Tong Family

Someone wanted to get a new bike from Santa Cruz Bikes. Here are the notes on buying a Juliana that “MTBR”:http://mtbr.com/reviews/2004_full_suspension/product_123148.shtml likes although few folks have it.
* They have a great site for picking colors. She liked the orange with the black arm.
For the front shocks, they now have a couple of choices:
* “Manitou Minute 2”:http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2004_Front_Shocks/product_122746.shtml. This got 4.12 out of 5 on MTB review. It has SPV technology, so it rides like a rigid frame until you get a good bump and then the shock trips. Great for cross country bikes. Works best with SPV behind it such as a Fifth Element then you have rigid on both sides. Expensive at $600 list, but the latest technology.
* “Rockshox Duke XC Air”:http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2004_front_shocks/product_122944.shtml. This is a nice looking fork, but the folks at MTBR don’t like it much. Its a good lighter fork, although the Team SID of course is the lightest.
* “Rockshox Pilot XC”:http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2005_front_shocks/product_124440.shtml. The lowest cost of all lists for $189.
* “Fox F100 RLT”:http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2005_front_shocks/product_124277.shtml. This has been getting great reviews. Expensive at $650 list, but raves on MTBR.
Rear shocks have three choices:
* “Fox Float R”:http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Rear_Shock/product_121957.shtml. Not well reviewed. Main issue is durability it looks like. Rides well.
* “Fox Float RP3”:http://shop.store.yahoo.com/webmountainbike/foxfloatrlai.html. This is a new for 2005 model. No more lockout, but adds RP3 to get similar performance. Claims to be the lightest rear shock there is and well loved on “MTBR”:http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Rear_Shock/product_124493.shtml. Since the Juliana is only a single pivot, you need a fancy shock like this. Like the Swinger and the Fifth Element, this is anti bob.
* “Manitou Swinger SPV Three-Way”:http://www.answerproducts.com/items.asp?deptid=12&itemid=36. This is the Manitou version of SPV technology. Good reviews on performance, but several folks have had problems with it leaking air, so caveat emptor.
* “Progressive Fifth Element Air”:http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Rear_Shock/product_122592.shtml. This was the first shock with SPV and it works great when it works. Main issue has been maintenance