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Submitted by
Levi
a Weekend Warrior
from Lewistown
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Crystal lake, but they aren't really mtn. bike trails | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Friend gave it too me | | Strengths: | it's never failed me yet. I can't seem to hurt it and I've hucked some wicked stuff on it. although that's takin a toll on my frame | | Weaknesses: | old | | Similar Products Used: | rst junk, they don't make any decent shocks | | Bike Setup: | diamondback, $200 bike with $300 worth of parts in it, go figure | | Bottom Line: | I love the shock, even when you bottom it it's not harsh. I would like to know if anybody knows where I can find a rebuild kit for it so I can keep abusing it. I can tell it's getting soft after a year and i just need new elastomer springs for it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Vokey
a Cross Country Rider
from Kincardine
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | still looking | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$10000000.00 | | Purchased At: | some dude on the street (ya right) | | Strengths: | It surprises me that it has lasted this long. I ride hard and I make the jumps whenever I can. It hasn't failed me yet. The truth is, this year is the first time I've ever taken it apart to lube it up and get it ready for another season! | | Weaknesses: | If you don't service it more than once. It looks pretty ugly inside. Only thing I wished for is more adjustments. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper,xtr everything, Race Face parts, Mavic rims, Maxxis tires, and of course Rock Shox suspension. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is, I think this fork is really a good fork. I've really enjoyed using it. Of course it's the only fork I've ever used but I never had a good reason for buying a new one. I've looked at the "BLACK", I once picked up the FOX but almost dropped it because of its weight.(No offence to them but I put that one back on the shelf really fast.) All in all, I think the Rock Shox made a really good fork and I've never really had a reason for changing. I guess in this case I really don't know what I'm missing. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Pina
a Cross Country Rider
from Traverse City
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | VASA Trail System | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Grand Traverse Cycle | | Strengths: | Bullet proof, good clean looks, good bottoming resistence, great for xc riding | | Weaknesses: | It is probably not set up right (have played with it a bunch), but the rebounding seems to be too fast - it can get pretty harsh on square edge bumps | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Indy C | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose Tetra SX, Shimano Deore & Alivo, Specialized Dirt Control tires, Tectro V Brakes, Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | For the most part this is a pretty decent fork, I have been fairly happy with it. I have yet to bottom the fork, and it has taken some hard hits over the four years I have had it. It doesn't seem to like choppy terrain or hard square edge bumps, the rebound is atrocious - it clanks on harder hits. I have messed with the rebound damping, and can't seem to make the fork smoother. I do a lot of trail riding plus about 3 races a year, and it has been a very reliable fork. For most conditions, it performs very well. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ride Biker
a Cross Country Rider
from Santz Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | changes all the time | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | 4 inch travel, coil spring, oil bath damping, low maintenence, never leaked (at least that I could see), good match for coil spring rear suspension. | | Weaknesses: | weight, shock boots, not too stiff compared to '03 forks, only lasted 4 years with 0 maintenence - LOL | | Similar Products Used: | RockShox Mag 10- LOL, test ride Fox Float RL (oh yeah, that's what I want) | | Bike Setup: | '98 Santa Cruz Heckler w/ LX/XT/Avid, paid $1650 | | Bottom Line: | This fork came with my bike in '98, I believe it has heavier spings, it came OEM on an Xtra large frame. My LBS set up the damping the way I wanted it and off I rode, and rode, and rode some more. I probably average at least 50 miles a week of medium duty XC riding with some pavement pounding transportation mixed in. I'm not a basher, or a jumper so I can't complain that this fork was bottoming out all of the time because I never really tried to punish it. Not tons of wet riding either, but a fair share of rain rides over the years. Mainly just fast, dirty trail riding. This fork has gone the whole time without a peep. I never even serviced it (I've been bad), but since it never showed any ill function... I was going to just kill it and buy an upgrade. After a solid 4 years, I went to ride the other day and fork had lost all of it's damping. It now just pogo's up and down like a spring and can't support much wait. I don't see anything that leaked, it was an internal problem. My LBS laughed at me when I asked if it could be repaired for cheap. It can't really be repaired at all. They could tear into it and see if some spare parts would fix it, but when all is said and done I would be spending money on an antique. So, my heartbreak has led me to buy a new extra large, 25.6 pound '02 Superlight, specced with custom parts and a Fox Float RL, which will be that worthy upgrade that I have been waiting for. My Heckler will be revived with a '91 Manitou X - Vert, a cheap comparable tank of a fork ($150 at pricepoint, I ordered today), the Judy has been buried for good, 4 years of steady service. If it is new, and you are not a basher, and it's cheap I would say get it. I got some good no-cost use out of it. only 3 chilis overall cause there are much better overall forks out there, but it gets a 5 for value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cdog Holmstrom
a Racer
from Galveston
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Stock item | | Strengths: | It was a nice first fork when it was new. | | Weaknesses: | Damping went out, bushings went out, spring adjustments broke, now it's sloppy and springy. | | Similar Products Used: | Mant. X-vert, Marzo Bomber | | Bike Setup: | Trek Y-11 | | Bottom Line: | Hmmmm... its not worth buying new, but it ok for a stock part. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blade
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | World cup xc trail, camp fortune | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | buddy | | Strengths: | Good travel (long travel edition), easy to rebuild, good support, plushtacular | | Weaknesses: | a little flex in the fork, rebounds a little too fast for me. | | Similar Products Used: | marzocchi bomber z1 2k1 | | Bike Setup: | Gary fisher wahoo frame, deore (full) Judy XC's 98 Beauty panaracer fire XC pro tires | | Bottom Line: | It is a good fork if yer a cheap person (like Me!) it has good travel and it is reasonably plush. I have put alot of km on this fork and it hasnt let me down yet, everything is stock (aside from Ibroken topcap which I tightened to hard) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Karlovich
a Cross Country Rider
from Belmont, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Waterdog Lake/ Carlmont Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Absorbs large and small bumps well. | | Weaknesses: | Bottoms out on some extreme type jumps, but maybe I don't have it adjusted right. | | Similar Products Used: | none. My first suspension fork. | | Bike Setup: | 1998 K2 Proflex 4000 | | Bottom Line: | A lot of people are complaining about the forks. I've put a lot of mileage on them. I've been pounding them hard for a year and a half, including some fairly large jumps and they are still working great. I think they are a good product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Fields
a Cross Country Rider
from San Angelo TX
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Good Travel, fast rebound, really light! | | Weaknesses: | None Really! | | Similar Products Used: | Indy, Jett, Manitou Spyder | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR Comp | | Bottom Line: | I really like this fork and I would reccomend it to anyone. It is not as high maintainence as other forks of the same calibor. It feels a little firm sometimes, but if you look down its actually taking a lot of punishment. I have done a few races in south TX and this form has peformed perfectly. I will stick with the Judy level forks because of price low weight and maintanence. I just like to ride adn this thing will keep going forever... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dylan Baird
a Downhiller
from N.Vancouver
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Boogy Man | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Cove Bikes | | Strengths: | Triple crown ridged,firm springs,bomb proof | | Weaknesses: | fast rebound, | | Similar Products Used: | 98,Z1 Drop Off, broke that | | Bike Setup: | Cove Stiffie,Hayes Disk frw,LX V rw, Race Face N.S. crankes,
Roox Bomber 4.0 DH bar,Roox DH stem, Intense tires DH 2.7 fr 2.4 r | | Bottom Line: | I thouht this fork would last a couple of months because I am 205 pounds but I have been riding it hard for 1 year and have only rebuilt it once, I have launched six and a half footers, hit trees head on at high speeds and theirs barely a scatch on it.
