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Submitted by
Michael Gotfryd
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham, Alabama
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mountains B.U.M.P Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | EBay | | Strengths: | Amazing Suspension, can take a real beating. Anything i think of doing the bike hasn't broken. the only damage my bike has god was a broken chain from a late shift on my part. this bike is made to jump off a mountain and can do it with ease. | | Weaknesses: | This bike is better for people who have a medium to heavy frame them self's. the bike is good for someone who is 185lbs. I weight 150 and have to make several modifications to the suspension to fit my weight. The bike is on the heavy side which could be a strength or a weakness | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Fat Possum XLT | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Breakout TPC 6 inch travel front fork, Fox Vanilla Rear Shock, Derailleurs, shifters, and crank are Shimano XT | | Bottom Line: | This bike is amazing. Now no bike is invincible but this is pretty dam close. I've gone on 50 mile expert trails when i had know idea what the hell i was doing and the bike wasn't touched. I went off the side of the south rim trail at oak mountain and tumbled 1600 feet to the main road, my bike was scratched but in perfect riding condition. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex labrador
a
from california
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | stage coast | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | old fellow that needed money | | Strengths: | its the best thing in the whole world | | Weaknesses: | the brakes are too close to the fork | | Similar Products Used: | NOthing compares to this product | | Bike Setup: | i dont know | | Bottom Line: | all i have to say it will do its job well | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a
from Overland park, ks, usa
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | bike source | | Strengths: | Great bang for your buck. My first full suspension bike with disc brakes. I love it, will take anything I can throw at it. I been racing in some XC races around my parts and it the heaviest bike out there. But its not an XC, But its got the weight of a AM bike, but can ride like FR/DH bike. This thing rocks. I don't know what other people are saying about heavy its a pretty light rig for what it is. | | Weaknesses: | Well I came from riding platforms so clip ins had to go. The brakes are quiet sometimes and then other its like an animal being killed. | | Similar Products Used: | Only real FR/DH bike I have rode. | | Bike Setup: | Nixon fork, Vanilla R, Crank bro 5050, XT rear der,Lx front der, WTB lazer DH pro, Xm321, 2.35 high rollers hayes hfx -9 8" rotors. LX shifters. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great I love it. If you want to ride hit just about anything and ride anything for that matter this will do it. But I have the bug now so I just can help to equip my rig with upgraded parts. I want Industry 9 enduro wheel set gone tubeless, thompson seatpost and stem, Monkeylite composite dh bars, e-13 drs, fox dhx 5.0 coil, (titanium spring if I really am feeling like spending money) and I guess thats it. Maybe a white seat cuz when I get up by the time I am back down my seat is awfully warm on em' | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Morten Janum
a Downhiller
from Randers
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Natex | | Strengths: | This bike is GREAT everything about is great:
- light
- two settings for rwt 150-170 mm
- look great
- great welds
- single pivot
- 66.light
- also comes with a great kit(66.ligt...) | | Weaknesses: | - Could be more stiff in the back end but isn't anything you notice if you're not looking for it.
- bottom bracket could be lower.
| | Similar Products Used: | Kona stinky, Gemini 900 2005, scott octane, banshee chap | | Bike Setup: | Gemini 900 frame 2006, 66.ligt, white halo freedoms, hope pro 2 hubs in red, fox dhx 5.0, maxxis minion, hope stem sram groupset and so on. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rock at everything I can bring it to all the freeride spots as well as the downhill spots!
And i can even pedal it on an xc track afterwards or pedal it to the top.
This bike handles extremely well in both rwt settings but if you "drop" it to 6" instead of the full 7" this bike will get quicker responding to the track and tricking.
As well the bb wil get lowered drastically.
I've ridden this bike in france and it is soo much fun on the uphill sections aswell as the fr and dh sections. I can pedal up with the xc people and beat the dh at their own game on the way down again :D
This bike is for everybody dh, fr and even trail riders bearing in mind that it needs to have the right specs!
this bike incourages you to go faster, higer and it'll save your ass if you mess up with its forgiving back end.
