|   '01 sugar 2 vs. '02 spec. stumpie fsr xc | ghostface killah
Apr 11, 2002 9:29 PM | | hey guys, needing a little help.. ridden both bikes and have found advantages and disadvantages to both. Both bikes are priced exactly the same although the sugar 2 has better components and on the road I liked the sugar 2 better. LBS won't let me take them off-road though and was wondering if anyone had any personal comparisons or experience with either bike |
| re: '01 sugar 2 vs. '02 spec. stumpie fsr xc | specialized
Apr 12, 2002 2:28 AM | | I like both bikes, but I would be a bit worried about the whold "chain suck/bending rings" bit that everyone grips about in the reviews. I would have thought you could have gotten the FSR XC for several hundred dollars less. I think of the two I'd take the FSR XC, but that's just my opinion. |
| by "chain suck/bending rings" I mean the Sugar (nm) | specialized
Apr 12, 2002 7:22 AM | | nm |
| re: '01 sugar 2 vs. '02 spec. stumpie fsr xc | Mikey
Apr 12, 2002 8:51 AM | | Can't comment on the FSR as I've not ridden one. But I've had my '01 Sugar 2 for 16 months, about 1100 miles, and 3 races, and am very happy with it.
The build kit is mostly good - only shortcoming being the cranks which are corrected CHEAPLY. As soon as I got it, I took off the Bontrager Race cranks & LX BB and sold them as "new takeoffs" on eBay for MORE than what I paid for splined LX Hollowtech cranks & BB mailorder. The LX cranks have been trouble-free. Great shifting, only getting chainsuck at the "normal" times that you would on any bike, meaning when the drivetrain is excessively grimy. As long as it's reasonably clean & lubed it's fine. I also put on an XT cassette, ATAC pedals, and a rapidrise derailleur all at minimal cost by selling off the stock parts on eBay "as new".
The frame is nice (same as the $3K+ Sugar 1), and the '01 paint job is good with the metal-flake black. I did have to replace the pivot bushings ($35) at about 1000 miles. They were getting loose and upon inspection the anti-friction coating was mostly worn off. But this is normal maintenance.
I find the front & rear suspensions are well balanced. I'm 170 and have them each at 130 PSI. I am starting to think that my next bike will have more travel though. I love the ride, and can't feel the bike bottoming out, but from the indicators I have I am getting full travel both front & rear on most rides. Seems any air will use all the travel. I don't jump off stuff (I'm a roller in technical situations), just bunnyhopping at speed or airing rolls on fireroads.
The Bontrager Race wheels have been fine. Front is still true after more than a year. Back needed slight truing about a month ago. But again, they were straight for over a year. |
| What are you looking for in a bike? | OldSchool
Apr 12, 2002 9:43 AM | | I just picked up an FSR.
I have a nice hardtail that I'm planning on keeping (Team Marin). So, I was looking for a complimentary FS bike on the other side of the spectrum. In other words -- the Sugar, Fuel, NRS,..., all had "hardtial" traits. The FSR suspension is just tremendous. I'll be using it for 24hr races.
Here are the pros of the FSR:
* no suspension feedback when braking or spinning in all rings.
* no loss of suspension when hammering or braking.
* bearings at all pivots
* the bike geometry just fit me the best
Good luck,
Tim |
| What i am looking for | ghostface killah
Apr 12, 2002 10:21 AM | | to sum it up I need a bike to keep up with my tri-athlete friend, but also a really good decender. I spend my summers doing climbs and technical downhills in BC and my winters in muddy, small uphill and downhill Ontario. |
| Why do you want a FS bike? | OldSchool
Apr 12, 2002 12:28 PM | | You could do all that on a hardtail.
How fast you descend or how well you clean a technical section is more dependant on your skills than your bike. I say this because I ride a lot of things on my HT that many with a FS rig walk. The bike does make a difference, but a friend of mine is fit and skilled. He rides an old $300 ridged bike -- and pretty much kicks ass up the hill and down.
So, why do you want a FS bike?
If your application is specific, I'd look at what the skilled riders in your area are on. Talk to them.
Good luck,
Tim |
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