You can,t kill this fork | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C Mewes
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | intertie in paisley Oregon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Strengths: | popular name with label recongnition | | Weaknesses: | You name it, it's week. The thing is like riding a pogo stick after you put twenty miles on it. | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose 7x7 pro frame, hayes disc brakes, atx components | | Bottom Line: | This fork should be avoided at all costs. I've had in in on warranty six times. Had the product replaced twice. Makes no difference, it's just plain crap. Bushings blown, cartridges fried, springs are weak. I could go on and on. Save your soul and buy a manitou or something. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$95.00 | | Purchased At: | Mail order | | Strengths: | The price was definitely right.. for the most part, the fork takes pretty much what I throw at it. Relatively easy to rebuild. Also, I got the long travel kit so it's about as much as I'd want on my hardtail. | | Weaknesses: | Crappy top caps that nearly stripped the first time I rebuilt the fork, gets water in the seals pretty easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Indy C, Jett C, | | Bike Setup: | '96 Raleigh serengeti, stx-RC, Avid brakes. | | Bottom Line: | This fork is good for the money, especially if you get it the year after, like I did. I wasn't happy about how annoying it was to relube, and the fact that I have to do it every time I go through any significant water. The fork performs like a charm, just as long as you did a refit recently. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Kernersville, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Owl's Roost | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Stock on bike | | Strengths: | ? | | Weaknesses: | Damper Cartride blows out often, flex, bushings wear and difficult to lube, not very adjustable, and oh ya the cast in arch broke. | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Joshua | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is that the cast in arch broke on my last ride. And I have had to replace the damer cartride ever year. One time it was sitting on my work bench while I had it apart to clean and lube the bushings, and the damper cartride exploded on its on.
I never did get a good ride on the fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fletcher the cat
a Weekend Warrior
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hueston Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$190.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | brand name, initial ride feel | | Weaknesses: | flex, damper cartridge, bushings | | Similar Products Used: | rigid cro-mo(not really similar), Mach 5 SX, Headshock(short term) | | Bike Setup: | KHS team cro-mo, Hugi/517 ceramic, XT and XTR, Magura HS-33 | | Bottom Line: | I really enjoyed this fork for the first few months that I rode it. It treated me well during local riding and a trip to West Virginia. After only about 6 months the bushings started to go, it felt like a loose headset. That brought on the first rebuild with a change to heavier weight oil. That helped for about 4 months and the bushings went away again. To make a long story short, 2 1/2 years and four rebuilds later the damper cartridge took a crap and threw me on my head.
After putting my old Mach 5 back on I also realized that the Judy was super flexy although it had much better quality travel than the SX. As I write this I'm waiting for a new X-Vert Super. I expect this to be 10 times the fork that the Judy was(no kidding!!). The bottom line is that although this is not a terrible fork for beginners, anyone that rides a substantial amount of miles will use this thing up in no time. You could upgrade to Total Air, but that only partially fixes the problems this thing has. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Evans
a Weekend Warrior
from Forestville, CA 95436
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Poaching at Mt Tam | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Came with Schwinn | | Strengths: | None that I can think of | | Weaknesses: | Not very plush, damping disappeared over time, and then the cartridge decided to blow | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Homegrown Factory FS | | Bottom Line: | These things have a pretty mediocre ride and are flexy as sh!t, but what really sucks is the price to replace the cartridge. 100 f*!king bucks?!? No thanks. I'm tossing these turds in the trash and replacing with some Marzocchi's thankyou. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cory taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from windsor, ont. can
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | morten terminal (windsor) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | GT's bike shop Leamington Ont | | Strengths: | it eats pretty much what i throw at it, low maintenance, light weight, not too much travel so it doesn't raise my bike to high | | Weaknesses: | bottomed out a few times on big air, but nothing i didn't expect | | Similar Products Used: | 01' jets (crap, broke em twice in three weeks, but rock shox did fix em up for me both times for free) | | Bike Setup: | 01' trek 4500 Shimano and Bontrager everything | | Bottom Line: | I bought my 98' Judys used and I put speed springs in em they work fine for me. If your pulling huge air or doing big drops you might want to go to something with a bit more travel but I think it's an all around good fork for the cash | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Fox
a Cross Country Rider
from Burly, VT
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any single | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$169.00 | | Purchased At: | mail order | | Strengths: | I was surprised to read the negative reviews of this fork. I bought one at a killer price to replace a worthless Manitou Mach 5. I found this fork to be excellent, and it held up well considering the punishment it recieves here in the East, and the the fact that I'm pullin' 200 lbs. | | Weaknesses: | Rock shox need more maintenance than other forks. The newer models are better I'm told. Follow the schedule and you will be fine. I have never experienced the problems of some of the other reviews. | | Similar Products Used: | Manitou Mach 5 (they should of called it the junk 5) and Manitou pro. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper M2, XT/gripshift, custom wheels, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Rock shox are the sh*t. The product is superior, as long as you stay with the later models. At current prices, you cant ask for a better XC suspension. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Pennsylvania, USA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Weaknesses: | the damping cartridge
MCU Bumper
and the rest of the internals | | Similar Products Used: | Rock Shox Indy XC
Manitou SX R | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Frontier, Rock Shox Judy XC, Shimano LX and STX | | Bottom Line: | When I first got the shock, it seemed like it was a good investment. After about 2 months the compression became kind of rigid. One day when I was riding the shocks just bottomed out and I wipedout. When I took it to my local bike shop, I was told the damping cartridge was blown, and the MCU Bumpers were cracked. It was still under warranty but Rock Shox said they wouldn't replace or fix it...
