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Submitted by
Phil Esempio
a Racer
from Cleveland, OH
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mohican Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Eddy's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Great hardtail-like handling, awesome climber with shock upgrade, great stock fork. | | Weaknesses: | Poor rear tire clearance, difficult to upgrade rear shock. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSRxc, Trek Fuel, Cannondale Scalpel | | Bike Setup: | Not much stock left on it. Shock upgraded from Cane Creek AD-5 to Fox Float RP3; disc wheels w/Avid Mechanical discs (7" front, 6" rear); RaceFace Next LP crankset w/Taperlock Cro-Mo BB; flat bars w/OnZa Ti barends; Titec Big Al stem; Time ATAC Alium pedals | | Bottom Line: | This is a long-term follow-up to my earlier review on this bike. While the "state-of-the-art" in full-suspension XC racing bikes has advanced quite a bit since 2001, this bike can still hold it's own - provided you spend the cash to upgrade it. I upgraded to a Fox Float RP3 ProPedal rear shock in 2005, and this really revitalized the bike. I went through a lot of trouble to get this shock ordered and installed, though - see my review of the Fox Float RP3 '05 for all the details - but the bottom line is, it works as advertised, damping out pedal feedback on long climbs. Another sign of this bike's age is the rear triangle has relatively little tire clearance; running a 2.1" rear leaves very little room for any kind of mud buildup. However, I typically run race tires from 1.7" (for mud) to no more than 1.95" (technical hardpack), so this hasn't been a real problem for me; but for riders who prefer a higher-volume tire, this can be an issue. I did try to set the bike up with IRC Mythos 2.1" tires once, and it was a very tight fit. However, having a rear suspension somewhat obviates the need for a high-volume/low-pressure tire, since the suspension keeps the wheel tracking on the ground; so the 2.1" tires all end up on my hardtail now. The Marzocchi Z.3 air fork has stood the test of time, however - laterally stiff, while providing plush but controlled damping. I'm considering upgrading to a Marzocchi Marathon Race, or Fox F80X with the TerraLogic circuit for '06, but even if I do, the Marzocchi Z.3 will find a home on my hardtail for many years to come.
Reliability of the original parts has been a mixed bag. The Bontrager SuperStock wheelset has taken tons of abuse while holding true - they live on with my hardtail - but the bearings are cheap and wear quickly, and the braking surfaces are showing signs of wear as well. The rear suspension bushings were shot after 2 seasons of racing, which really isn't too bad; I replaced them when I upgraded the shock. The Cane Creek Shock held up quite well; it was still serviceable when I upgraded it for better performance. The original Bontrager crankset has also found a second home on my hardtail; since I'm not a fan of the ISIS system because of the too-small bearings required, I've stuck with square-taper cranks on all 3 or my mountain bikes. I've replaced the rings once with RaceFace Race Rings; this was a huge upgrade in terms of service life and shifting. There is some minor wear damage from where the chain beat on the driveside chainstay due to excessive chainsuck; I later determined this was the result of an incorrect chainline; switching to a 110mm BB with my RaceFace crankset from the original 113mm UN-52 BB fixed that problem completely - no more chainsuck, even in heavy mud.
All in all, this has been a great bike. The later models (2002 and up) have more rear tire clearance due to a redesigned rear triangle and pivot; but if you can deal with running 1.9" tires all the time, this is a great way to go. Trek's support for replacement bushings and hangars has been outstanding to date. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tob
a Cross Country Rider
from Switzerland
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | shop | | Strengths: | geometry, weight | | Weaknesses: | cranks (Bontrager... oooh what a surprise !), no bearing at the pivot | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, K2, Cannondale, Yeti, Scott,... | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z3, Bontrager,...stock but with XT disc brake and XT-Mavic wheels (I'm very confident on Bontrager material...) | | Bottom Line: | From the beginning to the dustbin : middle ring bent even if my shop change it for a better one (with pictures I explained why it bent to GF but no reply), . Swingarm was brocken after 2 years. GF didn't take it in warrenty, my shop did it... so I ride now with a sugar 2 from 2003 until it will... 2001 until yet just problems with this stupid pivot (supermarket bicycle technology...) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Donovan Brooke
a Weekend Warrior
from Lodi WI USA
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Moab Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Rack (Omaha) | | Strengths: | Strong Frame and essentials and hayes Disk Brakes. The overall feal of the bike | | Weaknesses: | Stock Crank: I've had the bearing repacked a couple of times.
