[Raaar]

Guys, I broke my Eli a while back and am currently riding an '03 XLT that I built with my Eli's parts. A friend of mine, however, has an '04 Gemin 900 that he has offered to sell me. The Gemini has been ridden less than a dozen times and I can get it for $1000 & will also retain the warrenty (I learned the value of this after killing the Eli).

I need an all around bike that climbs well, can take a beating, and weighs in at around 30lbs or so. I've broken several frames in the past and would like something I know will hold up. The Gemini seems to cater to the direction my riding has taken over the past few years (more technial stuff, take my time on climbs, no dabs, bomber descents). I just wanted some feedback from people that ride the same sort of terrain & may have some experience with the bike. Thanks.

 

[meatboot]

The Gemini is a great bike, but you're going to have a tough (read: impossible) time building it to 30lbs. 36lbs maybe.

 

[haromtnbiker]

If you have a rockshox sid, vbrakes, and such maybe. Oh yea, carbon fiber xc everthing.

 

[zod]

A know somebody who broke a Gemini.........

 

[Raaar]

Hmmm, wasn't aware of the weight. I swear it actually felt lighter than my XLT (so maybe the XLT is heavier than I thought!). Regardless, I thought about useing my swinger 4-way air on the Gemini, XT/ rhinolightXL wheels w/ 2.35/2.5 tires, Monkeylight bars, etc, etc. Not cross-country light, but not DH heavy. I'm on the fence. What are opinions on just sticking with the XLT? It's the breakage prone '03 so I sort of view it as a loaded gun. What can I say, I''m a also a bit of a bike junkie

 

[CharlieM]

why not ride your XLT? They are great bikes. The XLT seems to fit your riding style rather than a gemini would.

 

[escapeartist]

Gemini's are pretty light, but they're freeride bike light not trail/xc bike light

 

[Raaar]

Thanks for the input, that's exactly what I needed to hear. It sounds like I should just stick with the Jamis and not be wooed by the thought of 7" of ground pounding suspension power.

It's just that, after the Eli, riding the Jamis is sort of like partying with a porn star then going home with her fat friend.
I really liked my Eli....

 

[escapeartist]

just remember...your jamis doesnt get std's and break like your eli did

 

[think1up]

I have a '03 Gemini 900 and ride it everywhere. Put a DRS on it and your good to go, don't worry about the weight. It is definately less than 40lbs.

 

[sanjuro]

I believe the shocks on your bikes are not compatible in terms of size and stroke length. The Gemini is 200mmx57mm (7.9inx2.25in). I could not find it on the Jamis site, but otherwise switching to an air shock is an excellent idea.

 

[Raaar]

Well, just for kicks I installed the Swinger from the Tomac on the XLT to see what kind of difference it would make...Wow; much more plush than the Vanilla RL and really gives the bike a totally different feel. I suspect it was the superior shock that made the Tomac feel so much better than the Jamis.

Kind of makes me want to pull my old Y-5.0 frame off the wall and build it with one of the new "magic" shocks...

 

[LOOnatic]

Kind of makes me want to pull my old Y-5.0 frame off the wall and build it with one of the new "magic" shocks...

Please don't
The y bikes need alot more than magical suspension holmes...............

 

[Raaar]

Say what you want about the Y's, but it was the pimp ride back in the day It just had a unique personality.