Submitted by
Quinn
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA Date Reviewed: July 29, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Sycamore Canyon
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Helen's Cycles
Strengths:
extremely lightweight climbs like a billy goat! simple design
Weaknesses:
brakes-they howl and shudder
Similar Products Used:
gary fisher genesisters tassajara
Bike Setup:
orange juliana frame, fox float R (front shock and rear), aheadset, deore LX crank, deore XT hub, deore XT rear, avid juicy 5 disc brakes, race face stem and seat post, terry butterfly seat, kenda nevegal tires
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I am somewhat small (5'4") so I dig the women's sizing. It's my first full suspension so I was leary of buying one for fear that it would mean sacrificing climbing ability. After reading many reviews about what a great climber it is, I went for it. The reviews are right on. She climbs and sticks to uphills like glue. In fact, as I was haulin' back down a single track I had just climbed, I hardly recognized the trail. I couldn't believe that the steep, rutted and rocky trail i was riding down was the same one I had just traveled up. The bike just climbs and rolls right over ruts and rocks like no one's business and The Fox float shox have plenty of travel for bombing down the hills. Obviously, the Juliana is not a downhill bike, so insane drops are out of the question, but so far, she has flown, hopped and rolled over everything I've encountered. My only complaint is the brake system. I have the Avid Juicy 5 brakes and I am not very happy with them. While they certainly have remarkable stopping power, they have howled and cried and screamed from day one. I had heard that disc brakes squeal so at first I just ignored it. (Also I live in Southern California so we have a lot of dust on our trails) But after several rides I noticed that in addition to screaming, the bike was shimmying when I applied strong pressure to the brakes. i took the bike in to my bike shop and he told me the front rotor was bent (how? yeah, i fall occasionally but nothing out of the ordinary) and that the brakes were corrupt. he removed and sanded them and told me to give the brakes a longer "wearing in" period. I rode around my neighborhood for about 10 miles and on my first trail ride, they started up again. Only now the hose also whines. Yes, i said the hose. If i just touch the bike, (and I'm not talking about squeezing the brakes)the hydraulic hose whines. i'm about to take it in again for repair but after this no more avid brakes for me. When i replace i'll be going with the Hope's.
I would give it 5 chilis except for the brakes. that squeal makes me crabby. very crabby.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MD
a Cross Country Rider
from Blacksburg, VA USA Date Reviewed: March 9, 2004
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Strengths:
Smooth ride, light, handles well, perfect fit for petite women. Similar to the review below...limited by this rider's abilities
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
GT rebound hard-tail Gary Fisher 13" hard-tail (don't remember the style)
Bike Setup:
Navy blue with Silver trim, Chris King headset, Disc brakes, Marzocchi Bomber MRX front suspension, Fox float RS, XT Deore drivetrain
Bottom Line:
This bike has changed my world of mountain biking! I'm able to do climbs I was unable to do on my GT (it was a men's bike in a smaller size and too big for me). The full suspension has made rock gardens a pleasure...I actually look forward to them now.
My boyfriend bought this bike for me for Christmas in 2002 and in August 2003 I did my first 60 mile mountain bike race in West Virginia. My Juliana handled beautifully! In September we replaced my riser handlebars with a flat handlebar and it really improved this bikes manuverability. Now I'm training for my first century mountain bike race.
Although it is expensive, having a bike that fits and rides well is worth every penny for to me (and my boyfriend...he loves watching me ride!) I highly recommend this bike to all petite women!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lori
a Cross Country Rider
from Flatlands Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003
Favorite Trail:
All of 'em
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Wylder geometry and sizing for women. A solid frame/fork/shock as a foundation to build from. Single pivot design. Light, handles well, effortless ride. Limited only by this rider's abilities.
Weaknesses:
Some less expensive bikes come with just as good or better componentry.
Similar Products Used:
Owned a 2000 Fisher Kaitai and a 2000 C'dale F2000SX (lefty) both hardtails - loved them both. Test rode almost every full suspension I could find in a small size - Scalpel, Jekyll, Stumpjumper, Sugar, Fuel....maybe some I don't remember.
