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Submitted by
Big / Tall Rider - 6'5" 200lbs
a Cross Country Rider
from Upstate NY - USA
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike Shop | | Strengths: | Great Handling bike, extremely comfortable and easy to control, especially for beign 6'5". Love fast trails, great climbing bike, lets you stand and crank up the steep ones. | | Weaknesses: | From factory, the factory crank blows (ended up changing to an XT), as do the hubs on the race wheels (rebuilt several times, gave up got new wheels and hubs). Weak frame (I cracked it after 2 seasons), warranty was awesome, got a new frame no issues. Like my new Sugar 2+ frame better than the original | | Similar Products Used: | 2003 Sugar 2+ | | Bike Setup: | As delivered. | | Bottom Line: | Good bike, great geometry, but weak frame, crappy hubs and crank. Go for a new Sugar 2+, I have that frame now (2003) after my original frame cracked. Fisher was great with replacement, no questions asked. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bram
a Weekend Warrior
from Assen, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | See earlier review | | Weaknesses: | see earlier review | | Bike Setup: | GF Sugar 2 2001 L frame
Rond Pro Ahead Set
Bontrager Race Cranks
BBB Chainrings
XT cassette
SRAM PC69 chain
Rond Magura O24U fork with 80mm
Magura Martha Disc Brakes
Selle Italia Flite Trans Am
IRC Mythos XC (2.1 front, 1.95 rear)
Acor Bar ends
Time ATAC pedals
Shiman BB-UN 52 (still going strong!) | | Bottom Line: | So I made a decision; stick to the Sugar frame and spec it with new components. In spite of the disc brakes it is even lighter now. The brakes are adding more stopping power. The saddle I chose because the WTB was to wide for longer rides (inner legs started irritating) The O24U is an amazing fork. I can't believe it's no more famous at your side of the ocean! Over here in Europe Magura is getting more and more famous for there forks. Great stiffness and very low friction, so it eats small and big bumps.
The Sugar performs great. I was planning to get me a new one (Team Issue) I was scared off because of all the mis alignment issues. Sure I experience chain suck every now and then but this is mainly because of the extreme mud conditions I sometimes bike in. The frame was looking still very good. I decided to change the bushings and add disc brakes (bushings and adapter $ 100!)I'll wait and see how the new Sugar Race is doing. The increased frame stiffness and added travel (3.5"instead of 2.5")are plusses! If it proofs itselve I'll consider buying it. However the travel of the 2001 Sugar is enough for Dutch conditions.
I considered many times buying a new bike. However after comparing the specs and adding the increadible Genesis Geometry I still think that the Sugar is the best FS. i expect the new Sugar Race to be the non plus ultra in X country FS bikes. When it proofs to be, I'll have one later on this year! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bram Bos
a Weekend Warrior
from Assen, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Veluwe, Eiffel | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | - Geometry
- Handling
- Frame quality
- Rear shock | | Weaknesses: | - Rear Hub
- Tires
- Pedals
- Front Shock
- Not enough mud clearance | | Similar Products Used: | GF Sugar 3 (2000, Merida Matts Comp (1999 HT, all Deore LX, Ritchey Rims) | | Bike Setup: | Standard except:
- Front Shock: Magura/Rond Quake C85 (great coil fork)
- Time ATAC pedals
- IRC Mythos XC 2.1
- Magura HS33
- XTR shifters | | Bottom Line: | I was worried when I learned on this website that some bikers cracked their 2000 Sugar frames. Since I'm a 210 pounds (not all muscles unfortunately) I was afraid it would happen to me to. Then something else happened. Since I'm using Magura HS33 brakes I also use their standard brake booster. The lbs when mounting these on the bike, didn't take in account that this would limit the rear shock. When driving through a deep ditch the booster made contact with the seat tube... A dent in the tube was the result. The lbs apologized but couldn't do anything for me.... The salesrep from Trek said (and I can agree with him) that I had to settle with my lbs. Anyway 2 months later the frame cracked. I stripped the bike and took the frame to my lbs. This was February 2002. He expected a new frame within 6 (!) weeks. We agreed on me buying a 2001 Sugar 2.
