Submitted by
bonified
a Weekend Warrior
from gainesville florida...don't laugh!
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2002
Strengths: yo- this bike is nice for just going around town and cross country trails.
Weaknesses: frame can't handle any abuse. if you ride stuff hard you will probably break this frame. i did. im 170 lbs and jump/ride trials/take steep hills...
Bottom Line:
this is a good bike to start out on. and a great bike for riding around town or riding trails. this bike is even good for some jumping and freeriding, but if you do that type of riding don't expect it to last too long. happy trails...
Similar Products Used: old gt timberline...cracked that too...hmmmmm...
Bike Setup: judy xc. lots of random parts because, you know, we're always breaking stuff.
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Submitted by
andrew brumby
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2002
Strengths: damn good frame! rear derailler,
Weaknesses: wheels, not enough travel on fork.
Bottom Line:
this is a great cross country bike and even though i've been through like 6 foot drops on it if u r gonna be doin drops, DONT GET THIS BIKE, but if u r a Xcountry rider lookin for a good bike get it! (but upgrade the wheels)
Bike Setup: sun mammoth rear wheel, radical ingot dh stem, dh pedals dh riser
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Submitted by
kaili Mauricio
a Weekend Warrior
from Oregon now Massachusetts
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2002
Strengths: Very sturdy bike, Beautiful ride, handles everything i throw at it. The frame is almost unbreakable, i have been hit twice by cars on this bike and the frame has emerged with only scratches. built like a tank!
Weaknesses: built like a tank, weighs more than most mtn bikes.
Bike Setup: Judy c fork,LX/alivio,wienham(zac19)rims,wtb tread,titec bar,avid brakes/levers
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Submitted by
David Whitner
a Weekend Warrior
from West Sussex, UK
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001
Strengths: Great components, really strong frame, the geometry and fit of the bike is perfect for me. The brakes are great, and overall the ride is precise and makes you more confident to do more dangerous stuff! Also, it looks pretty mean, which is a bonus. Well done GT!
Weaknesses: the bikes a bit heavy, but strong! Also, it needs some riser bars and a saddle that doesn't give you numb nuts! I don't like the shifters, they're a bit chunky for me, but they are always acccurate and haven't broken so far!
Bottom Line:
I have always ridden Kona bikes before, as I thought they had the best ride for the price. I tried out the GT as it was really cheap (i bought the 99 model after they released the 2000 one). I was really impressed. Apart from it being heavy and the forks a bit squishy it was great. The handling is really precise, the ride is comfortable and I've crashed it many times without damage. If you are looking for a decent steel frame that is light and can take lots of punishment then this is the one. I will keep my bike for many more years to come...
Similar Products Used: Kona Hahanna, Specialised Rockhopper
Bike Setup: As standard but with new pedals (clips and straps because I don't like spd's), riser bars (a must), and a specialised saddle, one with the plum channel in it to save my coconuts on those bumpy rides!
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Submitted by
dan tousignant
a Cross Country Rider
from wilmington,ma,usa
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2000
Strengths: excellent durability, very manuverable great drivechain
Weaknesses: slightly heavy would prefer more durable rims
Bottom Line:
the best bike i have ever ridden very smooth for my hard core use more for the rider who does not ride everyday. this bike will hold up to the most technical and rough terrain out there. if you are a rider who plans to ride 4 times a week try a more elite model like the zaskar or lts series.
Bike Setup: XC rear derailer,Shimano Deore front, Avid 20 brakes, Avid 2.0 levers, Mavic(26") rear rim stock front(26"), tioga 2.3 rear stock front
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Submitted by
Mudguts
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, ON - Canada
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2000
Strengths: The Judy C front end is more then capable for the riding that I do
Weaknesses: The rear dropout isn't removable and I had to have the frame professionaly straightened after bending the rear end and busting the LX derailer.. I upgraded to XT
Bottom Line:
Could use better wheels. It's a little heavy but very comfortable. It handles like a dream and hauls ass on the singletrack. It does need regular maintance though.. like anything else, take care of it and it takes care of you. see www.canadiancycle.com for more details. I only paid $750 for it so it was a DEAL!!
