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Submitted by
Janusz K
a Cross Country Rider
from Warsaw
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Bottom Line: | Great fork , I had a crash with a car and I've ben my frame Author Egoist , but fork works fine ... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew M.
a Racer
from Kingston
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | S&M | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Private Deal | | Strengths: | Super Adjustable. | | Weaknesses: | Compression dampning knob is exposed to getting hit on rocks, logs, etc. | | Similar Products Used: | Marazocchi Z.3 | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 890. xt/xtr drivetrain, avid arch rival | | 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 | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Delhi, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Devils Spine | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | private sale | | 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
| | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SX, RS Jett XC | | Bike Setup: | '99 Klein Mantra Comp | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alan Juneau
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal, Quebec
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Vermont snoe shoe trails. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | AndreCycle | | 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. | | 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. | | 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.
"I'm a climber, not a grease geek" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Cross Country Rider
from Québec, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Pédalier | | 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! | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Quadra 21R, Rock Shox Mag 21, RST 167, Rock Shox Judy T2. (Just can't compare to Judy SL) | | Bike Setup: | KONA U'HU {Rock Shox Judy SL, Fox Alp 5} GREAT BIKE! | | 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!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a
from North Shore , whistler
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | sumas trails are all killer | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | used | | 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.
| | Similar Products Used: | rock shocks jet 3" | | Bike Setup: | trek , bontrager handle bars , maxxis mobster , bontrager front wheel , sun rims , wellgo pedals , xt , cranks , and shimano quick shift shifters. | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Decatur, Il. USA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any close to home | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | L.B.S. | | 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. | | 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. | | 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Laci
a Cross Country Rider
from Budapest
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Every trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Friend | | Strengths: | Damping, weight (1530 grams), colour (black) | | Weaknesses: | Flexy, plastic parts, cartridge-type (must be greased inside quite often), not bombproof | | Similar Products Used: | Judy XC, cheap Marzocchi, and tried some other for a ride | | 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 | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Marlborough
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam- MA | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | On new bike | | Strengths: | NONE! | | Weaknesses: | Were do you start | | Similar Products Used: | 95 Judy XC, 97 Judy SL | | Bike Setup: | 99 Specialized Enduro Expert hopped up suspension with Mar.CR1- 130 mm | | 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). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Hirose, Japan
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | I'm light 63kg and fork handles most things well. No problems so far. Can take a hard ride. | | Weaknesses: | Original springs a little soft. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou SX-E (not so good) | | Bike Setup: | Araya with XT hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Seems to be reliable but time will tell. Not unhappy after 4 hour gruelling enduro course. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TufTDT
a Cross Country Rider
from Alexandria, VA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Shaffer Farms | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | 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. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR expert | | 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. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
b man
a Cross Country Rider
from ottawa
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | the ones that spank me...... | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Bomber/X-vert/Manitou Mars | | Bike Setup: | Devinci Desperado XTR/XT set up. | | 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+. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | West Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Judy XC | | Bike Setup: | FSR Expert - Judy SL, SID, XT (Great Ride) | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Walker | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | 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. | | Bike Setup: | FSR Expert,XT,SID rear | | Bottom Line: | Rides exceptionally well when your not waiting for parts from Rock Shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy fontaine
a Weekend Warrior
from lander, wy usa
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | pete's lake | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | all sorts rock shox, manitou 3, I WANT A MARZOCCHI | | Bike Setup: | stock '97 GT LTS-1 xt parts- it kicks ass except for fork | | Bottom Line: | the judy would have been great in 1993, since then rock shox has rested on their corporate asses and slacked off.
1.5 piles of S&*$ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zach Widman
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, IN USA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | havn't found one yet! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | very plush
great shock untill..... | | Weaknesses: | piece of freaking crap....
pretty bad that it broke on a curb 4 inches tall just outside of my high school....not very reliable
| | Similar Products Used: | Headshock | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Gary Fisher Ziggurat:
Sun Ringle RPM Light wheels
XTR,XT drivetrain, Rock Shox(junky)Judy SL
| | Bottom Line: | I love riding my bike. It is the only sport I have actually ever enjoyed. I worked my butt of last summer just so I could purchase the bike I had thought about all the time for months. It is one of my favorite things to do and to have to give it up for a month or so, so Rock Shox can put another defective piece of monkey dung in it pisses me off royaly. I am not one of those guys who rides their X-country bike like a downhill bike(i couldn't if i wanted to where i live). All i did was go to my high school to show off a litte bit with my best bud and i rode off of a small curb and my Judy SL just died. I pushed on it a couple of times and it just bottomed out. This is ridiculous consedering the fact that it has 80mm of travel...I mean come on! I have done all of the maintenace it said it required and it still does this. I am a young guy (almost 18) and I can't afford to go out and purchase brand new suspension for my bike. I thought I was getting a quality shock for the money I paid. I guess not! Well, I just hope my awesome rip off doesn't pull this crap on me this race season! Thanks Rock Shox for the wonderful experience! I'll give it two chiles for being fun while it lasted! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Kinderhook, NY
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | adjustability (R&C); fairly light weight; ease of use; fork boots; low-maintenance; quite plush for 80mm; comes with disc brake mounts | | Weaknesses: | plastic adjuster knobs, couldn't find a spring rate that was exactly right (but that's a ridiculously small qualm) | | Similar Products Used: | Judy XC, Judy XL, McMahon dual crown, Manitou SX-Ti, Headshok, Manitou X-vert | | Bike Setup: | '99 specialized FSR expert, Judy SL in front, SID in rear | | Bottom Line: | i don't know what everyone's talking about, but i had absolutely no problems with this fork. i've had it since may'99, and i have not had to do a single thing to it. swapping springs is easy as hell; just try not to deform the cheesy plastic top caps when unscrewing.
in terms of durability, this fork is much better than any manitou i've played with. in fact, i blew a damper on brand new manitou X-Vert while simply compressing it in my shop. it's not the lightest fork out there, but if you want 80mm of plush, coil spring travel for XC riding, and don't want the Marzocchi price/weight, this is a damn good fork for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vuylsteke Pieter
a Racer
from StPietersRode, Belgium
Date Reviewed: December 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Langdorp. | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
plushness, adjustability, feeling | | Weaknesses: |
cartridge. | | Similar Products Used: |
Judy XC, '98 | | Bike Setup: |
Trek OCLV 9800, raceface, XTR, crossmax, ... | | Bottom Line: | wonderfull fork. during hard rocky decents, it makes you forget you are riding hard and dangerously.