The bike feels the same as the 2000 Sugar 3. The components are a bit better. I like the fact that I can dial in the rear shock. I now use less pressure and more compression damping. I didn't find the 100% setup yet. Sometimes the bike literally kicks ass, and since it's mine I dont't like it! The Magura/Rond is great. I've used Rock Shox (Judy), Manitou (SX and MARS) but like the Magura the best. It's very plush and super stiff.
I'm reading a lot of the complaints on the Bontrager stuff. I myself only have problems (so far of course) with the rear hub. It feels good when you feel it, it doesn't sound that way. On my hard tail Merida Matts Comp (1999 model all Deore LX) were Deore LX hubs, never had any problems. The handle bars, the stem and the seatpost are ok. They look good and survived my weight. The rims are good also! Haven’t had to true them till now. The front hub looks ok too. The crank set I'm not sure about. In a 50 kilometers tour through very wet and muddy conditions I experienced chain suck twice. Of course the chain stays got damaged. When I'm shifting from the large to the middle chain ring it's always smooth. Vice versa also. The little one you almost don't need under typical Dutch conditions so I've almost no experience with it either functioning or malfunctioning.
Since 2000 a lot of manufacturers are offering advanced 'no-bob' fullies. Next year I probably will trade in my Sugar 2 for a new one. I'm not sure if it will be a Sugar again. I'm impressed by the Fuels, NRS's, EPICS , Scalpels, Elements, ETSX's and lots of others (Merida LRS, Gazelle SkyStar FS, the 'old' but still very famous FSR) So I'll see. But this I think is a problem for any manufacturer; lots of MTB'ers like to try new stuff. For the design and the performance GF earns 4 chili’s. For selling these expensive (in Europe anyway) bikes with some 'suspicious' components only 3.
| Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Basalt, CO
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Boy Scout Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | rental fleet sell-off | | Strengths: | fit, climbing, components | | Weaknesses: | occasional chainsuck | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Marlin, Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Standard | | Bottom Line: | This is a very good bike for a larger rider. I am 6'5" and the effective top tube length is comfortable and efficient. The bike climbs well and tracks exceptionally well in single-track descents. I obtained the bike after a 4 month rental season and have had no problems except a chain failure which ripped my rear derailleur and its hanger off. This problem I attribute to rental abuse and lack of chain lubricant service while in the rental fleet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Racer
from Las Vegas, NV
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Navajo Lake Loop, Utah | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Genesis geometry, XTR & XT components, Crane Creek AD-12 rear shock, light weight Manitou front shock with lockout. | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager pedals (garbage), all other Bontrager parts are somewhat of a compromise, but not significant. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 98, Fisher HKII, Specialized FSR.... | | Bike Setup: | Thomson Stem (needed longer and the Thomson is the sweetest stem around!), Eggbeater Pedals, Flite Trans Am saddle, replaced the Mars shock spring to accomdate my weight, the rest is stock because there is no advantage to changing anything else. | | Bottom Line: | My biggest concern with this bike was its ability to climb, well after a few rides, I'm amazed. This bike climbs like a dream, as good as or better than my hardtails! While the Bontrager components are a compromise to the ego, they are nonetheless on par with more generally accepted components regarding performance.
I have to laugh at people who bash cranks……com’on cranks either break off or are fine. If the crank bolts loosen, then your bike shop needs to learn how to use a wrench! Same thing with seatposts, if it loosens, it probably wasn’t tight to begin with. If you have a bunch of issues, then you should have bought it from a more component bike shop. Take it to a shop where people have a clue. Even if the best bike in the world is set up crappy, the bike will be crappy.
I’m about 200 so not light weight user by any means. I did switch out the spring in the Manitou Mars shock to the “Firm” spring, as it should be for my weight. For a light weight shock, it is very stiff and responsive. I have literally tortured the front shock, and I have no complains. Most complaints regarding this fork are obviously due to incorrect set-up and user error, people need to take the time and set it up properly for your weight and preference.
