The Force is as rugged and burly as they come. Built with the same personality and capabilities of the Force Carbon, but in a more affordable package, this ride shreds every inch of mountain. 150 mm of travel, Independent Drivetrain suspension, and lightweight components makes the Force a true All-Mountain ride.
Frame: GT designed 6061 Monocoque frame with Independent Drivetrain suspension. 150mm of r wheel travel. With new forged I-link. New pivot design and taper head tube
Strengths: Solid frame, not a lot of flex. Geometry. Smoothness over the rough jagged stuff. Ability to flatten any rough terrain with authority. Eats stumps and obstacles like they arent even there. Comfortable ride all day suspension
Weaknesses: Fox R rear shock, and Mag 32 Fork.....Dont even think about riding around with this fork....it absolutely SUCKS! Blew the seals on it the first time out. Hey, what do you expect from a good frame, value parts.....You are going to have to upgrade eventually to get the parts that you want on it.
Bottom Line:
I have owned this bike for two seasons now. Paid 1100 for it delivered, which in itself really allowed me to upgrade to the parts that I wanted. I love the fact that it is a big burly frame. I am 215 lbs, and not a small guy, and it seems to fit me quite well. I looked at some other bikes by Giant, Trek, and Cannondale and they felt comparably small to this bike. Overall the geometry just "feels right". Since I bought the bike, I have upgraded the handlebars to Easton Monkey bars. Put a Sektor Rock Shox Fork up front....by the way, its an amazing match for this bike. 6 Inches of travel on the front and back. Put a RP23 Large Volume rear shock, and replaced the chain with a more durable O ring. I plan on changing the cranks next, and also getting rid of the Shadow SLX rear Deraileur and replace with something more precise.
Overall though, I have been mountain biking for a pretty long time, and I have to say I have nothing but good things to say about this bike. It does just about everything right, and is very reliable....The Nevgal tires have been good to me. I hear a lot of people saying that they suck, but I have not had one flat......could have something to do with putting heavy duty green slime tubes on front and back. I agree that the tubes that came with the bike pinched too easily, but CHANGE THOSE TUBES, and you will not have a problem. I bash it pretty hard, and I recommend this bike whole-heartedly!
Strengths: suspension Idrive Pivot are amazing , I have problem riding hard tail, but this bike make smooth any dirt trail, power over any surface floor , grades on fork are amazing very secure for downhill
Weaknesses: cables running are rubbing frame , I have it to set some tie rod to stop and some electric tape, heavy compare to similar bikes
Bottom Line:
I recommended this bike on 26 suspension great performance according for value is the best bike
Similar Products Used: Mongose full supension coil, specialized hard tail
Bike Setup: all mountain bike
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Submitted by
sensi1
a Weekend Warrior
from dayton, ohio usa
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2012
Strengths: climbs very well handles well after u take the kenda nevagals off. consistent performer
Weaknesses: it will creak every now and then kinda heavy but sturdy front fork is kinda weak at small bumps but will take the big hits
Bottom Line:
an excellent bike for most trails and light all mountain use it will take just about any trail you throw at it. the bike looks fantastic and rides just as well. the value factor was a big plus in what i got for my money and Performance Bike gave me a very good deal. wish i had the money for the carbon version!!
This bike is a billy goat...dont let the wieght fool you. It feels solid in every situation. It climbs and turns well, downhill is amazing on this rig. It chews up anything in its path.
I did swap the huge Kenda 2.35 tires for something with alittle less rolling resistance and more bite.
After purchasing the bike I did some maintanence on the I-Drive system, it was surprisingly easy and straight forward to work on...unlike the earlier I-Drives.
I'm not impressed with the Suntour MAG32 Fork. Ive repeatedly tried to tweak it and cant find the sweet spot. It feels very unresponsive and rigid. They really should have gone with a coil/oil bath rebound internally. Ill swap it out for something one of these days.
Bottom line: This bike is a huge value for what it offers, the frame is tits, easy to work on, and handles AM, DH, or XC. GT sucseeded brilliantly in crafting this bike. A couple upgrades here or there and this bike will be perfect for under 1K.
Is it just me or did Yeti design the SB-66 with the force in mind? They look identical!
Bike Setup: stock except....new derailleur hanger, ODI grips, and panracer 2.1 fire xc tires
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Submitted by
joereese
a Cross Country Rider
from Roswell, Ga. USA
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2011
Strengths: great frame design, I love this bike. I had 3 of them in 4 years.I upgraded to Fox Vanilla fork and Scram drivetrain. This fram rode so good.
Weaknesses: I broke 3 frames and 2 rear triangles. All in the exact same weld. After the 5 break GT refused to warr. the bike any more.Performance Bikes rocks. GT does not admit to having a problem. I find it hard to beleive I am the only one breaking their frames. I wish they could have gotten the problem resolved but I guess that not gonna happen. This was a cold weld problem in my opinion but what do I know.I can only break them.
Bottom Line:
Great frame design bad rear triangle design. This bike flexes way too much. Climbs very good I happen to like the heavy bike it made it tear the downhill up.This is probbally a good bike for anyone under 200 lbs. I am a tic over that.Not good.Its a good entry level bike no more. If your serious about mountain biking spend your money elsewhere.Not a great value when you add up all the upgrades.I plan on a Yeti as my next bike.
Bike Setup: Fox Vanilla 140 fork,Sram drivetrain components,Tectro brakes 203 front rotor and 180 rear
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Submitted by
lloydlei
a Cross Country Rider
from uk devon
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2011
Strengths: I had the GTidrive4 2006 model and it was great im getting use to this new one only had it for a week but ya its ok needs a few upgrades im going to take off bits from old gt and swap things around a bit id give it 4.5 out of 5 i've always had GT's so i think they are great.