But, ...
although this is not an air-fork, air gets into oil of the cartridge. Waiting for three months for a new (under guarantee) cartridge ... I'm 77kg (around 150pounds). but I ride long and hard. for me NEVER a fork with a cartridge anymore. will replace this fork because of this. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt
a Racer
from Scotsdale, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 2, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Sunset trail, Flagstaff az | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Bike Setup: |
Gary Fisher Ziggurat | | Bottom Line: | Hit a small bump, shattered the insides. has taken 4 weeks to get a replacement part covered under warranty. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Enrique
a Weekend Warrior
from Mexico
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
It handled fine until the 8th ride | | Weaknesses: |
Very fragile | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn S-10 full suspension | | Bottom Line: | My Judy SL fork came with my bike and on the 8th ride I hitted a rock at a very slow speed. I don't know why, but my fork just broke apart. The elastomer guide and a cartridge bushing were split in half. I am not a hardcore rider, so I was very shocked by this because it shouldn't happen to a new fork, at least not like this. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clayton
a Weekend Warrior
from Taiwan
Date Reviewed: June 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Newcastle Beach Aust | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bike Setup: |
Voodoo Bantu | | Bottom Line: | I would strongly recommend not to purchase this shock. Purchased outside the US, I have had nothing but trouble. After going coming down a fast downhill the shock snapped in half. This was not an extreme track and could have been dangerous. As the adjusters were always lose, the inside quickly coroded in the humidity. This was discovered when I tried to replace the outside casing. Poor quality for an expensive fork. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marteau
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ont.
Date Reviewed: April 19, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
The Gats | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Light, plush, yellow. | | Weaknesses: |
Damping adjustor falls off. | | Similar Products Used: |
Manitou SX, Bomber Z3, Indy XC, RST MOZO Pro. | | Bike Setup: |
Rocky Mtn. Element w. '98 Judy SL. | | Bottom Line: | The lightest, Plushest fork for my money(stinking rich). Never bottomed out, good adjustment, easily rebuildable. Plesent experience with RS reps. Trick looks. I easily installed White Bros. Resi-wiper Seals, chucked ugly boots and 32 grams(recomended). no major complaints. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross-Country Rider
from Danville, CA
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
any knarly singletrack | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Very plush and nearly all the travel I need-- 80mm version of the '99 SL Tracks well, stiff, lots of adjustment-- rebound, compression-- smooth action | | Weaknesses: |
I still haven't decided whether I need to run stiffer springs. I bottom out on big hits occasionally but according to the manual that's OK! | | Similar Products Used: |
Manitou w/Englund Air Cartridges which had a more progressive feel | | Bike Setup: |
Intense Uzzi XC w/Magura Louise Disc Brakes and Alps 5R rear shock. | | Bottom Line: | I like this fork a lot more than I thought I would. It was on my bike when I bought it and I'd heard good things about the new Open Bath design which has always been the big selling point on the Zokes and now RockShox has deployed the design on their top end forks.. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karl
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison WI
Date Reviewed: April 5, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
very light, very stiff, very strong, great feel and plush. | | Weaknesses: |
none yet, nothing | | Similar Products Used: |
I've tested the Indy's, some Manitou's-and nothing came close | | Bike Setup: |
I use a Cannondale M400 with lots of upgrades-including this fork | | Bottom Line: | I don't see why so many people give bad reviews to this fork, and to Rock Shox. This fork is the best I have ever tried or had. It's plush, stiff, strong, and also looks great. I really like the feel and with the great customer service I have been hearing about, what more could you want? I even got an old model for $199. So if you want a new fork, this is the best way to go. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MIKE
a Cross-Country Rider
from New Mexico
Date Reviewed: April 3, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
pretty good, ,just love it | | Weaknesses: |
nope not yet,not a thing | | Similar Products Used: |
RS judy T2
RS indy sl
RS judy xc
RS quadra 21 | | Bike Setup: |
c'dale m 800,sram 9.0sl,magura hs 33 raceline light,xt hubs with SUN Rhino light, | | Bottom Line: | i`m can`t understand why so much people don`t like RS at all,at the catctus cup i`m crackt my old RS at the top in a crash,one week later at the sea otter classic i went to the folks
at RS and they replaced it for free,that`s why i`m decided buying a new RS for my new bike i just build,and went for the judy sl 80mm,and so far it performs perfrct and i`m already put nearly 14 hours of hard singletrack and dirtroad riding on it
i`m also tuned and maintain my fork regulary,most of the folks having problems with there forks, just becouse the always ride it hard and never lube or maintain them
for my it`s the bet fork money can buy right now ,so let`s see how the fork will hold up the next couple of races | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff H
a Racer
from Washington Iowa
Date Reviewed: March 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Soukum Ridge | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
VERY LIGHT, VERY STRONG | | Weaknesses: |
NONE | | Similar Products Used: |
SHAWN PALMER FS-TI-STROKER | | Bottom Line: | 10 stitches, 17 staples, morphine and 8 hours on a backboard...... after hitting about four trees, my judy sl came out unmarked and woking perfectly. Very plush, blows away my old shawn palmer fs-Ti - stoker. I also dropped a solid pound off my ride. Well worth the money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eugene Chu
a cross-country rider
from Pasadena, CA
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This fork has got to be one of Rock Shock's biggest money maker. Its retail price is so high, but its quality is so poor that it will keep its customers coming back for service parts. Mine came with my 97 LTS, and I rode it twice before the cartridge blew; not a good impression of a new product. Then, if the weather is slightly cold, the elastomers turn hard, and the feel becomes rock hard. Mine also had some slop in between the upper and lower legs from day 1, but Rock Shocks service claimed that it was not a warranty item, and the replacement bushings were $25. This is unacceptable for a new fork. The slop got worse as I kept using it, eventually wearing out the upper legs completely. I have since replaced it with a Marzocchi Z.1 BAM, which works a lot better out of the box, and is a lot stronger. It is heavier than the Judy SL, but I am willing to pay that price for reliability, which is a concept that seems to be foreign to Rock Shocks. I wish I can give them a negative rating here, but I can't so I'lll have to make do with a single flame. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a cross-country rider
