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Submitted by
brayden joy
a Downhiller
from toowoomba, QLD, AUS
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | McEnzie Frenzy | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Bottom Line: | my rear derailer is pulling away from the cog instead of pulling towards it, if u can help me email on brayden_joy@hotmail.com, its a great bike anyway. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C Rider
a Downhiller
from Montogomery, Alabama, Usa
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Joes Bikes | | Strengths: | Everything a great beginner downhill bike. Perfect for someone just starting DH biking or anyone inbetween!!! | | Weaknesses: | None at all perfect bike!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale F700 | | Bike Setup: | Perfect Urban/Downhill | | Bottom Line: | The best bike iv ridden for the money a great buy!!! I recommend to all!!!- Verry Happy Customer:) | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
capt. cannondale
a Cross Country Rider
from U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | trail of tears | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | mtb classified | | Strengths: | I made a mistake and listed my review under 2003 gemini 900.This is for 2003 gemini 1000. | | Weaknesses: | very few | | Similar Products Used: | too many to list. | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock | | Bottom Line: | great freeride bike, with a little work and $$ can be made into asskick downhill machine you won't be disappointed with this ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dark Star
a Downhiller
from Vamsterdam, BC
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | al the knarly, lost souls, trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Johnny 's Rockets | | Strengths: | Everything | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | All of the high-end "wannabees" | | Bike Setup: | From 170mm to 300mm, triple to twin rings up front, Sun Fat Mammoths to Sun Double Wides and 2.5s to 3.0s this frame is capable of anything this side of Bender Drops. | | Bottom Line: | This frame is so versatile that you can set it up for any type of terrain from scale verticals to eye watering 10,000 foot "nera death" runs filled with long gaps and deep drops.
Depending on the arsenal of components you can afford to have at the ready, this frame will spit in the eye of nature and simply laugh about it.
In Tangelow and with lots of black components it is a heart-throb and sits like it is all business without ever having to turn a wheel and whoopass up on whatever it faces.
Rails like a lazor and climbs like a goat and runs out like a light weight xc-r and is balanced and just loves big air.
I rate this frame with an entire acre of Flamin' Sensi Bubs and if you boys from Cdale ever get to Vamsterdam, look me up cuz' I have some beautiful "flamins" for you to enjoy while you're up here in the True FREE North.
Just ask for Johnny Rocket and you will be in for the time of your lives ... on the house boys! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jared Wilkinson
a
from St George Ut USA
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Barrel Trail, JEM, Gooseberry | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles Unlimited | | Strengths: | This is the best St george bike there is. If you have ridden here you know we lots of rocks and lots of climbs. Lefty Max Rules! | | Weaknesses: | The fox float rear shock works well in the 5.5 and 6 inch settings, but if you want to run the bike in the 7 inch mode there is not enough compression dampning and you blow through the travel way too quick. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll. Santa Cruz Bullit and Heckler. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Tarantula 2x9 crankset (who needs a granny gear?) Easton monkeylite 2.5 inch rise bar, Synchros Ti post Time pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rips. I can't realy think of any other way to put it. If you are an agressive rider who likes to ride technical precision riding this is the ultimate. IF you ride in shttle run areas you may want to consider putting an 8 inch rotor on the front because the suspension on this bike will enable you to exceed the stopping power of the Martas. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Smith
a Downhiller
from Orem, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim- Moab, UT | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Strong, rigid frame
Hayes hydraulic disc brakes
Weirwolf 2.5 tires
Lefty Jake front fork
| | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Bullit | | Bike Setup: | Lefty Jake front fork, Hayes hydraulic disc brakes, XT components, Wellgo magnesium platform pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I was looking for a used Gemini on Ebay for two years before I found my bike, and it was definitely worth the wait. It had some worn parts taken from other bikes, but this allowed me to choose my own new parts. It weighs well under 32 pounds and climbs like a champ. I put the rear shock on the highest travel setting and haven't looked back since. This bike is great for all types of terrain and riding conditions. I expect to ride this bike for many years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob austin
a Weekend Warrior
from Comox, bc, vancouver island
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Two Sheiks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Fort Street Cycle, Victoria | | Strengths: | Great relaxed geometry,67 degree head angle. Left Max TPC+ is a great fork.
Light weight...31.2 lbs. balanced handling. effecient peddler. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. Very well spec'd out. No jink on the bike | | Similar Products Used: | Turner RFX. and turner XCE. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except I put hayes on when purchased instead of Martas. good decision. | | Bottom Line: | I own a Turner RFX that with Super T etc, weighs 41 1/2 lbs and it is tough to climb for an hour and a half with it and the cross counrty rides are just so so. It excells on downhill, jumps etc.
