Submitted by
metal mike
a Downhiller
from gilford,nh. usa...
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2009
Strengths: very solid frame, decent parts spec,very smooth and stiff
rear end, pretty light for a dh rig,compared to many i've ridden !!!!!!!!!!!!
Weaknesses: ONLY issue has been the rear shock linkage bushings wearing out QUICKLY...(AND choice of brakeset issued ,bike HAD hayes
el caminos on it,quickly got rid of them !!!!!!!!!!!)
Bottom Line:
overall a GREAT bike ...i have put over 100 days on this bike,as well as doing MANY races with it also..easily manuverable on the trail.great feeing bike due to suspension
design, and STIFF in the back,thanks to the thru-12 design..
would give it 5 flamin chilis,BUT rear linkage bushing issue
makes me give it a 4..but,all in all i think it is THE best
D.H. bike cannondale has produced !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used: cannondale gemini (gracia model)
Bike Setup: marzocchi 888 world cup fork,roco world cup rear,all sram x.o.,fsa gravity team dh crankset,hayes brakes,deemax wheelset,crank bros. pedals,easton monkeylite carbon DH bar
Strengths: Very solid frame. . . Custom built it. Lots of travel , tried it in 6-10 ft jumps. . works great with the 5.0 dhx. Other huckers will love this frame. Never tried it on competition yet. . a bit heavy but hey, theyre supposed to be heavy if theyre built to eat up everythng. . . i love this frame!!!
Weaknesses: sizing, I dont there is a size that perfectly fits me
Bike Setup: fox40 rc2, sram x7, hayes nine, raceface diabolous, easton bars, titec seatpost, maxxis high roller 2.7 f/ 2.5 r, bontrager hubs and rims, fsa hs
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Shield
a Downhiller
from Stockton-on-Tees
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2007
Strengths: I bought the frame and custom built it. Awesome build quality, have a Ventana La Bruja and it is comparable to that. Appreciating that the La Bruja is more FR I road it at Fort William and bemt the seat tube!!! sent it back to the states and they did a great job. I wanted to do more of this kind of riding and the Judge laps it up with a single groan...unlike the ex. Extremely rigid and it has a excellent balance between plushness and stiffness. I am 6' 5" so I bought a large and the riding position is revolutionary for me as I previously feel like I have been riding on the bike whereas now I feel the bike has become an extension of me, part of me. It feels so responsive.... I can't wait to ride this bike.... everytime!!!
Weaknesses: There are lighter bikes around ....but they are a compromise!!
Bottom Line:
I would always recommend you try before you buy!! Because at the end of the day it is personal choice and YOU need to decide....but hey it is one hell of a joy machine!!!
Similar Products Used: Custom built Ventana La Bruja, Gemini 2000, Kona Stinky Deluxe
Bike Setup: Atomlab Pimp DHR rear, DT Swiss FR6.1D front, Maxxis High Rollers 2.8 front, 2.5 Rear, SRAM X9.0 rear mech, Saint chainset, DT Swiss 440 front/rear hubs....these are awesome!!!, Time clipless ATAC,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Stefan Roeder
a Downhiller
from Cologne, Germany
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2006
Strengths: Very easy to handle, burly, fast, well crafted, very stiff rear, corners extremly good
Weaknesses: None found yet !
Bottom Line:
This bike is a killer on the trails ! It takes your fears away and lets keep you "the pedal to the metal". Even on Uphills it works fine. This bike is a extremly good evolution of Cannondales Gemini DH bike ! The rear is working like they promised and helpt to accelerate the bike very quickly! If you can afford it - buy it !
Bike Setup: 888VF, Roco RC Coil, Louise FR, Mavic EX 823, Maxxis Minion 2.5", Sram X9 with Trigger, XT Front Derailleur, Truvativ Hussefelt w/36/22 Chainrings and Bashguard, FSA handlebar, Seatpost, WTB Pro V....
Just read the new pink bike article talking about Hannah joining the team, the last line hints at the new name perhaps. Anybody heard anything?
[url]http://www.pinkbike.com/mod Read More »
A few nice bikes/frames for sale in the classifieds:
Judge: [url]http://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=120&cat=500[/url]
Gemini: [url]http://classifieds.mtbr.co Read More »
