Submitted by
jj
a Weekend Warrior
from glendale,AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2010
Strengths: price
Weaknesses: dog bone...especially the bolts that holds them into place.
Bottom Line:
i was happy the very first few months w/ this bike but when the bolts keep getting loose and snapping i become really agitated. took it to jensonusa for warranty nothing happened, called GT nothing (all they said is take it to a nearby warranty store). Even the bike mechanic tells me that this design is a complete and utter useless failure. So if any of you are thinking of buying a GT bike specially the one with the dogbone (flat piece of metal that holds bottom bracket to the main triangle) do not, i repeat DO NOT buy it, for it will give you nothing but complications and headaches.
Submitted by
keithski
a Cross Country Rider
from keithski0806@hotmail.co.uk
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2010
Strengths: I drive is excellent, pedal bob is almost non existant. Very precise steering.
Weaknesses: For me - None.
Bottom Line:
This is my second i-drive 5 the fist was a 2.0 which I sold because someone made me an offer I could not refuse. This one is a 4.0 but I have changed all of the componentry to a higher spec that the 1.0 because I feel that the bike deserves it. From being a once hardtail freak who would not enteretain a sus bike. I love i-drive it works - simple, ok the pivots take a little greasing or else they creak like it's nobodies business, but asides from that the bike tracks great and hugs the bumps like nothing else.
Similar Products Used: Mongoose Teocali Elite, Specialized, Giant.
Bike Setup: Upgraded to Rockshox Pike forks, Fox RP23 rear shock, Race Face Cranks Seat post and stem, Formula ORO k18 brakes, Easton Monkey lite carbon bars, SB3 freeride wheels.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Mill
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2009
Strengths: Good all round bike. I got mine with lots of upgrades like new forks, mavik wheels, X ram shifters. its a bit heavy but very sturdy and great on rough trails. Mine is a bit worn from the last owner but its held up well. The gears can slip at times.
Weaknesses: Weight, the flex bone screws broke because they were loose so make sure they are tight and glued.
Bottom Line:
Great bike and well worth the price I paid for it. If you can get one on the cheap do so. They hold up well and seems to get good reviews all round. The I drive works really well.
Bike Setup: Xram 7 shifters, Xram 9 rear derailleur, shimano front. Mavic Wheels and Fox shock. Not sure what the forks are.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
crazysalt
a Downhiller
from Austin, TX, US
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2009
Strengths: Very very smooth, the rear suspension keeps the back wheel on the ground at all times, especialy when going up hill. I can take this thing anywhere, I even ride it up the hill of life, an extremely steep loose rocked hill. The bike, for as long as I have had it, has not needed a repair, apart from the tune-up I self preformed. Compared to my last bike it is extremely light also :).
Weaknesses: Hard to clean some of the joints in the bike from time to time, but nothing that cant be worked around. Scratches easily, but what bike dosn't?
Bottom Line:
This bike is really good, I'm amazed that someone was selling it for only 300 $ that was a great buy. I will most likely keep this bike for a long time, at least until it breaks. I would definitely like to ride this thing more, if I get the chance I definitely will. The bottom line is, if you can get this bike GET IT. If you like to ride downhill, or up, this bike is for you, if you like cruising along dirt trails off road, this bike is for you, this bike is for everyone !!!
Similar Products Used: A really old TREK bike that was for kids a weighed at least 45 lbs.
Bike Setup: Fully stock except for new handle bars.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
JohnnyGent
a Weekend Warrior
from Aliso Viejo, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2009
Strengths: Price, smoothness up and down the trail, pretty decent parts for the price, price, price, price
Weaknesses: Came w/ a Rock Shox Dart3 fork, but it really wasn't all that bad for being low end. Kind of a pain to clean the joints after riding but not too bad. And it makes a bit of a squeek when pedaling out of the saddle from time to time.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2008 (greyish blue) I-Drive 5. Sorry to put it on this but there wasnt a product review for my specific bike and i wanted to rave about it. I bought it about 3 weeks ago and have been riding it pretty good about 3-4 days a week. The bike is awesome! I got it at Performance on sale and couldnt be happier. I ride w/ my neighbors across the street and kept up with them no problem! They were riding $4000 bikes and i was rocking a $900 bike and having the same great time and performance as they were!!!! The component list is nothing to get all excited about but for under a $1000 what can you expect? If you are on a budget and want a full suspension bike w/ 5 inches of travel and decent set up for the money, do yourself a favor and buy a GT I-Drive 5. I promise you will not be disappointed!!! I'm able to take 3-4 foot drops and rock gardens no problem! BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY BUY!!!!!!