I am so happy that my stinky got knicked or else i wouldn't have had the insurance giving me this baby!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ALLEN RICHARDS
a Weekend Warrior
from ST.GEORGE, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | desert hills | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Spec'd awesome, great geometry, surprisingly little to zero pedal bob. It feels and rides solid, and can take way more than my nerves dare to give it. This bike is bombproof! | | Weaknesses: | Honestly I haven't had really any problems with the bike that would be considered weaknesses. It's been mostly an adjustment to this type of bike from riding a cross country rig. My rear hub's free wheel is already toast but it broke on a trail that has broken all of my friends free wheels as well, five so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Super V-100, Turner XCE, and a Gary Fisher Sugar 29'er. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi 66 light, Race face DH cranks and BB, Sram x-7 shifters and rear derailleur, shimano deore front derailleur, Hayes HFX 9 levers and brakes, beautiful Thomson stem, WTB laser, blackspine chain guide, and a gravity dropper seat post. The gravity dropper is the best thing to come to mt. biking since suspension and disc brakes. It just rocks to be able to have full leg extension for climbs and without having to stop and drop your post you can just flip the lever to get the seat down for the crazy stuff. I won't ride without one again. | | Bottom Line: | This is a bike built sturdy, I'm a burly man of about 230 lbs. and this bike has been a dream for me. It's just so solid. I'm primarily a trail rider here in So. Utah where trails are pretty rough but my buddies talked me into getting a freeride bike. I've done a few drops, nasty lines, and stunts and this bike eats them up and begs for more. This bike is definitely overkill for me, but freeride bikes are overkill for about 90% of those who ride them. Better to have more than you need than less and worrying about things breaking. I took my XCE out for a spin and it felt very firm and uncomfortable after rolling my gemini for a few weeks. I love the comfort of 170 mm travel front and rear, it's just so smooth. I'll probably never go back to anything under 150 mm of travel. Due to the slack head angle you've got to fight to keep your front wheel down on the steep climbs, but the angle's worth it about everywhere else but the steepest of climbs. If you don't mind pushing hard up hills ( 30 lb. bike or a 40 lb. bike, a hill's a hill and is going to get you outta breath) to enjoy floating, flying, or hucking down them, then this bike is for you. I highly recommend this bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob L
a Weekend Warrior
from P.V. CA U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | downieville | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | agressive stance, good feeling geometry | | Weaknesses: | sissy rider, crappy hubs, grabby breaks. | | Similar Products Used: | 1988 cannodale beast of east | | Bike Setup: | 04 gemini 900 team upgraded w/xt+xtr | | Bottom Line: | this bike is awsome! it will make you hit the hills with ferocity you did not know you had, but tough up because uphill riding takes a little more oomph. at speed the handling is tight, and suspension is forgiving. great for anyone who wants to test the limits! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mitchell Nol
a Downhiller
from Grand Rapids
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | State HosBital | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | It looked cool before it broke in half! | | Weaknesses: | Bad pedaling effeciency, blows at jumping, | | Similar Products Used: | Foes DHS, Banshee scream, V 10 | | Bike Setup: | Super T, X-9, Fox rc, Azonic outlaw, E13 | | Bottom Line: | I am only 135 pounds and this is a fn heavy hit bike. I was hitting a 12 foot gap and landed it perfectly, but the mother f'er broke in half. My friend was hitting the jump on his cross country bike, and I had my downhill bike and it broke. I am super pist and Cannondale wouldnt warrenty it for some reason. I am now out $900 for the new Banshee Scream I bought. I needed that money to pay for gas damit! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dirtdigler
a Downhiller
from sydney australia
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Red hill | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | cannondale factory | | Strengths: | sweet ride , build strength,sinple single pivot design, 12mm thru rear axl,.agile, cannondale quality | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi 66 RC2X forks 170mm Marzocchi ROCO RC rear shock carbon bars grind lock on grips sram x9 shimano 7701 chain shimano cassette mavic325 wheelset maxxis minion2.5 Truvativ hussefelt stem and cranks Avid code's + 8" rotors | | Bottom Line: | First few rides I was having difficulty with the set up the BB was a good 50mm higher than my previous bike making me feel top heavy and unbalanced , always feeling like another endo was around the next drop off. I had some advice from LBS one of the guys there races his Gemini , he recomended I drop back to the 150mm travel setting. It dropped the BB hight and made the bike feel 300% better through corners and over drops ,slackening off the head angle making for a much more balanced ride , I would recomend it to all Gemini riders it feels like a totaly different bike
Also I was not happy with the fox vanilla , first trying a foxDHX5.0 then the Marzocchi ROCO which I have now fitted with a 550 Manitou spring , the bike feels sooo good now . I have not lost anything with loosing an inch of travel no bottom outs and now a very stable bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Galbraith Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellingham, Wa - USA