Derailers (particularly the front): I can't seem to dial in perfectly... especially when comming off a down hill to an uphill. (Even if I pre-plan the switch, I can sometimes miss the gear and occassionally lose the chain.) Believe me, I've spent lots of time with bike folks trying to dial in. Wheelset. About the Can Creak Shock. I would agree that there is better out there!... However, a note for some. People have stated that it loses air. Yes. However, After riding this bike for 2 years I have found a Zen answer to this problem. :-) The Shock doesn't actually get worse. Believe me, I've pounded it at MOAB with pretty serious drops and perhaps more at my commute to work (hitting the curbs hard at times). The answer is to set your presure before any major ride. The shock presure will last through the ride making for a good ride. However, over time, the presure will disipate.. or after a day at a MOAB trail. Just set the presure each time you ride and you should be good to go. | | Similar Products Used: | I've always owned Gary Fisher Bikes but this is my first full susp. | | Bike Setup: | Stock accept Time atac alium pedals, Azonic 3deg bar (stock one didn't quite do it for me). | | Bottom Line: | Perhaps this is a perfect bike to have over time. The essentials are all great products. If I had the money, I would upgrade the wheel set (Oh the dreams of Spinergy), Crank set and the delrailures. I then would have the sweet bike that I always wanted... (perhaps I would upgrade the rear shock also). Great all around bike and will stand the test of time!. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
niklas
a Cross Country Rider
from espoo, finland
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Geometry, disc brakes | | Weaknesses: | Crankset? | | Bike Setup: | Sugar 3 disc stock, bontrager jones wheels / continental explorer supersonic front & conti supersonic twister rear for competition | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. Often wonder if the shock really is working, since there is no bobbing, but looking at it and realizing that I'm riding uneven terrain reminds me how well everything works. The crankset is causing minor problems with a creaking sound and occasional chainsuck and ghost shifting. The Hayes discs are good, but they needed a break-in period and some initial adjustments. Maybe in the future I'll start upgrading the shifters, crankset when needed. For now, everything works as it's supposed to! I'm very happy with this bike. Previously I was into competitive stuff, but now I'm starting to lean more towards epic bike adventures. With my old hardtail, I'd be beaten up after a few hours ride off-road, but with this bike you can ride on and on..No need to compete, just to ride and enjoy nature and explore! :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eli Hariton
a Weekend Warrior
from CT
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Dynamics | | Strengths: | Great feel, not too heavy, not too light, great in the technical stuff, good control in all terrain. Good stock componants. | | Weaknesses: | sometimes the shifter is a little screwy, shifts back a forth alot so i've needed to keep tunning it. | | Bike Setup: | all stock components. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the technical mt. biking, good in the downhill, kicks ass on the rocky cruisers. great all around bike. Pretty advanced bike, this is my first full suspension and it's workin awsome for me. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Esempio
a Racer
from Cuyahoga Falls
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Snowshoe, WV | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$999.00 | | Purchased At: | Eddy's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Marzocchi Fork, geometry | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager Crank, non-adjustable shock | | Similar Products Used: | Tested Trek Fuel 90, Specialized FSRxc, Cannondale Jekyll, Titus Loco Moto, Giant NRS | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for crank (RF Next LP) and stem (Moots Ti) | | Bottom Line: | Seeing as how it's 0 degrees here in OH right now, not much chance to ride the beast hard yet. Got a great deal on an '01 Sugar 3 (not a +), great for me since I already own a '98 FSR Extreme with 5" of travel. This bike will be my XC race bike for '03, doing everything from local races to 100 milers, and replacing my '96 Trek OCLV Pro Issue.
I like the riding position that Fisher's Genesis Geometry puts you in - I've been using this setup on hardtails for years. I had the option of buying an '01 Fuel 90 with similar components at the same price, and preferred this bike by a long shot, particularly due to the fork choice and riding position. I also really like how well this bike accelerates, thanks to the very short chainstays and rigid rear end. Of all the bikes listed above that I tested, only the Titus felt faster, and I didn't have the $$$ to shell out on one.
