2003 Gary Fisher Sugar 4+

[2ndgen]

I hooked a Fish for $300.

I told the seller (nice guy) I only needed the bike and
he ended up throwing everything else in the deal anyway.
So, I got my summer rig (until I can eventually afford a custom build).
I think it's a pretty good deal. I'm liking the Fox Float Shock and
I can live with the LX group. I have a 2009 Gary Figher Opie
with a cracked seat tube that I can cannibalize for parts if needed
(but from the looks of it, this bike is in better condition than my'09).
Bar ends, pedals, seat bag, water bottle, pump...all coming right off.
Going on: My Shimano M-737 SPD's.

Immediate upgrades:
ODI Rogue grips, Kenda Nevegals, tubes, WTB Saddle, Easton EA70 Bar,
Kool Stop brakes pads and possibly a Thompson stem & dropper seat post
(if it can be transferred to my next bike).

[Going to drop it off at my LBS so they can service the fork/shock and give it a once over.]

2003 Gary Fisher Sugar 4+ (19")

• Crank Brothers Egg Beater pedals
• Blackburn mtn. air pump,
• water bottle cage
• bar ends
• seat bag
• tire irons

Highlights:

• Frame Platinum Series ZR9000 double-butted aluminum
• Fork Manitou Black Comp 100mm
• Rear Shock Fox Float
• Deore LX Group
• G1 Geometry

[2ndgen]

So, what should I keep my eye out for?
What are the weak points?

[ssalmons]

Chain suck and worn suspension bushings. Good bike, good price, have fun!

[2ndgen]

Originally Posted by ssalmons

Chain suck and worn suspension bushings. Good bike, good price, have fun!

Thanks!

Yeah. From what I've come to understand, a switch of the crankset from Bontrager took care of that. I have a Shimano crankset on mine.

I just saw the bike yesterday for the first time (I had my GF buy it for me sight unseen on my behalf besides pictures). It turns out that the bike is in excellent condition (almost new). The seller wasn't kidding when he said it was hardly used...again, a great guy).

The bike is literally shining. I'm going to detail it a bit and then post pics later today.

I really scored on this one. As stated, it's going to my LBS (who are expert MTB builders) and have them check it out completely, tune up the fork, check the bushings (of course).

I "may" swap in my Shimano EF50 shifters (bottom of the barrel bits) because I really loved how quickly they responded and despite my beating then to a pulp, they just "worked" (rain or shine, mud or snow, blazing heat or bitter cold). I'll have to believe that the '06 Shimano C050/Acera Derailleurs won't be as good as the LX stuff, so I'll leave that on the bike. "If" I do decide to upgrade anything, I'll just jump to XT770 (anything that I can transfer to my next bike) and if I happen to come across a good deal on a used Fox fork, it'll be a done deal.

I'm hoping some Sugar owners will chime in and post pics of their bike as well as what upgrades they've done that really improved performance. I'm still in awe at how clean this bike is.

[2ndgen]

For any Sugar owners interested (or anybody for that matter), upgrades:

• ODI Rogue Locking Grips
• Easton EA70 Monkey Bar
• Thomson Elite 4X Stem
• Thomson Elite Seat Post
• WTB Rocket V Pro Saddle
• Kool Stop Dual Compound Pads
• Shimano PD-M737 SPD Pedals
• Kenda Nevegal DTC 2.35 Tires
• Fresh Tubes

[Varaxis]

Reminds me of when I sold my XTR (M950 generation) equipped Schwinn Homegrown Factory XT HT for $300 after throughly beating it up for 15k miles, moving to NY from FL and finding that its brakes were totally inadequate for the speeds and terrain I encountered on the mountains there. Rather than upgrade (no disc brake mounts), I got a new bike.

[2ndgen]

Originally Posted by Varaxis

Reminds me of when I sold my XTR (M950 generation) equipped Schwinn Homegrown Factory XT HT for $300 after throughly beating it up for 15k miles, moving to NY from FL and finding that its brakes were totally inadequate for the speeds and terrain I encountered on the mountains there. Rather than upgrade (no disc brake mounts), I got a new bike.

