[biker3]

Ive finally gotten rid of my gemini and im lookin to get a new rig for the 05 season. Its between a gemini Dh complete and a Demo 8 Pro right now and im also considering a Demo 9. I do mostly racing but some jumps and normal riding as well. Im just in a real debate between the 8 and the gemini. The gemini comes with an ultra sick build Dorado, gustav's, 823s and you all know that the 8 comes with the fox. Im a smaller guy and im just not so sure the weight of the demo8 will suite me as well as the race light gemini. The wheelbase is also pretty long on the 8 and I dono if im too keen on that. The major thing im worried about on the gemini is if the 7.1in of travel in the rear is going to feel like enough. I can remember last year in a lot of situations (snowmass mainly) where the 170mm i had on my old gemini just wasn't enough. Also the gemini has a short wheelbase with long chainstays at 17.8 which also worries me a bit. Id plan to put a Dhx on the gemini anyway due to its ultra low leverage ratio.

What do you guys think would be the better suited ride for me im 5,8 140ibs and the flickability and line choice of the gemini is appealing but the plowing ability of the demo also apeals to me. i want which ever bike is more suited to both styles plow vs line choice.
any thoughts would be apreciated thanks..

 

[TheMontashu]

Go with the gemini

 

[Sherpa]

Jesse,

The Gemini is going to fit you better and the fit is going to make a huge difference compared to suspension. Plus, the Demos WB is 46.3" and my Bighits is 46" and my Bighit feels slow and cumbersome in tight corners and berms. Get the Gemini with a WC and i'll buy the Dorado off you.

 

[biker3]

i still dono the 16.7 chainstays would make it quick and I would be on a small d8 which is 45ish wheelbase.

 

[zstyle_22]

The weight difference between the demo 8 and a gemini dh is minimal. Specialized really did a good job of making the demo 8 a race bike. It is supposed to be about 40lbs. The weight mixed with an extra inch of travel as well as a fully active rear end, go with the specialized. I've ridden both, and you still notice brake jack even with the floating brake.

 

[bradical]

D8.

Unless it's the pink gemini.

Regulatooooooors, Mount up

 

[Sherpa]

i still dono the 16.7 chainstays would make it quick and I would be on a small d8 which is 45ish wheelbase.

WTF? Theres no way you could ride a small Demo. The thing has a 22.2 inch toptube. That is tiny, 1" longer than my Mom's rockhopper and 1" shorter than my V-10. Get a Gemini or call up Todd and get an IH.

 

[ilfreerider]

i own a demo 9 (m) and rode my friend's gemini dh (m) several times and imho the demo is much more a race bike than the gemini. it has lower cg and bb hight and it corners a lot better, its alot more active through anything and the short cs almost completly eliminates the relativly long wb ,it is a very flickable rig. the only "problem" with the demo is wheight. that being said , u could get it down easly to 44 lbs and with more money to 41-42 .
the d8 pro is far more race oriented (spec wise) - fork , rims , tires and ti spring, so it should wheigh in the low 40's. it has an even lower bb the the 9 so theoreticly it should corner even better (insane) and be even more nimble than its big brother.

i say get the demo 8 , u wont regret it.

 

[TheMontashu]

i own a demo 9 (m) and rode my friend's gemini dh (m) several times and imho the demo is much more a race bike than the gemini. it has lower cg and bb hight and it corners a lot better, its alot more active through anything and the short cs almost completly eliminates the relativly long wb ,it is a very flickable rig. the only "problem" with the demo is wheight. that being said , u could get it down easly to 44 lbs and with more money to 41-42 .
the d8 pro is far more race oriented (spec wise) - fork , rims , tires and ti spring, so it should wheigh in the low 40's. it has an even lower bb the the 9 so theoreticly it should corner even better (insane) and be even more nimble than its big brother.

i say get the demo 8 , u wont regret it.

you can get a gemini DH sub 40 no problem

 

[neversummersnow]

It really comes down to setup and rider style.

I just rode the Gemini w/a proto PUSH Fox shock on it and it was one of the most amazing combos ever. The bike felt like it had the small bumps sensitivity of a 10" bike but I didn't have to "overcome" all the travel that is usually associated with a bike that was this supple. Just goes to show that shock setup is very important on the bike.

I'd reccomend the Gemini...its sick.

 

[static9]

I have three friends who race for GamutUSA on demo 9's and they really kick booty. I also ride one and even though it is a bit heavy, it rides and corners very nicely. The D8's are even sicker b/c of the weight.


Demo's all the way

 

[Heath Sherratt]

I have really enjoyed my Gemini DH although I would like to run a fox shock on the rear and experience what neversummer was talking about. Shock set up is key I'm sure. Demo 8's look fun. Ride and choose.

 

[bighitfsr]

The far superior rear end on the demo will easily let you get away with a 2.1 - 2.3 inch tire saving rotational weight. The demo8 will absord more abuse from big hits protecting the rims from damage and the active suspension design will find a whole lot more traction than the single pivot gemini.

Better suspension IMO lets you get away with lighter component choices in key areas IMO (wheels, tyres, cranks). The med-low speed handling of the demo8 should be on par with a gemini as the slightly longer wheel base is offset by shorter chainstays.
Specwise the demo8 is better IMO with the fox suspension.

I feel the gemini is a better bighit trail bike than a proper DH race bike under anyone bar the top pros. Who else runs on 7.1" on their flagship DH race sled (and its not even a fully active 7.1). If I went for a gemini I'd run a fox36 or breakout to make it even leaner.

 

[neversummersnow]

I read your post more carefully and will elaborate on my first statement.

I had the oppertunity to ride both a Gemini and a V10 at Snowmass. (one at the NCS one at the MSC) In all honosty, when they were setup right, they both did quite well there.

The Gemini, when setup right, actually stayed above all the holes and was a lot of fun to ride WHEN I pinned it. When I was lazy, it was a pretty rough ride. The light, flickable bike still made it easy to transfer lines and change direction.

The V10 was far more forgiving and easier to ride at all speeds. THe funny part was when I really started to pin it, it really didn't seem much different than the Gemini (and these two bikes are complete opposites)

Keep in mind I weigh 200+ lbs, am semi pro, and don't ride all that light. My gemini was sub 40.

Once again, screw all the monkey motion of FSR, you're light enough that you don't need the extra travel, you LIKE BIKES THAT JUMP (none jump better than the mid-pivot Gemini) and you're ditching the biggest problem with the bike (Swinger) for the much better performing DHX. Lastly, the Gemini has been XC ridden on many occasions by me. By that I mean UP stuff, down stuff...all over. It's sweet.