Bike Setup:
Scuba Yellow w/black RS Duke SL fork (my husband calls me the Queen Bee), Fox Float RLC, Avid Mechanical Discs and Single Digit 7 levers, Bontrager FS2000 saddle, LX/XT drivetrain, Juliana handlebars, Easton seatpost soon to be replaced with Thomson.
Bottom Line:
After putting over 1000 miles on this bike in the past 9 months I am finally taking time to write a review. (It's cold and snowy outside!)
I rode a lot of bikes before buying this one. I can't really say that there was anything wrong with any of the other bikes, but as soon as I rode a medium size Juliana, I knew I would buy one. Also, I wasn't planning on spending over two grand either. But when you find what you like...
I ordered this bike through my local LBS - no SC dealer nearby. I had test ridden a rental bike for fit and then ordered the bike in the color and componentry I wanted.
Now to the really important stuff. It took me about a month to set up and adjust to my new ride. Some reasons: I spec'd the bike with v-brakes to save $ but the C'dale I had been riding had discs. So here I was with a new bike in April (read: rainy and muddy) with rim brakes that I wasn't used to. Let's just say that it took a while to get my confidence back up. I'm back to discs now and I'm thrilled and ready to deal with this spring's mud!
After things finally dried out and I got to do some serious riding on some dry hard pack trails I was amazed at the things I could finally do or do easier now. The connection the back wheel gets when climbing over rough, rooty, off camber terrain inspires me to dig in and not bail out. And the cushion of rear suspension is just what my old body needed.
The handling is great - quick and light but stable and predictable. I have no problem pointing the front end down a loose, rocky descent and letting it roll. The Duke SL and Float RLC work really well together. Here in the relative flatlands of the midwest, I rarely lock out the rear except on road sections (not often). I don't notice a lot of energy sapping bob when climbing, however we don't have many long climbs.
This bike is comfortable for hours and days. The seat I have is the most comfortable I've owned. I'm on my second one. Ladies - check it out if you haven't found one you love yet. To illustrate the difference between this bike and my hardtail (which was a great bike - light, nimble and smooth): When on vacation last spring in Texas (where I got to test ride all those FS bikes) we went on 15 mile trail rides two days in a row. Not hugely long, but being spring, I wasn't in the best condition. At the end of the first day when I sat down or got up from a chair my butt was hurting! When I got tired on the hardtail, my legs just couldn't keep my butt off the seat in the rough stuff and consequently I got beat to death towards the end of our rides.
Two months later - we take my new full suspension and ride about 20 miles two days in a row. Still spring not in great riding shape yet. The difference was amazing. I realized the morning after the first ride that I wasn't sore at all. Nor after the second day. I realize that 15 and 20 mile rides are not "epic", but my normal ride is about 10 miles and the trails I refer to here were not my home trails - these were much rockier than I'm used to.
I have had no problems with the bike whatsoever. The frame and paint are holding up great. More durable paint than I expected. I haul this bike to and from the trail head as many as 5 times a week and so far there are no scratches, nicks or dings from either riding or transporting. I've fallen off it often and each time I expect to find a nick or scratch. The only finish problem is cable rub- pretty common.
Oh, and one big thing I haven't mentioned yet - the rear suspension works flawlessly. Nary a peep out of it compared to a lot of my riding friend's and my husband's four pivot suspensions. My husband spent half the summer chasing a squeak and tearing down and rebuilding the rear end of his bike. I know when certain people are in the woods nearby because I can hear their suspension squeaking along the trail. The Juliana's single pivot design is great! It gets the job done (silently) without a lot of frills and extra maintenance.
I have no qualms about recommending this bike to anyone looking for a women's specific bike for XC and technical trail riding. The price is a little high but I feel that this frame will last me a very long time and as I wear out components or have extra cash, I will replace them with like or better kind.