I know have a pair of Manitou SX R and they work great.
I threw my broken XC's out and got a real shock. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karl
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Plush, sorta light, inexpensive. | | Weaknesses: | Not as stiff as i would like them to be, bulky. | | Similar Products Used: | indy sl's, z3 bombers | | Bike Setup: | '99 specialized stumpjumper m2 comp | | Bottom Line: | My old bike (devinci phantom) came stock with sl's, and i was really pleased with those, they kicked ass, super light,easy to maintain, and looked good. when i bought my used stumpjumper, and started riding with it with 98 judy xc's, i wasn't as pleased as i was with the sl's. bulky, and not as responsive as the sl's. i sort of regret selling my sl's, if you have sl's, just by englund air cartriges to upgrade. it would be lighter and better than upgrading judy xc's. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Cross Country Rider
from East Shore, MA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Yellow, good for......leme think...nothing
reasonably stiff | | Weaknesses: | for a low travel fork, heavy. flimsy | | Bike Setup: | stumpj m2 | | Bottom Line: | Started riding full time this season, and the cartridge blew. I said oh hell, I'll just get it fixed at my LBS and then save up for 'zokes. 3 weeks later, another blown cartridge. No way in hell I'm shelling out another 80 wasted bucks. I bottom this suck-er out av'g 4 times a ride. Rock Shox sux, go for some real shocks. And remember, keep the spirit alive, ultra technical, and support with me the EAST SHORE movement, see if Kranked will come to our glacial boulders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington, Pa
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Edge | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Name Brand | | Weaknesses: | Several | | Similar Products Used: | Answer 99 sx | | Bike Setup: | Trek Y-50 | | Bottom Line: | I have the long travel in order to match the rear end better. I blew the aluminum cartridge out, while under warranty. Haven't had any problem since then. If you are a hard rider over 175 pounds the springs will need to be upgraded. The other problem is that it has a great deal of flex in it. Just pull the brakes and rock the bike back and forth. Feels like the headset, it isn't it is the fork. Just imagine how much better it would track if it didn't move front to back and probably side to side too. Just save your money and get a bomber, I am! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Amos Gibson
a Weekend Warrior
from Shreveport,LA 71106 USA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ruston Trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Its pre-load adjusters really work. The fork is real plush and responsive. | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Indy C, Jett T2,Jett C | | Bike Setup: | Gt Ricochet w/ RS Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | The shocks are really great and are well on big bumps and jumps. I love these Shocks! I think Beginer Mt.Bikers would love these shocks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Rahbany
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Good looks? Well, I quess I haven't had to replace any parts... | | Weaknesses: | Flabby, mushy ride. | | Similar Products Used: | RS Mag21, Mach5 | | Bike Setup: | Merlin Mountain, XT/XTR, Hugi wheelset, Panaracer tires, Grip Shift. | | Bottom Line: | I blame a 25-stitch wipeout on the 98 Judy XC because it just bottomed out on me after some not-so-massive air. The stock Judys seem to have very little adjustability; I wiegh about 180lbs and was unable to achieve a ride that didn't feel like there was a stack of marshmallows inside the fork legs. I'm looking at the Englund Total Air upgrades to salvage what's good about these forks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Sennes
a Racer
from La Crosse, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Squeezer | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Great reflex, and wonderful absorbstion | | Weaknesses: | would like more travel | | Bike Setup: | moab 1 98` | | Bottom Line: | Great shock, had it for 2 years with no problems and it is still going just as good as when i first bought it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eliot kim
a Cross-Country Rider
from oakland, ca
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Weaknesses: |
weak cartridges | | Bottom Line: | the overall performance was greatly improved over the '97 judy's, but the improvement came at a cost. i blew my cartridge about three months ago and i've been forkless ever since because rock shox has some of the worst customer service in the industry. from speaking to many bike shops and those on my team, this experience isn't uncommon. the fork gets one star because it can't do much if i don't have it.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ti Rider
a Cross-Country Rider
from the Deep South
Date Reviewed: November 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Plush
Durable
Low Maintainence
Inexpensive | | Weaknesses: |
Flexible
Cheap Plastic Top Caps | | Similar Products Used: |
Quad 21
Indy XC
Mach 5
JudySL
Sid SL | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed Hiwassee HT, Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | One of the best mtb products I've bought. It's inexpensive( $229) from Cambria. I bought the alloy steer tube model which is the Judy SL without the yellow legs. I weigh 190 lbs. and ride 30+ miles a week and haven't had any cartridge problems. The ride is as plush as any of the other forks I've ridden. I highly recommend this fork. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stu
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Reverse Powerline | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
It goes up down | | Weaknesses: |
Flexy | | Similar Products Used: |
Marzocchi XC500
Marzocchi Z3 Lite | | Bike Setup: |
Stock on Giant Xtc | | Bottom Line: | It isn't a bad fork, but it just is not as smooth and controlled as the Z3. It's too bad that I didn't have disc brake mounts on the Z3 because I would have swapped the Judy out in a heartbeat. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
biker
a Cross-Country Rider
from toronto,canada
Date Reviewed: November 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
moderate plushness
responsive over small bumps
easy to tear down and rebuild
enough travel for xc bike(63-80mm)
minimal stiction | | Weaknesses: |
somewhat flexy
plastic preload caps need work | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
gt
xt components | | Bottom Line: | I bought my fork in 97 which had the mcu/spring setup with the plastic damper cartridge.In winter the mcu's get hard which cause the fork to become too stiff.In 99 I upgraded to the type 3 setup dual springs and aluminum c3 cartridge.My fork is much more responsive,alot plusher, and in colder weather the springs are not affected.The cartridgemight be slightly affected by colder weather so I might use a lighter oil but otherwise the upgrade was a wise investment. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bike Master Mike
