Submitted by
Adam Calhoun
a Cross Country Rider
from Peachtree City, Georgia USA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2006
Strengths: Heavy Duty frame for reliability and durability under hardcore riding conditions and circumstances. OUTSTANDINGLY smooth high speed downhill performance for the weight. (Modern downhill bikes are smoother but they weigh a ton!)
Weaknesses: The bushings do squeak unless you disassemble and clean them regularly. My LTS-1 is not rear disc brake compatible. Disc brake compatible models are RARE! (SEE BELOW) Spare parts are non-existent (SEE BELOW)
Bottom Line:
*** ALL LTS OWNERS NEED TO READ THIS *** This bike has stood the test of time and continues to satisfy. Replacement parts are almost non-existent for these bikes. BETD in England produces a few great items for the LTS. I have some of their stuff on my bike right now. I am considering producing disc brake compatible rear triangles for 1997 and later LTS models. These are the models with the aluminum rear shock link that use the trunnion style shock. My rear triangle would be very similiar to the RARE factory disc brake compatible GT piece and would work with the factory GT chainstay piece as well as the factory aluminum shock link. Reverse engineering this piece will be a big project and is only worth doing if there is enough interest. It will require (and receive) the same quality CNC machine work and welding that top-of-the-line GT bicycles received. If there is enough interest from GT owners and enthusiasts, I will set up a website to further discuss the project. Please email me if you are interested in this. anc_is_me@yahoo.com
THE BOTTOM LINE Of all the wacky full suspension designs of the 1990's, the GT LTS (horst link) has remained virtually unchanged in design. Others have come and gone but the LTS is still rockin up and down the trails. Unfortunately, the company that produced these wonderful machines fell upon hard times and is no more. They took with them any hope of getting spare parts for these awesome bikes. The GT bicycle company of today is not the same company but rather a bike brand from yesteryear. I intend to do something about this. I want to determine the demand for spare parts and start producing them. I need your input so write me and tell me that you are interested. Thanks, Adam Calhoun
Favorite Trail: Long uphill grinds and screaming downhills
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At: New in December 1996
Similar Products Used: Specialized EPIC - Fun bike but WAY more flexy.
Bike Setup: XTR, Hayes front disc, manitou(not a great fork), Chris King Headset and Hubs, Easton Monkeylite riser bar, Thomson stem
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Romie DeeZee
a Downhiller
from LA, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2004
Strengths: FRAME!!ONLY!!!
Weaknesses: everything except the FRAME!Trunion mount (unit that holds the uppper part of the shock in place), which I have bent more than I care to count.RockShox!!Broke just as many of these!!
Bottom Line:
I am 6' 5" and 225lbs!! From the factory the components were OK, for the time in which I bought. Since then I have upgraded everything except the frame. I've bent trunion mounts, blown the RockSox (front and rear), flatened rims, etc... This was my first bike since I was kid, so when I started out riding the bike and components were fine. Now that I have grown in to the "big-drop, big-jump,freerider" (by my standards, anyway) that I am today, the frame has held up well. In the market for a longer travel bike, but this has been a wonderful frame. 4 Chilis over all, but the frame is a well deserved 5!!!
Similar Products Used: None, at that time! Many now.
Bike Setup: '99 LTS 1000, '03 Jr T, Rhino Lite's w/2.35 Kujo's! MRP LRP (chainguide)
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Superfly
a Weekend Warrior
from Coeur d'Alene
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2003
Strengths: Great comp. mix, hayes disc brakes, smooth ride for epic rides.
Weaknesses: rear suspension linkage is machined so thin I have gone through 3 of them. I finally got a friend to weld some reinforcement plates to it and this has work for now. GT should have had a recall on this product. The linkage broke from normal use. No racing, jumping or free riding!!!
Bottom Line:
The bike is fun to ride. It has a great componants mix that works well and the ride is smooth. However, I would not recommend the frame because of the rear linkage problem. It has been impossible to get in touch with GT since the chapter 11 thing. I would go with the Kona Bear, Specialized FSR, KHS or some other frame. Happy Trails
Similar Products Used: I-Drive XCR, FSR, Kona Bear
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jon Booty
a Weekend Warrior
from Norfolk UK
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2002
Strengths: Adaptable for all riding styles. Great geometry for taller riders.
Weaknesses: The top link/rear shock mount. Mine bent after a few hard rides. It seemed to have too much material machined away in the quest to cut weight. It was replaced under warranty for a cold forged version. It wasn't as pretty as the original, but hasn't let me down yet!