I upgraded with transferable parts, but it is tempting to upgrade to discs "if" I end up swapping in a 120mm-130mm Fox Fork & Wheelset. The most I'd do is a fork upgrade. I'm going to quite there and keep in mind that the purpose of this bike is to put smiles on my face until I can afford to get a custom built rig.

[nailtrail]

nice!!! sweet deal

[2ndgen]

Originally Posted by nailtrail

nice!!! sweet deal

Thanks.

It should be out of the shop in a couple of days and then after that,
I hit West Virginia for an Epic ride on her to break her in.

[2ndgen]

[XRaptor]

Awesome bike 2ndgen. I have a special spot in my hart for 03Sugar 4's. Might be cause I have had mine for 8 years and still looks great! Still loving it. But had to do some upgrades along the way. I'm about $300 away from finishing it. Need a new seat post, bars, headset and seat. But everything else is new.


Rock Shox Tora Solo Air
Mavic Crossride disc & Rim wheelset
Shimano SLX crankset
Shimano XT shifters
Hutchinson Cobra Tires tubeless
SRAM chain
SRAM cassette
Shimano XT Front Derailleur
Shimano XT rear derailleur
Avid BB7 front brake
Shimano XT rear V-brake

[2ndgen]

Originally Posted by XRaptor

Awesome bike 2ndgen. I have a special spot in my hart for 03Sugar 4's. Might be cause I have had mine for 8 years and still looks great! Still loving it. But had to do some upgrades along the way. I'm about $300 away from finishing it. Need a new seat post, bars, headset and seat. But everything else is new.

Rock Shox Tora Solo Air
Mavic Crossride disc & Rim wheelset
Shimano SLX crankset
Shimano XT shifters
Hutchinson Cobra Tires tubeless
SRAM chain
SRAM cassette
Shimano XT Front Derailleur
Shimano XT rear derailleur
Avid BB7 front brake
Shimano XT rear V-brake

Nice!

And thanks!
How is she shifting with the SLX/XT bits?
I'm so tempted to upgrade the groupset at the very least.

My Shug has a few chips on the bottom tube, but that looks like its
from bring transported because the rest of the bike is in great shape.
Once I detail it and get a sunny day, I'll post some fresh pics.

[XRaptor]

Originally Posted by 2ndgen

Nice!

And thanks!
How is she shifting with the SLX/XT bits?
I'm so tempted to upgrade the groupset at the very least.

My Shug has a few chips on the bottom tube, but that looks like its
from bring transported because the rest of the bike is in great shape.
Once I detail it and get a sunny day, I'll post some fresh pics.

Oh it makes a WORLD of difference! Its like night and day! After that upgrade it felt like a new bike. Smooth fast shifting on demand. Your talking about 8 year old components and upgrading it to today's standers. It really makes the bike fly.

[2ndgen]

Originally Posted by XRaptor

Oh it makes a WORLD of difference! Its like night and day! After that upgrade it felt like a new bike. Smooth fast shifting on demand. Your talking about 8 year old components and upgrading it to today's standers. It really makes the bike fly.

Thanks. Just what I "didn't" want to hear!

I actually have a road bike that I took from entry-level Sora/Tiagra all the way up to the creme of the crop Dura Ace.
My LX Deore bits aren't shifting as nice as I'm use to. I just lubed it again and am going to see how it runs.
I've tuned it up to where she shifts gears well enough, but I'm a stickler for smooth shifting.
But you know what'll come next if I go with the groupset right? Fork then brakes then paint.

I already have $800. into this Shug with another $300. coming in.
Again, all stuff I can transfer over to another bike.
I'm looking at a Turner 5 Spot for my über-bike.
But then again, I might just keep this one too.
Can't have too many bikes you know.

[XRaptor]

Originally Posted by 2ndgen

Thanks. Just what I "didn't" want to hear!

I actually have a road bike that I took from entry-level Sora/Tiagra all the way up to the creme of the crop Dura Ace.
My LX Deore bits aren't shifting as nice as I'm use to. I just lubed it again and am going to see how it runs.
I've tuned it up to where she shifts gears well enough, but I'm a stickler for smooth shifting.
But you know what'll come next if I go with the groupset right? Fork then brakes then paint.