As far as the review below - I agree that telling riders how cute the bike is and how great the shop was is not helpful information for review. However, I disagree with the rest of that review. This is definitely NOT a grassy trail/around town bike. I'd have a hybrid for that. I've ridden this bike on everything from rocks and roots to Colorado downhills. It has handled everything nicely and has given me the confidence and comfort to keep improving my riding skills and trying new challenges on the trail.
I'm giving this bike a value rating of four flaming chilis because it is so expensive but 5 flaming chilis overall because it is such a pleasure to ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sara
a Cross Country Rider
from Olympia, WA Date Reviewed: October 24, 2002
Although I love the juliana saddle's shape, unfortunately it is not very durable. It's already fraying at the edges after only 3 months.
Similar Products Used:
test rode a Trek Fuel 90 WSD
Bike Setup:
Juliana SL frame, super x-kit, avid mechanical brakes, fox float RL shock, easton EA50 stem, easton carbon seatpost, manitou skareb super fork, chris king headset
Bottom Line:
After reading the previous review, I felt compelled to write as I completely disagree with that rider's assessment. My stats: 5'5", 120 lbs - the juliana fits me like a dream. It's light-weightness and geometry enable me to climb and ride trails I struggled on before. I can also now comfortably descend steep slickrock that used to have me gripped. This bike rocks!
This bike IS expensive, but when I knew I'd spend more than $2000, I test rode and test rode bikes. If a bike doesn't fit well, that should be determined before purchasing. And any good shop can substitute the build kit/brakes to your specifications - I live in the soggy northwest and had disc brakes mounted. I also had the shop install stems of different lengths (65, 90, 100mm) until I found the one that gave the best riding position.
The bottom line: I did my homework - this bike was WORTH every penny I spent on it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Cindy Sullivan
a Cross Country Rider
from Whidbey Island, WA Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002
Favorite Trail:
cranberry lake
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2100.00
Purchased At:
mail ordre
Strengths:
Nice design, looks cute
Weaknesses:
not worth the money, sells by looks rather than quality
One note, I am glad more women enjoy this sport, but I am sorry the reviews don't offer much information. Comments about how helpful the bike shope was, how cute the bike is, etc. aren't really very helpful to the average reader.
That said, I must say that this bike is OK. Its not worth the money, but I do enjoy riding it. I am a larger woman (5'10" 145lb) so I don;t know how much I can appreciate the smaller handlebars, etc. But I am a little concerned that many of the components seem very cheap, for the price of the bike. I know this is common with other SC bikes, but I didn't really notice it on my bike until I started riding.
I have already broken the saddle and bent the seat post, and my brakes squeal like heck and don't work well in the wet weather, although they work great under normal circumstance. The ride is OK but for this price I honestly expected better tracking in corners and less bob in the climbs.
The odd chainstay angle make full suspension easier for sure, but the bike doesn't track straight at even moderate speeds. I am a good rider and I still have to consciously keep the bike on my line because it feels so unsteady at anything over 10mph.
I may sound like I dislike the bike, but that isnt the case. I am just disappointed with the quality for the price. I guess I am spoiled because I got used to riding my husbands Rocky Mountain carve; which is a less expensive bike but is such a better ride that its almost unbelieveable. In fact whenever its just me riding, I take my husbands Bike out and leave mine in the garage, that;s how much I like it. If rocky made a women's bike I would snap it up in an instant. They really cram the value into their higher-end bikes.
To be fair, it is a nice bike. But the Sugar GS is a better value for about the same quality and the Rocky Mountain men's bike are better bikes for the same price.
I think it looks nice and it is fun to ride on easy trails and around town, but I feel like someone is trying to take advantage of people feeling like they have a great bike just because it looks good and they paid a lot of money for it.If they dropped the price $600 I would give this bike the highest review possible.
Buy this bike if you have a great interest in cute bikes and you like to mountain bike on pavement or grass. Pass it up if you take the sport seriously and are look for value with performance.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Shelly
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Cruz Date Reviewed: August 13, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
ABS
Strengths:
This bike rocks.My husband bought me this frame and he picked out the components. I got a womens large and it fits unreal-I am 5'6" and I love the bike. It handles great on technical areas and really stable all around and it does everything great!!!!