a Racer
from Canton, MI
Date Reviewed: October 31, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Island Lake | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Stiff
Great Damping
Keeps front low | | Weaknesses: |
Uh, nothing | | Similar Products Used: |
Mag 21 LT
Mag 20
Manitou FS
Judy XL
Indy SL LT | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale Hardtail, XT components, for racing XC in MI | | Bottom Line: | This fork is great. It came with 63 mm of travel and the aluminum steerer. I paid $100 for it brand new!!! Great deal, working at a shop kicks ass. I put a firm set of Speed Springs in and its still just as smooth but the extra spring force helps on the larger hits. It has never bottomed harshly and the damper has worked prefect for 850 miles. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allen Macaulay
a Cross-Country Rider
from Toronto, ON
Date Reviewed: September 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Simple
Easy to service
Works well when not broken | | Weaknesses: |
Breaks down a lot
Cartridges die too easily
Bushings wear out soon after they break in | | Similar Products Used: |
Rigid fork
99 Manitou SX-R | | Bike Setup: |
Oryx 4000s
Full XT | | Bottom Line: | On the bright side, this fork does work quite well when its not broken. It soaks up bumps quite nicely and doesn't bottom out. I've had the fork for a bit over a year, but have ridden it for only about 6 months (my bike was in storage this winter). For the first 3 months of riding, everything worked great, but after that, I suffered many breakdowns. 2 cartridges died on me, and then the bushings wore out and had to be replaced. Right now, I've toasted 3 cartridges and 2 sets of bushings, and I don't care to use any more time or money trying to warranty or repair this fork. So I stuffed the Judy XC on my beater bike and got a new Manitou SX-R for my good bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke Tarrant
a Cross-Country Rider
from Hampshire, England
Date Reviewed: August 22, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
smooth travel
light weight
adjustability
reliability | | Weaknesses: |
a bit flexy
stickers come off easily
long bed-in period | | Similar Products Used: |
Manitou Pro-C
Manitou Spyder | | Bike Setup: |
98 Rockshox Judy XC
99 Specialized Rockhopper | | Bottom Line: | A very good fork for a beginner, a bit flexy for racing, light weight and good adjustability, make for a good all-rounder! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DirtyRoo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Waterloo, Ontario
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Fanshaw Lake/Trashmount | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
great value
light
long travel (80mm)
dampening
stiffer than Indy | | Weaknesses: |
bit of flex
too soon to tell reliability
annoying rubber boots | | Similar Products Used: |
Indy SL | | Bike Setup: |
96 Rocky Mountain Hammer
xt Bontranger Mustang wheels
Judy XC 80mm travel fork
Panaracer Fire xc Pro
ESP 9.0 rear der & shifters | | Bottom Line: | After 2 years of bashing myself with a rigid fork, I finally upgraded to a Judy XC. After riding a friends bike with Indy SL, I decided to spend a few extra bucks and go Judy to avoid the pogo effect. I bought the 98 model with 80mm of travel for $300 canadian which translates to around $200 US. This is a great deal here in the great white north, as Bombers start at $450. The performance of this fork is great. Sure my opinion may be biased as it's really the only fork I've had on my bike, but after a 3 hr ride I judge this fork to be doing all that it's supposed to. I can now bomb those downhill sections at full speed and in full control, ride over roots in ease, and have some cushioning when I come down for those landings. And the best thing is I have the option of upgrading the fork. After the cartridge goes/wears out, I can get the Englunds and have some weight knocked off as well as better performance (so everybody says), maybe I'll even get an alloy steerer so that I can make it a really light fork. Bombers may be plusher and tougher than a Judy, but they are also more expensive and heavy. For its value and performance with the future of upgradability, I give it 5 flaming turds. If reliability becomes an issue, I'll be back to slam the fork, but since I ride my bike as though it was rigid and still take the best line, I don't think I'll be killing the fork soon.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: June 20, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
After riding this fork for a whole year, I can say that I have been pleased with it. I have not yet blown a cartridge at 200 lbs and although when I immediately changed from rigid to this shock, I felt flex, it is not really apparent anymore. | | Weaknesses: |
Like I said, it could be stiffer, but it's acceptable for sure. | | Bottom Line: | Good all around fork | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DP
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lowell, MA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Lynn Woods + 'Nam | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
Much plusher and more active than previous models (when not broken) | | Weaknesses: |
Faulty Damping Cartridges | | Similar Products Used: |
Manitou 4, FS Ti, RS '97 Judy, '97 Bomber Z2, White Bros. SC70, Girvin Vector 2 | | Bike Setup: |
Schwinn Homegrown | | Bottom Line: | Did Schwinn get a bad batch of Judys? A friend who is a novice rider bought a Homegrown on my recomendation and loves everything about it except the fork. The cartridge blew after 4 rides, it took almost 3 weeks to get another, now that one has blown after 3 additional rides. Not too great a track record for the first month. I've been present for this bike's entire off-road career, and there's been nothing in the trail conditions or level of riding that warrants this kind of problem. I'd like to introduce my friend to some of the great technical trails around here, but I'm afraid that the Judy just isn't up to it. This fork is probably OK if you stick to the groomed stuff, but for riding in the real world, buy a Bomber. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allen Macaulay
a Cross-Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario
Date Reviewed: May 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Simple
Easy Maintenance
Works well when not broken | | Weaknesses: |
The Cartridge
RS Quality Control
Kinda heavy | | Similar Products Used: |
None, 1st suspension fork | | Bike Setup: |
Oryx 4000s, Full XT, Judy XC LT | | Bottom Line: | Nice fork, but I've had 2 cartridges die on me in just under a year. The original cartridge lasted about 10 months, but the replacement one only lasted 1 month. My riding style hasn't changed, so I tend to think the quality controls kinda messed like some others have pointed out. Other than this hassle with blown and leaking damping cartridges, the fork works great. I don't bottom it out even when doing jumps and sick drops onto rocks and stuff. It's also pretty good at soaking up the small stuff. Ah well, gotta get yet another cartridge warranteed at the shop tommorow, but at least I have a beater bike to ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jørgen