I would highly recommend this bike for anyone looking for an excellent spec’d bike. No matter what bike I buy, I’m probably going to swap out the stem, saddle and pedals, that’s a fact of life for a picky rider. The components that need to there (like XTR and XT drive train and brakes, Cane Creek AD12) are not compromised, while other components that make no difference but can save huge amounts of money are swapped (cranks, seat post, bars, etc.). If your ego needs full XTR groupo and you don’t care what the cost is, look at the Sugar1 or another bike. However, there are no discernable differences between these bikes on the trail. That’s the beauty of the Sugar2, save some cash, and keep the ride quality.
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Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Halifax, NS, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Moirs Mill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | T&L | | Strengths: | Comfortable fit, lockout fork, light weight for the money | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager cranks, Bontrager Seatpost, Bontrager wheels, rear shock quality assurance, WTB saddle | | Similar Products Used: | Devinci, Specialized, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | Stock except replacing Bontrager components as they break | | Bottom Line: | My experience started when I noticed an o-ring on the outside of the rear shock. I assumed that it was supposed to be inside not outside so I took the shock apart. I could not see anything missing so I wrote Cane Creek. They got back to me the next day saying that Fisher had requested the extra o-ring be placed on the outside so that they could check the operation in the factory. Good idea, AS LONG AS YOU TELL SOMEONE!!!
On my first ride, my left crank arm came loose. Not off, but it required 4-6 rotations to get it back tight. My second ride was uneventful. On my third ride I had my first experience with chain suck (in over 30 years of riding), and bent my small chain ring going up a moderate hill on pavement. Fisher says could "VERY easily be set up". With over 50 kms on the bike and countless shifts, why is it suddenly "set-up". Did I mention that I have been riding and fixing bikes for over 30 years? The Bontrager wheels were out of true at the bike shop but I have built wheels, so was not concerned. Let's hope they hold up. The Bontrager seat post seems to slip. This might be the clamp but others I have owned in the past didn't slip. The seat post seems way too long for a medium size bike. People spend so much money lightening their bikes, then they go and put this long thing in there. Bikes come in different sizes, why don't seat posts? The forks work well but they do seem a bit flexible from side to side. The seat seems like a compromise between putting a real cheap seat that people will replace immediately and one that people will change after a month. The pedals would not have been my first choice either, but so far no problems. The Shimano derailleurs are great. The brakes howl but I'll take care of that.
I bought the bike because it was a steal at 33% off, rode well, and it fit well. I guess I'd like this bike more if Fisher's "customer support" had not so quickly blamed "set-up" for the chain suck problem with the Bontrager Race cranks, when so many others have complained. I read the bad reviews and just thought that someone had it out for the Bontrager gear. I guess I was just too trusting. I'll probably sell the thing this winter and try for a better bike with better components in the spring from a company that supports their product rather than tell the customer that they don't know how to set up their bike. I suppose it would help if the owner's manual had some useful information in it rather than one manual for every bike they make.
Finally, the customer support at Tommy & Lefebrve in Kanata is excellent. They switched out the Bontrager cranks for free, no questions asked once they saw the damage the chain suck had caused. They were very friendly and not bike snobs like many shops are. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shawn Malloy
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | International Bikes, Boston | | Strengths: | The geometry, the weight, ascending and descending capabilities, tight technical handling... basically everything | | Weaknesses: | Manituo mars, bontrager | | Similar Products Used: | pro-flex, cannondale, trek | | Bike Setup: | Rolf propel, Rock Shox SID race titanium, XT/XTR drivetrain, Easton carbon risers and seatpost | | Bottom Line: | This bike has made me a better rider by giving me the confidence that it will not fail under any conditions (short of full-on downhill). It practically begs to go faster and faster. I ride technical northeast boulder strewn trails all day and this bike hops up, climbs up and over, jumps off, and noses down everything. The Genesis geometry has you in the perfect position for everything.