I already have $800. into this Shug with another $300. coming in.
Again, all stuff I can transfer over to another bike.
I'm looking at a Turner 5 Spot for my über-bike.
But then again, I might just keep this one too.
Can't have too many bikes you know.

Sounds like a winner! Have some fun with your GF. Its one hell of a ride.

[2ndgen]

Fighting the Upgraditis.



Definitely going with a WTB saddle and a Salsa post clamp and a set of XTR Trail Pedals
(even though my PDM737 SPD's are working perfectly fine). The pedals alone would
drop my bike's weight by more than 1/2 lb (240g). All these are in line with my "keepable"
upgrade option.

My OEM Bontrager Superstock wheels are true and roll well and they are in great shape aesthetically.
There is absolutely NO reason for me to swap out the wheels.
BUT! Came across a great deal on a set of Mavic Crosstrails.
The swap would drop 369g's from the 30.1lb weight of the Sugar.
Not an insignificant amount. If I went with the wheels and pedals,
I'd drop a full 1.34lbs taking the Sug down to about 28.76lbs.

Granted, I got the bike's weight on a bathroom scale, so it may very well
be less than 30lbs already, but I'm not getting weenie on this bike.
(Have a Park Tool table top scale and hanging scale on the way)
It's just great to find a rig for $300. that is already at 30lbs.
I must admit, getting her to 27ish pounds would be nice though.

After that, the only other upgrades left would be the groupset, fork and brakes.
And "if" I went with the brakes, that would mean another wheel swap.

It's so hard "not" upgrading it. I want to see how far I can take her.
She's billed as an XC bike, but I think the Sugar's overbuilt for that.
It makes a really nice trail bike. I wouldn't go AM with it,
but it looks sturdy enough to take a light beating.

[ssalmons]

Originally Posted by 2ndgen

... it may very well
be less than 30lbs already, but I'm not getting weenie on this bike.

Sounds like you already are, forget about the weight, go ride and have fun.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by 2ndgen

So, what should I keep my eye out for?
What are the weak points?

They have a nasty habit of cracking on the rear triangle. Would normally be a warranty item, but since it is used......ride it til it breaks.

Also keep an eye on the mount for the rear shock on the front triangle, they have cracking issues around the weld.

[2ndgen]

Originally Posted by ssalmons

Sounds like you already are, forget about the weight, go ride and have fun.

Somewhat guilty as charged.

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

They have a nasty habit of cracking on the rear triangle. Would normally be a warranty item, but since it is used......ride it til it breaks. Also keep an eye on the mount for the rear shock on the front triangle, they have cracking issues around the weld.

Thanks! I am doing precisely that.

[2ndgen]

I should just do the wheels, saddle, clamp & pedals and call it a day. ($450./total more)
Then, just keep it as a back up bike even "after" the Turner is built.

Discs would cost me a total of $$500. more (disc wheels/brakes fr & r) for entry-level stuff,
it'd easily add a pound back to the bike and I doubt it would be worth it for how I ride.
The V's w/Kool Stops are good enough.

But damn...a decent used Fox 32 would look (and function) great on it.
Then it turns into a $2K 8 year old bike that can crack. Grrr.

See? It's like a disease.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by 2ndgen

I should just do the wheels, saddle, clamp & pedals and call it a day. ($450./total more)
Then, just keep it as a back up bike even "after" the Turner is built.

Discs would cost me a total of $$500. more (disc wheels/brakes fr & r) for entry-level stuff,
it'd easily add a pound back to the bike and I doubt it would be worth it for how I ride.
The V's w/Kool Stops are good enough.

But damn...a decent used Fox 32 would look (and function) great on it.
Then it turns into a $2K 8 year old bike that can crack. Grrr.

See? It's like a disease.

I would spend no more money on a 8 year old bike.

Save the money and buy a new/newer bike.

[2ndgen]

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

I would spend no more money on a 8 year old bike.

Save the money and buy a new/newer bike.

