FloatR does a great job of soaking it up. It's hard to explain, but the suspension is so natural that you don't really feel it working --no springy or overyly squishy feel -- very responsive.
A great deal! Fast and nimble on all but the tightest of technical trails. Big wheels get you there faster and with more confidence. Shock combination is perfect. Saddle is good, as are handlebars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Boynton
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, Michigan
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Egypt Valley | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1560.00 | | Purchased At: | Chicago Drive Schwinn | | Strengths: | Everything, this bike is the Sh!t! I have had ridden everything from Trek fuels, Giant NRS, C-Dale Jekyll, Ellswoth ID and nothing compares to this bike! Everyone complains that it isnt as nimble as a 26" wheel bike but I haven't noticed it (if you do feel that way just get a shorter stem!) Once this bike gets rolling it never slows down!! I am a 29'er for life. | | Weaknesses: | It should of came with disc brakes and the rims wont work with Stan's No-Tubes kit. Other than that the bike is great!! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90, 98, 100; Ellsworth ID & Sub 22; Cannondale Jekyll; Giant XTC NRS & AC Air | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for new Avid Mechanical Disc brakes and Thomson Seat post and eggbeater pedals | | Bottom Line: | Buy this bike if you serious about Mountain Biking. It is like a hummer on the trail, it just rolls over everything! It is a great ride and I am sure you wont be disappointed! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 1869.99