a Cross-Country Rider
from Oslo, Norway
Date Reviewed: May 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Weaknesses: |
A bit too heavy!!! | | Similar Products Used: |
My first suspencion fork | | Bike Setup: |
Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I think Judy XC is a little too slow, but very good at big shocks!! It´s probably best for heavy riders. I´m just 65 kg. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a cross-country rider
from illinois
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
i really feel that this frame lacks travle. i had a quad 5 before and that was a total joke! it felt like a rigid fork but neways. im sold on manitous. they dont have redicoulous travle like marzochis and are light. they seem to have perfect travle so it doesnt feel like your riding a huffy LxT. this fork has around 63 mm of travel. for the price i thinks you would be better off getting a manitou sx tpc or even a manitou spyder. it seems that rockshox seem to be mostly on treks (yuppy bikes)ill give it 2 flamin chillies cuz it doesnt fall apart.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephan
a cross-country rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: February 13, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a Judy XC LT in April 98 and replaced the steel fork of my hard tail. From that time on I was busy with my bike every weekend (also during winter time) on trails and downhills (vineyard biking). To make a long story short I am absolutely satisfied. No problems at all. Only Judy butter after every third or fourth ride, no additional maintenance. Outstanding performance. Plastic knobs are disturbing me (but they work). I will buy again a Rock Shox fork. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric the bike man
a weekend warrior
from Menomonie Wisconsin USA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the 1998 Rock Shox Judy XC as a Christmas present. I havent yet even installed them. I think they look great so far so I am rating them atrictly by looks!!! But they do still kick ass! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
g-rod
a cross-country rider
from NJ
Date Reviewed: January 4, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I wanted to stay out of this site so bad but I just couldn't. Here I am with another blown damper cartrige. 306 mls., 1 spring re-grease, 2 complete services and I so far am on an average of one cartrige per 150 mls. I can't afford another fork. R.S. cust. serv. has not been steller either. They must be over worked. Anyway, I weigh 148, don't race, but ride hard in a rocky area. No DH either. But here is what I do like about this fork: 1) When the fork is properly broken in, it works fine. I've ridden better, but I didn't pay to much for it. 2) It's easy to take apart to service. All I want to do is ride my bike, and for at least 2 wks. I can't. UUUUGGGGHHHH. If I had to do it all over again, I would not buy this product. Save your pennies, do your homework and buy anything else. Good luck.
G-ROD | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a cross-country rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: December 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just have to review these again, I did it the first time a bit prematurely. I do quite a bit of DH and I was thinking about upgrading to a long travel fork. A judy XL or manitou x-vert-t, maybe a white brothers. I've realized theres no need! My judy xc lt's are 80 mm which is great considering it's not a dual crown. I love my judy's! They absorb dropoffs beautifully and I can handle any DH slope with them. I don't understand where long travel bikes fit in anyway. The fork height makes it harder to climb and the giant rear shocks bob around too much. Also, LT bikes don't have enough travel to be considered DH bikes, jhust more than XC. When I finally get into racing this summer I'm going to buy a great DH anyway, so for my style of riding this fork rules. I haven't blown a cartridge and I take some huge drop offs every weekend. What I like best about this fork is maintenence, judy butter after every ride or two and you're done! 5 flaming chillys from me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Sforza
a cross-country rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
From what i hear these shocks are 'posed to be good. I ordered the '98 Judy XC's with the Englund Air's. I don't ride that hard, hell i'm only 14. And 80mm of travel is good foir a cross country rider. It's not that travel that makes the biker its the biker that makes the biker. So all of u people who cross country with 9 inches of travel, well i think thats a waste of freakin time. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sloop
a cross-country rider
from Czech Republic
Date Reviewed: November 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have this fork for about half a year. Just shortly after I have bought the JUDY XC I have heard some guys talking very bad about RS, so I got little bit nervous. But, from the first ride, this fork realy works. And it works GREAT. No problems at all. The maintaince is no problem, and it is not necessary to do it often. GO for it, now you can get it at blow out prices! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a cross-country rider
from California
Date Reviewed: November 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, I've just purchased a brand new '98 proflex 4000. I didn't want a noleen w/ a k2 smart shock as my fork because of the rumors I've heard. I've been riding rock shox for years so I naturally turned to them. I got the '98 judy xc lt (long travel). It gets 80 mm of travel which is amazing for a single crowned fork! It broke in in a matter of days and maintenence is a breeze. They're super plush although they are a little unresponsive to the little stuff. The only shock I know of which absorbs the little stuff are the fatty's on some Cannondales. Anyone who blows a cartridge on these has it adjusted totally wrong. Don't lety them discourage you from this great product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Wayne
a cross-country rider
from wv
Date Reviewed: November 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Got the '98 Judy XC on my new Homegrown and like the feel, but the quality control isn't getting it. The thing immediately started clacking at the top of every stroke. After several visits to the shop it turns out that RS had put a long travel spacer in my short travel fork. Next problem - brought it in for cleaning after only two months and found the cartridge blown already. It's sitting in the shop today. I miss it, but she is behaving badly. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan
a racer
from
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
All you people who knock Rock Shox cause go F&*K yourselves because it kicks ASS
Ive riden MANY forks and for the price, none can come close to the XC.