Based on all the complaints on the Bontrager cranks, I yanked 'em off right away, and put on the RaceFace Next LP's (scavenged off of the Trek). The Bontragers will get new rings (probably RaceRings) and find new life on my hardtail in the spring. I also swapped out the stock stem for the Moots from the Trek, since the length was right. I'm sticking with the risers for now, although I'm generally a flat-bar racer - I like the position it puts me in, and I can always swap it out later. Also the grips got the boot for ODI Lock-on's. I'm suspicious of the non-adjustable AD-5 shock, but I'm going to give it a shot, even order in new valving for it if need be, and re-evaluate when it blows up or the end of the season, whichever comes first. The Marzocchi Z3 Air fork, like all Marzocchi products, is amazing at this price point - low pressure air, adjustable rebound, open bath, all at only a slight weight penalty compared to similar products (SID, Manitou SX/Skareb). The Avid brakes are fine, except for not having cartridge pads, something that I'll fix for all of 20 bucks as soon as the originals are worn out.
Basically, this is an all-out XC weapon for the racer on a budget. If you want an all-around bike, buy a Sugar +, or even look at Specialized's Enduro. All the major parts are there, and with only a little upgrading you've got a 25 lb. duallie ready for a full race season. I'll report more on reliability as the season progresses.
For now - 5 chili's for value, and 5 overall - where else can you get a bike this great for this kind of money? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Guyer
a Cross Country Rider
from Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Potowami Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Two Wheel Tango | | Strengths: | Full suspension for great price, smooth ride even on the rockiest of descents, light, bombproof pedals | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager Crank, Bontrager rear hub, WTB velociraptor tires | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for upgraded tires to Michelin Wildgripper Hot S, and Wipperman stainless chain | | Bottom Line: | This is the first full suspension bike I have owned and overall I am very happy with it. I've riden in a variety of conditions-sand, mud, rocky trails and ice/snow covered trails-and the bike did well. Even the biggest drops feel soft with this suspension setup. As with some of the other reviews I've read, I have had problems with the crank. I broke two chains, the first of which on the first ascent of the first ride I took the bike on. That problem was solved with the Wipperman chain, but I still get chainsuck sometimes. Also, the rear hub came apart 3 months after I got the bike. And the Velociraptor tires slide all over in the sandy conditions of Michigan, the Wildgripper tires do ALOT better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Amherst, MA
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Over the Notch | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1075.00 | | Strengths: | Weight, balance, rear shock for trail use | | Weaknesses: | Rear shock bottoms on 4+ foot hits when set up for trail use, stock crank sucked | | Similar Products Used: | Full rigid, trek fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | Avid mag brakes, Truvativ Stylo Team and SL bb, Selle Trans-Am seat | | Bottom Line: | Is now a peice of my body on the trail, great traction uphill, and I'm now faster than every hardtail downhill I've ever met. Genesis geometry so good now every other company is emulating it, so it's not unique anymore. Light bike, probably only about 26.5 pounds. I've got about 2000 miles on it now and it still works as new. After crankset it's 5 n 5. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Hollywood, FL
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Markham | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Geometry, balance, brakes (disc) | | Weaknesses: | Crankset, swingarm | | Bike Setup: | stock + LX cranks and chainrings | | Bottom Line: | After cracking my swingarm for the SECOND time in the exact same place Fisher upgraded me to the Plus Frame and swingarm. Now I have an 02 frame, shock, swingarm with Hayes Disc brakes and Marzocci z3 airs that are 100mm. The 4.1" setting rocks compared to the 2.5" on the 01. You can set the bike up so much plusher, and take bigger hits with more confidence. My riding style is further away from racing than it is "adventure" riding. If yours is similar and you crack your swingarm, push for the PLUS frame from your fisher rep. You will not regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
martin fenner
a Cross Country Rider
from brighton, england
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Strengths: | looks, great ride, rear sus is always working and there when you need it | | Weaknesses: | there's something strange about the design that affects the crank - see below | | Similar Products Used: | fisher advance, marlin, big sur | | Bike Setup: | stock, except with XT chainset | | Bottom Line: | i bought this s/h with a big sur in p/x. i didn't like the big sur, primarily because of the crappy bontrager chainset - which bent a middle ring the first time out, so i got a s/h xt chainset fitted on this, and blow me, if it hasn't shot 3 of the 4 chainset bolts through the force of the chainsuck i got today! i'm not a happy bunny, it's such a lovely bike to ride, but there's something cranky going on with the chainset - and it's not just the bontrager one. ho hum. at least i didn't pay full whack for it - hence the 4 chilis. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Tokarz
