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Submitted by
Chanzie
a Cross Country Rider
from Sac-Town
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | 15 mph Bootleg @ Auburn | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Products dot com | | Strengths: | Geometry...geometry...geometry....GF hit the nail on the head with this design. | | Weaknesses: | The weld on the seat tube bottom bracket casting.....that's where my first one broke. | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | RS Duke, Cane Creek AD12, mix of XT/XTR, King HS & hubs, Easton Bars, Thompson stem & seat post. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great X-Country bike that can really take a beating. I flogged my 2000 Sugar 2 for 4 1/2 years before it gave up its spirit. Trek sent me a new frame even though it was a 4+. It's a shame that Trek/GF are slowly stopping production of this great frame. I personally think they should revamp it by putting bearings at the pivot points making it an even better XC bike. I may have to buy up a few of these frames for future use. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Bagg
a Cross Country Rider
from Yucaipa, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Pisgah Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1550.00 | | Purchased At: | Redlands Cyclery | | Strengths: | Light (25-26 lbs). Stock setup is great for the money. No rear pedal-bob. | | Weaknesses: | Stock seat pleather tore after two weeks. | | Bike Setup: | xtr r.d., xt f.d., manitou mars elite front suspension, cane creek ad-12 rear suspension, xt brake/shifter combo, avid single digit 5 brakes, bontrager race (cranks, stem, tubeless rims), bontrager (seatpost, 9 degree crowbar, hubs), cane creek headset, lx rear cassette, irc tires. | | Bottom Line: | Before the foundation of the earth, the Lord must have said “In the fullness of time Mike will own a 2002 Sugar 2”
This bike gets me up in the morning.
Two years ago I started out on a Giant Iguana, then switched to a Trek Fuel 80, then had my unexpected divine appointment with the Sugar 2 at my LBS (500 bucks off, my size, the only one left). Of course I called my wife to secure the deal. When she gave me the go-ahead, I paid the bill and headed to my Monday night ride. From that day on I have been becoming a better, harder, faster rider—all because of my sweet sugar 2.
While riding with my buds I notice them pedal-bobbing on trails with easy grades, to trails with out-of-the-seat quad-ripping granny gear grades. Bob, bob, bob. Not on my Sugar 2. The perfect engineering on this bike somehow allows me to vary the air pressure and adjust the compression and rebound settings to my liking and still experience no pedal-bob. It amazes me when I set the o-ring on my shock, get out of the saddle and pound some, then notice that my o-ring indicator has not moved at all. Make sure you sample different settings on the compression and rebound adjusters—they really make a difference. Okay, enough gloating.
I’m not happy unless I’m climbing, and that’s what this bike does. The componentry is a perfect mix: My shifting is tight (very little adjustments after many rides), the braking is responsive, and the suspension responds to my adjustments—unlike other products out there. The Long top tube, short stem, and short chainstay get this bike digging in to the dirt, ruts, and rocks with excellent traction. The wheels stay true and the Shocks keep their air. What more can I say?
A couple of negatives: The front wheel hub developed a squeaky bearing very soon after purchase. I just take it out and force some thin oil into it every few weeks. Also, the stock chain had to be replaced, but only after I got a small log lodged between it and the gears. The seat ripped, but my LBS told me to grab one off the shelf and switched it out for me. The pivot points tend to squeak after a light washing. I quit bathing the bike and now wipe it down (I noticed the same squeaking with other FS bikes after washing). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Racer
from Lincolnshire, IL USA
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | New on Ebay | | Strengths: | Light frame great geometry. Excellent climber | | Weaknesses: | A Headset - this bike should come with a higher performance headset | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized and Sugar 3 | | Bike Setup: | Terry TI Fly saddle, EC 70 bar, Eggbeater pedals, XTR crankset | | Bottom Line: | Overall excellent bike! You would want to upgrade the crankset first - than make your way to the wheels, bar and seatpost. CAREFUL WHAT YOU WASH IT WITH - I USED FINISH LINE AND IT CAUSED ALL THE BUSHINGS TO START SQUEEKING!