from S-ville, NC
Date Reviewed: February 4, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Ahhh, the Judy-- the only problem I've had with my bike other than the occasional wheel tragedy, and I guess it did good after taking much abuse and many rebuilds. At first, super nice, until the 4th ride. The 97 model I have lost a cartridge off the start-- pretty bad since I'm only 175 lbs. Less than a month later- lost another. RS is good about ordering warranties, but not about sending the right stuff. After the 4th cartridge, I decided to upgrade to '98 internals w/ 80mm and full springs. -Bad idea. one of the damn springs broke and RS didn't believe me. This also blew a cartridge. Friends say buy a White Brothers cartridge, but I'm going to just get a SC90 instead. also---stiction plating is gone in one large spot, now just bare metal. I'll not planning on getting another one, but you can try it for yourself | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paulo Abreu
a weekend warrior
from Madeira Island - Portugal
Date Reviewed: January 26, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I make this review concerning that people should buy something juged on overall apreciation on a product and not only on it´s performance. About performance, i can say this fork works very well, is light and stiff. But my story is another:On 3 years i rode a Mag21 and an Indy SL. Aspiring for a top quality fork (and after the poor choice of Indy SL) i decided to buy a Judy SL 98 Long Travel. That fork costs +600 bucks where i live.After riding it just two times it started making noise somewhere from the join from steering tube with crown. These were loud perturbing noises mostly when aplying brakes.As the warranty covers that, the store sent it to the Portugal distributor for substitution, having the fork been returned as it was with some information like ride it until we can solve the problem. I refused my self from doing that! I sent e-mails to Rock-Shox, claiming, but until today, no response at all.
The store accepted to back-return the fork and wait themselves to the problem to be fixed. Meanwhile, i changed to Marzocchi Z2 Superfly, but that is a happy story ...All this was on August 98 and till now (6 months), no substitution made, the fork is still there.RS, keep this policy and some day you will close the door !
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon
a weekend warrior
from st helens, england
Date Reviewed: January 19, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a follow on to the entry I posted on 14 of Nov. These forks are the best. They take some tinkering with to get the preload and damping right, but now I've got some riding on them it's easy to forget they're there. No bouncing, controlled rebound. They're spot on. 4 chillies last time on value, 5 chillies now on performance. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
YippinYahoo
a racer
from PA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Have 98's on my GT. Oil leaked around the bottom,
but all that required to fix was a new washer
donated by the local shop. I love the action:
the stiction that people complain about is an
advantage in climbs, the way i see it. It's smooth.
It's well damped. Not for the squishy moto set.
Intended for riders who desire performance over
comfort - kind of like buying a VW Golf GTI VR6 over
a Cadillac. Graunhaupt is my style. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric saletel
a cross-country rider
from northport, ny
Date Reviewed: January 10, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Seeing everyone gives these bad ratings probably means you think your really good and your just pissed about not being sponsered. I am not sponsered and i got this fork from a friend for $165 ('97) he only had them for 1 month! and it only needed new top caps. Once i get some more dough i will invest in eglunds. The new '99 version has 85 mm and is sweet! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Satirio Correia
a downhiller
from England
Date Reviewed: January 3, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I know that the Judy SL is a susp. for xc but I tried it on dh and it is a very good suspension the only problem I have with it it's some flexibility on the upper legs.So, I say that it is a good suspension but I recomend you to do not remove the rubber protection on the upper legs, otherwise it will have a corrosion that is the explication for the flexibility | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cheese a weekend warrior
a
from sydney, australia
Date Reviewed: December 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
what else can you say? the judy SL's kick arse. i have the long travel ver (80mm) and i picked them up from panther cycles, brand new, for the fantastic price of aus$650. they are lighter than anything else i've ridden before and their smooth travel and well adjustable damping and along with the improved seals (my 97 judy's sucked arse) and they have served my well as i beat the shit out of them
HEY PAUL FROM SWANTON, HOW DO YOU HIT A ROCK AT THE WRONG ANGLE? I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ANY ANGLE WAS PRETTY BAD | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen James
a
from Sydney, NSW
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Before I start, I'd just like to say to some of the idiots who have written reviews below me - write a proper f**king review or don't write one at all. They are a great fork, and kick Marzocchi's ass. I give them five burning chicks. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a racer
from Swanton, Vt
Date Reviewed: November 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've owned my 98 Judy SL for close to a year now. I ride around 10 miles a week and I've had only one minor problem with the shock. The black dampening adjustment knob cracked cause I hit a rock at the wrong angle. But that problem was taken care of very quickly by Rock Shox. They overnighted me a new knob for free. Besides that the shock has been perfect. I had it tuned once and the mechanic said it didn't even really need to be serviced. It's light, responsive and is very plush. I see very little difference in shock absorbtion between the SL and the Z2 BAM. The only difference is about a pound on the front of the bike. I definately think Rock SHox makes a great product and I will continue to use their product until someone makes a better shock. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon
a weekend warrior
from st helens, england
Date Reviewed: November 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
O.K. so I've only just bought my Judy SL's, bot Ive only paid 349 dollars including shipping from Bikeworld. RS have a good name in the U.K., and compared to my old Manitou Pro's the Judys are lighter, have more travel, and damping. I don't know if I'll have problems with these forks, but maintenance is simple enough. Over here where it rains 364 days of the year (O.K., maybe not) people don't buy crap designs that f**k up in foul weather. I know enough people with RS Judys to know that they do the job. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luv Thang
a racer
from Fred Vegas, Va
Date Reviewed: November 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I too was a RS lover. Then I was done by the judy sl hoax.