I know a guy who has blown his cartirdge but to all you people who blow them -
ITS NOT THE FORK - ITS THE INCOMPITANCE OF THE RIDER. Only dumbasses blow cartriges. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew donner
a cross-country rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the 99 xc's and they are great. I have had no trouble with them and they look nice. i BOUGHT THEM FOR 320 DOLLARS. Very plush. THESE KICK ASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jason graupp
a cross-country rider
from milw. wi
Date Reviewed: October 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Came stock on my 98 Fisher Ziggurat. I like `em. Ran them moderatly hard
all summer with no complaints. No Servicing.Just good, plush,quiet bumpers. I don`t even notice `em. THATS GOOD! I weigh 190 and set preload at two clicks from soft and compression damping at one turn from soft and never bottom out even on small jumps.With these settings,travel is maximized. Maybe i don`t toss C-3`s because keeping the comp adj on soft reduces pressure internally allowing seals to live longer? And if I did lose a C-3,I would look at a White Bros aluminum unit and skip the RS plastic chunk.Have not seen any reviews on the WB units yet.Anybody out there with one please write! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michele Steele
a cross-country rider
from Brampton
Date Reviewed: October 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a '98 Judy XC with the 80 mm travel. I weigh 135 lbs and have blown the cartridge twice. Both times the cartridge blew during it's first ride on the trails. I am not an aggressive rider and often get off my bike to negotiate technical sections of trail. Even when the cartridge is first installed and working there is no difference between the fastest and slowest damping settings. I also find that the Judy's don't have a particularly smooth stroke in the first inch; they like to stick alot. I'm happy for those of you who have won the Rock Shox Sweepstakes and managed to procure a Judy that has some level of relibility and performance, but it is ultimately the forks that don't work that determines the level of quality for a product.
I am not the only person who has had these difficulties so if you are considering the 98 Judy line be warned that Rock Shox quality control is not very good, (their forks are inconsistent at best,) and give some other forks a test ride. I intend to purchase a new fork in the spring because I would like to finish a ride with the same damping performance as I started with. I have friends who are enormously impressed with the performance and reliability of their Bombers, so be sure not to let the weight penalty scare you off. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shaggy
a cross-country rider
from Milton
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I don't understand why RockShox gets a bad wrap, I just picked up a 98 Judy XC custom painted red with a alloy steerer.
Everything I've ever dreamt a suspension fork should this fork has. I rode down a flight of stairs today and barely felt it.
Amazing. I've seen the Marzocchi's and they don't come close to the looks of this fork. Right out of the box it was set up right
haven't touched it yet. Light, stiff, and plush plush plush. Best thing I've ever bought. It is better than any indy or a bomber | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ME
a cross-country rider
from Burnaby, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I paid about 400 Canadian Loonies for my 98 XC and I am very pleased with its performance. It does what it claim to do. It totally take the edge of the rocks and drop off. I have a Norco Torrent, and it has a very stiff rear triangle.I totally love this fork and the fork surpassed performance of the models it replaced. I had experience with more than a few suspension items and so far, it's the best. I have no problem of any kind, and of course, I weight about 140lbs and I am very finese rider. After all, I learned to ride a mountain bike when there was no suspension forks. It was a time when a rider needed to use his/her arms and legs to absorb the shock and to pick the best line to avoid being jolted. I still pick a smooth line rather than just bomb through the trials like most people. MAybe it's my riding style that gave me the long life for the fork without a blown cartrige. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a weekend warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: September 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This fork is very plush and the rebound is well controlled, not bouncy like some people say. I've the long travel version. Compared to a bomber Z3 it has more travel (13mm) and externally adjustable dampening plus it has disc brake mounts. My only complaint is that it is too flexible fore and aft, especially since I weigh 210 lbs. Fortunately, 99% of this flex is in the lower legs. If carbon lower legs can fix this, then I would be happy to give it five chillies because I got the fork at a kick-ass price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a cross-country rider
from Dallas, Tx
Date Reviewed: August 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
My '97 Judy XC never has impressed me. My old Quadra 21R was as unresponsive as this thing, and Quadras really suck. The travel is stiff and abbreviated, I think the oil cartridge is beginning to leak, the plastic top caps are stripping out, it's pissing me off. I'm thinking of going with the Englund air system, to save weight and get that SID-like ride. For $130 (with air pump), it sure beats getting a new shock, and I hear the ride is what it's supposed to be. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eli Van Camp
a weekend warrior
from Madison, WI
Date Reviewed: August 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i upgraded to the 98 xc a couple months ago. the medium springs bottom out a lot. i just blew up my c3 cartridge. that's not supposed to happen, eh? i'm a clydesdale but not overly so. if i had the money i'd get a different fork. are there any suggestions? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
yuri
a cross-country rider
from Ottawa
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Man, I wished there was a turd rating 'cause this product (and company) deserves it. My patience has run out now...My DeKerf came with 97 XC's painted to match the frame. I opened them up a week before a big race for regular maintenance and was rewarded with the Exxon Valdez - blown cartridge. The stanchions were scored as well and, since they were pressed into the crown, the whole mess was garbage. Then the lowers split when the RS tech was replacing the bushings....So, after a month and a half wait I finally got a warrranty fork (after lots of calls from DeKerf and local shop people to RS). One month later and my new cartridge has seized - no kidding, the thing won't budge.I think RS's engineering dept. operates on the infinite number of monkeys with an infinite number of pieces of magnesium and an.... only they were too cheap and bought 12 monkeys instead.Spend your money on something else 'cause this stuff is CRAP! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
LEECH
a downhiller
from BENDIGO. AUSTRALIA.
Date Reviewed: August 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I BROUGHT A PAIR OF ROCK SHOX JUDY XC AND THEY ARE THE BEST DAM THINGS I EVER GOT THEY RULE!!!!! THEY ARE GREAT FOR ALL TYPES OF RIDEING. I WENT TO A GREAT D/H TRACK LAST WEEKEND AND THEY RULE. EVERYBODY THINKS THEY ARE GREAT. ROCK SHOX KICK ASS.SIGNED LEECH. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dustin
a cross-country rider
from
Date Reviewed: July 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
One of the best upgrades I have put on my bike. The Judy XC is a great fork. Its plush and doesn't bottom out easily. Its too bad some people have to drag a good product through the mud, as some of the other reviews have done. Its a great fork and don't let the poor reviews below cloud your decision to buy one of these forks. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivor Biggun
a racer
from Mars
Date Reviewed: July 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i'm a roadie and my Rockshox Boxxer is the biggest piece of crud ive ever owened.rrrrrrr rrrrrr rrrr rrrr rrrr rrrrr rrrrrr r r r r r r r r r r r r r rrrrrrrrrr rr r r r r r r r r r r r Mint Sauce rules all . | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chip B.
a cross-country rider
from Memphis Tn.
