Submitted by
Hyper GT
a Weekend Warrior
from new york ny usa
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2007
Strengths: the handling, cornering, how sturdy the frame is, light frame so when you go up that hill, smoothness, plush rear suspension, and weld placement earn it 5 stars.
Weaknesses: what ever peoples say about the rear shock rubbin on the rear frame link really didn't know how to adjust the rear shock. all you need to do is spend a little time twistin the rear shock to the max so the link from the shock in all the down makin the rear shock totaly vertigo. no rear disc brake mount, findin spare parts.
Bottom Line:
i wished i found out about this site a long time ago. i would of posted all i know about the bikes i use to own. goin from the RTS, LTS, STS, xiang, bit hit, mountain cycle and so much more.
this bike is truly one of a kind. thought out the years with GT they never disapointed me. never stop amazing me with their bikes. even then gary turner passed away. they keep on pushing out great bikes.
the lobo is rare and if you can get your hands on one do it. it will be costly in the future if you wait.
reason why i give it 3 chilis for value is hard to find parts for it and when you do it will be costly
reason why i gave it 5 chilis over all it's a great bike. from top to bottem end to front. design, performance. ture they are and will be better bikes out there but what other bike stands out like the lobo?? NONE.
$300 for the frame $3000 - $3200 on parts having a bike that stands out priceless now thats the bottem line.
Similar Products Used: owned - rst 3, lts 3, team lts, sts 1000 ds tried - gt ti, big hit, Intense M1
Bike Setup: i own 2 gt lobo. got one frame from ebay and the other one is framed on my wall. Got it from bay ridge bicycle world. Frame from ebay set up is saint rear and front hubs, saint crank and bb bracket, 42 tooth from chain ring with mrp chain guide, vice stem with azonic dh handle bar, saint rear deraileur with shifter pod, brake therapy, avid 203 mm disc brakes, fox rc2 40 fork
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
WESLEY AUTHS
a Downhiller
from SOUTH AFRICA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2002
Strengths: IT'S REALLY GREAT!! IT MAKES ME FEEL AS IF I COULD JUST DO ANYTHING, LIKE JUMP OFF A CLIFF!! THE SHORT/SMALL COCKPIT HELPS ALOT WITH THE CORNERING & CONTROL!!
Weaknesses: IT'S BLUDDY HARD TO GET PART'S FOR THE LOBO!!! IT GET PLAY IN THE REAR END, VERY QUICKLY.. IT'S ALSO GOT A BIT OF FLEX ON THE REAR, THE REAR OF THE LOBO BOTTOMS OUT VERY EASY, THAT'S NOT SO BAD....
Bottom Line:
IF THERE IS A GT LOBO FOR SALE, BUY IT!!!!! IT'S WORTH IT!!! YOU'LL ENJOY THE LOBO SO MUCH, YOU'LL NEVER WANT TO EVER SELL IT! IT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL, AS IF YOU CAN WIN THE WORLD CUP TITLE, YOU'LL ALSO JUST WANT TO RIDE OF BIGGER DROPS & DO HUGE JUMPS & JUST GO FASTER & FASTER & FASTER I THINK GT SHOULD BUILD THE DHI WITH A SHORT/SMALL COCKPIT, THEN IT SHOULD BE BETTER THAN ANY OTHER BIKE IN THE WORLD!! SO BUY A LOBO IF POSSIBLE!!!
Strengths: The handling and cornering of the Gt Lobo is really great. It feels very sturdy which gives confidence to the rider, so one can progress on each downhill. The structure of the frame makes it very good looking, which is always an important factor.
Weaknesses: Despite many people criticizing the brakes, the rock shox brakes are infact very good. You might need to apply a little more strength to brake due to the cable levers, but at least this toughens up your hands! 2. The only other thing is the small clearence in the rear. In very muddy conditions, blocks of mud can build up and prevent one from moving.
