Submitted by
Rich
a Cross Country Rider
from Trabuco Canyon Date Reviewed: September 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
old camp
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Wet bath, coil spring, adjustable travel, good rebound adjustment, very light weight.
Weaknesses:
Makes some clicking noises.
Similar Products Used:
everything
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up review. I bought this for in 2000. This race version is much better than the current cheap judys and much better than the older cartridge judys. I put a heavier weight oil in it to make the rebound work best(rebound is super slow to very fast with a turn). The fork is about 3.6 lbs - super light for a 100mm travel, wet bath, coil sprung fork (just like the old Marzocchi Z1s). I can't believe that this fork is still going. It never breaks! It just keeps going and going. I ride twice a week in South Orange County. I will buy another Rockshox (they sure have got a lot more expensive over 7 years).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Wolfeboro, NH. USA Date Reviewed: October 23, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Any and all
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
Stock on GT Avalanche
Strengths:
Indestructible. I have done nothing to this shock for 3+ years, and it took it's regular beating yesterday on a 22 mile loop, still performing flawlessly.
Weaknesses:
Rebound adjustment knob? Yes,there is a rebound adjustment knob. No, it doesn't do anything. As far as the preload adjustment is concerned, there is very little difference when I tweek it (maybe .000000034 inches from full up to full down).
Similar Products Used:
First one I have used, so there isn't anything I can compare it to. I like the way it works, though. It's pretty smooth.
Bike Setup:
2000 GT Avalanche, with upgrades as the parts break.
Bottom Line:
I wish this thing would break, but it won't. Then I would be able to get a better fork. I can't feel any difference in the shock since the day I got it, and like I said, I've done nothing to it. The thing simply works, and doesn't die. Oh well, I'll keep pounding it over the babyheads and someday I'll get a SID. Someday.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
K. L.
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary Date Reviewed: October 17, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Anything super technical
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Friend
Strengths:
Simple Durable Smooth compression Easy to overhaul Stiffness & weight are par Brake (non-disc) flex is minimal
Weaknesses:
Damn noisy Preload adjustment is pathetic Rebound adjustment is so-so Red colour (yawn)
Similar Products Used:
Original Manitou's, Mag 21
Bike Setup:
Who cares?!
Bottom Line:
Don't read any further unless you want to learn what not do with these shocks: After 1 year of xc, I started freeriding on these things, and now up to 10' drops. I've only had to replace the XXX seals twice - once because of a high-pressure hose and the other b/c of my first 10' drop. Changing seals is pretty easy, once you figure out the tricks, and overhauling is simple. I just got my freeride bike so these shocks are now strictly xc (unless I come across a stunt...). They're a good, basic shock that gets the job done. They creak like crazy - makes it sound like my front-end is gonna snap off - and the adjustments are fair-poor, but compression is smooth all through it's 4". 4 chillies for the price and what it's inteaded for.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Copenhagen, Denmark Date Reviewed: November 27, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$125.00
Purchased At:
Used
Strengths:
Light - strong
Weaknesses:
Travel
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shox mag 20/21
Bike Setup:
XT/XTR, WCS, Thomson, Mavic 517
Bottom Line:
Got it a year ago - and must say its strengh is enourmous. Old-school compared to my friends, - but who cares - as long as you beet them. The fork is up for its first service (for 10 months) next week - should probably have done it earlier on, but it still works perfectly..!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dirk Hollebeek
a Cross Country Rider
from Gallup, New Mexico Date Reviewed: September 26, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Red Rock Ride
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Purchased At:
North Kent Cycle
Strengths:
Reliability, simplicity, cost.
Weaknesses:
No fancy gadgetry to make the riding buddies green with envy.
Similar Products Used:
Manitou, Marz, early Rock Shox (Mag 20/21)
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR Elite Max Back Bone with all the components stripped off my Trek 8000
Bottom Line:
Excellent fork for those looking for reliability. This is not the lightest, newest, or flashiest forks. It is however a work horse that continues to perform mile after mile with no maintenance. With the old adage of strength, weight, and price ("pick one"), this fork gives all three.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim
a Downhiller
from Marin, CA Date Reviewed: July 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light, strong, stiff, looks good.
