Weaknesses: Compression dampning knob is exposed to getting hit on rocks, logs, etc.
Bottom Line:
This fork rips! It can be tuned to be a long travel freeride fork or a short travel cross country fork. It also has an upgrade kit available that allows an air spring
Bike Setup: Giant ATX 890. xt/xtr drivetrain, avid arch rival
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Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Delhi, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Strengths: -Light -Looks great -Works Great -C3 dual adjust is super simple -Plush -Active
Weaknesses: -C3 adjustment knob is exposed each time wheel is removed
Bottom Line:
This fork is great, setup with a 200lbs spring for my weight and it works excellent, negative spring makes the top end super plush and lets it firm up on the big hits. The C3 dual adjust is simple to use but each time the front wheel is removed it is exposed, this could be a potential weak spot if the bike is dropped without a front wheel on. This fork still rocks though, and I got mine soooo cheap.
Submitted by
Alan Juneau
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Quebec
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001
Strengths: Quick adjust of compression and rebound damping. I like the feel (of oil?!). Cartrige has metal housing. Not plastic.
Weaknesses: Dual adjust knob is vulnerable at bottom of fork. I slip on a cardboard sleeve whenever i take the wheel off.
The rebound adjustment turned past its stopper a long time ago. Didn't affect ride.
Area distributor just changed hands. So i can't order for a while.
Bottom Line:
I ride 3-4 times a week for 3 seasons. Never maintanined it at all. Rode in below zero weather last weekend, and the shock got sticky. I dried, cleaned and lubed it. Insides look fine. Teflon bushings look fine. Tubes look new. Stickynesss is gone, but cartridge is dead. I'm going to attempt to order the same cartridge. I may also get a second for the follow-leg.
Similar Products Used: None. I've tried an air SID for a few minutes. It was smoother, but it was a leaky one.
Bike Setup: DeVinci Desperado CAN$1300 with shock.
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Submitted by
Simon
a Cross Country Rider
from Québec, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2001
Strengths: All adjustable. It will simply change your bike into an awesome bike! Very powerful shox!!!
Weaknesses: I had to change the C3 cartridge in the first days... but I didn't had any problem since!
Bottom Line:
I really recommend it because they are the most balanced for Downhill & X-Contry! If you don't believe me... Ride once with Judy SL and you'll know what I mean!!!
Strengths: this is a great shock for cross country or starters but ive been going for 6 months and im going freeride. very plush . easy to clean. you can use it for other things then cross country. cheap $$$
Weaknesses: seals arent very good. not enough travel.
Bottom Line:
the bottom line is if ur a cross country rider this fork is great but it doesnt last too long in freeriding. I highly reccomend to cross country riders!
Bike Setup: trek , bontrager handle bars , maxxis mobster , bontrager front wheel , sun rims , wellgo pedals , xt , cranks , and shimano quick shift shifters.
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Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Decatur, Il. USA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001
Strengths: Have not seen any strengths, as the fork blew a cartridge on the first five mile street ride.
Weaknesses: Blew oil cartridge in the first three days of ownership on My purchase of a new left-over 1999 mountain bike. L.B.S. sent the fork back to manufacturer for warranty over three weeks ago, have not seen or heard from manufacturer since.
Bottom Line:
If this is any indication of the quality of this particular fork, which, I have since read the other reviews on this fork, is a total lemon. Had I read and researched about the fork on this site, I would have not bought the particular model bike. My suggestion to anyone buying a non-current model with this fork, look for something else. The service from the manufacturer is terribly slow, leaving you with a sales receipt for a $1500.00 hardtail and nothing to ride!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used: I have had four Cannondale Hearshoks, with zero problems. One Manitou Spyder,(Specialized), two different RST281's, all of which gave me no problems.
Bike Setup: Stock, being that I only had posession of the bike for four days.
