upgrades for my sugar

[guitarsark]

I'm thinking about doing some upgrading this year. maybe a new front or rear shock. it currently has a cane creek ad-12 and manitou mars. any suggestions? it's a 2001 sugar 2. pic attached. thanks

[AA]

I'd say that the upgrades that you would notice the most would be fork, rear shock, disc brakes / wheelset. If you do replace the wheelset perhaps consider tubless for more traction at lower tire pressure. I dont think that the bike will ride or feel any different with other component upgrades.

How's this for a suggestion, a custom paint job!

[guitarsark]

what would you recommend for front and rear shocks?
I was thinking maybe go with 100 mm up front..
maybe some kind of fox in the rear but not sure what to get.
thanks

[Tim]

Sounds like you've got upgradeitis! I'd stay away from the 100mm shock on that bike -- you might get away with it on a bigger frame, but on that size you're gonna mess up the handling. On the rear shock, is there something about the AD-12 you don't like? I'm a coil / oil person myself, but I thought the Cane Creeks were pretty solid for an air shock.

As a veteran upgrader, I'd vote for disks and a disk wheelset, provided your frame has disk tabs. Disks are vastly easier to modulate in all conditions and retain their power in wet conditions. As far as cost goes, you can find XT hubs and Mavic 317s (a good choice for a lightweight) for about $180, and a set of Avid cable disks will run you about the same. I really think you'll notice more difference in your riding with disks than you will with an upgraded fork / shock.

Or here's another idea: take a bike vacation! Grab a look at www.bikeverbier.com's picture section -- and be careful not to drool on the keyboard!

Tim

How is your riding experiance being diminished by your bike.
Can't stop fast enough?
Bottoming out on drops?
Too many pinch flats?
Pedal bob?
Dont like the color?
We are here to help you, tho we need to understand the problem.

Not much will make as much of a change and improvement in your bike for the money as replacing the fork, then disks if you ride a lot in the wet or are a agressive rider. Try considering a Fox Float 100, Manitou Minute series or Black Elite maybe a Marz MX Pro 105. 100 mm will be just fine . The AD 12 could be traded in for a cloud nine for about 275 at Cane Creek. Talk to them, the Cloud Nine is a good lightweight cost effective upgrade if you decide to go there. The AD 12 is ok but not as adj and smooth as the C. N.

[digger]

An idea for a front fork - Fox TALAS - run at 85 and maintain your current geometry - ski area downhill runs at 125 - or anything in between. I changed out a Black for a Vanilla and the improvement is pronounced, in steering precison as well as plushness. When you sell the Sugar the old fork can go back on and the Fox goes to your next frame.