Similar Products Used:
Marzocchi Z1, Manitou Black
Bike Setup:
Old Specialized Ground Control I abuse.
Bottom Line:
Very light considering its strength. I've done some 6' drops w/o any problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hunter
a Cross Country Rider
from Casselberry, Fl Date Reviewed: January 23, 2003
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At:
traded for JrT
Strengths:
Quality
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Older Judy XC, Jett XC, Marzocchi JrT
Bike Setup:
Trek Hardtail with Full Shimano XT 9spd system, Race Face Cranks, Mavic D521 rear/Sun O degree front rim, Ringle headset, LX V-brakes, Avid 1.9 levers, Kore stem, Titec riser bars, RockShox suspension seatpost, RockShox Judy Race fork, Primo pedals, ODI grips.
Bottom Line:
I have been loyal to Rock Shox because I and alot of my friends use this product. Roommate hase a Z1 Marzocchi on his Sienfeld bike and the seals busted, Why? How? Not from use I tease him. I am really hard on my equipment and this shock has taken all my poundings, trials, and jumping. Florida trails are rough in that there is alot of jagged roots and rough terrain. This shock soaks it up and asks for more. I am glad I got the better Race version because it is lighter. Great product=worry free fun on trails.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from London, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: January 13, 2003
Favorite Trail:
unlisted forests
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Friend
Strengths:
-absorbs all of the bumps -can be adjusted for travel -strong -fair weight
Weaknesses:
-could use a little more tire clearance -external adjustments are useless (do close to nothing) -plastic pre-load adjusters
Similar Products Used:
RST omni CL, rigid $h!t.
Bike Setup:
Oryx T-Line 750, continental tires, bontrager select seatpost, kore forged stem, cane creek SX-1 headset, and deore (stronger than XTR [I find]) everything.
Bottom Line:
The fork performs like I always wished a fork would. I have never experienced better. Very strong and can take a lot of abuse. Absorbs all roots I hit. Very smooth ride! I highly reccomend this fork to all XC and freeriders, not for downhill though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Russell Ruggiero
a Weekend Warrior
from West Windsor, NJ, USA Date Reviewed: January 2, 2003
Favorite Trail:
R&D
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
Jay's Cycle
Strengths:
Good Travel
Weaknesses:
Weight
Similar Products Used:
Rock Shock SID SL
Bike Setup:
Trek STP 200/M858
Bottom Line:
Dear Reader
The Rock Shock Race is a good mid-priced fork. At 3.8 pounds, it is not as the name implies for racing. It is too soft and about one pound overweight.
This product is long in the tooth, and better products are now available at the same cost. While well made, it cannot be regarded as a robust offering for tough trails. If you must buy a Rock Shock offering, then look to their Pilot series. These are up to date products, which are better than the Judy Race in all aspects.
Sincerely Russ
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave Q
a Cross Country Rider
from Yokota Air Base, Japan Date Reviewed: October 26, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Ome, The Bowl, The Res.
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
from a friend
Strengths:
Cheap! $100, Candy apple red goes great with my bike. Good travel (80 mm?),
Weaknesses:
Well, it is used, so there are some scratches. The stickers are scratched some too. The knobs are plastic.
Similar Products Used:
Judy XC, Judy TT, Jett XC, Manitou, Marzocchi, etc.
Bike Setup:
Kona A'HA, singlespeed cruiser (stars and stripes)Deore brakes, Nitrox / Selle glitter seat, DX pedals, Cane Creek C2 headset, ODI's
Bottom Line:
For my cruiser, it's great. It looks super and it makes riding my cruiser so much more enjoyable. My mechanic friend took a look at it after the install and wanted to buy it from me! 4 Chillis 'cause it's used, but 5 overall.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Micha Muscus
a Weekend Warrior
from The Netherlands Date Reviewed: September 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Dune/forest-trail in the DD-dunes
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Rings Goirle
Strengths:
It's colours make it look really cool on every bike. It's does it's work well.
Weaknesses:
It needs a warm-up before it really starts to work well, it makes strange squishy sounds, the adjusters are easily overscrewed, so be carefull!!