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Evolution, Cheech&Chongs (Shaun's Trail), 911 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS on the southside | | Strengths: | A lot of bike for the money. Stout build, lightweight, nimble, simple and affective design, burly swingarm- designed by Kawasaki maybe. Brakes, shifter pods and rear derailleur compliment the bike nicely. | | Weaknesses: | Front Fork is iffy; just not impressed with the Breakout. Grips, what were they thinking with these grips!?! Seatpost has got to go. Bottom bracket is fine for dry climates but vulnerable to wet, muddy conditions; and dont even come near it with a hose! Watch for lateral swingarm slop- C'dale shipped a few Gemini's with pivot bolts too long (more detail below). | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Enduro, GT Zaskar, Kona Stinky | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Plagued with issues right out the gate (more to do with my LBS than Cannondale), except while tending to these issues they noticed the swingarm had a bit of lateral "play". Evidently Cannondale shipped a load of Gemini 900's with the swingarm pivot bolt exactly 1MM too long. This causes both end caps to bottom out against the bolt (and "appear" torqued) before sucking up the slop between the bearings and swingarm. LBS to file 1mil off the pivot bolt to acquire proper tolerances.
Doesn't pedal as well as I thought, however great on the DH. This bike likes to be ridden FAST without a doubt. Sucks up all the rocky terrain while maintaining Mach1 speeds. A little squirrly at the slow-speed, gound-level technical stuff. Headtube angle is a bit too steep IMO making it more difficult to balance and track in a straight line at crawling speeds (think high, narrow skinnys and ladders). Great bike for the value. If you drop anything over 4' you'll want to increase your spring rates though. Not the best for the technical Shore style riding but easily makes up for in the eye-watering downhill and medium to large drops. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J B
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Pitch spill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | throne | | Strengths: | Stiff, well balanced, confidence inspiring, panzer tough, mucho bike for not so mucho money. | | Weaknesses: | Dodgy graphics | | Similar Products Used: | tmtm | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I've always been a bit of a boutique tart and gone for expensive brands. I honestly thought all cannondale riders were a bit night crawler dogger styli at the local beauty spot, cheap waterproof, "margerine if you don't mind" kind of people.
I've owned a few good high end machines over the years and the quality of the gemini is without doubt comprable.
If your reading this then you know what type of rig your after, and the reality is that this bike is probably better than your mates niche bike of the same ilk that he/she strapped themselves up for.
If you enjoy riding over and off anything you come across without worry and still want reasonable climbing performance then the gemini really is worth consideration. Just don't expect as much kudos on the trail as your mate gets on there " only eight people work for the company" bike, even though you know they can't ride for toffee. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan
a Weekend Warrior
from birmingham, uk
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | witches trail, fort bill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | birmingham | | Strengths: | lightweight hardhitting mountain goat | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | prophet, enduro, many hardtails | | Bike Setup: | boxxer rides and Fox DHX 5.0 air rear shock, hope 6ti brakes, SRAM XO rear derailer and single ring wit DMR chain device, 2.7 tyre front 2.5 rear slowreezee's | | Bottom Line: | Damn this bike is fine, made up for downhilling but i've got iron legs that pump this back up the hills as well. Great for airing and although i could of bought a judge FR1 for what i've spent all in all now i love the single pivot design and have had no problems whatsoever. I trashed the back end of my prophet and needed something a little more robust so i checked this one out first. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
greg godsey
a Weekend Warrior
from kingsport tn
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | larrys cycles | | Strengths: | the frame is very strong and light.i have the 2006 900,and the marzocchi 66 lightis awesome,hayes nines great,sram shifters very good. | | Weaknesses: | seat post, hubs and paint . i really wish they would annodize this awesome frame.but great deal anyway.... | | Similar Products Used: | bullit,vpfree,nomad,coilair,trek 77, | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi 66 light,thomson x4 stem and seat post,hadley 108 hubs,easton ea 70 bar.sun and mavic rims husselfelt crank,howitser bb,FOX DH AIR. | | Bottom Line: | this bike is just as good as bikes costing twice as much.it is intended for freeriding but it can climb well and mine ways a mere over 30 pounds .it will fly on singletrack especially with the hadleys.it can handle 15 footers and the 800 dollar marzocchi that it comes with is just iceing on the cake .this could very well be the ultimate trail bike .GO BUY ONE .......... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a
from Northern New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | On Belay | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Strait from cannondale | | Strengths: | THIS IS A ONE YEAR UPDATE FOR THE 2005 GEMINI 900
Flippin sweet geometry in the 150mm travel postition.