I liked 'em OK for the first couple hours, although they were flexy as hell.
I thought I'd get used to the flex, after all everybody was sayin' they were great.Then my friend did his 1st service @~15 hours and found black corrosion crust had taken the place of the gold teflon coating on the upper legs where they contact the lower leg bushings.
I immediately took mine apart (@ only 9 hours use (springtime in WET Va)) and already had corrosion !
My friend was persistent w/RS and eventually got the steerer/crown/upper leg assembly replaced for $70.
I spoke w/RS tech and they said that if water got on the bushing, the coating on the legs reacted w/the bushing material to oxidize the aluminum of the legs.
So,the shocks should be pulled apart and dried whenever they got wet.
I said I cross a creek nearly every ride. You mean after every ride then !?
He said ~yep.I do NOT understand how they could design a product like this.Another friend had noted the problem and removed ALL the gold colored coating from the upper legs of his judy.
He said he never had any corrosion after that.I dumped the judy sl and got a Z2 after much research and many test rides.
I am VERY happy w/the Z2 and will stay away from RS in the future. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph
a weekend warrior
from Boulder, CO USA
Date Reviewed: November 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Im 185lb fairly aggressive rider (bent wheels and chain rings) and have been off road biking for 8 years. The only other shock I had was a old Manituo pogo stick. The 96SL is a rip off for what I paid for it. Blew 3 catridges first season finaly got one that just leaks know. Had to spend additional $50 to get WB springs to make compresion damping acceptable. The rebound adjustment has virtually know effect. The parts are all little crappy things. Know wonder it's under 3lb. Anyone who understands suspension technology and has ever had one of these would surely not purchase another one. Maybe if your one of those 140lb people the thing might be ok. At least LBS provided me with free cartridges for the first year but I will not buy a product that cost the kinda money they charge for these things and require the amount of maintenance this does. Eary on when people were given Marzzocchi shit for being to heavy Marzzocchi said the RSx would not hold up and they were correct. If you must have lite then spend you time at the dealer getting it fixed otherwise get something built to last. 2 stars because they coughed up the cartridges. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacques H. Schindler
a weekend warrior
from Switzerland
Date Reviewed: October 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I owned a 95 Judy XC before I got a 98 SL installed. Big change. My bike handles like new. All my plans to buy a hardtail are history now. I just hope the SL will work longer before it needs a big service. What good is a great fork, if it needs to be serviced every month. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sander Klemp
a racer
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This fork is the best i have ever ridden. I ride for 2 hours a day on hard courses for training and has never had a problem. The people that dislike this fork are idiots or non-racers they ride it on the road or use it for trials that is why they don't like it. It is not made for that whimpy riding. I have ridden all forks z-1 z-2 z-3, manitous none of them compare to this fork. Best ride!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack Hammer
a weekend warrior
from Portland, Oregon
Date Reviewed: September 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Rock Shocks has heuvos grande to list price of $ 649 these forks. These forks are a joke. Unfortunately these forks were spec'd on my 98 Specialized FSR Ltd. I'll never own another pair of Rock Shocks. EVER. All I want is a 3 lb. fork with 80 mm of travel that I don't have to hassle with every six rides, (that translates to every three weeks). These forks have substandard materials, and stiction is a result of amateur engineering. Make this one chili a negative chili. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a cross-country rider
from Prince George B.C. , Canada
Date Reviewed: September 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I Just Bought A Pair of 95 judy SL's from a buddy. I havn't reaaly had a chance to try them, but this Sunday will be the first local race I get to use them. So far it has just been to and from work. I love them so far! i'll let you know how they feel. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Chambers
a cross-country rider
from C.A. L.A. County, City Tarzana
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased my SL on July 98 and after riding it & adjusting continously it was again the same crap. I could'nt get my money back so I seperated the entire fork & made my own costruction. I made a negative air chamber on both legs and the results astonished me. I was just stunned what that fork performed because it felt like owning a Z.1 . I still don't understand how these two forks so diff. in construction but again one came out to be exactly like the other with construction. Rock Shox states that this is a pattented technology, well I'm still making my profits. We'll see what Rock Shox will come up with again and fooling as many people they can.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Campbell
a racer
from Canberra Australia
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These forks rules.
They are so light, and yet so strong. I tore off my head tube before the forks snapped and that was on a Specialized M2.
I did the same stuff on Judy XLs as i did on my Judy SLs and the Judy XLs. I destroyed the XLs but the SLs were fine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Renton
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, as the owner of a hardtail Ritchey with a one inch head tube, this was one of the only real candidates available. I didnt want to spend the extra money on a SID so I got the latest 98 SL with some trepidation, as the reviews below certainly dont bode that well as a whole. Anyhow after a couple of tough rides in dry conditions, they seem to work remarkable well,as plush as anything I have ridden and adjustability is fine. So far I coulndt ask for anything more for my particular style of adventurous but non-kamikaze riding. I will post another report if the shit hits the fan with these forks. I would love to get to the bottom of why people either hate or love Rockshox stuff. Could it be that Rockshox just plain doesnt cater for the type of people that like to abuse their equipment, and/or push it to the outer limits? Up to now theres no reason why I shouldnt give this fork 5 stars. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon Sollberger
a racer
from L.A. California
Date Reviewed: June 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Two days of riding around the S.F. bay area in wet weather and my SL decided in a matter of 10 minutes to become a rigid fork - that thing was full with dirt water - no matter if the rubber boots are on or not - leave that fork for two days with a little bit of moisture inside and there goes the golden coating.If you don't get a kick out of disassembling your fork after every ride buy Bomber or Pace - I rode my Pace for 5 years, minimal maintenance, no slop, smooth as butter - Judys are simply not worth the money! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BRIAN
a racer
from WASHINGTON,USA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
THE ROCK SHOX SLS ARE OK,BUT THE Z2S ARE ALITTLE AND CHEAPER$247 FROM IRVINE BIKESOURCE THEY ARE A LITTLE HEAVIER BUT ITS WORTH IT THE ONLY ROCK SHOX I LIKE THAT I TRIED ARE THE SIDS AND BOXXERS AND THE XLS ARENT THAT BAD BUT GO FOR MARZOCHI Z2S THERE AMAZING | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zaron
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: May 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Personnaly, i detest Rock Shox, i know about a dozen people that own assorted Rock Shox products and they all seized solid, i know for a fact that they where properly maintained. Don't waste your money on this crap, buy Mazzarocci, Amp, Manitou, or my favorite, Girvin. Down with Rock Shox! Save your money! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Carpendale
a cross-country rider
from Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This shock is a definate improvment over the Indy XC I had before. I enjoy it's superb responsiveness, but at times it seems a little spongey and they tend to flex when put to the test! A great ride however the only shock I've found to be comparable is the Z2. Other than that ROCK SHOX is on top sitll! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a cross-country rider
from Portland, Oregon
Date Reviewed: May 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Can you say Garbarge. They flex, don't work very well, and if you ever
have a problem with the uppers, it is time for a new fork. The only thing this fork does well is lightness. Sorry, RS, that is not enough. Go back to the drawing board and build a decent fork....By the way, the '95 SLs were not bad. They had bolt on crowns and seemed to be a lot higher quality. Oh, by the way, many people have broken '97 Judy SL braces. My advice! Buy an Answer or a Bomber if you want a decent fork. I give them 2 stars just because they are light. Throw away shock!!!!!!!!!!!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Caramella
a racer
from Santa Rosa CA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Luckily I won them or I'd be pissed. These forks have been nothing but trouble since day one. Within 28 days I broke the outer legs in half, just riding along. Fortunately, Rock Shox was cool enough to send me some beefier DH legs, but ever since then they have been hell. I've blown 22 cartridges and they must be rebuilt every two or three rides. They just suck, I have nothing good to say about them. They are flimsy, pogo-sticky, and flex like a moFO around corners. At least they were sweet on the first ride or else they'd get no flames. Or maybe just a flame-thrower. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phunkotronic Emission
a cross-country rider
from Utah
Date Reviewed: April 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got my Judy SL a little less that a year ago. I can't really compare this fork to other front-suspension forks, but they feel like a dream. With this fork I've been able to cruise down my favorite trail quite a bit faster than I ever could before. Usually about two or three gears higher than without any suspension. My bike now has this insatiable lust for speed, which I can't really argue with, it seems to actually handle better at faster speeds than it does at when I'm just taking it easy. I must say that I love the feel of this fork. The only thing that I don't like is that fact that it uses oil cartridges that have the tendancy to leak, and need to be replaced occasionally. But I have heard of people replacing their dead cartridges with springs. Causing the fork to become slightly heavier, but far sweeter to the tooth. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bruce
a cross-country rider
from Southeastern MA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been riding my '96 judy SL for 2 years now and it is the best fork out there.
True the internals suck but after upgrading to White Bros. Hardbody Plus cart and White Bros. springs this fork is unstoppable. These guys who said they broke them are wacko's. My Judy has hit almost every trail on the east coast and has not failed me once. And for the home bike mechanic this fork is the easiest to service. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a cross-country rider
from Wallingford, Ct
Date Reviewed: April 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The 98 Judy SL is da shit. The type 3 springs work awesome. The responsiveness is better than that of any other fork i've tried. Bomber is definately no competition to the the Judy SL. I've been riding it for 3 months now and had absolutely no problems. I love this fork, ROCK SHOX RULES!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
postman
a cross-country rider
from Rovaniemi, FINLAND
Date Reviewed: April 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Good std fork, works well when new. Overpriced, but has good quaranteed and serviced. I don`t want to put extra energy/time for fork, so it is good choise for me. Not for racer. I had problems during a winter time, loose 3 cm travel. I need to change extra soft springs after it works well. Nice painting | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michele Leoni
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: March 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm considering to upgrade my old sucking '96 Judy SL to the '98 version. Can anyone tell me if it is worth ?