Bike Setup: I do the work my self as im a bit of a perfectionist
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Submitted by
Jonnyteocali
a Cross Country Rider
from Wakefield
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2011
Strengths: Frame is exelent design its a great ride but needs betta components wich to me is goin to be fun working on such a nice plush frame, its a very clever design if you luck close at were the rear wheel is attached you can see its replacable iv not seen this on bikes before unless iv just not noticed but its good.
Weaknesses: Came with rockshocks bar rear shock seals went after a few not very hard rides but replaced under warranty, hargreavs cycles said they sent it back and it was faulty anyway, so i hope wen i get it back it will hold up untill i can upgrade, forks are like rockshocks toras, yes i prefer fox but these are ok i will be riding it hard so il tell ya later ha. Dont like kenda tiers pants so panaracer fire ex pro best ever
Bottom Line:
Love this bike, weight isnt too bad not the lightist but people think realy light is realy gud but me and my freinds experience in light components brake realy easy and cost too much so il stick to just good strong components wich are not bad in price.
Similar Products Used: Mongoose teocali comp wich rocks 2007
Bike Setup: Kenda tires, tectro auriga pro brakes
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Submitted by
GTbikerider333
a Racer
from Vienna, VA Fairfax County
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2011
Strengths: Great frame, rims and hubs are sturdy, rear fox suspension is reliable and nice, i drive is nice
Weaknesses: WEIGHT! Little bit on the heavy side, suntour MG front forks suck need to upgrade to a FOX front suspension, Kenda Nevangall tires
Bottom Line:
Very good bike for the money. If you are a weekend warrior or begginer racer it is great, reliable, and the components are nice for the most part. The bike is a bit on the heavy side, but not too heavy to slow you down or anything. The suntour front forks will most likely need to be replaced after about 2 months.
Submitted by
Jonny teocali
a Downhiller
from Wakefield
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2011
Strengths: Exelent frame design, handles just as good as higher priced bikes, iv always said most of the time a bike is as good as the rider!
Weaknesses: Components, im using rockshock rear no lockout but thats not too bad i guess, sr suntour mag32 forks could of come with betta for the price but i guess they are ok ish the cope well with some light downhill and jumps
Bottom Line:
Good all mountainbike iv road worse that are higher priced, its a good confident design, like my woman lol
Bike Setup: Mag32 forks, rockshocks rear shock, deore shifters, wtb rims, kenda nevagal treads, tecktro auriga pro brakes
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Submitted by
Paul Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2011
Strengths: Nice idrive system gives plush ride over moderately rough terrain, I like the looks of the frame coz I'm more of a form than function type of guy. Aesthetically speaking, the frame rocks in looks!
Weaknesses: Weight, mediocre components, I hate the rear dérailleur it always slip it's deore the shift points are not accurate wasted time adjusting it, the sun tour fork sucks! Planning on upgrading the components to SRAM and raceface cranks and fox shox.
Bottom Line:
For casual day to day or weekend bashing, this is the bike for you...
Submitted by
motoxdady
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2010
Strengths: Smooth and Solid. Good value for price.
Weaknesses: A little heavy. Could use better components.
Bottom Line:
Love this bike to death. Much more solid feel then any of the Specialized bikes I test road before buying this bike. After 2 years the only thing I have had to service is the Marzocchi fork. I LOVE this bike and will keep the frame for a long time. When I get money I plan to upgrade the forks to 160mm. I recommend this bike to any one.
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from South Hadley, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2010
Strengths: Very strong frame, very little peddle bob. Geometry allows some light freeride, and a lot of XC/AM riding.
Weaknesses: Fork for my year (08 Marzocchi) was junk, not GT's fault though. Brakes were ok at first, but heavily faded toward the end of the first season. Original peddles were junk too (no big deal there).
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is this is a terrific bike that will fit the bill if your into shredding single track and some light freeride. It does XC very well if lightened up a bit, and so far (besides brakes and fork) components have held up. Parts will always eventually fail, so buck up and upgrade because its worth it with this bike.
Bike Setup: Fox 32 140 Float R, Fox Float R rear, Race Face crank cover (yes it fits), Avid Juicy 3's, Mavic 317's w/ Kenda Nevegals (wonderful tire)Crankbros Candy C's.
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Submitted by
srbecker
a Weekend Warrior
from Tonawanda, NY, US
I hate this bike. I purchased it to upgrade in find out its really a downgrade, atleast in my opion. I had a cheap Ironhorse Warrior built up that held up to XC beatings better than this POS. Its an all mountain but GT's version of a mountan is a 10' sledding hill with a 5 degree decline. Complete mistake buying this bike. I am an intermediate rider and already I have had 2 pinch flats from the cheap kenda nevegal tires, experience gear slippage when climbing, broke my chain into 3 separate pieces, rounded off the cheap square tapered FSA crank and GT wont cover diddly squat... SO much for their customer service. I will never buy GT or FSA again. As for this bike, its getting replaced once its paid for. I no longer feel safe on this thing. And let me remind you, this is after 32 days of ownership and 6 rides. Props to Berts for putting up with me and other customers who bring in these cheap GT bikes.
Submitted by
jskornick
a Cross Country Rider
from ypsilanti
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2010
Strengths: Excellent Frame and geometry, fox rear shock gave me no problems and still works fine. CrankBrothers peddles are also pretty nice.
Weaknesses: xc600 shocks are junk toss them in the garbage like I did and buy some fox vanilla 140 mm shocks. Also, be kind to your self and throw away the tektro aurigo's also junk. I replaced mine with avid elixar 5's, they truelly rule.
Bottom Line:
Kick ass bike, but prepare to get rid of the forks and brakes. I got mine for $900 so I could justify the upgrades, however I would recommend buying the 2.0 and saving yourself the hassle.