The Sherman Breakout Plus is super smooth and supple.
Wheels are light, strong, and stiff.
| | Weaknesses: | On the Extra Large frame, the 170mm travel position makes the frame geometry to steep.
I've had swingarm issues, like keeping it tight.
My rear HFX-9 went dumb on me 6 months after purchase. It was under warentty, but still, be warned.
Had to replace the fork lowers, the bushings came sized incorrectly, this was also a warrenty thing. | | Similar Products Used: | 2004 Specialized Enduro Pro, Cannondale Prophet (Demo), 2006 Specialized Enduro Expert(Demo), Specialized Stumpjumper Expert (Demo) | | Bike Setup: | Extra-Large 2005 Cannodale Gemini 900, Sherman Breakout + TPC, 2006 Fox DHX 5.0 AIR, Hayes HFX-9 HD brakes with 8 inch rotors, Shimano Hone double crankset (22-32), SRAM X-9 RD and X-7 shifters. | | Bottom Line: | After 1 year of dealing with warrenty isuues, misized fork bushings, and alot of messing with my swingarm to keep it tight, I'm finnally starting to enjoy this bike wholeheartedly. I've got it set up with more of an all mountain build, and it works great. This bike is capable of just about anything in the hands of an experienced rider, and is still light and efficent enough to climb for you thrills. One thing i've really noticed is that the geometry changes drasticly between the 2 travel settings. There is about a 1 inch difference in bottom bracket height between the 170 and 150mm positions. The 150 being the lower one. I've been running my bike in the 150 position now and it gives the bike a much more balanced feel. I would highly recomend that people use this position if you have an extra large fame, it lowers the bike down for a better ride for us tall guys. So all hassels aside, this bike still freaking rocks. I might expand my quver to include a more trail oriented bike (say a prophet or a rush?), but this bike will remain as my big hit trail bike for as long as it functions. 5 flaming chillies baby! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Can't Jump for sh*t
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | The downhill that makes me forget the climb | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$3000.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisurewheels (UK) for £2000 | | Strengths: | Stealth Looks. All round ability. Value | | Weaknesses: | Stock stem on 2004 model too high. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialised Enduro (Demo) | | Bike Setup: | As stock but with Diabolus Stem, Stainless Hoses, Wellgo flats and dangerboy levers. Just had rear shock custom valved but javen't ridden it yet. | | Bottom Line: | The Supension at both ends is lush and there is little bob when climbing (as long as you pedal in smooth circles). The sherman breakout is especially plush and soaks up huge hucks and boulders at speed and the 130mm travel is superb for climbing. The stock HFX9 brakes are great- I added fibrax hoses and dangerboy levers, more for pimp than purpose, though the improvement is noticable and worth £80 if you can afford it. The geometry of the stock stem is all wrong, making the front end too tall with the 170mm travel and high rise bar- the Raceface upgrade is definately worth it. This bike has talked me into hucking and downhill as it makes big stuff so much fun and pushes you to ride beyond your normal limits. Top class bike for ridiculous value- you'd normally pay this for a frame alone. Look no further. Out of the box this bike is amazing but spending a bit on upgrades produces one of the best alround bikes known to man. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jer
a Downhiller
from toronto, on, canada
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt merchant at whistler | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | sporting life-the source | | Strengths: | very light for a freeride/downhill bike
manitou sherman fork is very plush, and its adjustable
rear suspension out of the way
cool look | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Similar Products Used: | kona stinky deluxe, rocky mountain switch, devinci johnson, norco six, giant faith 3, trek liquid 25, kona coiler | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | great bike for anyone thats into freeriding or downhilling. Despite its light weight it is bombproof and it makes me feel invincible when im on it. The brakes can stop on a dime and the suspension is very plush. Six foot drops feel like nothing on this bike, (although i am only 100 pounds). It is also light enough to do some dirt jumping and urban on, and fun for doing big stair gaps. It soaks up bumps well, and it can pedal. Also it is very balanced for doing high skinnys and ripping berms. If you are a smallish rider looking for the ultimate freeride bike, u should get the gemini 900. This bike is definetly not for xc riders, or someone who solely does dj and urban. I have had many big riders put abuse on it, and the gemini takes the abuse even though it is very light. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose Rodriguez