I bought it for 300. Everything else I put into it is transferable to my next bike (no loss there and I get the benefit of the upgrade
over the original parts replaced). Of the rest of the upgrades in mind, only the wheelset would basically not be able to be
used on my next bike (it's a rim brake specific wheel). The pedals and saddle and seat clamp, all transferable too.

I know for a fact I would greatly benefit from the wheelset. I already rock a set of Ksyriums on my road bike
(the MTB set I'm going to get is of the same caliber). "With" the wheelset, the Sugar would still only end up costing me $540.
For a back up bike, that's not bad at all. When I get the new bike, I'll swap the components with the current bike.
I'd still have a much better than stock Fisher and it wouldn't cost me anything more than the purchase price & wheelset.

So, I will "not" be going all out and upgrading to disc brakes/wheels & another fork.
And the wheelset I'm getting is overkill for this particular bike but damn worth it.

I will stop at my next set of upgrades and that's it (wheels, seat clamp, saddle and pedals).




Edit: What a little research yielded...
For about $15. more than the V-Brake wheelset,
I can get a set of BB7 brakes that'll work with my levers
and a 2010 disc wheelset with the same 2 year warranty.

The '09 V wheelset is a better wheel and weighs 150g's less.
The '10 disc wheelset is not as hot as the '09, but again,
there is only a 150g weight penalty and they are disc ready.
So, full upgrade to discs/wheelset? Only $300./shipped.
(For another $30., I can get the BB7 complete brakesets,
new levers, cables and all...that'd be waaaay better: $330.)

I'll decide in 24 hours.

[mtnbikej]

Originally Posted by 2ndgen

I bought it for 300. Everything else I put into it is transferable to my next bike (no loss there and I get the benefit of the upgrade
over the original parts replaced). Of the rest of the upgrades in mind, only the wheelset would basically not be able to be
used on my next bike (it's a rim brake specific wheel). The pedals and saddle and seat clamp, all transferable too.

I know for a fact I would greatly benefit from the wheelset. I already rock a set of Ksyriums on my road bike
(the MTB set I'm going to get is of the same caliber). "With" the wheelset, the Sugar would still only end up costing me $540.
For a back up bike, that's not bad at all. When I get the new bike, I'll swap the components with the current bike.
I'd still have a much better than stock Fisher and it wouldn't cost me anything more than the purchase price & wheelset.

So, I will "not" be going all out and upgrading to disc brakes/wheels & another fork.
And the wheelset I'm getting is overkill for this particular bike but damn worth it.

I will stop at my next set of upgrades and that's it (wheels, seat clamp, saddle and pedals).




Edit: What a little research yielded...
For about $15. more than the V-Brake wheelset,
I can get a set of BB7 brakes that'll work with my levers
and a 2010 disc wheelset with the same 2 year warranty.

The '09 V wheelset is a better wheel and weighs 150g's less.
The '10 disc wheelset is not as hot as the '09, but again,
there is only a 150g weight penalty and they are disc ready.
So, full upgrade to discs/wheelset? Only $300./shipped.
(For another $30., I can get the BB7 complete brakesets,
new levers, cables and all...that'd be waaaay better: $330.)

I'll decide in 24 hours.

Your frame requires a special adapter to run disc brakes......don't know whether Trek still makes/stocks them.

[2ndgen]

Originally Posted by mtnbikej

Your frame requires a special adapter to run disc brakes......don't know whether Trek still makes/stocks them.

Thanks.

From what I've read, it was for 2000 and 2001 frames I believe?
Didn't hear anything about it for 2002 & up.

When I order the brakes, I'm going to inquire on what frames they fit.
They come with adapters, but I'll have to find out if that adapter will
work with the Sug frame.

If it can't be done, then I'll just roll with the V's and the better/lighter wheelset.
But again, thanks for the insight.

[2ndgen]

I've made it through the temptation.
I decided to "not" go with the brake upgrade.

Just going with a WTB Rocket V Pro Saddle, (so far) a Salsa
Seat Post Clamp & a set of XTR985 Trail Pedals and that's it.

Going to start stackin' my chips for my next "Build".
I think this bike is done. That's as far as I'm going to take it.
Now, I'm just going to ride hard and put it up wet.
Thanks for the input fellas.