Similar Products Used:
none yet
Bike Setup:
2000 model Scott team pro, rear rockshox deluxe coiled spring
Bottom Line:
I guess it's an average class suspension for a fair price. The fork was allready mounted on the bike, hence it's pricetag of $0,-. Apart from sounding like it can break any minute when in action, it works fine. But I must say that I notice little difference in the travel distance. Perhaps that is due to my inexperience with such suspensions. But I did give I quite a pounding up until now, so if it holds and doesn't surprise me during action, I'm happy with it. I would like to try a SID equiped bike though, just to feel the difference. Buy it if you want a dependable/affordable 'all can take' suspension. If you want the best, this probably just isn't is for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mr Rad
a Cross Country Rider
from Elkridge Date Reviewed: June 11, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Bike Doctor (LBS)
Strengths:
Smooth and easy to use. Price wasn't bad. Seems to be holding up well.
Weaknesses:
The adjusters don't seem to really do much. Stock springs are a bit soft.
Similar Products Used:
Rockshock Indy, Manitou
Bike Setup:
Older Diamondback FS.
Bottom Line:
The fork just works. Doesn't seem heavy and has been holding up well for a year. I got this fork after my Rockshox Indy died - just seemed to loosen all up and want to fall apart. The fork was meant for cross country and it works well for that. Absorbs all the bumbs, rocks, roots, etc. quite well. I haven't taken it off any big drops because the rest of my bike would probably break if I did. After 5 years of riding my Diamondback the only parts that are still any good are the Judy, the Time pedals, and saddle (none of those parts came with the bike).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben P
a Cross Country Rider
from St Paul, MN, USA Date Reviewed: June 1, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Battle Creek St Park, St Paul
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
Came Stock on '01 Homegrown Comp, got at Rice St Bikes
Strengths:
Good value Nice ride, good feel Wicked Red XXX seals alone makes this a low-maint shock
Weaknesses:
A bit on the flexy side, especially when steering in ruts or very rocky terrain Rebound adjustment does very little Funny squeaky noise (minor)
Similar Products Used:
'01 Sid XC '01 Z3 Black '00 Judy Race '02 Duke Race
Bike Setup:
'01 Homegrown comp: Titec bar, stem, post; LX crank, XTR rd, LX fd, Upgraded to SD7 rim breaks, Tioga/XT wheels
Bottom Line:
While this fork is capable of 100mm travel, it's not built for DH, so those 200lb idiots doing 5' drops with this shock aren't using this for what it was built.
It's an XC shock through and through, and lighter than most in its pricerange. It's designed for serious offroad riders who want reasonable performance and reasonable wt for a reasonable price. It's not stiff enough to race seriously on, but it does the job really nicely for XC and light DH. I'm an average 5'10", 150lb, so I didn't find any reason to upgrade/change coils or oil wt. I ride it at 80mm of travel, as if I wanted anything more, I would go with an enduro or DH shock. I like the Judy Race, and it seems to be holding up just find considering I don't use boots and I've overhauled and cleaned it only once since I bought it. I'm thinking of upgrading to a Duke race, but the price just ain't right yet.
My ratings below are based on what this shock is meant for, which is XC riding and weekend local races; for those things the Judy Race does quite well. If you want a DH shock, buy a DH shock and quit whining about the Judy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dijridoo
a Weekend Warrior
from North Dakota Date Reviewed: March 30, 2002
Boots are terrible Poor preload/rebound adjustment A little flexy Relatively poor Rock Shox bushings Noisy Internal noises Stock medium springs too soft Horrible owners/tech manual ( RS should take lessons from Marzocchi!) BUTT UGLY stickers
Originally stock on GT XCR3000 (XT discs, other aftermarket upgrades). Now on custom steel hardtail, XTR Vs.
Bottom Line:
I got the fork stock on a 2000 model GT XCR3000 i-drive. I immediately swapped out one spring for a heavy (I weigh 190) and the srping preload was perfect. I ran it at 80mm (stock) for a couple of months, but then switched to 100mm. After changing the all-travel spacers, which was a very easy job despite a totally useless owners manual, one spring kept rudding the inside of the stanchion during compression and "clicking" a bit. RS customer tech support was actaully very easy to deal with, and mailed me a pair of plastic sleeves for the springs. No charge, and the sleeves were in my mailbox within 4 days.