Similar Products Used: None, first full suspension bike I've ever owned.
Bike Setup: Stock other then new 2008 Fox 32 Float R fork. Absolutely awesome!
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
matt30577
a Weekend Warrior
from toccoa, ga usa
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2008
Strengths: The best part of this bike is the drop down a mountain. I have so much control when I shoot down a drop. It climbs just as good as a hardtail, only without feeling every rock and root. These hydraulic brakes are awesome considering the class they are put in.
Weaknesses: I would say the basic fox float is just because I bottomed out several times on just a 2 or 3 foot drop. And it is quite on the heavy side with everything stock, but the price that I payed evens things out. After about 30 miles or so, my crank has started to make a loud creaking. From other reviews, I think it has to do with the torque that the factory has done on this. I am going to check it out when I get some time to fool with it
Bottom Line:
Overall, I am in love with the I-Drive system. Once I put that new shock on this bike, every thing is just awesome from singletrack, climbing, and jumping, and descending. For just a little over $1000 after those few upgrades, I feel like I'm riding a $2000 bike
Similar Products Used: Cannondale super v1000 freeride, garyfisher hookooeekoo hardtail
Bike Setup: Everything stock except for the rear shock(FOX VANILLA RC) AND shimano clipless pedals
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Submitted by
machboy1
a Weekend Warrior
from Bohemia,NY
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2008
Strengths: Great smooth ride, very responsive
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Great Bike, WOW Fox rear and Manitou front fork under a grand. Kims Bike Shop is Awesome. Delivering awesome value, why go anywhere else. Cool Blue Bike with awesome capabilities
Strengths: No pedal bob at all. Super smooth suspension, adjustable rebound, very plush. The brakes are amazing, they have great power. The traction is good, and the drivetrain is amazing- never a hitch, with GT's iDrive technology. The bike is light, takes abuse well, and climbs like a hardtail.
Weaknesses: A slight creak in the suspension, and little clicks while pedaling. But really, it makes no differance to the ride, just some background noise.
Bottom Line:
I reccomend this bike as a great first full suspension bike. With 5 inches of travel, it can still climb really well and be used for cross-country riding, but can also take some abuse on the trail. It eats singletrack for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a midnight snack, and can take more abuse than you'd expect. I've dropped 4 feet to flat on a hardtail, and it is not fun. On this bike, however, you can't tell it's four feet. I thought it was two, tops, until I turned around and looked. This bike is great for everything, and it holds its own against hardtails while climbing. Mine is a 19 inch frame, and it is not much heavier than my dad's 21 inch hardtail. Throwing it around on the trail is super easy, the bike handles very well.
Similar Products Used: This is my first FS bike. I used to ride a Trek 4500 Hardtail.
Bike Setup: Stock, but it's a GT iDrive 5 1.0, not 4.0, so the stock parts list is a little less impressive. RockShox Bar 2.1 rear shock, and RockShox Dart 3 in the front.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Daniel Courtney
a Weekend Warrior
from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2008
Strengths: Good price, Strong frame, i-drive system works well!
Weaknesses: Crankset is a little week, Hanger too expensive!
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price. The frame is super strong and handles any trail with ease. As is, the bike is perfect for a beginner, but some components will have to be upgraded for more serious riding. Overall an excellent bike for the money!!!
Submitted by
Matt Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from Worcester, MA , USA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2007
Strengths: Really nice bike for XC ridning(good in downhill after some upgrades. Climbs well for Full suspension.Good desing. Bike have good traction even if you are going really fast.
Weaknesses: Same thing as that guy below me...my cranks were overtightened at factory or someplace and I need to get new one ... :\
Bottom Line:
Great bike but If you would like to do some downhill you need upgrade some parts. XC riding is really nice and smooth. I did change some parts but only because I like do some jumping. This bike with basic setup is great for Xc riders who would like to have some fun on trial without thinking that they will lost something or bike will fall apart. Dont worry its not going to happend. I really like this bike and I think if you dont want to spend a lot of money and get something good ...here it is....!!