Bottom Line:
Great investment for the £400 I paid for the frame. The ride is good, although take the time to get the best from it first! My first ride was a nightmare as I used my hardtail techniques to wrestle it up the climbs, only to be rewarded with pogo-ing from hell! Once you're tuned into the bike though, you find that you're less fatigued at the end of a ride and soooo much faster on the downs. Traction from the four-bar rear end is great, as is braking. I'm a heavy rider and, apart from one breakage, the frame takes 4-5 ft drop-offs with ease. The frame rally does warrant its 'dual sport' tag in that I have two sets of wheels, one for xc and another for freeride. The frame is great for both with the adjustable travel and a bit of air removed or added to the fox rear shock.
Bike Setup: Raceface cranks Bomber Z1 forks Mavic 317/ 321 rims Hope o2 discs and hubs Club roost bars and Stem XT mechs and shifters Panaracer Fire XC/ Tioga DH Factory tyres
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
John
a
from Boston, Massachuset, America
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2002
Strengths: Ability to get some air while remaining on the ground
Weaknesses: The bearings on the fork
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike in the world except for many others. I wouldnt take any bike over this except for many others. I like this product and i think that GT is going places with schwinn and pacific. Peace out
Submitted by
Shaggy
a Downhiller
from Calgary CANADA!!!!!!!!
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2001
Strengths: Good at turns, bumps, bridges ect. Smooth. Fairly light compared to most freeride bikes. Great on medium sized drops.
Weaknesses: I have just broken the right chain stay. The pivots are a little squeaky but that can be fixed with good ole fashioned grease.
Bottom Line:
This bike was very good to me up until the recent mis-hap. It is an ideal bike for anyone who is lookin for a good all-round freeride type bike. It is a little bit heavy for anyone who likes long x-country treks but its good for short ones. For doing moderate drops(ie. 3-5 feet) it was very good. It was a little bit sluggish comin up hills but it wasnt to bad.
I bought this bike "used" (ridden perhaps 10 times) from a friend and I must say that I'm totally blown away by it's performance. My bike, a LTS 1000 DS (-00), is really a piece of art. The frame is made by Easton, beatifully welded by GT, machinepolished and with killerlooks! My friend bought the frame while he was visiting the GT factory and naturally, there is a great difference between this frame and the ones GT make in Taiwan! This is the kind of bike that you just feel is right for you the first time you mount it. The geometry is spot on and the frame simply gives you confidence to ride any terrain! The ride is superplush (if you want to), handles all situations. I find myself going faster, having 100% confidence in this bike. No prolems keeping up with guys beeing 10 tens fitter than yourself! I've been riding since I was 16 years old (34 now) and I cannot believe the amount of performance I'm getting from this bike! Buy with total confidence, just make sure you get an american made frame.
Weaknesses: poor design for rear suspension headtube cracks easily rear linkage needs bearing kit installed if you tweak the rear end while landing it can bend easily
Bottom Line:
this bike is nice if you just want a comfortable ride. the engineers at gt should be fired for advertising this bike as a downhill bike. it is so weak. i have bent two of the trunion mounts on very small drop offs. small meaning only about 4 feet. the frame was really expensive when it came out, and is the biggest piece of junk. i have honestly taken drops twice as high on my hardtail cannondale cad 3. the bike is terrible. if you are looking for a freeride or downhill bike do not buy this.
Similar Products Used: many full susp. BUY A COVE!!!!!!!!!!!
Bike Setup: 1998 sts dh with bearing kit installed z1 qr 20 marzocchi (sweet) raceface mrp chain guide hayes 8 inch hydro rock shox super delux (suck really bad)
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
steve kelley
a Cross Country Rider
from wixom mich, usa
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2000
Strengths: rides very smoothly,soaks up just about everything in it's path.downhills are no problem on this bike. really enjoy riding this full-suspension bike!!!
Weaknesses: i have had this bike only one year and the only problem i have had is the seal on the rear shock failed and would not hold air properly.the manufacturer sent me new seals and it's been working great ever since.
Bottom Line:
the bottom line is that i would definitely buy this product again if i had to do it all over again.
Similar Products Used: previous bike was a 97 raleigh m-400 front suspension.
Bike Setup: frame is stock,99 xtr shifters and hayes front and rear disc brakes,dolomite disc wheels.continental twister pro tires.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Ed Nieves
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando, Florida
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000
Strengths: Adjustability of frame geometry, frame design (down tube), semms lighter than it is (29lbs out of box), very good components(xtr/xt mix) and handling.
