After Metal posted his thoughts on his BCD Inedible, I felt I should do the same for my Gemini DH.
Like Metal, I too ride for the company I am reviewing, so take it for what it's worth, but I feel obligated to let somebody know "if the shoe doesn't fit, don't but it". Everybody puts a lot of hard earned income into their bikes and if they saddle up on the wrong one, it's not good for the buyer, the guy the reccomended it, the sport...its just a big loss. In other words, i don't think there is one bike for everybody...
I recieved my Gemini DH just prior to Sea Otter. After riding a BCD which was fully custom I was pretty confident what I liked and did not like in bike fit. After reviewing the Gemini DH numbers, it appeard the medium would be a better fit for me, even at 6 2". Although it felt nice and quick, I was definitly on the wrong size bike, even with a 70mm stem. I was just all over cramped, even though the top tube was rather long for a medium. As John P and Evil has always said, a downtube measurement is a far better way to judge bike leangth on a DH/FR bike, and he was right. In August I finally switched to a large, and it was long overdue. Much better fit, I reccomend the large to anyone 5'11" and bigger...
Now, on the bike...
The bike is a 7.1" travel, single pivot with the pivot lower on the bike relative to other singles out there. This creates a bike that handles more neutral with a smaller amount chainstay extenstion.
At 200 lbs and more or less of a point and shoot rider I knew I had a lot of changes to make in order to ride the Gemini fast. I'd have to work on my weakness, finess.
Second, the bottom bracket on the Gemini is higher considering its a 7.1" travel bike. This was done out of request by Cedric as he is a strong believer in a lot of sag, upwards of 45 percent. After dialing in the sag, the bike was night and day! Another thing to be noted is the low leverage ratio, 2.2-1. This forced you to run very little SPV pressure to still get a good platform feel and also kept the shock action very consistent the whole way down as heat wasn't as big of a factor. (not to mention zero shock failures this season)
The chainstays are longer as well, 17.7". This was something I was unsure about early, but have grown to appreciate "where it counts" (think about all the nat/WC courses, they are all FAST) The chainstays help offset the smaller amount of travel when the going gets fast (keeps the bike stable).
The floater also helps things when the going gets fast. I never noticed the braking interact with the suspension action of the frame, a nice commodity!
Last thing to be aware of is that the bike is easily built up as a freerider, front der. is not a problem and it would be real easy to build it light enough to ride anywhere.
I built the bike with your normal array of DH parts that were durable and light. The bike weighed between 38-40 depending on tubes/tires etc.
2004 was my third year of racing and my first year as a semi pro with a racing age of 19. After adjusting to the traits of a lower travel bike, I really appreciated the bike as a whole package, and it forced me to become a better rider and use the bike as a tool, not a crutch.
It jumped better than any DH bike I've ever ridden, (and I've ridden a LOT of DH bikes) and it encourged you to ride "above" the trail as opposed to through it. Thanks the the swinger, the bike never felt harsh over any big hits, even though I was getting full travel...the forgivness was a big suprise! The great part about the bike was how easy it was to throw it around and switch up lines. . It really put the riding in the hands of the rider...let you ride the bike not the bike riding you...
Riding this bike has made me a better (fundementally) rider. At 205 lbs I raced over 15 events and went through ONE singletrack rim, I used to go through rims like tires!
All and all, I do think the bike is better suited to a lighter rider or somebody looking for a "do-it-all" bike. If you like to jump, you'll love this bike. I also think the bike is better suited to a Fox DHX as it allows a better range of adjustment, but the Swinger was better suited to somebody who really likes to pedal and likes a stiffer, more responsive platform for better handleing.
There are bikes out there that eat bumps better, there are bikes out there that can be built lighter, but I don't think there is a bike out there that handles quite like the Gemini...in 05 check em out!
Like Metal, I too ride for the company I am reviewing, so take it for what it's worth, but I feel obligated to let somebody know "if the shoe doesn't fit, don't but it". Everybody puts a lot of hard earned income into their bikes and if they saddle up on the wrong one, it's not good for the buyer, the guy the reccomended it, the sport...its just a big loss. In other words, i don't think there is one bike for everybody...
I recieved my Gemini DH just prior to Sea Otter. After riding a BCD which was fully custom I was pretty confident what I liked and did not like in bike fit. After reviewing the Gemini DH numbers, it appeard the medium would be a better fit for me, even at 6 2". Although it felt nice and quick, I was definitly on the wrong size bike, even with a 70mm stem. I was just all over cramped, even though the top tube was rather long for a medium. As John P and Evil has always said, a downtube measurement is a far better way to judge bike leangth on a DH/FR bike, and he was right. In August I finally switched to a large, and it was long overdue. Much better fit, I reccomend the large to anyone 5'11" and bigger...
Now, on the bike...
The bike is a 7.1" travel, single pivot with the pivot lower on the bike relative to other singles out there. This creates a bike that handles more neutral with a smaller amount chainstay extenstion.
At 200 lbs and more or less of a point and shoot rider I knew I had a lot of changes to make in order to ride the Gemini fast. I'd have to work on my weakness, finess.
Second, the bottom bracket on the Gemini is higher considering its a 7.1" travel bike. This was done out of request by Cedric as he is a strong believer in a lot of sag, upwards of 45 percent. After dialing in the sag, the bike was night and day! Another thing to be noted is the low leverage ratio, 2.2-1. This forced you to run very little SPV pressure to still get a good platform feel and also kept the shock action very consistent the whole way down as heat wasn't as big of a factor. (not to mention zero shock failures this season)
The chainstays are longer as well, 17.7". This was something I was unsure about early, but have grown to appreciate "where it counts" (think about all the nat/WC courses, they are all FAST) The chainstays help offset the smaller amount of travel when the going gets fast (keeps the bike stable).
The floater also helps things when the going gets fast. I never noticed the braking interact with the suspension action of the frame, a nice commodity!
Last thing to be aware of is that the bike is easily built up as a freerider, front der. is not a problem and it would be real easy to build it light enough to ride anywhere.
I built the bike with your normal array of DH parts that were durable and light. The bike weighed between 38-40 depending on tubes/tires etc.
2004 was my third year of racing and my first year as a semi pro with a racing age of 19. After adjusting to the traits of a lower travel bike, I really appreciated the bike as a whole package, and it forced me to become a better rider and use the bike as a tool, not a crutch.
It jumped better than any DH bike I've ever ridden, (and I've ridden a LOT of DH bikes) and it encourged you to ride "above" the trail as opposed to through it. Thanks the the swinger, the bike never felt harsh over any big hits, even though I was getting full travel...the forgivness was a big suprise! The great part about the bike was how easy it was to throw it around and switch up lines. . It really put the riding in the hands of the rider...let you ride the bike not the bike riding you...
Riding this bike has made me a better (fundementally) rider. At 205 lbs I raced over 15 events and went through ONE singletrack rim, I used to go through rims like tires!
All and all, I do think the bike is better suited to a lighter rider or somebody looking for a "do-it-all" bike. If you like to jump, you'll love this bike. I also think the bike is better suited to a Fox DHX as it allows a better range of adjustment, but the Swinger was better suited to somebody who really likes to pedal and likes a stiffer, more responsive platform for better handleing.
There are bikes out there that eat bumps better, there are bikes out there that can be built lighter, but I don't think there is a bike out there that handles quite like the Gemini...in 05 check em out!