Weaknesses:
None
Bike Setup:
Womens Large Juliana with monkey lite bars, carbon post,lazer ti saddle,ritchey WCS stem, stylo sl cranks, shook bb, sid sl's, wello mag pedals, Ritchey tires,Avid 7 brakes and Grip Shift attack shifters 9spd with XT derailuers.
Bottom Line:
This bike fit me perfectly right off the bat. I had no problems what so ever adjusting. I also love the saddle!!!!! This bike weighs in at 23.5 lbs. I also want to thank the guy's at Another Bike Shop (ABS) for everything!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Linda
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Co. Date Reviewed: August 1, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Flume
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
Beavers Sports Shop
Strengths:
This bike fits me very well. I had a hard time finding a bike that felt balanced. It seems effortless and so smooth off road. I can climb better than ever and ride down trails I walked before.
Weaknesses:
None so far!
Similar Products Used:
Trek WSD
Bike Setup:
Juliana SL frame, XT components, Mavic Tubeless (they ride so well!) Terry seat
Bottom Line:
This is such a good bike. I'm glad I took the time to look around and find the right shop and right bike. The shop took the time to select the parts and work with me on what I wanted! Other shops just wanted to sell me a bike. They spent an hour setting me up when I picked it up! Everything is so smooth. It puts the fun back in riding!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jane
a Weekend Warrior
from Tennessee, USA Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Norris, Hiwasee, Tsali, Lone Mountain
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1740.00
Purchased At:
Earth Traverse, Knoxville, TN
Strengths:
The handling of this bike is amazing! It is really for small women! I have a hard time to fit any regular bikes (men's bikes) because I am barely 5'4" and 120 lb. I ride a size small Juliana. I have also tried a Trek Fuel 90 WSD size small. It is good but it is a bit too stiff for me.
Weaknesses:
1. Saddle. The saddle is too wide and too stiff. The design seems cheap and rough. Santa Cruz needs to work on the saddle. (The saddle on Trek Feul WSD is MUCH better) I replace it with a Specialized Comp Woman (MSRP $80). It is narrower and has V-opening at the back. It is a great saddle. I recommend it. 2. Juliana SL is more expensive than Trek Feul 90 WSD.
Similar Products Used:
Trek Feul 90 WSD
Bike Setup:
R-kit, Fox float RL
Bottom Line:
Highly recommended to small women!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Danielle Regan
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz, CA , USA Date Reviewed: January 24, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Wilder Ranch
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2100.00
Purchased At:
Family Cycle Center
Strengths:
I am a new rider and my Juliana is very easy to ride. It fits my body size and makes riding fun.
Weaknesses:
None!
Similar Products Used:
I tryed a Trek, and it did not fit me as well.
Bike Setup:
super x
Bottom Line:
I am a new rider, but I love riding my bike. I was a runner for years and am so glad I found this sport! My husband and I both bought Santa Cruz Mountain Bikes and are so thankful we spent the extra money and got bikes we will never get tired of. I feel in time I'll grow as a rider and become worthy of my bike. I feel the quality of the bike has made a huge differance, well worth the money!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
crystal
a Cross Country Rider
from SC Date Reviewed: January 14, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Waldo Lake
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
Scotts Valley Cycle Sport
Strengths:
Handle bars, Peddling, the pink color, and super comfy
Weaknesses:
It needs to have a Terry Butterfly seat stock
Similar Products Used:
test rode womens Trek Fuel
Bike Setup:
Super X
Bottom Line:
I am a small 5'2' frame girl and this bike really helps me to feel more confident when I am riding. I have much more control with the Juliana. My back doesn't hurt as much,my hands don't hurt as much and with the Terry Butterfly seat that we put on, my ass doesn't hurt as much either. I believe ever girl should have one, especially if you're little like me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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