The Gemini climbs much better than the Turner due to the light weight and what seems to be a more effecient suspension. It just rails on the cross country stuff and is great on the steeps and downhill. I will keep the Turner for shuttles and ski hill riding but the Gemini is a much better all round bike. I have nothing but good to say about the Lefty Max fork. It is essentially an inverted triple crown and feels as stiff and nearly as plush as the T. This is the last year the bike comes with the lefty....next year only single and triple crown forks. Get one now because, in a bit...they are gone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James L
a Downhiller
from Vancouver isl. , BC Canada
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | snakes and ladders | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2437.00 | | Purchased At: | Fort Street Cycle | | Strengths: | -8 hayes hydros
-awesome handling
-Mavic d321 disc rims
-adjustible travel for 5.5, 6, or 7inch
-inspires confidance in downhill runs
-beatifully crafted frame with yellow and flames :-) (2002)
-lightweight frame allows for manouverability and uphill riding if necessary
-1.5in headtube
-decent components
| | Weaknesses: | -psylo forks, shimano cranks, possibly fox RC
the shimano cranks were a bad idea on this bike. they make some bad noise if abused. At least they are splined so they will last for a while. Yes, my claim that psylos are good freeride forks has been withdrawn. they leaked one two many times. I guess they were speced to match the versitility of the rear suspension, but it was not a good idea afterall, as the durability and damping are poor for freeride.
As for the fox.... it has blown 3 times, oil leakage. not C'dales fault, fox needs to get their act together. | | Similar Products Used: | -I have tested: kona stinky, super v 400, norco vps atomic, launch, drop, buzz, | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for New Jr. T's (as well as marzocchi integrated stem), Fi'zik atlas saddle, raceface bashguard. | | Bottom Line: | *note this is for 2002 model*
Great bike, period. Great bike for agressive all mountain, freeride, and downhill (with a few component changes). Great price, and components, except for those indicated in the cons section. Performs as excpected, with great handling and big hit capability. The frame has an excellent finish, and a 3 year warranty... not one year like most companies. A great ride with confidence inspiring charactoristics. It can also accept almost any fork like shivers, monsters, supers/jrs, Manitous, including shermans.
Dont Like Cannondale? Alright, not many teenagers do; they all have to get what their friends have.Im happy with the Gemini, and it outperforms most freeride bikes ive ridden.
However, if you plan on buying a gemini, get a 2004 model, because it comes with a perfect component spec right out of the box. Overall? 5 Stars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fatman
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Red Hill, Oxford Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | SIC Bikes,St Ives | | Strengths: | Light, Strong, Lefty MAX is awesome,great handling,versatile.Marta brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Stripped thread from lefty,cable routing,remote lockout. | | Similar Products Used: | GT,Yeti,Santa Cruz,etc | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XT cranks,EA50 bars,Crank Bros.Mallet pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike for heaps of uses, use different travel settings changes the personality of this bike.5" for hardcore XC and 7" for DH. Chose this rig over Yeti and Santa Cruz and haven't regretted the purchase. The stripped thread happened in the first week, the only downside of this otherwise flawless machine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Hopkins
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Arroyo Seco Back Country! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo Fountain Valley | | Strengths: | Whole Bike as a package.
| | Weaknesses: | Dragging Hayes 8" discs? | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Raven Super V | | Bike Setup: | All stock except for 600lb shock spring | | Bottom Line: | Updating original review from last May.
This bike just keeps getting better and better. Makes me improve my skills with every ride. Handles everything well: ruts, streams, climbs, descents, jumps, drops. Keeps me sharp. 8" discs stop NOW!
Still looking for the 'bobbing' thing...haven't found it yet.
Is said that this is a heavy bike, but haven't noticed the heft during my assaults up the Mt. Lowe Railway paved section...only noticed my lack of conditioning.
LX group still cranking away! Who said 'freeride bikes' can't do it all? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leif
a Cross Country Rider
from st augustine, fl
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | santos | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike America | | Strengths: | Almost everything. Frame quality, lefty max is amazing, super adjustable, stiffer than any other dual crown by a mile (easily the best 5" fork available) super smooth ride | | Weaknesses: | Cranks, cable routing is funny, just protect the frame with clear chainstay protectors before you ride and no problem. This is a must. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll, scalpel, hardtail, kona stinky, jamis dakar, klein palomino(horrid) | | Bike Setup: | stock, except for ruffian lock on grips | | Bottom Line: | Wow! I was doubtful, about it before I bought it, but this thing is amazing. I put flats on it for urban assault, and clipless for trails with lots of climbing. With clipless, and a correct pedal stroke, there is no noticeable bob. A little bit with flats.Climbs fantastic except for a slack head angle. Everything is super stiff, fork, and the rear swingarm just does not have any play. Like any bike, keep proper maintenance, cleaning, lubing etc, and the thing is awesome. You won't regret it. Oh, did I mention it is just under 31 lbs with pedals! The 900 is 34lbs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark trewin
a Weekend Warrior
from england
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | peak district | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | leisure lakes | | Strengths: | its a cannondale and so on | | Weaknesses: | lefty max this folk as a alloy spindel the last lefty had a titanium and the first a steel.The latest one lost all threads on pulling the hub on to the spindel.(only used three times) fork sent back to cannondale to have a replacment.(the hub took so much effort to pull on a alloy spindle had no chance) | | Similar Products Used: | ranen 1(2y) super v (2)jekyll 3000(3) with lefty frame only and still have f800 (2y) with lefty Never had a problem until now. | | Bike Setup: | standard | | Bottom Line: | cannondale haw can a alloy spindel stand up to the amount of use that a lefty steel or titanium can take.