After coming off a very flexy air sprung Judy, this fork felt super plush right off the showroom floor. Wonderful performance, and rebound luckily is fine for me. However, both the preload and rebound adjusters don't seem to work much at all. I knew this going into the deal from reading other reviews though. Therefore I tune the ride by mixing various oil weights to achieve effective damping.
At 80mm the fork was great, but the 100mm balanced the bike much better. Yes the fork bobs on climbs or out of the saddle hammering, even more at 100mm, but I don't mind it much. Small bump compression is phenomenal. Big hit is OK, but I don't think the valves allow oil to flow through quickly enough, so initial big hit compression travel is compromised. yes I could go lighter oil but then it feels under damped for compression, so it's a tradeoff.
After switching this over to my hardtail it was amazing. I expected to kill this "cheap" fork, and have been learning to do drops and urban stuff, but the bushings are fine, regular maintenance and oil changes have kept things smooth and buttery. Torsional flex is minimal for a Rock Shox but not as good as Marzocchi. Weight is acceptable. I run it with no boots and the seals seem to be doing their job just fine. I was going to find a "better" fork for my custom hardtail, but honestly as long as the Judy is working I'll keep it, and maybe even buy another one as a replacement. You can't beat the price.
5 chilis for value - for sure 4 overall - there are much better forks out there, but this is certainly good enough to make me enjoy it. Adjustability is poor though.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel Frost
a Weekend Warrior
from Middlesex, UK Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$225.00
Purchased At:
Bonthrone Bikes, London
Strengths:
generous 100mm travel is about all it offers
Weaknesses:
heavy, original springs were pathetically soft, preload knbos stripped out after q couple of oil changes
Similar Products Used:
just replaced thme with marzocchi Z1 air
Bike Setup:
2000 GT XCR3000 Full susser
Bottom Line:
Passable budget fork, but if uwant my advice the marzocchi air sprung range pisses all over the judies every year
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
hippy
a Downhiller
from kamloops Date Reviewed: January 3, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
Bike Shop
Strengths:
Reasonably plush It's red cost
Weaknesses:
all external ajustments don't do much noisy due to "xxx" seals (minor) not really 100mm of travel stanchions are moving inside the crown (very Bad) alot of flex
OK fork for x-country and all round riding, But it is too heavy (over 4lbs) for x-country racing and not strong enough for free riding.
I do alot of free riding and trials so my fork has to put up with alot of abuse. Unfortunatly my Judy is suffering. Between 3-5 foot drops and Bunny Hopping on the front wheel (pogo) the stanchions have come loose from the crown. The result is a little more flex and a loud creaking noise. My bike shop told me that there COULD be hair line fractures on the stanchions themselves. If this is true the fork could snap like a twig on my next ride.
The fork is just under a year old so I am hoping warrenty will cover my ass! If not than I'm looking at getting a marzocchi dirt jumper II or Z1 freeride
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom Carlton
a Weekend Warrior
from Pointe-Claire, Que, Canada Date Reviewed: November 6, 2001
Favorite Trail:
everything
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$175.00
Purchased At:
off a friend
Strengths:
this is a great shock, I've never bottemed it out, it's lightweight and does the trick
Weaknesses:
the shock's damping doesn't really work that well
Similar Products Used:
nothing, my first good shock
Bike Setup:
i have a giant warp frame, an avilio derailer, the rest is standered
Bottom Line:
this is a great shock, i only bought it because i got a deal for it because it's cross country shock and i moastly do urbain and trials, but all en all it works well, I trust the name and do not regret buying it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stouffer
a
from Vernon.BC Date Reviewed: October 28, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Daugs Downhill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
bout off a friend
Strengths:
nice, strong, cant bottom them out no matter wat i do
Weaknesses:
havent found any, they olny 4 inches
Bottom Line:
A very good shock. If your ok a biking this shock is perfect for you
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott S
a Racer
from Houston, TX Date Reviewed: October 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
its all good
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
came on bike
Strengths:
strong, very plush-esp at 100mm, simple to overhaul just messy
Weaknesses:
makes funny noise when compressed, but it is prob. due to lack of maintence, on the heavy side
Bike Setup:
sugar 1, full XTR, monkey lite, bontrager vailiant rims
Bottom Line:
