Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from San mateo, CA
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2004
Strengths: indestructible
Weaknesses: a tad bit portly. but aren't we all?
Bottom Line:
This bike is freakin' awesome. I'm definitely not the first to be telling you that it's bombproof. I've been riding mine since buying new in '99 and it's served me very well, even after a good number of hard spills. I've upgraded most of the stock components to save some weight, but the frame itself is like a Benz from the 60s and 70s---it just won't die. I'll probably replace the fork once I get a few more $$$ and since it's very heavy, but I honestly don't see myself buying another hardtail in my life. This was the first and only MTB i've bought, so i can't compare the ride to other materials, but the steel isn't too punishing on my bum. If anyone ever steals this thing, I will kill their families.
Bike Setup: XT front, xtr rear derailleur; original judy C fork. race face cranks/bb. easton monkey bar. mavic wheels
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Submitted by
Bart Cox
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenwood, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2002
Strengths: CroMo frame is unbreakable!, Decent Brakes,
Weaknesses: Cranks, Judy C - doesn't take much abuse,
Bottom Line:
Great starter bike! I got more that 3 good years out of this baby. Sure, I had to replace worn or damaged parts here and there, but that is part of it. All in all a great bike for the price. The Judy C fork is my only major complaint. It was toast in about 6 months of riding. The cranks would by my next complaint, they lasted about a year.
Similar Products Used: none, this was my first bike
Bike Setup: Sugino 700 cranks, lx hubs w/ Sun Rhino Lite rims, michelin wildgripper lite tires, still riding a worn out Judy C
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Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2001
Strengths: STRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not sure who is braking the frames out there, but you might consider losing some weight! I wegh 180lbs, and abuse my bike, it asks for more!
Weaknesses: A little heavy.
Bottom Line:
Thought I might have messed up after first ride and crank fell OFF!!! That was attributed to the smart guy at the shop who didn't tighten it. I have a chromoly frame, maybe the aluminum frames are weak and irritating, but this frame is incredible. After crashing, it is usaully me or a component that suffers, not the frame.
Similar Products Used: Diamond Back (embarrased to say), Cannondale (o.k.), Magna
Bike Setup: Front suspension(Rock Shox Indy XC), Shram Grip Shifts, Shimano Deore LX and better. Mavic double wall (indestructable) Rims.
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Submitted by
John G.
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington DC
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001
Strengths: solid frame most stock compnents durable
Weaknesses: rims suck not the best climber saddle hurts
Bottom Line:
it's a solid bike. the componets are good a it dosn't wear easly. you can take it cross country one day then dirt jump the next. it's worth buying if you are just getting into mountian biking.
Weaknesses: weak and flexy. i might as well be on a wooden bike
Bottom Line:
Piece of sh*t snapped when i was just cycling over a few roots. I'm not the only person i know who has had problems with GTs strength (a friend of mine just cracked his LOBO after snapping his LTS in 2) I'm never gonna touch a GT again. It flexed like mad when i was climbing aswell (the brakes rubbed it flexed so much). i was cheated when buying this bike which isn't even capable of being cycled on the road.
Strengths: the frame is super strong and most of the components are good. an awesome bike and it doesn't weigh too much.
Weaknesses: the rims suck major Ass and the saddle is a crotch killer. i also had the chainrings wear out quick.
Bottom Line:
this is a solid bike! i have crashed hard many times and i ride drop-offs and the frame has taken it all no prob! i bought a velocity rear rim cause i trashed the stock one and it was a great decison! those things are bombproof! get the cartrige pads cause they are so much easier to change and brake better. some of the componets wore out but that's ok. And for all those pussies who were complaining about wieght....SUCK IT UP! this bike is worth every penny!
Similar Products Used: cheaper worthless piles of tin!
Bike Setup: long-travel kit for the judy...velocity rear rim...shimano LX chainrings....and rim wrangler cartrige pads.
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Submitted by
Kris
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2000
Strengths: Frame(I thought) strength, fit, price
Weaknesses: Broke on a road ride, cheezy components where you would be less likely to look (F. der, BB)
Bottom Line:
The bike cracked and broke at the rear dropout after less than two years of being ridden... primarily on the road.