It will take a few rides to dial in the suspension.
The front end changes helped this bike alot(risers and sid race)
I got my bike as a demo from the LBS so the upgrades were affordable. I would recommend buying a Sugar 2 since the frame is the same on the sugar 1 and 2 but the components are different. The money saved is better spent on upgrades and to get rid of bontrager and Manitou.
BE SURE TO BUY THE NEXT SIZE DOWN FROM WHAT YOU NORMALLY RIDE. Genesis geometry has a long top tube and the smaller size give great bike control. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karen S
a Cross Country Rider
from Watertown, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Belmont Wheelworks | | Strengths: | Geometry, geometry, geometry, shocks, paint job, shimano XT and XTR, light weight, fast, cool looking | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel WSD, cannondale jeckyl | | Bike Setup: | Stock, will be upgrading cranks to 175mm XT's and XT bottom bracket, perhaps adding riser bars, longer stem | | Bottom Line: | This is my dream bike...I love it. I really cant think of anything I would change except for the bontrager parts. It shifts beautifully, I have plenty of standover but am stretched out enough. I used to own a Trek WSD medium, which I found was very comfortable lenghtwise but I wanted more standover. The mens sugar small and trek medium WSD have the same top tube length, but there is more standover on the sugar (15.5" frame vs 18" frame). The mens small fuel was too short (top-tube). Fisher geometry is right on, bike climbs like a dream. I love Gary Fisher bikes, they are the best... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Cross Country Rider
from Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Alley | | Strengths: | Its a great bike. it climbs confidently and actually decends unlike some race hardtails. | | Weaknesses: | As if it hasn't beeen said a million times in these reviews the tires, they suck! And how are you supposed to get them of the rim, with some DH tire levers? And the chain broke on me, because it blows. | | Similar Products Used: | . | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great. Ive used it in the muck of the east coast and the fast hardpack of California, and this bike has been comfortalble, easy to control, and alot of fun. if you can sitll find this model year I say buy it, but if not look into the new sugars they are all great bikes you will enjoy them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a
from Rochester Hills, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Pontiac Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Whahoo | | Strengths: | Tracks well on all surfaces and climb well for an FS. The rear suspension eats up a lot of the chop that usually gets to me on my hard tail. | | Weaknesses: | The tires are not that great and were replaced after my first wipe out on slightly loose ground. I also replaced the flexy crank and cassette with XT. I then swaped my XTR rear hub / 517 CM wheel with the weak Bont race. This solved that rear creak when cranking hard | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Zig, Fisher HooKooEKoo, Trek 5500. | | Bike Setup: | XT / XTR Driveline. Hutch tires, RR XTR hub, Sram PC89 chain. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, can't wait to see how it helps me place better at the next 24 race. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AZ XCRDR
a Cross Country Rider
from AZ USA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any Singletrack w/out Horses ! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Strengths: | The Geometry, the ride, perfect for XC use ! | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager spec'd parts... | | Similar Products Used: | Many... | | Bottom Line: | Okay, I cheated, I had my LBS swap out the Bontrager _rap for an XT crank, cassette, and bottom bracket, and I also upgraded the wheelset to a crossmax UST wheelset. I rode that for six months and never really felt comfortable or happy w/the flexy Manitou OEM fork so a couple of months ago I sold the Manitou on ebay and put on a Marz. Marathon S 80mm. The bike now just rides AWESOME and has whole new personality w/the Marz. on the front. I will say that I weigh ~ 195 pds so for you heavier guys out there getting a stiffer fork would probably be worth your time...