Similar Products Used: HAd a Tequesta before this ('91), also own a '95 Rockhopper and '93 Stumpjumper
Bike Setup: Judy front shock, XT rear, Shimano Deore front.. it's an average ride for average riding. flip pedals to replace the gt clippless ones
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Racer
from Kanata, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2000
Strengths: The Fork is great, Rock Shock Judy's,the frame looks cool and handel's well with the triple trangle, GT's own thing. It's kinda light, the rims weigh it down a lot. The pedals are nice, once u oil them up. And the breaks are also not bad, there kinda weak and tend to get lost easly but that can be fixed.
Weaknesses: The Rims are weak, and heavey, my rear rim got warped and bent after the first month. The rear derailiator is somewhat weak, because I broke it within the first few week's. I don't know how. But overall this is a well made bike, they could change the rims and get better lighter, stronger ones.
Bottom Line:
I LOVE THE BIKE! it's a great bike for the price, and I got it with upgraded pedals, and shoes. The only thing that I think should be changed is the rims, there really heavey and they warp easly if your into really bumpy trails. But over all it's a great bike for the price and the pedals are great, they really make you feel one with your bike. I would recomend this bike to a new rider, or even a experienced one, it's great!
Submitted by
Nik Skwarok
a Racer
from Kanata, On, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2000
Strengths: Good frame, amazing fork for the price,good rearailiator,good handeling, and nice and light. The breaks are really good, the pedles are really good aswell.
Weaknesses: The front derailiator defenetly needs to be upgraded as soon as posible, the tires are heavy but they will do for a long time if weight does not comsern you.The rims are not the greatest eather. If you do alot of heavy trail riding you will find that you rims warp easy.
Bottom Line:
I LOVE THIS BIKE!!! For the price, that you cant beat, you get rock shox judy and amazing components. Good work GT!!!!
Submitted by
Keith Purslow
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2000
Strengths: very solid construction, Judy fork, Shifting system (derailer and interface), price/performance
Weaknesses: factory seat and heavier wheels
Bottom Line:
85kg rider who dishes it out to his bike and it has met me halfway for every ride. The medium springs in the Judy were fading after 4 months on the climbs but after replacing them and changing to a higher viscosity oil I have no complaints. A great bike for intermediate riders who are into all types of riding, X-country, moderate downhill, and any trail: wet, dry, rooted, rocky. This bike will see you through. Very low maintenance! Best price/performance buy I saw this year.
Bike Setup: stock except have changed to stiffer springs in Judy
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Submitted by
Beniamino Berruli
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonchuck, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2000
Strengths: Awsome, lightweight frame. Plush Judy up front softens out even the biggest hits. With the Avid brakes, LX shifters and other awsome components, this bike can take me everywhere I want to go, do everything I want to do.
Weaknesses: So far, I haven't noticed any. This is an awsome bike, especially for the price.
Bottom Line:
This bike is awsome, a great deal for the money ($1049CAN). This bike can take me wherever I want to go, and the components are working perfectly. If you are looking for something a step up from your high-tensle rigid bike, but don't want to shell out for a $3000 Ti race machine, this is your bike!
Similar Products Used: Specialized rockhopper, hardrock comp. Land gear 4.0, Various Marins, Shwinn mesa, Trek 4500, and others.
Bike Setup: Judy C, LX drivetrain, Avid 20 brakes, Avid 1.0 levers, SPD clipless, Double Butted Reynolds 525 Cromoly Frame, Sun Rims, WTB tires.
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Submitted by
Zak Hussain
a Downhiller
from North York, Ontario, CANADA!
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2000
Strengths: Amazingly durable, been able to take some 10 foot drop offs without the slightest problem.Very nice handling. Good job GT
Weaknesses: Fork not strong enough.
Bottom Line:
ABSOLUTELY Kickin. Sweet price for components and nice geometry. out of my last 6 bikes, one of them being the Specialized FSR XC, i like this the most.