Bottom Line:
I would not take any notice what so ever to all the twats that say 'oh this bike is crap, i broke it because i am a fat ass'. This bike handles very well, and unless you are Mr. Steve Peat, nobody can use this bike to its full potential. To conclude, this is a bike that offers a rider the ability to progress in their technique, handling, and speed, and therefore deserves an honest account of it.
Strengths: Very few. Seemed to corner very well. Came stock with Boxxer fork, decent wheels, and MRP chainguide. Good small-bump performance. Taught me to never buy a complete downhill bike again.
Weaknesses: Numerous. Underbuilt frame. The swingarm died in 6 months. I weigh 175 and though I do ride and race hard a downhill frame is meant to take way more abuse than that. Horrible customer service (no wonder why GT is now defunct). Chainline issues, AC cranks coming loose, sticky bushings in rear pivots, blown Rockshox rear shock in 3 months, lack of progressivity, Rockshox cable discs were the worst brakes I've ever used to date, lack of tire/mud clearance (a 2.3 tire is a joke). The most disappointing cycling purchase I've ever made.
Bottom Line:
Oh god. Where do I begin?? Aside from the fork, chainguide and wheels the Lobo had no redeeming qualities. None. This was the worst design I've ever ridden on and the cheap componentry in crucial areas such as the brakes, crankset, tires, and rear shock is unforgivable. And to make matters worse I was the sucker that bought it at full price when it first came out. GT stuck it to me again when I got them on the phone for warranty claims. After 6 months swingarm broke. GT refused to honor their warranty. I had to pay out $150 for a new swingarm. I sold the Lobo immediately afterward to some poor sap for $1900. I bought a Schwinn Straight8 and didn't look back. Four great bikes and many memorable racing experiences later I regret having bought the GT in the 1st place.
Purchased At: LBS (purchased 4 years ago--first downhill bike)
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Super8, Intense Uzzi SLX, Turner DH Racer (finest bike out there IMO), Turner RFX, Schwinn Straight8, Foes Weasel, Intense M1. All are better bikes than this sorry heap of slag aluminum ever was.
Bike Setup: SOLD--followed up in chronological order by Schwinn Straight8, Foes Weasel, Santa Cruz Super8, Intense M1-Sl, and soon a new Turner DH Racer.
Strengths: it has got so many strengths. The plush, smooth, ever active suspension makes it superior to most 6" downhill bikes. It looks real nice too, the swingarm is unbreakable. The floating rear brake means that when you go hard on the rear brake the suspension still works super well. Tthe seat tube goes through the downtube and is welded to the bb shell, unbreakable!
Weaknesses: The rear shock is a balls up to put it bluntly but thats what you gotta put up with. It blows quite often which makes it an expensivebike to keep but not like every month maybe every 10 months so i have been told by owners of lobos. The top tube is very short which means i keep banging my knees of the crowns on the forks not all the time but it is sore. There isnt anything else to complain about.
Strengths: This is bike is so nice. I love it so much, it is stronge, looks nice, a plush 7 inches on the back and can also be bumped up to 8.5 inches and really nice boxxers on the front. I have hayes on mine so the breaking is unbealivably nice. This is a killer bike.
Weaknesses: It can only fit a 2.3 on the back and it is kinda hard to manual on.
Bottom Line:
This bike is really nice, It is worth 8 grand new but good thing i got it at a good price or else i would not have been able to buy it. For me there are no complaints. I love it.
Similar Products Used: santa cruz bullit, rocky mountain rm7,
Bike Setup: Rock shox back shock, boxxers, hayes 8 inche and 6 hydraulic, race face riser bar, shimano xtr cranks and bottom bracket, mrp chainguide, ect. (top of the line stuff)
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Garrett Bosworth
a Downhiller
from Escondido, Ca ,US
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2001
Strengths: This bike is built very strong and I would not be affraid t purchase a used one either. I love the short top tube it makes decendidng a breeze
Weaknesses: The only bad thing about this bke is that it dosn't have any disc bake mounts on the frame. I had to weld mineon. This i simple for experienced welders but if yu cant weld this can be costly
Bottom Line:
This is a bike for peopl that abuse there bikes (I have dne 12 foot drops with out a problem
Bike Setup: Xtr every thing HANEBRINK LT 8 (best fork)
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
RYAN HUGHES
a Downhiller
from AUBURN CALIFORNIA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2001
Strengths: RIDES GREAT THROUGH BABY HEAD SECTIONS AND SMALL TECH SECTIONS. SMALL COCKPIT ALLOWS TIGHT CORNERING.
Weaknesses: REAR 2.3 TIRE RUBS CROSS MEMBER ON REAR SWING ARM ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH TRAVEL(RIDER ONLY GETS ABOUT 5" OF THE CLAIMED 7") VERY BAD REAR DESIGN! HAZARDOUS ON LANDINGS!!! I HAVE TRIED TO GET A HOLD OF GT TO FIND A SOLUTION BUT THEY ARE NO HELP AND FULL OF ATTITUDE! OH, AND THE ROCK SHOX DISC BRAKES SUUUUUUUUUCK!!!
Bottom Line:
IF YOU BUY A LOBO, EXPECT ONLY ABOUT HALF THE CLAIMED TRAVEL DUE TO REAR TIRE RUB AND DON'T EXPECT ANY HELP FROM GT EMPLOYEES.
Bike Setup: LOBO FRAME, WHITE BROS. DH-2, XTR, MRP, AZONIC, PHAT ALBERT RIMS.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Ryan Chapman
a Downhiller
from Denver, Co-Usa
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2000
Strengths: Great bike overall. huge downtube, swingarm, and the frame is just incredabile. Sweet for drops....huge ones like 10-15 footers, great for going down and running sh#$ over. like small animals, kids, loga, boulders, and cars. the boxxer rocks, the rear end rocks, and the whole bike rocks.
Weaknesses: the brakes really arent that good, but they will stop u just as sure a hitting a brick wall will. none othere that that though.
Bottom Line:
this bike kicks a$$ and nothing can compare. it is huge, fun and absoultly reliable. if u can find a better bike for the weight, the money, and the price, e-mail me. it takes drops like your little sister, and can go over anaything like your garbage man and his truck. it is a rad rad bike, i suggest u buy one and give it a try for yourself.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale sn1000 fr, specialized big hit 2000
Bike Setup: azonic hammer stem, azonic bar, shimano dx pedals, sun rinolite tcb rims, raceface north shore crank, rf chainring 42t, mrp chainguide, and soon a stratos s7 fork.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Patrick
a Racer
from Cleveland,OH USA
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2000
Strengths: Frame construction; great welds, EX-large head tube beefy rear swing arm,GT Warrantee policy,rider feed-back white hub after all it's a GT
Weaknesses: Short rider compartment, thin alu on down tube terrible design with chain guide system (MRP) too tight against frame…The worst brake setup ever, rockshox brakes suck period…. Chassy position system.
Bottom Line:
OK Dh bike but the new I-drive Is the way to go (no wate it changing...OOOOOHHHHH hang on it just changed again & again & again)or Super 8 the DH Bike of 2001... All & All who can keep up with all this DH BullS%#t...buy a bike ride the piss out of it,if it breaks buy another & another just keep riding the bike not the hype!!!!
Strengths: not many, aveage for a DH bike, its name is a plus, steve peat rode one well a $25,000 custom black box one but they looked simular
Weaknesses: Penny pinching GT cut corners on spec cable disc brakes which meant spending a whole load of money changing them to hope 4 pots in fact I had to replace everything on the bike but the frame and the group set. It creaks, gt are the most unhelpful company in the world I sent them a email about up grading the sh#t shock they put on there but all I got was put on their mailing list. You know earlier i said that i hadn’t change to frame well actually I’m just about to buy a super 8
Bottom Line:
GT team bike are a long way form their production bikes, the lobo on the surface looks like a DH bike how ever when you look closer at it most of the parts they’re cheap and tacky and not sufficient for the money and the purpose the bike was designed for.
I ridden lots of DH bikes don’t believe people going on about how great they are I compared it to other bikes and compared to them it feels substandard, I don’t like to admit this but its true, I bought it cost price form the importer and the reason I bought it was because Steve Peat had one but to my dismay it was a disappointment when I consider other options.
Strengths: i dunno once i set it up how i wanted to it was great overall
Weaknesses: not much mud clearance, stock setup pretty week
Bottom Line:
Great bike once its setup right, backend doesn't have that much mud clearance, but i love the Lobo. I would not ride anything other than a GT well maybe a Karpiel, but nothing else. The Lobo is a fast bike pedals great and is nasty in the corners, out of the box its not as great as i would have expected but i would have changed any bike no matter what.
Bike Setup: Lobo, '99 Boxxer, XTR all around, MRP, Hope, Sunn rims, Intense 2.7 front, Tioga 2.3 back, etc.
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Submitted by
Damien Anderson
a Downhiller
from Aurora, Colorado
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2000
Strengths: Looks cool on the showroom floor, quick handling, responsive
Weaknesses: Rear tire rubs frame, bike is spec'ed with some really cheap parts, rear suspension blows through travel on airborne landings, Rock Shox cable disc brakes suck, MRP hits frame when bike gets full travel, 2000 model is just the '99 model painted white.
Bottom Line:
Overall its a decent bike for a beginner downhiller, but dosen't have the quality parts that an advanced rider would demand. Bike seems like a pretty good deal until you start looking closer at some of the parts that GT put on it.
Submitted by
Alan jolliffe
a Downhiller
from Brisbane Australia
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2000
Strengths: Pedalling, especially out of corners. 6" but not crazy plush. Pull shock, easy to change springs.
Weaknesses: Plastic creaks, tyre touches frame, weak alloy.
Bottom Line:
Excellent value, nice ride, but very sad when the rear end bent doing a small drop off (2 1/2 feet)and no warranty for this. Ideal bike for an extremely smooth B grade rider, probably with xc background as this bike pedals well( not as well with the monster T's, I used the boxxers for 6 months).
Similar Products Used: Boomerang, XXFX, STS 1000, LTS 3000, Super 8
Bike Setup: Monster T's, dura ace drive train with 39 tooth c/ring, hope brakes.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andy Neal
a Downhiller
from Peterborough, ENGLAND
Date Reviewed: December 24, 1999
Strengths: Strong frame, looks the dogs bollocks, quite plush.
Weaknesses: Rear tyre rubs on swing arm before shock bottoms out, thus giving only 5 inches of travel with my 2.3 Nokian DH tyres. Only half the pivots are sealed, so the frame needs servicing every couple of months.
Bottom Line:
My first ever Full Suspension was a GT LTS 3, which I got back in '96, which I loved at first....until I snaped the rear end twice, and GT took 3 months or more BOTH times to sort out and send back to me. After that, I thought a hard tail would be much more reliable and swoore to myself I would never buy a GT again as I had so many hassles with it. After several Hardtails and XC races, I decide I'd try DH for '99, so ended up buying a Coyote DH as it was so cheap at £550, and i loved it, a full sus which I could jump high on and land with it still in one piece. During the summer I decided to sell it and put more money towards a better frame. I looked at everything, and decided a Lobo for £1500 was a good buy. Surely by now GT must have come up with a descent frame that was plush and strong. NO, after 1 month oil had leaked from the shock, the pivots near the rear wheel axle are EXACTLY the same as the ones on my '96 LTS 3, and just as crap, they keep coming loose and need servicing every week nearly, I knew the '98 version had problems with the rear tyre hitting the swing arm, so expected that to be sorted for the '99 model, but they havn't. The only good thing about the frame is its strength, good welds and Gussets where it needs them. Sorry this frame gets 1/5, I'd take the Coyote back any day if my mate would give it back, but I can't see that happening with the amount of fun he's having on it.