a Cross Country Rider
from Schaumburg IL
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kettle Moraine | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | 1500 | | Strengths: | Once you dial in the suspension for you riding style and weight the bike becomes an extension of you. Does everything well. | | Weaknesses: | The crank set-up I guess. I've just broke my 2nd Sram chain in les then a year. and that's saying alot especially since I don't ride in the winter. Also I wish I would have gotten the disc brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hard Rock, Dean Colonel, Trek 4300 | | Bike Setup: | Completly stock, Z3 Bomber, Bontrager Crank, XT derailller AD-5 cane Creek shock. | | Bottom Line: | THis bike is 85% great. That stupid crank set needs to be replaced. I'm going to contact Gary Fisher today to see what the can do. I don't want to spend any more $$$ on chains. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scwman
a Cross Country Rider
from Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Vulture's Knob | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Eddy's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | I bought the + disc model with Hayes standard. Disc brakes rock! Climbing is a joy. Like others have stated, one can go up and down the hills faster with this geometry. | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager chainrings don't work with this setup because the chain won't stay on! They are garbage. I got the bike shop guy to warranty the small and middle and replace them with Shimano LX with me paying the difference. This fixed all the problems.
The Cane Creek AD-5 needed some work. After a month it would drop pressure from 110 to 60 psi after 2 hours of riding. I disassembled it and found that the seal between the nipple and body was destroyed. Also, the cylinder had a large scratch that had cut a groove in the piston o-ring. The rebound damping effectiveness was destroyed by this. I used a small piece of emery cloth to smooth it out. | | Similar Products Used: | '99 Rockhopper Comp | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Besides the above mentioned problems I am pleased with this bike. It rides really well when you get used to the geometry. The 2.5 inches of rear travel is fine for what I ride and I rarely bottom out the shock. I would have given 4 chilis overall if I didn't have the chainring problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Telluride
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Telluride Sports | | Strengths: | Relatively Light for a duallie. Z3 fork can be relied upon to bail you out of unexpected dropoffs. Climbs smoothly up steeps & over scree. The light weight & suspension are excellent for technical-trialslike climbs. | | Weaknesses: | The Bontrager Comp Crank has been unreliable from day one. The chain slips from larger rings to smaller rings without warning. SRAM PC59 broke as a result of chain slip. The Cane Creek AD5 rear shock has very little rebound control and rebounds harshly on hard rock trails. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested Fuels, Schwinn Rocket 88 | | Bike Setup: | As is out of the box | | Bottom Line: | I highly reccommend this bike for any XC rider/racer who likes to climb & wants a faster,smoother descent with more control. You get a lot of bike for the buck without getting too heavy in the Full Suspension arena. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john schoonover
a Cross Country Rider
from redding, ca
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | boulder creek/ whiskeytown | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | sports cottage | | Strengths: | CLIMBS LIKE A HARD TAIL. NO BOB AT ALL. MOST OF THE STOCK COMPONENTS SEEM ADEQUATE AND THE PRICE IS RIGHT. | | Weaknesses: | THE CANE CREEK REAR SHOCK IS JUNK. I ONLY WEIGH 160 WET, SO IF I TELL YOU THIS SHOCK SUCKS, BELIEVE ME IT DOES. I BLEW THE FIRST ON APART IN 3 MONTHS, AND THE SECOND ONE IS WELL ON ITS WAY. (LEAKS EVERY TIME I RIDE. ALSO, THE BIKE SHOP REPLACED THE ORIGINAL SET OF BONTRAGER WHEELS WITH THE 2002 BECAUSE THE CUPS WERE TRASHED IN 30 DAYS. HUBS ARE SOMEWHAT WEAK AS WELL. | | Bike Setup: | STOCK | | Bottom Line: | THIS WAS MY FIRST FULL SUSPENSION BIKE. I REALLY LIKE THE WAY IT FEELS, UP AND DOWN HILL. I THINK IF I WERE GOING TO DO IT AGAIN, I WOULD NEGOTIATE A DIFFERENT REAR SHOCK INTO THE DEAL. MY FRIENDS WHO RIDE SAID THE CANE CREEK WAS JUNK AND THEY WERE RIGHT. ALSO, THE HUBS HAVE BEEN REBUILD A FEW TIMES AND I AM NOT REALLY A VERY HARD-CORE RIDER. I THINK IT IS A GOOD BIKE FOR THE MONEY, BUT SOME OF THE COMPONENTS ARE LACKING. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from New York City, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Rocky Point, NY | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Grand Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Weight, looks, Marzocchi Fork, Wheelset | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager cranks (bent little and middle ring), upgraded to XT Hollowtech. Also upgraded to XTR rear...Love em both | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Mesa | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT Hollowtech crankset, XTR Rear derailluer | | Bottom Line: | After about 500 miles I cracked the rear triangle at the pivot point. I weight about 220 lbs and ride very hard, but the crack happened on a less than 1 foot drop. I am still waiting to see what happens with the warranty. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland OR