a Weekend Warrior
from Littleton, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Buffalo Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeSource | | Strengths: | Hefty frame, stable descender, turns around switchbacks with ease, a suspension that actually works yet simple and strong. Upright sitting position. | | Weaknesses: | Hefty frame. Upright sittig position takes a few rides to get used to when doing long climbs. Casette was crappy 'cause I think the Big C was not expecting riders to be shifting uphill. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Cake, Weightless XC | | Bike Setup: | XT components, 2.5" Weirwolf tires, generic seat post, saddle, carbon handle bar. Time ATAC pedals. 3-ring XC Raceface cranks. The rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | Is this a downhill, freeride, all mountain, trails or XC bike? I’m not sure. I just ride the hell out it, from downhill runs at Winter Park, Colorado to long XC rides climbing until my lungs blow out on chunks. This bike does it all. I’m not the fastest climber and I’m not a skinny under 150 lbs race boy, but on the downhill side of the ride nobody can catch me. I weight 185 lbs and use the full 6.5” of front and rear travel for all my rides. Lockout suspension is as stupid as V-8 engines that run on four cylinders. Why pay for something and then only use half of it? I find it far easier to adapt my riding to the bike than mess with the suspension because the terrain changes; it is called body English. I have never tried the 130 mm setting on the Shearman fork. I paid for 6.5” of travel and I plan to use every bit of it, all the time. The rear shock is always set on the highest setting for the same reason; to hell with efficiency. I want all my suspension and I want it now.
I have my rig adapted for long climbs with a 3-ring Raceface XC crank. The shifters have been upgraded to XT all the way through. The original Maxxis tires were too heavy and sticky for climbing (they look like tractor tires) so I replaced them with 2.5” Weirwolfs. I got it dialed to about 31 lbs. The rest of the bike is stock and I intend to keep it that way because it works. The hydraulic brakes are awesome and I have a hard time going back to my other XC bikes with cable actuated disc brakes (185 mm rotors). There is no comparison when you are flying downhill and one presses on the hydraulic brake levers; the bike actually slows down without locking up the wheels. With cable brakes you need a lot more finger pressure and a longer stopping distance. Tight switchbacks are no a problem whatsoever despite the longish wheel base. Climbing over deep water bars is a non issue. The bike flies through single track like it is on rails and corners like a super sport motorcycle. It is nimble yet doesn’t scare you going down fast. I’m not a good rider but this thing makes me look like one, saving my arse when I take a bad line making it look like I knew what I was doing. If this bike for everybody? Nope. Weigh weenies will be scared away by its heft. Downhillers will want something that looks more like a motorcycle without an engine (Cedric Gracia used this frame to win downhill championships so it can not be a bad choice anyway). The 1.5” Shearman fork with its 20 mm through axle and 4 mounting screws is not easy on bike racks or when it comes to replacing a flat front tire. The upright sitting position confounds XC riders used to stretch out over the top tube. I feel like a Harley rider on this thing. But if you like speed, comfort, a suspension that actually moves, and a bike that can do it all yet you don’t care about efficiency or being the fastest climber then this is a good choice.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kelsey Spurr
a Downhiller
from Centennial,Co,USA
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Keystone Resort | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | Light, agile and nimble fast through downhill trails and great at urban assault like flying off 6 foot drops on to flat concrete. | | Weaknesses: | The lower end fork not stiff enough so I put a stiffer spring in for only 60 dollars including installation and has helped a lot . Also the lock out does not work like I would want it to work. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Faith 3,Kona stinky deluxe, Demo 9 | | Bike Setup: | Swinger 4way in rear replaced the fox vanilla r | | Bottom Line: | The bike is great and reliable grips corners and fly’s off jumps (even the big ones!!) very well. Lands drops well and handles high speed with confidence. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nic