Weaknesses: Front brake (Rock Shox cable actuated) not as strong as xt/xtr v-brake.
Bottom Line:
Great handling bike, very comfortable and great geometry, very plush and very fun to ride. It soaks up everything that gets in its way. If you get a good deal, like I did on a left over (50% off retail) I would suggest you buy it. It's good enough for cross country and it eats any descent you put in its way.
Bike Setup: '98 STS 1000 one year earlier model but same design with Thrmo plastic Carbon frame. Straight out of box... xtr/xt components, mavic 517, Tioga cross country tires, shimano 747 pedals, Kore stem/seat post, Azonic riser bar, Rock Shox Super Delux shock and Rock Shox double crown XL fork with Rock Shox front disc brake (cable).
Strengths: Plush suspension Good looks Looks strong
Weaknesses: Pivots squeak. (can be fixed easily) Chainguides must be modified to fit
Bottom Line:
This bike has excellent rear suspension that soaks up a lot for a 5" travel bike. I actually have the STS, which is the thermoplastic version of the LTS. I got it for 499 at wheelworld and am glad I did. This is the perfect freeride bike, and can be used for light downhills and slalom. It obviously cannot compete with full-on DH bikes when plushness is concerned, but it's not far off.
When you pedal this bike, it only bobs slightly, even though it remains fully active when descending. This gives you maximum power for sprinting. The suspension also makes it very easy to bunnyhop this bike. (With platforms)
The squeak in the pivots pivots can be eliminated very easily. Apparently, there isn't a lot of grease on the pivots when the frames are assembled. My pivots began squeaking after 2-3 rides. After lubing, it now sqeaks only after several months of hard riding. Tools required for lubing are just some allen wrenches, a 10 mm socket, and a hammer and screwdriver if necessary.
The rockshox superdeluxe shock is not great as far as durability, though it is plush and has plenty of adjustablity. My rebound adjuster knob sort of snapped... it still works but no longer clicks. However, the shock hasn't blown up yet and I have entered it in several winter DH races at hollister, CA. A good replacement shock (if the rockshox ever blows up) is the stratos helix expert or helix pro, as these shocks come with the required trunion mount to fit the frame. The expert actually has more travel than the pro, and just lacks the lockout feature. There are many stories about rockshox shocks blowing up, but the 98 superdeluxes seem to do fine.
Bike Setup: all race face, xt deraillers,xtr brakes & shifters,bontrager mustang ceramic rims
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Toby Potts
a Cross-Country Rider
from Columbia, SC
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1999
Strengths: Absolute plush ride in all conditions, nearly hard-tail climbing ability for those steep/long ascents, and superior obstacle tamer.
Weaknesses: Weight is a bit much, and it doesn't corner quite as well as some hard-tails.
Bottom Line:
I can't believe anyone wouldn't love this bike! I've been riding for over 7 years on many different types/makes of bikes, and this is the best overall performing bike yet. If you are looking for a competitive cross-country or downhill bike that provides stability and performance, this is it.
Similar Products Used: Trek Y-22 Gary Fisher Joshua Various Hard-tails including Cannondale, GT, Trek, and Raleigh.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George McKay
a cross-country rider
from San Fransico, CA
Date Reviewed: November 28, 1998
Bottom Line:
This is the worst bike in existance. The whole setup is horrible feeling. The bike may look good but once you ride this piece-o-crap you'll know better. For example, the Rockshox Disc Brakes are the worst disc-setup on the market, have barely improved since 1998 and don't work nearly as well as Avid Arch Supreme's on a long decent. That junky component was switched to a set of Hayes disc brakes which are pretty reliable. The fork is still a SID, which means it flexes way too much,is not as respopnsive as it should be and is a pain to set-up. That part was replaced with a polished Marzocchi Z3 QR20 - smooth, plush, best ride out there and just as stiff!!!, The XT/XTR 9-spd. drive train is okay, only missing a few shifts. The new 9-spd. SRAM ESP9.0sl I have on my Rocky Mountain works flawlessly however so I'm disappointed with Shimano's efforts. The only good thing on this bike is the Fox Air Shock and the Wheels. Other then that it cost too much money to make this bike decent. 0 stars :(
this is the best bike in existance. the whole bike is just perfect.the rockshox disk brakes are heaps better than the 98 models, the fork just eats up anything in its path , the ac/xtr 9 speed drive train shifts smoothly and effortlessly, never a missed shift. my only gripe is the avid brake levers, which have sticky pivots, so i replaced thm with xtr levers, heaps better. overall, 5 stars