Date Reviewed: June 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had the juday xc for about 4 months now, and i am begining not to like it. It cam stock on my 98 y11. I had to put the stiffest springs in it since the medium springs bottomed out every time i sat stood pedaled or just looked at the bike worng. :-) lol. Anyway they were too soft, so i had my lbs put stiffer springs in it, and they work. Now it is super stiff, I call it my rigid fork shock. So i think i will look into getting a new fork now, so if anynoe wants to buy mine please e-mail me.
Chip B.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wondertigger
a cross-country rider
from San Francisco USA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had the 98 Judy XC LT for 6 months now, so I'm psoting this maintenance review in addition to my performance review of many months ago.The maintenance I have had to perform - NONE. This is after six months of riding firetrails and singletrack in Marin and San Mateo at least 1x per weekend (needless to say, the Joshua X0 is not my commute bike). I weigh 190 and have this shock on a Joshua X0. The owners manual says I should open the shock up incredibly often to change the oil and do some other crap, but this might just be lawyer talk or stuff to line the pockets of your LBS - I'm not sure, but I have only lubed the legs between rides, and it's fine.A great shock, especially for the price I got it at. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Petros
a cross-country rider
from Bromont, Quebec
Date Reviewed: June 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a 1998 RockShox Judy XC LT (Long Travel) for use with my hardtail, which also happens to be a 1998 model. Now I;ve used other Judys, and I must say that this one is the best ever. I beat the crap out of it every time I use it and the Aluminum C-3 Cartridge is working like the day I bought it. I've crashed on double diamond (the hardest) singletrack and bombing down the cross-canada pipeline, and it's working great! The Type-III springs and (almost) oil bath keep the fork reasonable plush with very little sticion. Slab on Judy Butter and you get action like a bomber, it's never bottomed out and the new external damping knob works great. For a mid-priced fork it's well worth it. This is my opinion. Some people get duds, but it's like that with every product. Sme people take care of their stuff. Cleaning them and lubing them, and I do that every week. My fork is tuned. All forks need to be tuned. If you don't beleive it, you're just lazy. Get with the program. Everything takes a little work to get it just right. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
timothy
a cross-country rider
from vail
Date Reviewed: June 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just bought a schwinn home grown love it!!!! It came with a judy xc loved it
while it lasted. After 5 days of hard riding it bottoms out with little force. perrty disapointed the great judy failed me. finlaly get a decent shock and it sucks.
now i just got to see if they will repair it . would rather have SL. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Antenen
a weekend warrior
from Cincinnati
Date Reviewed: June 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got the Judy XC! I think it is wonderful. It bouses way more then the Indy shox's! I haven't got it to compress fully yet. I'am 13 and my friends are now all jeolous. This is one of the best shox's ever. I recomend it to any one. III | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a cross-country rider
from usa
Date Reviewed: May 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
i have owned a judy since 1995 when they first came out. i blew the damping cartrige several weeks after i go the fork-- nevertheless, it still seems to perform fine, i have never done anything to it ,other than greased the mcu's.. i recently bought a bike with the 98 judy T2 and i actually like the older one better, even though the 98 has an inch more travel. i wonder if the damping cartrige would make the 98 judy's any better????
i hope they stay in business--the stock has taken a dramatic plunge. scary.. anyway....i give rock shox 5 chilli's for a dependable fork. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gazman
a weekend warrior
from swedyland
Date Reviewed: May 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, my spanking new 98xc was just great for two hours before it seized up and stopped working. It freed up on the way to the bike shop after I'd rang up to complain - ain't that typical. Nevertheless there's something bust in there I'm sure.As said it's not so bad when it works. I've never owned a bouncy fork before and I love being able to cane it down a hill twice as fast as before in (almost) full control. Yeah, I have to admit the geometry of my kona is pretty bizzare now with the long travel fork but I rather like it. Sort of like a motocross bike or something. And it looks good too, even with a silly brake hanger on the lower legs.The fork is Ultra-Stiff against twisty forces but is mighty sloppy fore and aft. However you don't notice any slop when you're riding so don't worry about it. Lots of stiction though - my fork feels pretty rough after 2 weeks. Finally, I don't see how anybody can justify how a simple fork can cost anywhere near the 3700 kronor (about 400 dollars) we consumers have to pay. We're getting ripped off somewhere along the line. Especially when the quality is crap. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TURK
a weekend warrior
from Springfield, VA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I don't understand why RockShox gets a bad wrap, I just picked up a 98 Judy XC custom painted red with a alloy steerer. Everything I've ever dreamt a suspension fork should this fork has. I rode down a flight of stairs today and barely felt it. Amazing. I've seen the Marzocchi's and they don't come close to the looks of this fork. Right out of the box it was set up right haven't touched it yet. Light, stiff, and plush plush plush. Best thing I've ever bought. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a cross-country rider
from Milwaukee, WI
Date Reviewed: May 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Granted, it is not very constructive to respond to other's inane postings - but let's review the product in the product reviews. Since when does stock performance on a public market reflect consumer satisfaction with their products. How many Rock Shox shareholders do you think actually own one of their forks? Not bloody many. Cut the reactionary scare tactics and stick to the shock.I have been riding the 98 Judy XC for several months, and am absolutely enthralled with it. It glides through washboards and soaks big hits great. We'll see how it holds up through the summer. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chucky
a racer
from canada
Date Reviewed: April 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Quite possibly the best fork. It is lighter than a bomber, it's not as plush but it is pretty close. It absorbes every bump out there. I definately recommend these forks to anyone. Oh yah I got them for 420 Canadian in Canmore AB at the Bicycle Cafe -- best store ever.
I can't wait for the Ontario Cup season to kick off so I can put these babies to the test, | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a cross-country rider
from St. Paul, MN
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Hate it, it came on a schwinn S-10 and it is just bringing the bike down. When I brought it home I noticed that it was like riding an Indy, no damping. The damping knob did nothing so I had it checked by the shop, they said the cartridge was already blown, probably during somebodys test ride of the bike. Without any damping the fork is all over the place, my Mag 21 had better steering precision. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Log Rider
a cross-country rider
from El Dorado County CA
Date Reviewed: March 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, It happened. My cartige blew. Luckily my LBS said they'd handle the return since
RS ins't exactly famous for quick friendly service. I thought I'd be happt since
they finally did away with the hokey elastomer stack theory. Looks lke I was a yr too early for the new technology. it obviously needs some work.