a Weekend Warrior
from Rothes, Scotland
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | spec
inspires confidence
suspension works well, and tracks great
very tough, but still climbs well | | Weaknesses: | well, the 130mm lock-down on the fork seems to only work sometimes. This hasnt affected the rest of the fork, which has otherwise performed flawlessley. This seems to be a one off incedent, and i dont use the feature much anyway. The rear brake cable is a bit long, but can be cut easily enough. | | Similar Products Used: | kona coiler(doesnt even come close!), scott nitrous 30, giant faith 3, marin wolf ridge | | Bike Setup: | Well, its a 2005 team replica. The stock set up came with a fox vanilla shock and not a manitou metal one. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike to increase your confidence. It takes everything in its stride, and i am now doing a lot bigger, harder stuff than i ever was on my kona coiler. The ride position suits me, it handles beautifully and is easy to chuck about. Climbs well, and for the price i got it (£1350 GBP)the spec was very very good. Even with the fork, it is by far the niceset bike ive had the pleasure of riding. People who love the downs but need to endure a little uphill will love this bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bg
a Cross Country Rider
from Irvine
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1900.00 | | Purchased At: | Ladera Cyclery | | Strengths: | 7" of travel plush travel, OTD price for what you get, solid build (so far) | | Weaknesses: | None yet. Some of the components could be upgraded if you want a lighter set-up. | | Bike Setup: | Stock for 05 model. Changed out platform pedals for some shimano M545 for climbing | | Bottom Line: | The bike has handled extremely well on some fairly aggressive trails. Very plush ride downhill. The Gemini can even handle climbing pretty well. The adjustable travel in the front fork helps quite a bit for the climbs. It took a day of riding to dial the bike in to where I feel comfortable on it both up and down hill. I looked at several other bikes in the same or similar catagory and felt that this was the best bike for the money. No regrets on the purchase. Thanks to Chris with Cannondale and Jeff at Ladera. Great customer service to date. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon Ryder-Turner
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Funnelweb, Nowra, NSW | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Addiction, Sydney | | Strengths: | The feel is incredible, inspires confidence whether downhilling, freeriding or cross country. Go anywhere, do anything type of bike. Reminds me of a good set of racing skis, it seems to spring from one turn to another and grip the whole way through. Perhaps the most positive bike I have ever been on. | | Weaknesses: | Hmmm, would have to say the rider! Need to get used to the slacker head angle than I am used to and the responsiveness of the steerage. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Six, Trek | | Bike Setup: | As per standard of the shop floor | | Bottom Line: | Without doubt this bike will take me up another level. Only had it for a couple of months and I am already doing stuff that used to scare the bejeesus out of me. As a 44 year old who is still learning the meaning of mortality this is a great bike to regain some youth...watch out grommets!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chip
a Weekend Warrior
from Chattanooga, TN
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | The AT | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | private seller | | Strengths: | Simple, bomb-proof design that should hold up well. Frame is fairly light for a 7" travel rig, extremely versatile. | | Weaknesses: | FOrk was undersprung, stock stem was a little lame, seatpost is crap, rear hub is questionable.... | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis XLT, Tomac Eli, Treck Y 50, Kona Coiler, Kona Stinky, Big Hit | | Bike Setup: | Went to a different stem and bars, dropped the big ring, went to stiffer springs, changed tires, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I was riding and XLT and hadjust broken a Tomac Eli. The XLT developed a crack in the rear stay and I decided I needed soemthing a little sturdier. I am no DH'r or big freeride guy, just aggresive trail riding. But, I ride hard and long, and my equipment generally takes a beating.
So, I ran across a deal on a barely used '03 Gemini that I could not pass up ($700). Honeslty, I thought the bike was overkill but figured what the hell; I could alwasy sell it and make money. After riding it for a few months I think I'll just keep it.