The say that i have to write at least 50 words for a review, so let me say that my fingers are tired because i ride a fork that do not absorbe vibrations in a correct and acceptable way. HELP.Rating 3 means hope. Nothing else. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mr mike
a racer
from ny
Date Reviewed: March 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
im not quite sure why this is not #1! this fork rules all and is still great in my book i love this thing to death and i only test rode it on a buddys bike!i have had good experiance with rock shoxs in the past and the judy is not exception! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
spider
a weekend warrior
from Thousand Oaks
Date Reviewed: March 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I broke the crossbrace twice just above the brake boss. The first time it was on a fireroad descent in the apex of the turn. I carved the corner with a few 2 -3 inch ruts and SNAP! I went down and ripped open my forearm. Gee, I thought suspension forks were for off-road riding... The second time happened while I was knockin' through some baby's heads. Both incidents were nightmares with warranty time! - 3 weeks each time!! No more of that. I replaced it with a WB SC90!! - AWESOME :) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Simonson
a weekend warrior
from Molndal, Sweden
Date Reviewed: March 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The Rock Shox Judy Sl 96 is a poor fork. Not so the basic parts, just the internals. Here is the right thing to do unless you want to spend cash on an Marzocchi Z2: Get an White Brothers Judd cartridge. Easy to install at home, mine is the 75 mm version. Pared with quite soft White Brothers Springs i now enjoy 75 ( ! ) mm of plush action. Also if you, like I, dislike the flexy steerer tube get a new crown from an XC Judy an you have a Yellow SL Judy with downhill capability! The feel in my SL is now just like a new Z2 front fork. Linear travel, no bump is too small to be handled and 75 mm is enough for much unless your a full time downhiller. A proud owner of a Cannondale DH bike with 100 mm on his MOTO fork said to me: Wow, this is how it should feel! Always ride the SL with boots or the legs will loose their coating. ( Mine did!) The result is increased friction, poor action. Servicing is everything with the Judy. Grease often, say after every 3 rides? My regards to Judy! Martin, Sweden. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken Torres
a cross-country rider
from NYC
Date Reviewed: February 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The 97 Judy does well on medium to high bumps but not too well on small ones. Mine snapped where the brake attaches to the fork, I believe the brake brace. My LBS called Rock Shox and they sent me the 98 stanchion and it seems stiffer than last year. Added a pair of Speed Springs and they are sweeeeet!! 5 chilis for service though. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a cross-country rider
from SLC,UT
Date Reviewed: January 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I am considering purchasing a 98 Judy SL. I have read the review columns and have not seen any reviews on the new 98 SL with the double springs that have replace the faulty cartridges. Can anyone out there help me? Thanks
I had to place a review rating to get this posted. Your guess is as good as mine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Lusty
a cross-country rider
from Cornwall
Date Reviewed: January 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
well,I still have the original and best '95 version.Best fork I ever ridden on and,with the springs i added are now the absolute muts nuts.Shame the newer versions have become less servicable though.Now if you bust one bit almost the whole fork needs replacing.Extra strength or just more money for rockshox?can't say.best forks ever?can say.Yes they are and always have been the very best. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean
a racer
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: January 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Just to set things strait, it was the slider that broke and not the stanchion. I ordered some RS dual rate springs to replace the 97' type II spring/elastomer combo.For 80 bones you get the springs,cartridge, and clips. Not bad. I'll have to wait until the snow melts so I can really give a fair review of the new springs. Elastomers just don't seem to hang to well in the cold weather, even with the springs. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DEAN
a racer
from MICHIGAN
Date Reviewed: January 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
AFTER ONE SEASON OF RACING AND ON THE VERY LAST RACE AT THE 27 MILE ICEMAN COMETH CHALLENGE I BROKE THE ARCH RIGHT ABOVE THE BRAKE BOSS. APPARENTLY MINE WAS NOT THE FIRST TO BREAK. MY LOCAL SHOP SENT BACK MY BROKEN 97' STANCHION AND SENT A NEW 98' STANCHION WHICH APPEARS TO BE BEEFIER THAN THE 97'. SO FAR, SO GOOD! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a cross-country rider
from milpitas ca
Date Reviewed: January 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I think that this fork is the best fork out there right now. It is way plusher than last years and i like the long tavel on it. It is way better than a zoke. it is lighter than a bam it cost less than the bam and i trust it more than a bam. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Corn
a cross-country rider
from New Ulm, MN
Date Reviewed: January 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Nutt'n but the best for my custom '97 GT Team LTS. My '97 Judy SL LT SS(super light, long travel, speed springs) perfectly matches the LTS's rear suspension, talk about the front and rear suspensions being in total sync! The Judy SL is very light, rigid and plush. Ya there are lighter forks out there, but do they match the overall performance and quality travel of the SL? I think not! Ya, there are plusher forks out there, but they are for wusses who don't want to feel anything when riding(don't mountain bike then, go road riding, duh!)and who like to lug a 4-5lb fork up a hill that bobs up and down so violently that it robs the riders' energy. Oh ya, if you complain about the high price, don't buy one, no one will make you, duh! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Yves LeBel
a weekend warrior
from Québec, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The latest judy sl is just great, very light, precise rebound control and nearly no maintenance. After mag's 21 and judy's xc, all i can tell is this new one is the best ever from Rock Shox. All the weaks points have been corrected and now
it's taking it's place as the reference fork for cross-country. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dale Wissman
a racer
from Morgantown, WV
Date Reviewed: December 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Killer fork! Got one on an OCLV hardtail and it is the best performing fork tha tI have found so far. Better than the SID. Has much better feel than the SID and the only difference is a little more weight if you get past the technical stuff. Excellent adjustability. And Rock Shox is a great company to deal with. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a cross-country rider