Overall w/the upgrades this bike is a SOLID five
chiles colorados ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hans Raven
a Cross Country Rider
from Harderwijk, The Netherlands
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bouillon, belgium Ardennes | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Strengths: | Geometry, climbing, fassst, weight for full suspension, No Pumping, both good for racing as marathons, just ride-rock-and-feel-good. saddle is comfortable. Did I mention fast? | | Weaknesses: | Bike set-up: wheels bontrager race are not durable (walls) and weak, also trouble with body. Mars is weak and no rebound option. breaks are cheap, but they work. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant xtc NRS, Trek Fuel (this one is more adjusted to marathon riding in stead of hard core racing/single track use in which the sugar is more suitable). The Giant suspension works good, but I didn't like the way the bike steers and feels on the track. | | Bike Setup: | XTR Breaks, Crossmax wheelset, Manitou Black Elite Air. | | Bottom Line: | Do you like to rock single tracks, climb fast, drive comfortable without energy-loss? This is your first choice bike. Take some rides to adjust the suspenions as you wish, and you'll gonna like biking like never before.
With the Mars CL Fork I had some trouble, and during the fixing-time I got a SX-R fork as a replacement. I found out this fork was much stiffer, and I dindn't need the lock out with this one. After getting back the Mars CL, the bike didn't feel as good as it did with the much stiffer SX-R, model '00. So after a few diappointing rides, I decided to buy the Black Elite Air. This fork is Awesome: stiff, stiff, only 200 gramms more weight as the Mars (which you won't feel), plush. All this makes the bike steer and descend much better, it also responds better to bumps.
The wheelset of Bontrager sucked: though it's light, I had to replace the body after only six months, it sounds like a coffee-machine, the rims are not durable and they are far from stiff. So I gave myself (as a christmas gift) the Crossmax Wheelset, and they are superb!! The bike rolls much better including excellent acceleration, it feels stiffer en steers even better than before! And they look cool, but are expensive.
Last, and only disadvantage of the bike: when you use wide tires (2.0) in very wet and muddy conditions, like Michelin Wildgripper Sprint, mud will settle between the frame on the place where the rear brakes are and the tire, causing your back wheel to stop rolling. Smaller mud tires (panaracer trail blaster 1.8), and problem is solved. 2002 model has other bridge with more space between bridge and tire.
Conclusion: after more than a year of hard an intensive riding, in all conditions (single tracks, fast tracks, hills, mountains, road, races and marathons) I can say that this bike made me love mountainbiking even more! 5 bullets for both. The replacements I did are worth it, but I liked the bike also when it came out of the box.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K. Holden
a Racer
from the "kan", WA
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Dump Victoria, BC | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Trek Industries | | Strengths: | Hard-tail feel with the edge taken off in the ruff or cranking down your favorite trail. Light race ready machine. Shimano XT/XTR drivetrain, mars, wide bar!, reliable bontrager parts. | | Weaknesses: | The lack of a firm spring, manitou took care of this nicely at Nationals. Light and styling but flexly and short cranks. Grips need to be beefier. LX cassette makes a nice training cog, races need the XT 11-34. Nice wheels but they are not the race-lites/hugi240. | | Similar Products Used: | Supercaliber, hairy-gary hard-tail, ooh so sweet! | | Bike Setup: | Ahh who cares. Everyone whines about their bike and I don't think the problem is in the bike or its weight. Instead of buying $500.00 worth of new swag to get better, look cool, or lose weight, just go out and ride. hell I race and get my ass kicked by the best of them and it has nothing to do with what i ride. It's about the knowledge that everyone out there has the same twisted, rooty, knawrl decent and same sweet course as the next guy so just enjoy it all. | | Bottom Line: | Sweet bike for racing at nationals to railing with the bros up at the local dropfest. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
P.O.D.
a Cross Country Rider
from AZ
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | any trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Front Rear shocks (cc/rock)
Light weight
Travel/bb Height
killer piant job | | Weaknesses: | Bontranger parts(?)
too pretty to ride | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose,KHS, | | Bike Setup: | Changed XT pods for Scram shortys, Avid 1digies otherwise,
stock setup | | Bottom Line: | This is for the Sugar 2+ until they get it posted. I was riding a Mongoose hardtail, which I named "sluggo" cause
it was beating me senseless. What a change /w the Sugar+!