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicole
a Cross Country Rider
from Latrobe, CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Salmon Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Epic Cycles - no longer in business | | Strengths: | EVERYTHING, climbs like nothing else, loves sand, rocks, mud, hills up and down, water, everything. Haven't found anywhere it won't go, haven't had to push it anywhere yet, done several duathlons, mtb races and adventure races, it performs superior everytime out. Anyone would have a great time on this bike! | | Weaknesses: | the rider, this bike can do much more than I am capable of! | | Similar Products Used: | none, had ridden a cheap full suspension bike, before that had a Cannondale hardtail | | Bike Setup: | stock, will need new tires soon and that will be the first thing I've replaced. | | Bottom Line: | BUY ONE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Carlton Garrard
a Cross Country Rider
from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Blackstar Canyon, Santiago Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Rock and Road Cyclery | | Strengths: | CLIMBER, period. Light from factory for a fully suspended bike, totally impressive for the price. Add a great downhill bike too for the suspension range. Cane Creek shock works like a charm, great for those whom don't like to continuously tweak on thier bikes. Very stable. Sticks like glue everywhere. | | Weaknesses: | None really worth noting, paint a bit drab, but thats fine to me, im not out there for a fashion show. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized M-4 full suspension. 2001 year model | | Bike Setup: | I changed out the seatpost and the bar and stem with Easton carbon/aluminum (stem only), along with the seat and shifters this shaved an addtional 1 1/2 lbs off the already light platform, while still making the bike stronger. I opted for Grip Shift Sram 9.0 rocket shifters. Im a fan of grip shift, what can I say? Avid brake levers 2-digit ti. Carbon bar ends. Shocks set according to my weight and preferences. Panaracer 2.1 kevlar red-wall tires. Wireless computer (vetta) with altitude and all the bells and whistles. | | Bottom Line: | Impressive design, perfect for the cross country full suspension types. Everything you want in that type of bike, comfortable, light(dont know many others you can get under 25lbs for that price), climber(adding the best i've ever ridden), good looks, reliable, great price (at least mine was, uh-hum!). Totally gave me an injection of impressiveness of Gary Fisher bikes. Thought they were a mediocre company till I rode this bike. Thats what I get for making an assumption. My Specialized Hardtail won't see any use for quite some time, why you ask? Why ride something that is the same weight but doesn't climb as good, handle as good, or give you all the wonderful benefits of a fully suspended bike? I don't need to answer that question. Just get one, you will love it. I'll add that im 5'9" and 155lbs give or take 5lbs. For those interested in that for whatever reason. Flat out impressive.
Best purchase in many many years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ken morgan
a Cross Country Rider
from yokosuka naval base Japan
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Tennan Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Uno Bikes | | Strengths: | Agile, really handles great. Lightweight yet strong Very little bob when I hammer, Weight transfer when climbing is better than other bikes I have ridden | | Weaknesses: | AD-12 leaked from the factory, LBS tried to help, but Cane Creek Japan, and Trek Japan SUCKS. they sent me a rebuild kit and said fix it yourself however leak was at rebound screw so rebuild doesn't help. finally the LBS told them do something or else and they coffed up a AD-10 to replace it. At a 185 pounds the Mars Elite (80 mm) was kinda spindley | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Joshua F-1, Canondale Super V (friends), Santa Cruz Bullit (friends) | | Bike Setup: | Hayes discs, Chris King disco techs w/mavic rims, X-fly 100, and XTR shift pods all else is stock | | Bottom Line: | Rear triangle worries me some (carbon fiber), however its held up to my weight somewhat, I custom machined a new link to give me another .75 inch of travel from 2.5 to 3.25 frame design is great however the shock selection sucks if you weigh over 175 or so, A Sugar Plus would probably be better for me, however they just arrived in Japan about a week ago and I couldn't wait. so if your 175 lbs or less go with it, if your over like I am get the sugar plus and have a blast. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Maguire
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA USA
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | pine mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Pacific Bicycle | | Strengths: | Great ride. | | Weaknesses: | Chain Suck. Questions about the strength and durability of the rear triangle. | | Similar Products Used: | Last Bike was the G.F. Big Sur. Before purchasing the Sugar 2, I spent a number of days on a friend's Sugar 1. Great bike. | | Bike Setup: | Standard G.F. Sugar 2 set-up. | | Bottom Line: | Lotta good bikes out there. I would stay away from this one.
Here is my story -- I brought the bike into the shop for its 60-day tune-up and to see what they could do about the chain suck problem. Few days later I received a call from the shop indicating that I had cracked the rear triangle. As the bike was 60 days old and I couldn't remember any rides (or falls) that might justify a cracked rear triangle, I fought with the bike store managers to have the rear triangle sent back to Wisc for warranty examination.