from Vancouver, Washington
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I buy and sell forks in the local paper and in various bike shops to fund my ever expanding hobby--MBikin'. Presently I ride a Bomber Z2 because it is so plush and the maintainance is almost nonexistent. However, I'm not prepared to say the Bomber is the best because it is a fork built for racing--or high performance applications. It is very light; the lightest fork on the market except for the SID and amp. The Judy SL is an awesome fork for the racer and other folks who demand light weight. It cannot be as plush as a Bomber--which is 1.5lbs heavier. Of course the Bomber is going to more rigid, stronger, and plusher. It makes sense. If you hate the Judy XC, buy Answer Sx Ti fork (6 ounces lighter but more dependable and also beefier). Probably a better fork for most weekend warriors. Remember! You want light, you are going to pay the price somewhere. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Skinner
a cross-country rider
from Aurora Ontario
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I think that this fork is the best fork that I've ever ridden. This fork is a better preforming fork than the 98 SID and lighter than the BOMBER. It is a happy compromize between weight and performance and since the fork is not as expensive as last years model I think that this is the fork that I'll be riding next year. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pk
a cross-country rider
from norway
Date Reviewed: November 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a `97 Judy SL , I have not experienced any problems, and the fork seems rigid, stiff and light as nothing else to me. It`s funcionality is not item of any complaints either, it is able to save you and get you back into balance in most of the dangerous xc downhilling situations I put myself into. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Collins
a racer
from N-C
Date Reviewed: November 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
You have to to rebuilt once ever two week but other than that it's a good working fork | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rowan
a weekend warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: October 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Altough these forks are one of the lightest on the market, they are also one of the most over rated on the market. They stupidly priced just like all RockShox. Tons of hassle to maintane. constanly repacing cartridges. Basicaly these forks are CRUD! You can get a much better fork for far less money and less hassle in maintance turms. I have now got rid of my old SL and got some British made PACE MXCD that totla kicks any RockShox's butt!I would put zero chillies but it didn't work! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gerd Wittmacher
a weekend warrior
from Cologne, Germany
Date Reviewed: October 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The only good thing about it is: It's leightweight. Performance is crap and durability a real pain. I broke mine after riding it for less than 2 years. Could not get the boots to fit, the elastomeres needed replacement twice a year. Now the play in the fork is excessive and the dealer told me it's cheaper to buy a new fork than trying to repair the old shit. I'll try a Indy SL. If this does not do the trick, I'll fit a rigid fork again. I bought my bike to ride it and not to repair it. But if you're after an excuse to ride your bike, the Judy SL is the one. You'll spend a lot of time replacing cartridges and elastomeres. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stig Vig
a cross-country rider
from Elmhult Sweden
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I´ve got one 95 Judy Sl with the Alu-cartridge( the plastic-sucker blowed into pieces and oil ). The fork works quite satisfeiing(?) but I think it's to unstiff. I'm planning to buy a Pace fork instead. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a racer
from Raleigh,NC
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Sweet. For climbing big hills adjust them to as stiff as possible.
If you take care of them properly you have to do too much maintenance.
Mine is on a Fuji full suspension, get an AD-4 Cane Creek rear shock, pump
it up all the way, and you have one awesome performing bike. Goes uphill
like a hardtail when setup this way. Downhill like a bat out of hell. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jimi hendrix
a downhiller
from australia
Date Reviewed: August 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
i bought a 97 pair of sl's last week for 1500 ausie dollers.i am disapionted
1500 and theres elastemer in them.i mean com on 1500 and theres elastemer.
WHAT THE F$%# .not to mention that when i poped a wheelie the boots fell out.
however i had a go of my friends big bros hanerbrink zzyzx forks cost the same
(and not to mention three times as much travle) worked beeeeeutifull | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a racer
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: July 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
As far as performance is concerned, I cannot complain about any of the current JUDYs. Quality and reliability, however, are a very different story. There were obviosly a few corners cut in the production of the Judy. The old Mag forks had great reliability and quality. The Judys, although they perform better, are not good quality forks. I'm sure Rock Shox's profit margins on the Judy are much more than on previous forks, and while that may be good for Rock Shox, it's not good for you and me. Rock Shox did take one step in the right direction when they ditched the plastic cartridges, but the new ones can still blow if you go past the service limit at all, or ride hard. If you don't like to work on your forks, I wouldn't recomend the Judys, if you are a perfectionist and like to take things apart whenever they need work, go for the Judys. I would consider a Marzocchi Bomber as an alternative, because the service period is four times that of a Judy, and they are super reliable, on the downside they are undersprung, and way to heavy for racing. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nazam
a weekend warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta
Date Reviewed: July 25, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
These shocks are great; give good travel and are very plush on all flats, ups and
downs. I like the travel adjustment feature which the quadra 21s on my old bike
did not have. In my book, the Judys are still on top. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Munir Karbani the Pakistanian
a weekend warrior
from New Dehli, India
Date Reviewed: June 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
These babys give me more plush feeling than my big fat butt. I give it 40 Chinese chillis. Fart! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stu
a cross-country rider
from tempe
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have ridden an sl for one year, stock, right out of the box. No comparison
to my old MAG 21, its much better. I did have the right stack pop out and hit
me in the face one time when hammering a rocky section, but have never had any
problems with weenie cartridges blowing. Is the bomber much better?