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Strengths: | Great frame, adjustable suspension rules. Very plush ride when soft, feels like a hardtail when you pump 'er up. | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager crankset! BOOO HISS to Fisher for removing the Deore LX from the stock setup. | | Similar Products Used: | Upgraded from my stolen Big Sur | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for upgraded the crap bontrager crank to deore LX. Feels like a totally different bike. | | Bottom Line: | Ok, everyone is 100% correct about the bontrager crank set. The first time I took it off road, UH OH, middle chain ring bends and the chain looks like a moebius strip. Immediately took it to my dealer and swapped out the bontrager for the LX, wise decision.
Everything else is awesome, though. Yay to fisher for being the best, boo for cheapening out the components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ziggy Bruu
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | This is an update from my review approx 1 yr ago.
I have upgraded the brakes to Avid Disc's. If you want to put disc's on, you will need to buy a brake adaptor for the rear dropout from Fisher bikes. It is a part that shops wont carry, so e-mail fisher bikes to get the part number, then you need to order the part from a fisher dealer. Cost's around $30 USD. Took me ages to sort that out, so hopefully this will save you time!
Have replaced the chainrings with raceface ones, much stronger, and wheelset to mavic x317 for the disc's.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Hollywood, FL
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Markham | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great geometry, DISC Brakes, value, customer service from Fisher | | Weaknesses: | Could use a little more travel in the rear, or the ability to update/upgrade to the 2.8/4.1 combo of the 2002 plus models | | Bike Setup: | Stock, Shimano LX Crankset, XT rear, Panaracer XC tires, upgraded z3 Fork to 100mm | | Bottom Line: | This is an update from my review 8/3/01. I recently cracked my rear swingarm after ~1800 miles of hard riding, on one of the crossmembers. I was thoroughly bummed about not having my bike for a long period of time. Thanks to the guys at my LBS (B&J Bikes of Pompano Beach, FL) and the CSR at Fisher, my swingarm cracked on Sunday and by Friday 4 days later, I had a new, updated with carbon fiber seat and chain stay inserts, rear swingarm. I paid the $30 for the overnight shipping, but WELL worth it! What great service from Fisher. Furthermore the carbon stays seem to make the bike even a little more vertically plush, but adds some lateral stiffness. The carbon stays make the bike look even sweeter! Thanks Fisher. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank Bennett
a Weekend Warrior
from Hendersonville
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Big Rock @ Dupont | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1320.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunshine Cycles | | Strengths: | Gary Fisher name and warrenty, tires, brakes, shifters
| | Weaknesses: | Bontrager crank! Chainstay of frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | New Shimano LX hollowtech,Crank, Salsa Stem, Cane Creek bar ends, rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | I love my full suspension Sugar after riding a hard tail for years. I'm 6'7 250 so it's hard to find a stock bike that fits. This is as close as I could come. Like other reviews the bontrater crank has chainsuck written all over it. Also my frame did crack after 600 miles. The guys at Sunshine Cycle in Greenville SC are great and with the help of the Fisher rep had me back on the trails with a (Sugar 1) carbon fiber chain stay and LX hollowtech crank after two weeks. If you buy a bike buy it from these guys. It's been great since the changes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Hlavin
a Weekend Warrior
from Blacksburg, VA
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Pandapas Pond | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Hudson Trail | | Strengths: | Solid x-country bike, great rear suspension, a good value | | Weaknesses: | some weaker components | | Similar Products Used: | tested Fuel 90 and K2 Evo | | Bike Setup: | XT rear De, LX fr De, Manitou X-vert, Cane Creek AD-5, Avid Arch Rival brakes, Bontrager Comp crankset, Spinergy SM-3 wheels | | Bottom Line: | Because of back problems I had to find a cross country full suspension. I found this on sale because its last year's model. I changed out the wheels, brakes, and entire front end from the better parts from my older Raleigh M-80. Its been a great bike. But when it gets muddy, there is aweful chain suck into the chain stays and cranks. I think the Sugar series are the best X-country full suspension bikes available. The only thing other bike I would buy is the Sugar 2+ disc. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Amherst
