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Jackrabbit Slim
10-12-2006, 11:26 PM
Does anybody else out there have (or worked on) a GF Sugar that they tried changing the front crank and BB on? I've got a '02 Sugar 4+ and just bought a new XT front crank set which does not fit. One of the "adapter" pieces is hitting part of the bikes frame. Any ideas?
Pete Hamer
10-13-2006, 09:55 AM
The newer frames have that part of the chainstay cut away for the outboard bottom bracket bearing cups. When your frame was built they hadn't produced the outboard style bottom brackets. I am not suggesting that you do it but I've seen people grind their frames down to make it work. Have you tried contacting Trek to see what they say? 1-800-879-8735
Jackrabbit Slim
10-13-2006, 10:35 AM
So the word from Trek is that I should buy a new swingarm that they have made to work out this problem...for $450:sick: !! I guess I'll try to track down the old kind of XT front crankset...maybe even XTR!
My intention with this bike was to wait a couple years and upgrade the parts, guess I waited too long.
CadexCFM
10-13-2006, 11:27 AM
THe Race Face Deus XC crankset works just fine on my GF sugar. Chuck at behind bars fit it perfect but had to remove the rear triangle to get them on. I do sometimes get some chain suck that over time has grinded into the aluminum part of the carbon chain stay right next to the chain rings, but it worked it self out so it isn't a problem anymore. I hear more stories about the carbon triangles breaking and that you can only replace it with aluminum now:cryin:. The carbon just has a sexy look to it when it's left raw. Better start looking for a new carbon FS frame:
http://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=9702#


And there she is, frame only.
Pete Hamer
10-13-2006, 12:55 PM
THe Race Face Deus XC crankset works just fine on my GF sugar. Chuck at behind bars fit it perfect but had to remove the rear triangle to get them on. I do sometimes get some chain suck that over time has grinded into the aluminum part of the carbon chain stay right next to the chain rings, but it worked it self out so it isn't a problem anymore. I hear more stories about the carbon triangles breaking and that you can only replace it with aluminum now:cryin:. The carbon just has a sexy look to it when it's left raw. Better start looking for a new carbon FS frame:
http://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=9702#


And there she is, frame only.

It would be easier to deflate/remove the shock and pivot the swingarm up and out of the way. This techique is useful on the new style frames as well because it makes more room for the b.b. tool while you are working.
Jackrabbit Slim
10-17-2006, 03:38 PM
THe Race Face Deus XC crankset works just fine on my GF sugar. Chuck at behind bars fit it perfect but had to remove the rear triangle to get them on. I do sometimes get some chain suck that over time has grinded into the aluminum part of the carbon chain stay right next to the chain rings, but it worked it self out so it isn't a problem anymore. I hear more stories about the carbon triangles breaking and that you can only replace it with aluminum now:cryin:. The carbon just has a sexy look to it when it's left raw. Better start looking for a new carbon FS frame:
http://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=9702#


And there she is, frame only.

Chain suck has already eaten into the aluminum at that point on my frame. My motivation to upgrade from Bontrager to Shimano XT was to get away from chain suck. How did the chain suck work itself out? The only way I can avoid it is to shift with no...yes ZERO pressure ghost peddaling from the middle to smallest front chain ring.
I returned the XT crankset today and am now looking for the Octalink version of either XT or XTR. PM if you have something you want to sell.
Crash
10-17-2006, 04:21 PM
My motivation to upgrade from Bontrager to Shimano XT was to get away from chain suck.

Have you tried just replacing the rings and chain? It is probably not the cranks that are causing the chain suck.

More than anyone ever wanted to know is here (http://fagan.co.za/Bikes/Csuck/)
Jackrabbit Slim
10-18-2006, 02:57 PM
Have you tried just replacing the rings and chain? It is probably not the cranks that are causing the chain suck.

More than anyone ever wanted to know is here (http://fagan.co.za/Bikes/Csuck/)

Yes, more than once. From what others have said on the MTBR site for my year of Sugar 4, replacing the cranks did the trick.