This will not be the first time this fork goes back to cannondale. I only took the wheel off three times and each time it took a bite out of the thread. I have had leftys for three yeas and never a problem | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stunt23
a Weekend Warrior
from Rochester, NY
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Plattekill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Frame, wheels, overall component selection except for... | | Weaknesses: | The cranks, BB, and LX stuff. Cable routing of rear derailleur has caused a dent on seat tube from heavy rub. The Pyslo fork is flexable and not for freeriding. | | Similar Products Used: | Bullit | | Bike Setup: | I've made the following upgrades: 500lbs spring, Evil chain guide, Raceface NS DH cranks and Signature DH BB, Azonic A Frames, Marzocchi Super T, ODI grips, XT cassette, the rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the 2002 model. Let me begin by saying that I have beat the hell out of this bike (and myself) over the last few months. I had to up the spring rate by 50 pounds to better suit my weight of 190lbs. Once I did that drops and jumps were smoother and there was less bottoming.
One feature I love is the BB clearance. I am often looking back at my friends who are struggling over rocks and logs that I just rolled over.
Pedaling and climbing aren't much of an issue. There is little or no bob except when I'm really hammering. Upping the spring rate helped this as well. Climbs are slower!!! This bike weighs over 37lbs now and it shows. But the suffering on the climbs is worth it once you reach the top. This bike really hauls a$$ on downhill sections.
Another thing I noticed quickly was how well the bike felt balanced and predicdable. It inspires confidance, and has helped me to become a better rider much sooner.
Overall I liked the component selection. For the price I paid it was a great start, and upgrades came as thing wore out or needed to be improved. After 4 months of thrashing and crashing the drive train was virtually destroyed. I ride hard and needed stronger components. The fork also did it's job for a while as well. However because this bike has helped me go bigger, a better fork with more travel was a must have. The psylo is now on my trail bike were it belongs.
The only real problem I've had with the bike is the routing of the rear derailleur cable. It has caused not only the paint to wear, but the aluminum also. It's an easy fix if you catch it in time. Just zip tie some old tire in between and keep an eye on it.
Bottom line: Don't listen to the Cannondale haters. Yes there are better bikes out there, but for the money this bike is the sh!t. It will get you on the trails for less money down, and just like a more expensive rig, you will have to upgrade anyway as things wear and break. No one can read the labels on your bike unless your standing still!
I do not work for, or in the bike industry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Hopkins
a
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Rotator Cuff-Orange County Arroyo Seco-Upper & Lower Angeles Nat'l Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo Fountain Valley | | Strengths: | Well built, well spec'd, very pretty! Light-ish weight for what is is...
| | Weaknesses: | 'Cockpit' is a bit cramped for my height [6', 215lbs]. Questioning LX components but they're working just fine.
| | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Raven Super V
| | Bike Setup: | Stock for now... Maybe replace LX stuff with XT or XTR. | | Bottom Line: | Sooooooo loving this bike. Great components to start with; upgrades will come as necessary. Much heavier than my previous bike [carbon fiber Raven] yet sooooo much more stable. Disc brakes are sooooo sweet. Suspension gobbles up terrain. Little, if NO bobbing...pedaling is VERY stable! Climbs and descends like a beast.
Need just a bit more reach to the handlebars but can fix that easily. Platform 545 pedals add to stability of whole package. AND...got this $2800 bike for a steal at Supergo! 33% off...It even has "The Look!"