Long story short, this bike makes a fine "all mountain bike" if properly set up & has proven itself to be just as capable at freeride and DH. You won't win any hill climbs and I wouldn't use it to race XC, but for big guys or very aggresive trail riders it is a fine bike that can be set up to do whatever you feel like. I would highly reccomend it to the technical trail rider who dabbles in DH & freeride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Radie Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from South Texas USA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Shop | | Strengths: | The design is simple, yet functional. At the time this bike was manufactured, many of the complaints stemmed from the "single pivot" issues such as flex or bob. Fox and other companies have settled that issue with the stable platform shocks such as the DHX, which work very well with single pivot bikes, like the gemini. I have thrashed this bike for more than a year, flying off ramps, downhills, single track and everything inbetween and it has not failed me. Although I have changed virtually every stock part on the bike, the essential aspects of the frame have held up well. I have never lacked confidence in the bike when doing drops or significant jumps. The bike has held up well to say the least. With all the new 06 bikes coming out, I am tempted by all the great new products to get a new bike just for fun, however, if I do, I will keep this bike and set it up as an aggressive trail, light freeride machine that it is. | | Weaknesses: | The only issue that I ever had with the bike was more a clearance matter with the DHX5. The resivoir is rather large so I had to "modify" the holes on the swingarm to accomodate the shock. When I completed it, I had more travel and no clearance issues. That mod was made several months ago and has never been an issue. I don't really consider that a weakness. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamond Back, Haro, Astix, Yeti, | | Bike Setup: | 04 Black Gemini Med frame, 05 Fox DHX5 Coil, 05 Sherman Slider SPV evolve, 05 Dee Max(yellow), Blacksphire Chain Guide-(single), DH400 FSA Bars, 05 Thompson Elite Stem and Seat Post, WTB Saddle, Maxxis Minion 2.7 front and 2.5 rear, 05 Sram X-9 derailer and trigger shifter. | | Bottom Line: | I said it before in my intial post a year ago and I will say it again. The bike can be set up to suit your needs. Mine is currently 39 pounds with fairly heavy components. I did not try to save weight when building it up, it just stayed light even though it didn't give weight a consideration. With lighter components, this bike can easily be in the low to mid thirties. There are many other great bikes to choose from in this category and I would simply say that this one can hold its own. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Seiler
a Cross Country Rider
from Quantico, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Quantico trails | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay (previous owner rode once) | | Strengths: | I bought this off EBay after test riding the Kona Coiler. I came home and thought about the 1599 price tag for the Coiler and happened to see this on EBay and couldn’t believe the price, 1300! It is a 04 and the color scheme is the replica Seimens model. The guy who was selling it rode it once and wanted to sell it to get some money for school. Plus this was taking up space amongst his other bikes, a Balfa, Intense and some other downhill rigs. I quickly read the reviews and compared it to the Coiler this beat it hands down.
I have ridden this bike about everyday. And I have no complaints, great travel, and great components. I ride aggressive XC and lite downhill and this bike can handle it all. I came from a hard tail and was worried about the extra weight, and peddle bob. But the weight isn’t noticeable at all and the bob is little to none since I stay in the saddle going uphill. The grips were replaced with the trusty Oury's. As far as upgrades a new rear shock may be the only thing. But I’m not that hardcore rider to where it will break. Overall great bike, I’m extremely pleased with it so far!!
| | Weaknesses: | Grips, brakes squeel a little. I think that is a hayes thing though. | | Similar Products Used: | 05 Kona Coiler | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with Oury grips | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike! EBay is a great place to go as long as the person has high feedback. I have seen many deals on there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a
from New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | On Belay | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Employe Purchas | | Strengths: | Extreemly Flexable (Flexable as in can do anything from epic xc rides to shuttle runs), strong and light frame, 12mm through axle on swingarm, geometry, suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, tires suck in the conditions that i ride. A very good dry condition tire but it does nothing in the wet. | | Similar Products Used: | Uhh, nothing really similar to this. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Gemini 900, with an upgrades rear shock to a DHX 5.0. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is extreemly nice. Its very all around capable considering its labled as a freeride bike. It climbs really well for a 38 pound bike too. The Maxis High Roller tires are boat anchors though. They're extreemly heavy, and absolutly suck in even the mildest of wet conditions. I'll be replacing them with 2.3 inch Specialized enduro tires, their much betwer for the loamy and wet conditions were i ride. I'm also going to do a stans no tube kit on the bike with those tires.
The bike is extreemly agile and really dices up twisty rough single track. It rolls quickly along smooth single track but it really shines in the rough stuff at speed. The fox DHX shock is phonominal and the Sherman TPC fork is an extreemly good match to the shock. I highly recomend the TPC version of the sherman over the SPV verson. The feel of the ride is increadalbe and it tracks extreemly well, plus it still pedals well. A great bike for the dough, buy it if you need one bike for everything, or you need a capable shuttle runner or dirt jumper.
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Submitted by
Taylor Stevens
a Racer
from Rapid City, SD
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | TwoWheelerDealer Cycle and Fitness | | Strengths: | Looks,Suspension,Brakes | | Weaknesses: | none, so far | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll 600 |
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$ 2199.99