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LEE WEISSMAN
a cross-country rider
from PLAINVIEW, NY
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
PURCHASED '96 SL 2 WEEKS AGO..THE FORK HAS SPRUNG A LEAK..LOOKING TO UPGRADE THE PERFORMANCE, MAYBE GET RID OF THE OIL(IS THIS POSSIBLE) LOOKING FOR SOME ADVICE PLEASE SEND ME A MESSAGE IF YOU HAVE ADVICE. HAVE SKIDDED OUT TWICE ON IT..NOT SURE IF IT WAS ME OR SHOCK!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a weekend warrior
from San Diego California
Date Reviewed: June 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Well lets see all together now can you say SUCKS,BLOWS,BIGHTS this for anyone over about 165lbs especially those of you who go done a hill a little faster than your grandmother. I upgraded the XC on my LTS1 when I bought it realy cheaply and thought I was all set but wow was I WRONG this thing is harsh even with the srings dialed in for my big ,fat,no talent ,aggresive riding ass adn then I started to blow cartriges and crush MCU stacks and then I cracked the crown. I think its time to get me a real manly man fork like a Zokes Z1 or the just as sweet White Bros. SC 90 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tim peters
a cross-country rider
from Hornby Island B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: June 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
pluuuuush, stiff, easy to workon if you ever have to and light like a feather
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gearbuy
a cross-country rider
from Hammond, louisiana
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The Judy Sl is a great fork. A lot of PRO riders use them. It works very well.I like it a lot. Yellow stuff is cool. Nuff said. Five ! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ksdvfb
a racer
from SDOFJHWE
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I THINK THESE FORKS ARE SO GOOD I HAVE GIVEN THEM 20 CHILLIES AS YOU CAN SEE | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Marketto
a cross-country rider
from Marquette, Michigan
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I too picked up an SL from Jenson, for $299 you cant beat it. They are running low though. They have performed great. I took a lot of heat from friends for not buying Bomber Z2's but they are $100 more and only slightly better. I have no complaints and feel there is not a better fork at that price. Go get um! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Judd Austin
a cross-country rider
from Castro Valley CA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Judy SL. Alot of folks complain about the price and performance, but in my humble opinion, a '96 SL from Jenson USA $299.00 cannot be beat. I picked up a set to replace my Marzocchi XC 600, (now my wife's) right away I swapped the MCU's for a set of Speed springs, and ditched the plastic cartridge for a Risse rebound kit. ( Because the '96 don't do rebound dampening!) Total cost: $460.00. I gotta say, this is a very trick fork. To those who say they're not stiff enough; I dare you to find a better working fork for the money. This is THE Cross Country fork. It's a pleasure going slow, and it tracks like a mutherf***r at speed. To those who complain about the price; I wouldn't have paid $600.00 for a fork. Period. N-O-T-H-I-N-G is that good. Give Jenson a call... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: May 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently bought a pair of Judy SL's form Jenson for $299 and before i say anything else i would just like to say they are the best forks I have ever ridden.
I have heard that you can get a hop up kit from speed springs called speed tops which supposedly increasing travel from 2 1/2 Inches to 4. Whether this is true or not I don't know but if anyone knows anything about these, or how much they cost, or where to get them I woul be most appreciative. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Vescovo
a weekend warrior
from Mt. Sinai, NY
Date Reviewed: May 9, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased the Judy Sl from Jenson on a close out for $299.00. For the price these babies are awesome. I put the White Bros Springs and Hard Body PLus Cartridge to extend the travel. Totally plush and smooth. I ride alot and these babies hold up!!!!!!!!! They also still retain their light weight even with the White Bros stuff. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Camilo
a weekend warrior
from Bogota-Colombia
Date Reviewed: March 29, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This suspension sucks it's cartriges and adjusters knobs never work they're always damaged and as I live outside the US it's a problem getting the spare parts. NEED HELP | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marvin zayac
a racer
from canada
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
i have had SL's for 2 years now and really am not too convinced that these were worth the money, i have blown 6 cartridges in this time and i am only 155lbs. i think that cock shox better come up with a better cartridge soon, they keep sending me the piece of shit plastic ones that blow after 1 or 2 races...i recently had 2 DH cartridges put in and that did not help either... so now htey are for sale...... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Niklas Ingvar-Nilsson
a
from Uppsala, Sweden
Date Reviewed: March 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a 95 Judy SL (my first suspensionfork) and it was nice uppgrade from my stiff fork. 1996 I replaced the elastomer and the Catridge with Whitebrothers Juddsprings and Cartidge. Now we talking nice uppgrade, specially in downhills. How many cars and motorcycles use elastomer suspension? No they use springs and that should MTB riders also do. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zed
a racer
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
For their price, SLs should be one hell of an awesome fork. They are nice and light when new, I'll give them that, but once you make them go properly, i.e. Speed Springs and White Bros. cartridge the weight advantage is lost. Those upgrades turn them into a smooth performing fork but they still have a problem with flex. Even with a suspension hub and new bushings I can get a lot of movement out of the front end. Overall they are too expensive and under developed and it looks like Rock Shox havn't caught on with their 97 line either. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bernard rate
a racer
from portland OR
Date Reviewed: January 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The SL's have the same problem as the XC's: the fork seals are pathetic. If you don't take them apart and relubricate every two or three weeks of wet muddy rides, you will end up with corroded stanchions and worn bushings. This is especially true for brand new forks: Rock Shox is very stingy with grease inside these things. FWIW, I have had good results with STP as a bushing lube. My new improved metal cartridge leaked after 3 months so I put in Englund cartridges. Now it weighs less, travels more, feels nicer but I have to pump them up every week. Where's that Englund review page? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremiah Starkey
a racer
from CA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a Judy FSX but scence there is no spot for it and the SL is almost identical I will put my review here. I love this fork. It is light and with springs and a 3 kit it can not be touched by any other fork out there. Period. I race both XC and DH on this fork and it works very well for both. After 4 months of racing this fork I finally blew out my Al cartridge. Rock Shox fixed it for free and is one kick ass company. For a dual purpose fork I give it 5 peppers! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Gorczyca
a racer
from Grosse Pointe, Michagan
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
The Judy SL is the best shock on the market without question. I have
one on my Procaliber and haven't had one problem with it in two seasons.
The price is very worth it, about $600 may seem to much but if the shock
sucked why do all the Pro racers use them. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James L
a racer
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: December 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Absolutely best fork made. I raced a 96 all summer and was extremely pleased | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brandon welton
a
from racer
Date Reviewed: December 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Junk! That is the best way to descibe these forks. In the
six months that I owned my sl, I have blown out 8
cartridges. Two of the eight were risse. there has also
been extensive wear on the bottom portions of the stanchion
tubes, which extends through the teflon coating into the
aluminum. This is a fork that is overpriced and under
engineered as far as I'm concerned. So I hope that this
will help you in your quest for the ultimate suspension
fork, because this is far from it.This fork deserves a
negative 5 rating.
| | Overall Rating: |
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