Warranty guys said no-go. After a number of mind-numbing calls in which bike store managers and Travis (a Gary F rep) read the warranty to me and reminded me that they could only warranty product defects, I was left with a broken frame, the suggestion that they could replace the rear triangle for $500-$600 and the very real fear that I might lose my mind if ever I was to suffer the chain-suck problem with the repaired bike.
So rather than have future interactions with G.F. and Pacific Bicycle, I have chosen to buy a new frame (Santa Cruz).
I hope the readers of this review will consider very seriously whether they want to purchase a bike from Gary F. My experience is that G.F. is not disposed to stand by their product. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Mering
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, Idaho, U.S.
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Hard Guy | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1785.00 | | Purchased At: | World Cycle | | Strengths: | * Light weight and fast
* Excellent Components
* Price | | Weaknesses: | * Cane Creek AD 12 rear suspension is a little stiff, but
that's what you want in a good climbing bike | | Bottom Line: | So far this has been a great bike. It does everything that I want it to do without any problems. It climbs like a rocket and is just as good for downhill. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a great XC experience. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reggie Skinner
a Weekend Warrior
from NC
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Beaver Dam | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | cycling spoken here | | Strengths: | This is my first FS bike, it is smooth... I feel like I float over stumps and roots and I'm considered a clydesdale (some one over 6 foot tall and over 200 lbs). Climbing isn't a chore with it, I would have thought I'd have a problem with bobbing, but no such problem. | | Weaknesses: | saddle... it felt like a sponge. Pedals weren't clipless, had to take them off another bike I owned. | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale hard tail | | Bike Setup: | stock except for the saddle, kept my bontrager gel center | | Bottom Line: | great FS bike!! ride it till the wheels fall off. I tested the Trek Fuel 90 and this bike just felt sturdier to me. I had a concern about the carbon chain stays due to my weight, but was told no worries.. it's gonna last no matter how hard I pound it. (Well, I've tested that theory, catching a little air.. and my LBS was right!!) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jean-Paul Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakton, VA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Massanutten ski resort, VA - West side. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS - A1 bikes | | Strengths: | Sugar 2+, Large: Light. Fast. Great frame. Superior climber. Adjustable travel on rear and front. Absolutely no bob. Tubeless rims. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing major. Chainsuck could be a problem with stock crankset if you shift to granny under too much pressure. Psylo SL fork rattles a little at full travel. | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar Expert. Specialized hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Stock + new XT crankset + hutchinson python UST (rear) + continental vertical pro (front). | | Bottom Line: | This is my second full suspension bike. My best bike so far. I've raced it twice with much better results than with the old Dakar. It climbs better, it's lighter, and has much less bob. Following past reviews, and after experiencing some amount of chainsuck, I switched to an XT crankset ($99 at Performance + $26 BB). The bike is now perfect. I love the lockout feature on the Psylo fork for climbing, but I tend to forget to unlock it.
I love this bike. It performed flawlessly during a very strenuous 2 1/2h race. The tubeless Python were great in dry, rocky conditions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon
a
from novato,ca
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Bottom Line: | update: no more ghost shifting! chain from manufacturer is too long. If you have problems consider taking out one link.fisher will replace my freewheel under warrantee and pacific cycle has done right by me.racing in napa this weekend! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon
a
from Novato,ca,usa
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | rocksprings | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | pacific cycle novato,ca | | Strengths: | geometry,weight,value | | Weaknesses: | shifting,hubs,fork is sketchy at speed | | Similar Products Used: | marin mt. vision | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | frustated with chain rattle,and skip in 10th gear jumps to 11 under a load.dealer adjusted 4 times and still problem.contacted fisher and rep told me take to another shop in santa rosa.mechanic said chain was too long,shortened it and readjusted entire bike.have only done one ride and no problem but i'm skeptical.while working mech. found back hub was crunchy and said it needs to be replaced back to first shop for warrantee work. I just want to ride!enough with the constant problems and stress and time involved.fisher rep was much more responsive than original shop, he told me after four misdiagnosis that maybe it was me?funnny i never had these problems for the five prev. years with my marin.hope it works out cause the geometry really works | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Monica, CA