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Submitted by
Laci
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest
Weaknesses: Flexy, plastic parts, cartridge-type (must be greased inside quite often), not bombproof
Bottom Line:
I bought a used one from a friend but it was like new. I think it works great, but there are many weaknesses (you can read them above). At this price it was a great buy, but I will buy a different fork next time. I've read that someone used it for 3 or 4-foot drops and was disappointed when this fork fell apart. That's stupid!!! It's a cross-country fork. At the price I bought it's a 5-star fork, but overall it's only 3-star. Maybe 2.5
Similar Products Used: Judy XC, cheap Marzocchi, and tried some other for a ride
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Submitted by
Ray Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Marlborough
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001
Strengths: NONE!
Weaknesses: Were do you start
Bottom Line:
I cracked The arch on my 97 SL, then after about 1 month the bushings went. Bought this bike with 99 SL, took it off and put it on a GT Zaskar hardtail (because I knew it should not be on a bike called an Enduro). Bushing got sloppy after 5-10 rides. Went off a 3-4 foot drop the shock compressed and never returned. These forks are not made for Mountain Biking! Maybe if your a buck twenty. I don't know how they stay in bussiness. Oh ya, tried a Sylo (Rock Shox free ride fork). Bottoms out on 3 footers. Can you say lame. If your going to buy a rock shock you should consider a suspension stem (it will most likely work better).
Submitted by
TufTDT
a Cross Country Rider
from Alexandria, VA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2001
Strengths: It's a shock
Weaknesses: Cheap Components, Hard to find Repair Parts, RockShocks will not repair the fork under warranty even though they have admitted to the defects.
Bottom Line:
Just like all the previous posts have read if you are over 200 pounds you should stay away from this fork. The stock components that come with it are cheap and can not handle the stresses of a average rider. I blew out my fork riding over a log that had fallen across the trail. To make matters worse the service from rock shocks is just as bad. They wouldn't repair the fork under warranty even after admitting to known problems with it. They said the fork was to old. It came as stock equipment on my bike and I bought my bike new 8 months ago. I have been waiting for the repair parts for over a month.
Submitted by
b man
a Cross Country Rider
from ottawa
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2000
Strengths: All around performs well when stiff strings are added.
Weaknesses: Average fork, plush when you change spring to a stiffer one.Doesn't have good longevity, from day one, like all Rock Shox has play in it.
Bottom Line:
Average shock that will most certainly require a stiffer spring if you weigh 200 lbs or more. The bushings did not even last one season on my bike. The Shock rocks in term of performance with the stiffer springs, but even then will not last you if you are 200+.
Submitted by
Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000
Strengths: Nice Travel, Plush, Adjustability & firm when I need it.
Weaknesses: Durabitlity. Broke the lower bushing on the 4th ride. Took too long to get parts, but part of the wait was due to a terrible service shop.
Bottom Line:
Not a bad shock on the whole, but I was very surprised when I broke it so soon. My service guy said this was a defect that Rock Shox knew about and they have issued better bushings. We'll see how long the new one lasts.
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2000
Strengths: Plush ride and very adjustable(if you purchase additional springs). Installed the long travel kit which increased the fork's sensitivity to smaller objects.
Weaknesses: Durability! Both the plastic/nylon inards and the cartridge have broken multiple times. Rock Shock warrentied the parts, but took at least a week each time. Sucks when you can't ride due to equipment failure.
Bottom Line:
Rides exceptionally well when your not waiting for parts from Rock Shock.
Submitted by
andy fontaine
a Weekend Warrior
from lander, wy usa
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2000
Strengths: the judy has travel, and thats about it
Weaknesses: the damping sucks! when i had a hardtail, the judy's were great, when i got an LTS-1, it turned the judy into a pile of junk. it is just not supple on the small stuff, and when downhilling on rocky, technical wyoming trails, it sucks. not smooth, not controlled, not enough travel. The damping adjuster dosen't do very much. ELATOMERS SUCK, especially if you ride in under 50 degree temps. it turns to a rock
Bottom Line:
the judy would have been great in 1993, since then rock shox has rested on their corporate asses and slacked off.