It's like riding a lounge chair! I had hit South Mountain yesterday, and rode all over the place, including some serious down hill trail. The statement on the bike design keeping your weight balanced on the back wheel is so true. Nice tight steering, cockpit tight but comfy.I have had problems at first /w shifting under load, the front seemed like it couldn't decide which ring to stay in. A visit to Supergo, a quick adjustment, now it works great. (I have noticed the rear dr buzzing a bit still on climbs though) The Bontranger Race crank is the new n improved for 2002. We shall see. I will keep this updated as time goes. 4 value for the Bontranger parts, 4 overall
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Geoff J
a Cross Country Rider
from Pullman, Wa
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | B&L Bicycles | | Strengths: | Weight, looks, componentry (finally xtr thanks gary), geometry is the best on the market, xlnt stock componentry (mostly), yeah | | Weaknesses: | Whats up with that seat? Put it on a hardtail and you realize how shibby it is. Still skimping on bottom bracket and cassette. SHame shame, gary. My fork flexed like a... a... flexy thing. The upper stantions became off balanced, 2 times after sending it back, otherwise its a VERY plush fork and the lockout is fantastical. | | Similar Products Used: | '99 Big Sur, 2001 sugar 3, 2001 procaliber (or supercaliber whatever it was last year), GT I-Drive | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for:
Race face cranks, SRAM Rocket half pipe shifter (BEST ON THE MARKET W/ XTR REAR D.) xt cassette, xt bb, narrower bar (xc bike w/ a dh width bar?) Bontrager FS 2000 (first model, all embroidered stitching and all. It looks pretty) Rock shox sid XC (2000 model, black) | | Bottom Line: | This bike kicked my a§§age. I bought it with the intent of racing, but when i started training in late winter i kept getting sick and getting behind. then school started. I didnt even go to the mountain once with this bike.
Around town this bike is spectaculamazing! I highly reccomend this bike to ANY professional racers.
I am a bike mechanic dood and i give this thing 5 thumbs up! 2 stars! Or something like that. Anyways i love working on my bike, beings i've been doing steep climbs, my new calbes will stretch, and i'll just pop down and re-adjust my rear der (XTR) and hop back on, within 2 seconds delay i'll be back at it.
Beuatiful technology, dump the XT shifters and front fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Bolton, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Three stages | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | end of year sell off | | Strengths: | Great confidence builder in the rocky,rooty, slippery stuff. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz ultralight | | Bike Setup: | Stock except tires: XT front, XTR rear
Velociraptor back tire, Panaracer Front | | Bottom Line: | Great Atheletes make difficult stuff look easy. This describes the sugar 2.
It rides responsively like a hardtail untill you need the rear suspension to work. It really shines in the rocky technical trails. Technical slippery, rocky climbs are so much easier than with a hardtail. Rocky, rooty,downhills are a breeze. The antibob (lock out) feature on the front fork is great for the ride to the trails.