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Youngs Gulch | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Great Frame and components. Lighting quick down hill. | | Weaknesses: | Rear bobs when I hammer down. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Killer V 900, Super V 3000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. I was a little skeptical at first about buying a Fisher but since she was one sale- I couldn't refuse. This bike rocks! I had a slight accident the other day my bike drop 15 feet or so down off of the trail. After spending a half-hour getting down to it and throwing up on trail- not a thing was knocked out of wack. This bike rips and I simple love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy
a Cross Country Rider
from bow,nh
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | bear brook state park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1950.00 | | Purchased At: | Naults | | Strengths: | Price, lightweight, mars fork, components (time pedals,crow bar, tubeless compatable rims. | | Weaknesses: | had to have frame replaced immediately post purchace due to drivetrain missalignment, new frame is perfect. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Mantra, tried FSR, Jekyll, Giant NRS | | Bike Setup: | Stock with tubeless tires (which hold air well), XT crank set and rear cassette (12-34) | | Bottom Line: | This is an update on a prior review. I have been riding with the new frame for about a month and have fallen in love with this bike. On the tight New England single track I ride (no big drops) it is smooth and handles sharply. Climbing is unbelievable and downhilling is point and shoot. More rear travel might make it a little smoother on the really rough stuff, but would probably hurt the climbing and sprinting. As soon as I get done with a ride I'm already thinking of the next one. My back doesn't hurt, and my butt is happy. I also weigh 205 lbs. and have had no issues at this point with durability. This is an IDEAL cross country specific bike, comfortable enough for epic rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerry
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Pedal'r | | Strengths: | Lightweight, smooth ride, good deal for $$$ spent. | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | tested Fuel, FSR, Cannondales, Yeti, Giant when shopping. Been riding an old Cr-mo Rockhopper. | | Bike Setup: | Stock + Easton carbon stem & post, and the obvious XT cassette upgrade. My old Ritchey pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike. Coming from a hardtail, most of the bikes I test-rode bounced like pogo sticks by comparison. I liked a Sugar 2+ at the shop but it seemed too heavy. Discovered the regular Sugar 2, and it is a great cross country bike, the suspension seemed old-fashioned with limited pivot points but it just plain works, and it blew away specialized 4-bars and the like. I ride rocks, roots, and technical singletrack around the Denver/Front Range area, I have had no problems with the wheels, or the strength of any component, I weigh 200lbs at 6'3". The rear suspension keeps my rear wheel gripping over bumps and enabled me to clean trails I would not have dreamed before. If you can't justify $5k for a loaded RacerX than this is a great choice. And LBS has been great at recommendations and service. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Thornton, CO
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Colorado Trail/Maah Daah Hey Trail/Searle Pass/Argentine Pass | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1799.00 | | Purchased At: | Golden Bear Bikes, Broomfield, CO | | Strengths: | Frame; Time pedals; Light weight; Quality for the buck. | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket was not tight. Rear shock went flat in 1.5 days. Golden Bear Bikes replaced the bottom bracket with an upgraded one and replaced the rear shock in one day
so I could go to Jackson, Wy. | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now. Might do some changes in the future if I determine them to be needed. | | Bottom Line: | Went from a Cannondale hardtail to my first full suspension. At the age of 50 and riding hard the suspension is feeling real good. Holds the climbs in places I never could before. Corners tight and is very responsive. Best ride I have ever had. Very comfortable set up.
If you ride single track/cross country this bike is great. Quality for the buck is great. If you just ride the paved stuff you don't need it.
If you are shopping around in the Denver area go to this shop for the customer service and good prices. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a
from Baltimore
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Great all purpose bike! Went from a Trek hard tail to the Sugar 2 and never looked back. I am able to accomplish climbs previously unable to. It gives confidence on the trail. Great service from Fisher. I'm a devoted Gary Fisher rider. | | Weaknesses: | I had a 2000 Sugar 2, but cracked the frame. I'm waiting for a new (warranty replacement) 2002 frame, rear shock and fork from the factory. Even though the crack was a weakness, Warranty replacement ROCKS! | | Similar Products Used: | tested Trek Fuel 90 prior. | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock. Only replaement was a Riser bar and grips... | | Bottom Line: | Ain't nothing sweeter! I never thought I'd miss the bike as much as I do while I wait for the new frameset. But I gotta admit, the factory service is awesome! Going from a hard tail to the Sugar 2 is an unbelievable step up. It's all performance.
