Cannondale's new Gemini, any thoughts?

[a2psyklnut]

Been wondering if anyone has actually ridden one of these. I work at a shop that's a C'Dale dealer and I can get a pretty good deal on one. From the looks and the specs it seems like a decent bike, but I hate to go on what the reps say.

I know a lot a people don't like C'Dales and call them Cannonballs and Crack n Fails..etc. but from what I've read, (Sorry DR Dudes) in other mags, the Gemini gets pretty good reviews.

What I want to know is if anyone has actually ridden one? If so, how'd you like it? What would you change? ..etc.

L8R

[jimilton80401]

I know lots of people that have them and I haven' t heard many complaints, but they strike me as a bit overpriced relative to other bikes. It seems that you could get a comparable boutique (eg, Santa Cruz Bullit) for the same or less $$. Of course, I don't know what you're paying, since you work for a shop. I know that a local shop has Bullit frames for around a grand, retail.
I don't trust mountain bike magazines that much, save for first impressions. They go ga-ga over products that end up having poor long-term durability issues. Just look at how they gush over new products by Rock Shox, then you end up hearing all these horror stories by users of problems.
I always solicit real world opinions from real riders. Sponsored racers are not "real" riders, meaning they have full factory support and don't have to pay for their stuff.

[Webbee]

I picked up the 2000 from Cycle Works in NJ and can't believe how awesome the bike rides. I took it up to Plattekill and gave it a bashing and that Super T sucked up anything I could give it. The Mobsters hooked up on all types of terrain, stuff I was afraid to walk on :) I did have some upgrades done to it, MRP, XTR rear derailleur, Profile Cranks. I got a real good deal, but would not have been pissed if I didn't for the kind of bike you get. C'Dal has a good name for frames no matter what people want to say and that's the only C'Dal part of this bike. I will agree that some of the parts they make may not be up to spec, but they are not on this bike. Sweet Haynes brakes with 8'' rings make this baby stop on a dime. I also ride a Jekyll 3000sx and love it. After the kind of respect I got for the Jekyll I thought that the Gemini would be a great Free/DH/XC yes I said XC bike. Ok I work my ass off riding it but I see allot of them out there. I was just a Pedro's Fest and saw quite a few so don't rule that out either. All in all the bike just rocks and would recommend it.