I changed the tires right away. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
W Bruce Bunn
a
from Plattsburgh,NY
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Moose Mt. Pond, Adairondaks | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | Maui North | | Strengths: | This bike immediately took 4 minutes off my time in a local @45 minute race. It accelerates fast, so fast that I have needed to be more careful in technical sections not to fly too fast. It really adds confidence in technical downhills and it climbs great, better than my hardtail in rocky uphills. The B-link suspension with the carbon seatstays somehow allows for better "in the seat" spinning through rough sections while maintaining a great stiff feel on smooth "all out" sections especially with the front fork lockout. | | Weaknesses: | I have also noted that even when dialed in, I sometimes throw the chain shifting to the small ring on the front. Not a common event. The WTB nanoraptor tires are great for hardpack dirt road but are otherwise a TOTAL waste of rubber! | | Similar Products Used: | Suger 4 | | Bike Setup: | Panracer fire XCs, Specialized body geometry seat, Shimano 858's (I like them after you break them in!) | | Bottom Line: | Like a Disney World ride every time I ride. My skills skyrocketed soon after getting this bike. The Mars elite comes with a "medium" spring that is way too plush for anyone over 170 lbs, but that is easy to fix. Don't buy this bike if you are not a real aggressive rider, it will just feel like another hardtail to you. If you like to crank fast in the seat through highly technical terrain this is the bike for you. You will be able to conserve alot of energy by not needing to stand up every time the going gets a little tough. I'm a sold FS fan. This bike kicks hardtail @#* in technical singletrack. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bushido
a Weekend Warrior
from conejo valley, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | they are all good | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | climbs like a mountain goat, descends technical sections with confidence. | | Weaknesses: | drops chain when shifting to small ring(when under power). had problem with free hub. LBS replaced it and its ok now. Tires | | Similar Products Used: | GT | | Bike Setup: | Mars forks, Cane Creek shock, Panaracer Fire XC Tires, XTR-Xt, Bontrager wheels. | | Bottom Line: | This bike will make you a better rider. My skills have tremendously improved. Climbs anything especially technical sections. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Nedzi
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mont Bello Open Sapce Preserve | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Cycles | | Strengths: | Suspension, Geometery, climbing, light weight | | Weaknesses: | Tires, handlebars | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel | | Bike Setup: | stock, with Easton monkey light high rise handle bars, michelin wildgripper in front, Panracer fire xc rear | | Bottom Line: | This bike is excellent. It is great for cross country, the downhill is excellent and the climbing as good as anything. We have very good down hill riding out here and it has really improved my speed.
I didn't like the original geometery, I was too far over the handlebars, so I got the High rise handlebars and that made a huge difference. I am 5' 6" and the small is perfect with the new handlebars.
The new tires really help on loose pack. The stock tires are fast on the road but thats not where I do much riding. I ride everything from fire road to off trail. Alot of the stock Bonetrager components(seat post, pedals) and the Avid brakes work but are nothing special.
The bike is very light and performs excellent. If you like the fit buy it. I got to hand it to Gary this sugar is very sweet! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin Palmer
a Cross Country Rider
from The Colony, TX
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | North Shore, Grapevine TX | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Inc. - Euless | | Strengths: | *rear shock (AD-12)
*front shock
*everything in between the above two | | Weaknesses: | *nothing I've experianced | | Similar Products Used: | *test road hard tails; F/S is the way to go | | Bike Setup: | *Bone stock except for the XTR/Dura Ace Chain | | Bottom Line: | I changed the chain out due to the fact that I read about others on here complaining about the HG-72 chain it came stock with. Most of my friends ride with the PC99 chains, but I'm kinda partial to Shimano. In short, I didn't ride the Sugar2 but once with the stock chain, and that was for the test/demo ride; I can't tell a diff. in performance.
The Sugar2 is flat Awesome, and I highly recomend it to everyone. Like most everything, componetry is an issue. The only recomendation I'd make would be to have Garry start using more Shimano XT/XTR parts and get away from the Bontrager items. I also think the Sugar2 should come with an XT rear cassette, but that's just my opinion (nothing wrong with the LX it has now yet though).
Highly recomended to all, but by no means am I an expert. This is my first bike, and I plan on possibly purchasing a Hard Tail next year sometime so I can be more versatile in my terrain selection. Overall however the Sugar2 is very much "sugar" for what you get; you DO get what you pay for with this MTB. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Ward
a Cross Country Rider
from Chehalis, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | can't tell ya | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bothell Bike and Ski | | Strengths: | Great climber, semi-light, good component mix, good all-around xc bike. | | Weaknesses: | OE tires suck unless you live in Moab. Brakes are not as strong as would expect. OE rims are good for racing, but don't hold up to hard xc riding day in and day out. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin FS (one day, 1993 Balance AL 550 (upgraded over time) | | Bike Setup: | Cane Creek AD 12 rear, Mars Elite front shock, xt shifters, ft derailleur, xtr rear, bontrager crankset,seat posts, bar avid brakes, WTB laserbeam 32h rims with xt hubs, panaracer fires 2.1, time pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Overall, the bike does what I wanted for a fs xc ride. Long 3 to 5 hour rides are fun (considering I was riding an aluminum telephone pole with wheels). It climbs very well, in fact I think it has improved my technical climbing skills (although my cardio is still the limiter). My back does not hurt after an epic "where the hell are we" ride. It descends easily, and absorbs big hits well. It shines going down fast tight single track with technical and washboard sections thrown in. I am improving, but have not maxed out the descending abilities of this ride.