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fall Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1075.00 | | Purchased At: | Competitive Edge | | Strengths: | Smooooth | | Weaknesses: | Can't think of any... | | Similar Products Used: | 1998 Giant full rigid | | Bike Setup: | stock, not a 3+, no disk | | Bottom Line: | Fast. The fact is that this bike at 2000 dollars would still be a great bike. It just feels light. It doesn't compare to my 1700 mile old full rigid at all. Feels like it helps my up the hill instead of weighing what little 26 lbs it does, and descending is like railing. Nothing more than a four-foot drop, no 5 in. of travel, this is a short travel suspension bike. I feel a 3+ might be a bad idea. Worth every penny | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Long
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington, SC
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Harbison | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Hawleys Cycles | | Strengths: | Price - great value for the money with some good components. Geometry - NO BOB whilst peddling!! Very tight yet just enough plush to keep the fatigue away. Looks - Looks are everything. VERY nice shiny, sparkling silver and blue. Extras - The Bontrager wheelset is very strong and looks great with it's striaght laced design and far-spaced - even better. | | Weaknesses: | I am not sure about the bontrager cranks - maybe heavy but I've read some reviews that put these to shame. I have not had any problem with them (or too inexp to know the diff). About the chain suck issue - I have had it once... didn't like it scaring up my ride. Maybe could change the lx front derlr. Hope to change from v to disc soon.
The wheelset does have a little dishing against the brakes if I put it in a weird attitude (leaning the bike over). | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Killr V 900 w/Manitou EFC FS | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Bottom Line - Priced right, Good Components, Rides fast. It really has made me more confident in my riding. And Fast!!! I have never really felt that a bike could BE 'fast'. But this thing accels down the trails unlike my past bike. Jumps, climbs, and cruises down trails with ease. I love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a Cross Country Rider
from Lexington, Ky
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | chutes & ladders (franconia NH) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Scheller's | | Strengths: | Good quality, good components, light weight, good looking son of a biatch as well. Geometry. | | Weaknesses: | none as of yet...no problems so far with the bontrager stuf. I'm just a little more careful about shifting. | | Similar Products Used: | Tested - Giant XtC NRS 1 & 2, Specialized Stumpy FSR Comp, Superlight, Fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | Stock so far, might change the tires and upgrade to hayes discs. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent bike for the money, it really does its job well. I'm not a XC racer, but I think this bike will do a really good job for what I use it for, cross country riding. I wasn't looking for a freeride bike, and this bike has just enough travel to take the edge off harsh trails, but not take the edge off your power. I like the genesis geometry as well, I wasn't sure if I would or not, but it fits me perfect. I'm about 5'8", 140lbs, and have a 30" inseem. This bike climbs really well, and descends equally as well. Its also pretty stiff. Plus, now that the Sugar +'s are out you can get a pretty good deal on an '01 Sugar, at least I did.
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Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Indiana, USA
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Strengths: | Geometry, durability and Fisher reputation | | Weaknesses: | Stock crank | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel 90 | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Hayes disk brakes and LX Hollowtech crank | | Bottom Line: | Those who ignore history are bound to repeat it. Thank you reviewers who proceeded me! After reading many reviews on this site, test riding the 2001 Sugar 3 with disk brakes, I made the bike shop switch to LX cranks before purchase. The result is a great FS bike that I hope will last the 15 years my rigid Trek did. My only initial complaint is the slight disk brake rub. I hope to have this fixed soon. I highly recommend this bike for Midwest XC singletrack riding. It's made me a much better rider. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Candia, NH
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bear Brook SP in NH | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | This is for the 2002 Sugar 3+.
I just returned from Moab.. one week of heaven! I rented the Sugar 3+ and I was transformed in to a better rider! This bike handles whatever you throw at it. It climbed great (no bobbing) and descended even better. I couldn't believe the stuff I was going over. Six other riders with me couldn't believe I was doing it either!