I did some trail riding, but I try to ride on smooth, fast trails often. I did some moderate drop-off riding, but I can count on one hand the number of bad landings (landed with a jolt instead of a delicate heel-toe) landing. I bought this bike with the intention of keeping it forever, and to have it break on a road ride seems bad. GT is replacing the frame, but I am not happy with the way they have handled the warranty service, and that is in line with what I expected. They have a bad reputation.
While the bbike worked, It was ok. It fit me very well, and I liked riding it, but it wasn't anything outstanding.
Especially considering I bought it for the reputation of durability.
I will write a review of the Backwoods frame they are sending me as a replacement.
Similar Products Used: 98 Karakoram frame with Timberline components.
Bike Setup: Beloved Karakoram with different stem. Thats all I need, baby.
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Submitted by
Gray
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000
Strengths: Strong bike, very stable -- stock tires have excellent grip
Weaknesses: A bit heavy, somewhat klunky gearing -- you get what you pay for -- I laid out $800 for mine and I think it's a good value for the money. One recommendation -- mine came with a plastic tube to house a cable under the main crossbar -- pull that thing off -- it's a dirt trap and you'll have to listen to it every time you pull the brake (if you ride in mud like I do)
Bottom Line:
Good entry level bike -- I've ridden the $hit out of it and had no real mechanical problems. Shocks have been solid for two years -- no bending anywhere on the bike. I'm upgrading to a lighter bike, but other than that I'd keep riding this guy for a while.
Strengths: This bike was the best high end chromoly frame GT made and the parts list was awesome.
Weaknesses: The Crank should have been at least a Shimano LX and the seat should have been a WTB.
Bottom Line:
Excellent package for the money very high quality parts. Clipless Pedals have held up very well and the Onza bar ends are the best. The WTB Enduroraptor tires kick butt on the trails for training but ,I switch to Bontrager Jones tires for racing. I love this bike and I have had no major problems after a year of riding and I ride a lot.
Bike Setup: Stock except for the seat I changed to a WTB. I race on Bontrager tires.
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Submitted by
Jan Smidek
a Cross Country Rider
from Kosice, Slovakia, Europe
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000
Strengths: Its overall performance is great. I would never change this steel frame for Aluminium frame. Although a bit heavier, absorbs shocks much better than stiff alu. I bought this bike almost immediately after it was put on the market, so now I've been using t for more than 1 and a half year and I just love it.
Weaknesses: The weight (see above) and also I'm not that satisfied with the tires, but that might be just my personal impression.
Bike Setup: changed the cranks, chainrings and front derauiler for LX
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Submitted by
Ben Petersohn
a Weekend Warrior
from Roswell,Ga,USA
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2000
Strengths: i LOVE THIS BIke. It was perfect for me as a beginner with a good bit of cash.
Weaknesses: none a good solid bike. LUV IT alot. Bye
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks but it still is a little heavy but it still rocks. I love it if like a good an all around good bike this one is totally for u. BByyey luv ya.
Bike Setup: nice frame although a little heavy still a great bike.
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Submitted by
Alex Remy
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, Costa Rica
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2000
Strengths: 1996 LX components are still incredibly resistant, gears dont jump and have withstanded the abuse, of snow, sand, salt etc. The Mavic wheels are heavy but also resistant and remain true. The triple triangle is a strong design and the CroMoly is not that heavy. I´ve used the bike for serious downhills in Virginia and Costa Rica and have never had a problem. When riding, the ride doesnt feel stiff as Alu. The bike is made to last and take in what mountaibiking is about.
Weaknesses: The RockShocks Q21R had to go. I now have soft Judys and I am completely satisfied. I still have the XT braking system(not V-brakes) but have no problems, only tired fingers when downhilling fast. Non replaceable deraileur hook has been a problem since I´ve bent it once. If that snaps I am out of frame. Ring teeth have broken from going over logs and rocks
Bottom Line:
This bike was $1,200.00 when I bought it, and the components were better then. For that price now I can get all the works. But it is a good bike to start with and to get serious. The bike is thankful if its taken outside often, but can have a temper if not taken care of. I´ve raced intermediate races with it and I won´t plan to replace it soon.