If you want a bike that'll do whatever you want it to, and with confidence, the sugar is for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy
a Cross Country Rider
from bow,nh
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1950.00 | | Purchased At: | Naults | | Strengths: | Price, components, Geometry (climbs much better than my Mantra). Cane Creek shock. Reasonable weight stock. Great value over sugar 1 and Klein adept. Great improvements to design with carbon stays, a larger down tube and improved B-link. feel stiffer than 2001 sugar 2. | | Weaknesses: | Not as plush as the Mantra but doesnt see-saw either. Ghost shifting from front middle ring to granny. Fisher rep checked today, frame not aligned, bottom bracket off line.(see posts for sugar 1). New frame ordered. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized fsr(liked it but not made in USA), Jekyll, NRS. Mantra. Adept | | Bike Setup: | stock, swapped to XT cranks and Michelin tubeless tires (so far holding are well) | | Bottom Line: | Been on three half-day rides. Bike blows my mantra away, much more manueverable in the tight stuff (short stem), and suspension just enough to maintain comfort but unlike the URT mantra stays active when standing on pedals. First ride out I cleared several rocky/root filled steep climbs of tight single track with ease, the tire felt glued to the ground, often would lose traction before. A few of these sections I rode cleanly for the first time. Love the riser bar and long top tube, gives confidence on the decents. BAD
NEWS is the frame is "not aligned properly" and this causes the chainline to be off. when in the middle ring front and big rings rear the bike ghost shifts to the granny.
Now I have to wait for a new frame only a week after taking it home (at least I can still ride the old one just can't use those gears). would give it five chilis except for slight (ha!) problem of needing a new frame on a brand new bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sam
a Weekend Warrior
from columbus OH
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | 7 springs | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | light, fast, absolutely perfect once you dail it in. after i ripped all the crap off it and made it my own, it is unbelievable. | | Weaknesses: | about all of the stock components, bushings need replaced / maintained when ridden hard in mud (but i guess thats to be expected!) oh yea- pait job is ugly, white turns to jiz from dirt and sun | | Similar Products Used: | most short travel f/s bikes | | Bike Setup: | marz. Z2, Sram 9.0sl, Arch rival breaks, Kooka stem/seatpost/cranks. mavic 517 rims on king hubs, fizik sadle | | Bottom Line: | if you can find a frame and build it up, thats the way to go. for the cost, you'd think you would get some quality components. on a $2k+ non-ti bike, LX is an insult. as are those worthless nano-raptors tires. semi-slicks offer better traction. but the work is worth it.. that aside, the frame is the best design going-- see the simalar DEAN, Titus, Santa Cruz and Klien offerings. also, the old f/s litespeed obed was real close. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven Schneider
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, Idaho
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Devils Slide | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | George's | | Strengths: | Climbes great for a full suspension bike. Good balance and angles. The suspension takes the hard hits away coming down. I weigh 200lbs and wasn't sure this bike would hold up but it has. Overall the best bike I have owned. | | Weaknesses: | Rear shock seems to get loose or sloppy the colder it gets. Winter riding plays games with the rear shock. | | Bike Setup: | Riser bars, better downhill turning | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike! Can't wait for my next one!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Roger Brandt
a Cross Country Rider
from Port Ewen, NY
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Taconic Hereford | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Shop | | Strengths: | Light, Smooth riding. Great componants. The tires do well on hard pack, they are fair in muddy conditions. | | Weaknesses: | Prepare to take some ribbing. SUGAR is not a real manly name. The front shock is tough to dial in for us 200 pounders. It tends to compress on hard turns. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant SE1, XCR | | Bike Setup: | Stock components, Large Frame | | Bottom Line: | Its a great bike. If you are only riding rail trails and the like this bike is OVERKILL. If you are doing single track, power lines, or backwoods trails this bike is for you. The toughest decision was to to choose between the Disk brakes or have the lighter bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Storm Ferguson
a Cross Country Rider
from Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Howick | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycles & Novelties, Durban | | Strengths: | Climbs better than my 2000 model, as it easier to keep the front wheel down. Downhilling is just as good, with the carbon rear triangle giving great stiffness. Handles my size and weight very well and comfortably. | | Weaknesses: | Absolutely appaling service from Fisher. Bike delivered with only left hand pedals - factory has done nothing. Bontrager wheels don't hold tubeless air. Factory has no idea what ride kit spring is specified for the Manitou fork. Contacted Manitou and discovered all are medium. E-mails to the factory and to the 'great' Gary himself remain unanswered! | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Sugar 2 | | Bike Setup: | Tossed the LX casstette for XT. Changed the saddle to Selle Flite Ti. | | Bottom Line: | I'm 6'5" and 225lbs. The bike fits great and the riser bar just takes the edge off the hand pressure. Climbs brilliantly and descends with surety. Still incredible value over the Sugar 1. The cranks and chain rings may have to be changed to XT later, but the Bontragers seems better than those before. The wheels are really shocking. The poor attempt at tubeless sucks. Dump the duds and switch to Crossmax. Hey and send the whole plant on a service training course! The bike is a 4.0 due to the wheels and the service is a 0 'cos there is none! Overall 3.0 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pat McCrotch