I ride a Trek hard tail at home and am in the market for F/S. I had three bikes on hold to try. Three days on the Sugar, two on the Trek 90 Fuel and two on the just assembled, Rocky Mountain Carve. After the first day of the Carve, I returned it and got the Sugar back for my last day! It was no contest.The Fuel was good but the 4.1 inches with the Sybil link, blew it away. The 2.8 inch setting was equally impressive. I think I would ride the bike on the 2.8 setting at home but like having the 4.1 option. I really loved the Manitou Black fork!! | | Weaknesses: | A couple of times when going from the middle to small ring, the chain would get sucked in if the suspension was really compressed.I think I would have to be careful not to down shift when the suspension is really active. Mind you I am talking about some big Moab drops! (Could have needed tuning or is that the way F/S is?) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek fuel 90, Rocky Mountain Carve | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike!! I am now shopping for the Sugar 2+. Better components.. plus the Psylo shock has 80-125 travel.The jury is out on the disc brake option..cost, weight,necessity... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christopher
a Cross Country Rider
from Celle, Germany
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | black forest in germany | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | pedalo, wedemark | | Strengths: | A great bike, which feels like a hardtail, but which filters out the shock of riding over rough ground (good for your lower back, if you are just over 40, like me). This is my first MTB and I took some time and care to choose. I was looking for soemthing I would not want to change quickly, so proven quality was the prime criteria plus a sensible price / performance ratio and a good base to upgrade from. I really enjoy riding this bike on fast trails through the forest but it can also manage some steep downhill runs, without frightening me. I bought the bike because my son is getting heavily into mountain biking - although he is more intersted in jumping and going steep downhill he keeps trying to take it out because it´s fast and he likes the feel and the "Gary Fisher" name. His friends think it´s great too, which is important if you are 13 ! | | Weaknesses: | None noticed at the moment, except the standard saddle, which I changed at purchase for a Flite Trans Am, which is very comfortable | | Bike Setup: | standard, except saddle | | Bottom Line: | I wanted to buy the best at a good price and I am convinced that I made the right decision. As the bike is fun, fast and comfortable I will certainly ride it every weekend. I feel it is a good bike for someone like me who is interested in riding a bike fast down single trails. It is easy to control so makes me feel safe. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Marlton, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Action Wheels | | Strengths: | Very smooth ride and excellent handling. | | Weaknesses: | Bontrager crank!!! | | Bike Setup: | XT Hollowtec Crank, Time Pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike was a nightmare with the Bontrager crank. The chain would skip, fall off, all of the above... I had the excellent staff at Action Wheels swap it out with an XT Hollowtech crank. The nightmare has turned into a dream come true as this is NOW the best bike that I have ever owned. All of my problems have gone away. It is also important to take the bike back for a tune-up after the first 3 weeks of good hard riding. Makes all of the difference the world!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Weekend Warrior
from Owings Mills, MD, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Avalon,(MD) Hartshorne Woods(NJ) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Great climber, very agile and rock solid build quality | | Weaknesses: | Weak crankset spec | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Easton bars and stem. | | Bottom Line: | **Attention Clydesdales** I am 6'3" and 250lbs. I'm no freerider by any stretch, but this bike has held up without 1 problem in some hard conditions. The season is not over yet, but I have been very impressed thus far. Bike could use some upgrades-but what bike couldn't? As stated, I'm not thrilled with the stock Bontrager Comp crankset-way too much flex. Also not thrilled with the Crowbar's sweep-not very comfortable on those 3-4 hour trips. Love the Zocchi Z.3 Airs. As a whole the bike is tops and very worthy of any upgrades or modifications you wish to make. Buy a sugar-or maybe the new sugar+ and you will not be disappointed. SPEAK LESS-RIDE MORE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Rohnert Park, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bicyles in Novato, CA | | Strengths: | This review is for the 2002 Sugar 3 Plus. This is a beautiful ride. I'm a big guy (6'5", 220) and this bike (XL) fits me great. It looks as if Fisher made some enhancements over the 2001 most noteably, the Sybil Swing Arm allowing rear travel to be set at 2.8" or 4.1" which matches the front end rather nicely. I don't know a lot about the Manitou Black as it is pretty |
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$ 1529.99