I'm on a seriously limited budget, but I'm going to Marzocchi anyway.
There's good deals on 97 bombers. I need something I can ride every day if I bwant to and not upgrade to make it work, and not spend hrs of service per week to keep it running.
good-bye RS forever. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wondertigger
a cross-country rider
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: March 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just upgraded from the 97 Judy XC that my LBS lent me until the 98 came in (sitting on a 98 Joshua X0). Gott in Himmel, what a difference. This is one shock that truly rocks! I get the full 80mm of plush travel, unlike the spring/elastomer 97 in both quality and distance. For performance - five chilis. I'll write up a maintenance review in a few months.
I looked at the Marzocchi. The weight didn't really scare me off - it was the price, as my LBS could make a better deal on the Judy. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Endo
a cross-country rider
from Caliente, Utah
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
RockShox finally puts out a good product. Much better than the 97 stuff. This is a serious competitor to the Marzocchi.
It's easy to service and tune (set-up) unlike the Marz.
Time to ride, hit some big drop offs and do some endooooos.
I'm going to try to destroy mine and see what RockShox will do for me.
Very popular shock. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matti Lehto
a racer
from Sudbury, Ontario
Date Reviewed: January 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These are the second best forks I've ever ridden. The only problem
I've had with them since I bought them 5 months ago is the cheap
plastic caps on the top. Does anyone know if you can buy aluminum caps
for them anywhere? E-mail me if you do. The old quadra 21's had the same caps and they were
recalled by rock shox because of blow outs. The forks still work well so I'll give
them 5 peppers. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a weekend warrior
from Tucson, Az.
Date Reviewed: January 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have used my 98 Judy XC Long Travel for 2 months. I have changed out the stock springs (Yellow-soft) for a set of Red-Mediums and Black-Firms. Red for the mellow rides and Black for the bomber heavy rocky stuff.
I have taken these shock apart for service and spring replacement. They are quite easy to service once you've done it. The top cap can be removed for spring service and replacement seperate from resi-wiper/upper bushing service.
Grease the upper bushing and resi-wiper (DO NOT GREASE LOWER BUSHING) with any good non-lithium grease and 10cc of 15wt shock oil and your done. Keep em cleaned in between service and they should perform for a long time.
Set the right amount of sag using the pre-load, if you have to crank down more than two turns of pre-load to get the right amount of sag go to the next higher spring set up. Adjust the dampning to your liking and try em out.
I have heard a lot about other shocks, but I am thus far pleased with my Judy XC.
I have had good response from RockShox tech service.
I think this is a good product; got mine at a good price, RockShox has been good to me, this shock has taken a fair amount of abuse.
5 Chilis
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a cross-country rider
from Ellicotville
Date Reviewed: January 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm sorry but when I got these shocks I was extreemly disapointed! Why would I buy an expensive fork and then right after I buy them, have to make an upgrade? I don't have a verry good source of income because all the money I get, I spend it on my bike. I can't afford to upgrade an upgrade. Also the shocks are on the heavier side. And the rebound and preload adjustments are not seperate. I'm sorry that I have to put this in but, I am the fool who bought them in the first place. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a weekend warrior
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just bought a pair of XC 97's, and am wondering if they are as good as the 98's? is the new springs and dampeners'n'stuff better??? Are the old ones OK???...... Seeing as this review has to be more than 50 words, i better bullshit the last 20.....I just got a new bike...I bought the shox over the net from www.aardvarkcycles.com, they have a special going...JUDY XC 97, $199 (US)... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chaz
a racer
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: January 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Got these babies a few weeks ago in Canmore Alberta. These things way alot more than my existing shocks (Indy SL's), but they are a hell of a lot better. When I saw the shox, the for boots looked REALLY short. Plus, when I took the boots off the seals and pushed them as far as they would go, about 2 inches of stanchion was showing. However, I put them on my bike and rode, and found that these had ample travel for racing. Great job on the springs and the cartridge....however I would like to see more adjustability, not some cheap plastic knob on the bottom! The cool looks are due to the cream/blue lowers and a black crown! But why aren't those gold coloured Easton stanchions on these shox? Oh well....you can't have everything! Good job, Rock Shox. Finally, a Judy that is worthy. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DM-SC
a cross-country rider
from SC
Date Reviewed: January 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The '98 RockShox Judy XC is a really big improvement over the '97 model. The range of adjustability is increased. You can change any one of the 4 (2 primary and 2 secondary) springs. Turning the rebound/dampening adjuster knob acually makes a noticeable difference, as does turning the preload knobs. I was fortunate in that I was able to dial mine in without going inside the shock. I have had no problem with it bottoming out over the big stuff and it handles small stuff really well. If they would lighten it up a little and give us separate rebound/dampening adjustments.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fulaks
a cross-country rider
from Belgium
Date Reviewed: January 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I picked up a Judy XC 98 with the new type 3 spring system and the type 3 cartridge. Installed it on
my hardtail Cannondale and I was amazed about how well the money was spent. I ordered the fork
with the firm springs (standard it comes with medium springs) and in the long travel version (i.e.
80 mm of travel in stead of the standard 63 mm, but in real life you never get this amount of travel,
so I went for the 80 mm). Adjusting preload is very easy, and you should obey the owners manual
on how to determine the right amount of sag. Turning the preload knobs actually makes a difference.
The damping/rebound knob is set on minimum, wich gives you a very responsive ride. Stiffnes and
turnability is not affected compared to the original ordinary fork.
I'm not a weight freak, so I bought the XC in stead of the SL. It's more effective to loose some
weight yourself than buying all those fancy ti-things that leave big holes in your wallet. So far so
good, I like the 98 Judy XC and I don't think you need aftermarket tune-up kits. Since the
elastomers are gone and the cartridge is new, I hope durability will be OK. Just keep your bike
clean and greased and you will have few problems. | | Overall Rating: |
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