a Cross Country Rider
from oakland baby
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1086.00 | | Purchased At: | work | | Strengths: | this bike kills it!a great set of upgrades from the "o1 model. tubeless wheele set, carbon rr triangle, the bike is just on fire. | | Weaknesses: | cranks are flimsy, so are the rest of the bontrager components, there good, just not very stout. should have come with tubeless tires to match wheeles.was originally skepyical about the mars shock but it seems to have broken in well,so its not really a weakness,matter of preference. | | Similar Products Used: | sugar 3, sugar 2+, i drive,santa cruz superlight | | Bike Setup: | thomson seat post and stem, huthinson mosquito usb tires,selle italia flight trans am saddle. | | Bottom Line: | this bike is killer! it feels great and rides even better. i completely trust this bike, it rodes like a dream.i think the wheeles are just fine, i way in at 160 lbs and have experienced to weaknesses in the wheeles, they hold air(the 01's had some trouble doing that)the bike rocks, and you will too once you start ridding one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Louis
a Racer
from Baltimore, Maryland
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Avalon | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light weight, Revised components for "02" model (Frame, seat,tires, bottom bracket and Front Fork) | | Weaknesses: | It doesn't clean itself off after a ride! | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for my favorite seat and a set of Michelin UST Tires. 3" total width reduction on the handlebar. | | Bottom Line: | I'm in love! This bike has made me a better rider. My lower back also enjoys what the whole ride experience brings. The bike absolutely climbs like a mountain goat and the stability of the ride allows you to desend at speeds unthought of on a hardtail.
It took a couple rides to realize that the setup instuctions for the rear schock are incorrect. The air pressure should be 45 to 60 pounds less than your body weight or else you will never even come close to utilizing the travel that is available.
I also decided to take the stock very light rims and brakes off and save them for race days. I just put on Mavic 317 disk rims and XT hubs for non race days. I removed stock brakes and installed Avid Mechanical Disks and a Solid Metal Jacket cable set. The Brake sets can be swapped in 30 minutes since they each have their own set of cables. There is a disk carrier bracket that Fisher can supply through your local dealer that mounts to the swingarm and is designed for Avid "01" mechanical brakes. The part number is 210648.
This bike is everything I expected and more based on the improvements that Gary and his team implemented from last year. What the majority of reviewers wrote about the "01" Sugar is true, "Sugar is Sweet". If you ride cross country and want a top notch bike with nice specs, this bike is for you!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
frucktard
a Cross Country Rider
from cali Bay Area
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2025.00 | | Purchased At: | Sharp Bicycles in Lafyette | | Strengths: | Wow, this bike is so light its not even funny. The manitou fork is like butter, and the Time pedals are just super, even if they arn't carbon. Another "Good Thing" is the seat, although it seams like only a granny would ride on it, it is suprisingly comfortable. Oh yeah, the grips are better than yeti's. | | Weaknesses: | They went a little overboard over at Fisher to make this bike light. On the XL frame they put the same wheels as the small, which is okay until you wreak them. It only took one real crash to taco my front one and I'm curious how long the back will last. It's not really so much of a problem with the bike, but my fault for not putting something beefier on. Two little things to beech (it dosn't let you cuss) about are the brakes not being as strong as expected and the riser bar and stem. who really cares about the brakes as long as you can lock up the back wheel relatively easily and the bar and stem are personal preferences. | | Similar Products Used: | I test rode the scapel, fuel, and some mongoose offering but none are as nice in my mind. Hence the sugar | | Bike Setup: | stock except for Michelin hot s in back, Bontrager Jones AC in front,fancy seatpost, and hopefully a new set of wheels soon.(Hear that Santa) | | Bottom Line: | I'm really impressed by this bike and the way it rides. the air pressure in back is difficult to perfect but its only a matter of time. The brakes are adequate but not impressive, while the XT-XTR components are superb. The wheels are light and flimsey but they are tubeless if you choose and the ride is nice in the single track. Fire roads are fun to, and the rear suspension does its job the way it was designed to: No Bobbing unless you make it. It's definently a race bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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