Strengths: Climbs well for Full suspension. pedals great due to i-drive. Good suspension components and disc brakes for money.
Weaknesses: my cranks were overtightened at factory or someplace. They started creaking severly at 30mi, basically after three weeks of owning it. Bolt on the crank was so tight it had to be drilled out. tires suck, drivetrain is not so hot.
Bottom Line:
Good entry level bike if bought from a bike shop. buying online for the first time was kinda sketchy. No warranty and problems right away. Drivetrain is crap, after switching to Shimano XT and adding my favorite pedals it rides great. Could use some better tires when these wear out as well.
Similar Products Used: Mostly Giant until this point.
Bike Setup: XT drivetrain
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Derek
a Weekend Warrior
from Lehi, Utah
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2007
Strengths: Light, Great Design, No pedal bob, Great front fork, climbs like no other full suspension bike out there.
Weaknesses: Under a lot of pressure gears slip (Not a Fan on SRAM derailleur), and is squeaky in bottom linkage, a little hard to clean bottom linkage.
Bottom Line:
I really like this bike. I did a lot of research and test road a lot of bikes but this felt the best for my type of riding (All Around Mountain riding). There is no pedal bob when climbing hitting a rock or anything. No, need for a back suspension lockout with this design. Also the front shock is great. Easy to maintain and the adjustability is amazing. It also has a lockout but because of the option to dial it down and up I haven't come across a reason to lock yet. This bike will keep up with hardtails as you climb, but it will take a drop like an overpriced full suspension. For the price you can not beat this bike with anything else even close in price. And hydraulic brakes at this price, sweet. The only problems I have had is when I first bought the bike the back fox shock was bad, I had to sent it to fox and they returned it as good as new. It is a little hard to clean bottom linkage. But seriously for the price and performance you can't beat it.
Strengths: i-drive is great, reduces bob. components are great value for the price but plan on upgrading as your skills progress. overall very happy with what i got for what i paid...j4 with u-turn and lock-out rocks!! upgrading to '07 revelation this week as my skills are progressing but awesome bike for the price!! great frame and price to start as i plan to customize components as i go and skills progress even if it costs a little more than forking over 3g's from the start, it'll do what i need it to do and i'm willing to spend over time to get there...very versatile bike right from the get go! xc/all-mt rider but not too crazy...enjoy the technical climbs as much as the dh's. no crazy drops...not a stuntman
Weaknesses: shifting is a little suspect but works well enough if you're new to the sport...upgrading to sram x.0 or shimano xtr only cause i have the cash. tioga tires a little suspect in loose terrain, switching those out for wtb velociraptors...wish me luck!
Bottom Line:
awesome bike for the money but if you'll be riding regularly plan on upgrading components after 6 mo-1yr if you're pushing your skills...weekend warriors, this will last you for a loooong time stock! lock-out and u-turn make it very versatile...climbs like a hardtail and takes downhills like nobody's business as long as youre willing to stop for a min. and adjust the travel. great buy, couldn't be happier but for 1000.00 expect to spend some cash over time to make it plush
Similar Products Used: stock, cheap but not so bad hardtail raleigh mojave 4.0 to start..components not worth discussing
Bike Setup: currently stock except for shimano m-545 pedals...waiting for rockshox '07 revelation and wtb velociraptors to be installed this week (will post review on those later) and leaning towards xtr m966's shifters, levers and brakes soon...please let me know if should be looking at something else
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Douglas Chalmers
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2006
Strengths: Fantastic all round bike climbs well due to the i-drive eliminating pedal bob, decends smoothly, I use this bike for about 3 hours every day and it has held up well. Looks good and handles drops reasonably. Tektro brakes were a surprise work very smoothly, shock is simple but effective. Drivetrain very durable x7 rear mech is ultra smooth.Frame is very stiff and tough. Nice saddle!!!
Weaknesses: The i-link-have snapped two, but this is due to using it 3 hours a day for 6 months.They only costed £8 to replace so not a problem. A full sus from a reputable brand at this price is great value so dont expect the world from some of the components, the fork is a bit on the flexy side but may upgrade soon.
Bottom Line:
Love this bike is serving me well, if you cycle as much as I do then this bike is as good as youll get if u are a weekend cyclist this bike will last for ever!! good first time full susser that doesnt break the bank and allows for riding improvement and fun!