It does however, pick up mud and muck and packs it aroung the rear pivot points and tire. Since this is my first fs bike (the marin was a one day loaner), I'm not sure if that is the case with all of them. Ignore the Cane Creek specs for air pressure, too high. The oe bontrager wheels are nice and light, but don't seem to hold up on hard riding day to day. I mounted a set of 1.9 Fires on them and save them for races. Ditch the oe tires (nanoraptors) if you ride in any type of loose terrain. I plan on improving the brakes over time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcus Wikström
a Weekend Warrior
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hellas | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$29.00 | | Purchased At: | Cykloteket | | Strengths: | Great genesis frame, componets, superb brakes and good looks. | | Weaknesses: | The pice! The tires, the noise and an angry girlfriend. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Cindercone. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | The frame is awsome, and so are the compnents. The bike is by far the most comfortable bike i have ever used, and it dont need to much service either. This is the first full suspension for me, and i can honestly say that the switch was well worts it, even though the pice was a bit higer than i could afford, but who cares? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Benoit
a Racer
from Charlotte
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Catawba Riverfront Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | SouthPark Cycles | | Strengths: | I feel its a great all around bike. | | Weaknesses: | If pivots are not cleaned it makes noise. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-drive | | Bike Setup: | I have it setup for racing, it has 120mm stem, tubeless tires, raceface cranks carbon. | | Bottom Line: | I think the bike is great. I,m currently leading the points in the Cane Creek Cup Series for sport class 19-29. The bike has really held up good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shawn
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern NY
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Thompson | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light and fast! A great climber. | | Weaknesses: | LX BB and cass, wheelset, Pedals, and tires. | | Similar Products Used: | FSR and Superlight | | Bike Setup: | King hubs, Easton carbon bar, XT cass., Fire XC tires and Time pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great XC platform to work with. With a few upgrades it is a killer bike. The front and rear shocks are both light and work well. The rear wheel was trouble from the beg. After a month the rear bearings developed play and went out of true. The LBS fixed it but it returned a few rides later. I got rid of the wheels and got a set of King 517 wheels that are lighter and bombproof. The pedals are junk so I changed them out to Times. The tires have there place (dry cond.) but I needed something that was a little better all around. Aside from those few things this bike rocks. I have an XL size and it is still superlight and climbs like a goat. I would buy this bike but swap some things out before you leave the shop. Gary has this frame dialed in. Ride on! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thom Randolph
a Cross Country Rider
from Newcastle
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tommy Creek Loop, Entiat WA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1899.00 | | Purchased At: | Gregg's Greenlake | | Strengths: | Great Ride, see review previously | | Weaknesses: | Yikes! The chain broke! | | Bike Setup: | see previous review | | Bottom Line: | Okay, I've been riding for years and years, and replace the chain when I replace the rings and cassette. But I've never ever had a chain break on me. Not even when I was a kid.
Anyway, if you buy this excellent bike, and put miles on it, replace the chain as soon as you can. If you can't afford a good chain, then buy a spare derailleur hanger piece ($15). No, really. I got 8 miles up the side of a mountain and had the chain break. As it did, the spread-out link threaded its way back, jammed in the rear derailleur, and broke the rear derailleur clean off. The bike and chain had about 40 days and 900 miles on them.
Luckily, the breakaway mounting tab kept the frame from being damaged, but the XTR derailleur now has more slop than a hog farm, and will need to be replaced. It somehow munched a spoke in the process.
So, do yourself a favor and ditch the Shimano chain. Don't ruin an afternoon by turning your shiny new ride into a single-speed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 1899.00