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Minehead, somerset, UK
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynmouth, N.Devon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Mudock Cycles | | Strengths: | The slack head angle makes it ultra stable on bumpy and rutted trails. the high bottom bracket gives loads of clearance over rocky descents. I found the bike to be pretty versatile and less of a compromise than say a 'Bullit.' It even climbs pretty well for what is essentially a more extreme freeride bike. The finish is excellent the suspension is ultra plush without becoming a bobbing nightmare. | | Weaknesses: | cable routing is a joke; too many kinks and bends. you cannot use pre 9 speed chainsets unless you space out the bottom bracket, (and if you do this you need and XTR front mech to get big ring), otherwise you wear the front of the swingarm away (this isn't really a weakness it's just something I experienced), there are no bottle mounts; which is ok unless you do a lot of night riding and then you have to mount the battery on the rear end of the seatpost, this limits the distance you can put the seat down. | | Similar Products Used: | The reason there's nothing in the price paid category is because I broke a few Ravens before they gave me this one under warranty. I suppose and with any luck, the way you ride changes over time and like many others I've ended up with a completely different bike than I startd with. | | Bike Setup: | Fox air shock, Marzocchi Z1's with lockout, XTR chainset, Hope brakes/Headset/hubs on mavic 219's, Tioga DH tyres, | | Bottom Line: | it's a great bike for anything from long day rides, aggressive trail riding to downhill racing.
I went on holiday to Colorado and Utah last year and it never let me down; It climbs very well considering It was in the 6" travel mode the whole time and the suspension was very plush. The cable routing isn't really a big deal and if night riding's your thing (and it shoud be) you can always pick up a bottle mount 'seat post adaptor.'
The finish is excellent, the paint (matt black) is ultra hard wearing considering the abuse I've given it.
However, on fast windy singletracks the stability you get from the slack head angle makes it a little slow to turn, but then this is a small trade off for a bike that does everything else so well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Weiner
a
from London, England
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$3300.00 | | Purchased At: | On your Bike | | Strengths: | Brilliant geometry. Cockpit was a bit short, but XY post sorted that out. The adjustable travel is also good great. A good strong frame, perfect if you want to upgrade it later on. But also a well spec'd component package out of the box. | | Weaknesses: | Firstly the swingarm pivot. Had the bike 8 months and for the first 5 it was fine, but since I have taken it back to the store 4 times to get it fixed. They replaced the bolt under warranty, but since then have gone back twice and they have tightened it all up with loc-tite. This week it developed play again so hopefully they will replace the frame under warranty. Also had trouble with the remote lock-out lever on the bars. Removed it after a the 1st month. Who needs lock out on this frame anyway? | | Similar Products Used: | RM7, Kona Stinky Primo | | Bike Setup: | Race Face XY post, Shiver Forks, Hope M4s 8", Nokkian Gazza Jr on Mavic 321's. Rest Stock. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. Despite all the problems ive had with the pivot i still would recommend it to anyone. A great freeride machine that can be built into a DH rig. Cannondale have done their homework and produced a winning bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damion Turchetto
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage, Alaska (USA)
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Spencer's Loop (WC XC Trail) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3200.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Shop | | Strengths: | Adjustable rear (140, 150, 170mm), ISCG tabs on frame, floating brake boss on frame, comes with Fox Float, but can use Fox, Romic, or Progressive... The Lefty MAX is the Sh.t- this fork rules the 5" travel market | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | C-Dale Jekyll 2000 with Lefty DLR | | Bike Setup: | Thompson post/ Selle Italia Genuine gel combo, Easton Monkey Lite Bar, switched magura for hayes 8" | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the best 5" travel bike I have ever ridden. The frame can be built into a downhill monster if you want it to. ( Just ask Cedric Gracia, 2nd place, 2002 Red Bull Rampage) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shannon fisher
a Weekend Warrior
from Junction City, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Portal, Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2695.00 | | Purchased At: | crappy LBS | | Strengths: | Sucks up the drops, rides like it's 10 pounds lighter than it is. Suspension is more suited to freeriding, ramps, trials type moves than my bullit. This bike is awesome and handles great for me. You might not like it, but, hey, you're not me! The frame is really rigid, no flex. | | Weaknesses: | The psyhlo fork has got to go, way to flexy for a bike of this weight. Soon to upgrade to a Marzocchi Shiver or Super T, will repost then. | | Similar Products Used: | Bullit | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded to: Race Face North Shore DH cranks, RF Signature FR BB, Thomson stem, Chris King ISO rear hub(noisy, but sweet!) Evil chainguide | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking for a complete bike that's ready to ride the drops, and don't want to build your own, then this is the route to go. Like the other reviewer says, spend the extra cash for the 2000, and get the fork upgrade if you can afford it. Check out the pick of my ride at singletracker dot com | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
c hhh
a
from Bozitron
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | trail to happiness | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Back bay bikes | | Strengths: | its just a lot of fun | | Weaknesses: | climbs not so good but better than a bullit | | Bike Setup: | added a rockshox boxxer | | Bottom Line: | gemini is an awesome bike and i ride it to death but it rarely breaks. I dont recommend keeping the psylo unless you plan on doing a ton of climbing , but if you do its still pretty nice. I added a boxxer and now it the bike feels like im floating on a cloud. The 321 wheels that it comes with are sooooooooooo good, heavy but good. the 1000 is the best deal but if youre gonna do heavy stuff, spring for the 2000, because it pays for the fork alone | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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