i have had this fork on several bikes. when i first got it on my 2000 paragon i was planning on getting a new fork, so i basically tore the hell out of it but it never failed to break, i have raced downhill courses with it and actually won state once. it has been all over Colorado, moab and all through out texas. it has never leaked oil and has always felt smooth. through the 2 years i only changed the oil twice, i can only imagine how smooth it would be if i changed it as recommended. if you want a fork that is fairly cheap and dont want to hold back on a drop or jump go for it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tommy
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfield, NJ, USA Date Reviewed: October 7, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At:
Price Point
Strengths:
smooth
Weaknesses:
weak, flexes, not adjustable, heavy, clanks
Similar Products Used:
2001 Heakshok Ti Lefty
Bike Setup:
1996 hopped up fuji tahoe sx
Bottom Line:
plush but flexs badly
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joe
a Weekend Warrior
from nottingham, england Date Reviewed: October 6, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
someone
Strengths:
nice and adjustable plush 4" travel mine are orange (OEM maybe?) great price for me
Weaknesses:
skinny stanchions make you want to actually keep the fork boots on
Though the oil shox don't offer you infinite adjustments like air sprung shox, I feel it's a better overall XC ride quality even with the slight added weight(if u can't push a few X-tra ounces GO HOME!!!!) If you've ovehauled a shock you know it's pretty straightforward (but it still sucks). Basically if you get the right springs and travel pkg there isn't a thing a judy race can't do(junping off small houses not recommended)that an air shock can. I feel this is one of the best XC shox on the market with manitou running close second.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wayne Potter
a Weekend Warrior
from Pampa Texas USA Date Reviewed: September 30, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Palo Duro Canyon/ Amarillo, TX
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Bicycle depot/Amarillo, TX
Strengths:
Truste name, durability, ride quality, and it's not that stupid SID shock that needs retarded air!!!!!
Weaknesses:
Having to do overhauls suck!!! Plastic pre-load adj. knobs. And mine only has the 63mm travel pkg.
Similar Products Used:
Rock shox jett t2 99, rock shox sid SL 99', Rock shox judy TT(Sucked).
Though the oil shox don't offer you infinite adjustments like air sprung shox, I feel it's a better overall XC ride quality even with the slight added weight(if u can't push a few X-tra ounces GO HOME!!!!) If you've ovehauled a shock you know it's pretty straightforward (but it still sucks). Basically if you get the right springs and travel pkg there isn't a thing a judy race can't do(junping off small houses not recommended)that an air shock can. I feel this is one of the best XC shox on the market with manitou running close second.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bryan Sands
a Weekend Warrior
from Buda, TX USA Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Emma Long Motocross Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$219.00
Purchased At:
Pricepoint
Strengths:
-Looks hot -Better than a Jett XC -3 travel lengths
Weaknesses:
-Damping adjust -Preload knobs -Damping adjust
Similar Products Used:
Jett XC
Bike Setup:
Trek VRX,
Bottom Line:
When someone advertises damping adjustment, I expect to notice something when I turn the knob. That alone will influence my purchases in the future. If you buy for looks, this is the fork for you. It LOOKS like it has damping adjustment.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joE
a Weekend Warrior
from notts Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Strengths:
plush 100mm travel adjustable stiff
Weaknesses:
thin paint make it prone to chipping sometimes makes weird squeak
Similar Products Used:
z1 bam z3 m80 z3 coil 100
Bike Setup:
kona stuff,bog standard except forx
Bottom Line:
nice plush forx at a bargain price
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Blake Krazy
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001
Favorite Trail:
City Park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
I'd tell you but I would have to kill you
Strengths:
Great ride at 80mm, but best at 100 for travel to play with. Easy to overhaul IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. Also, easy to adjust. This fork has stood up to all of the test that the Texas Hill Country has had to offer.
Weaknesses:
Bad in bed.
Similar Products Used:
Phsylo
Bike Setup:
Zasker X, XT drivetrain, LX brakes, 2.3" Continentals (great grip), cat eye s.c. (only works when it is completely superglued on)
Bottom Line:
Bad a** fork for only...oh yeah no dollars. I would have paid the full price happily. Easy to maintain, and seems to last a lifetime, beat that Z-1 marzoochis. Advice: adjust to 100mm and your good to go.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
EZ Weave
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001
$ 299.00
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating: