Strengths: its a strong frame. nice design with known name.
Weaknesses: ....it being aluminum, though it's not much of importance.
Bottom Line:
its a good frame for my type of riding, weight is not much of importance to me as long as it suits me well, i'm less than 150 lbs, i'm pretty sure i cannot trash it with my kind of riding, as long as i can pedal with it, i'll stay with my gt avalance.
Similar Products Used: none......... its my first frame and i still use it until now.
Bike Setup: trail bike/ some cross-country
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Submitted by
chris hendershot
a Cross Country Rider
from boise, id
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2002
Strengths: great frame design. strong and not TOO heavy. i have teken alot of crashes on this bike and have not broken the frame....yet. good components for the $$$$.
Weaknesses: disc sucks...broke it the first day out and it sent me about 35 foot down the mountian. go with hayes.--tires dont have enough tread for loose stuff--rims SUCK!!! they both have 2 flat spots in them. bike rides like this now___-----____-------________. i guess that was kinda my fault too though. seat is okay, but if you got the $$ get a new one.
Bottom Line:
if you are a weekend warrior this is the bike for you. this bike is pretty tough, but not the thing that you would want if you are a big racer. i have tried to do too much with this bike, and have been breaking most of the stuff on it. i will be getting a dual sus. next year. if you have the green to get a new wheelset, this bike will last you forever.
Similar Products Used: bianchi, trek, kona,rocky mountain, giant, gary fisher, ect.....almost all of them
Bike Setup: stock except for time ATACs.....hayes discs.... bar ends...computer..... tubeless rims and psylo to come when i get some green.
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Submitted by
Evan
a Weekend Warrior
from San Antonio, Tx.
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002
Strengths: Great frame, light, good components.
Weaknesses: Judy Race fork, formula brakes
Bottom Line:
Once the bike was broken in and adjusted it was great until about a year. I am a light weight rider and the Judy Race fork has lost its tension and the rebound won't adjust anymore. The formula disk brakes are strong but the rotors are of poor quality and get out of round really easy and then they whine really bad. The front disk is really strong. The Tioga tires were great but they wore out really quickly. The mavic wheels are very light but need to be trued about once a month. The bike corners well and climbs even better. Overall the bike has been great and with clipless peddles, better front fork, and XT hydrolic brakes the bike would be awsome.
Bike Setup: Mavic wheels, Real front hub, XT rear hub, XT derailer, LX front derailer, LX cranks, LX mega 9 shifters, Judy Race fork, formula hydrolic disk in front, mechanical rear.
Strengths: This frame is unbeatable. the geometry is great as well as the strength and rigidy(common for GT frames. Components are excellent for the price but would recomend putting some after-market money into to make it race ready. Wicked color-scheme (black and white)
Weaknesses: The seat and tires are unacceptable.
Bottom Line:
This is definitly a potential racer if some money is put into it. The frame is unbeleivably reliable, strong, and stiff. Prices should even be down on these bikes now that they aren't the newest models so you could get a really good deal on one. If you spot one scoop it up in a hurry and don't pass it up.
Bike Setup: 2000 GT Avalanche, 2001 Psylo SL fork with U-Turn, 2002 Avid BB Mech. disc brakes, Avid Speed Dial Ti levers, Koobi AU Chrono saddle, Cane Creek C2 headset, Bontrager Jones AC tires, Cat Eye Enduro 2 comp., XT der. (F&R), other than that the bike is stock.
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Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2002
Strengths: Light and quick in meneuvers. The front disk brakes are a first for me (Formula), and although I read a lot of rags on this brand of disk brake, I must say I am impressed!
The bike fits like a glove on the trail, and becomes an extension of me. Nothing could be sweeter. I rode a friend's GT Avalanche a couple of years ago, and I was hooked after 20 minutes of riding. I will keep this bike forever.
Bike Setup: Stock: XT rear derailleur, LX front; Formula disk brake on front, Koski rear V-brakes...
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Submitted by
Bob Kenworthy
a Cross Country Rider
from Kokomo, IN
Date Reviewed: December 2, 2001
Strengths: Name, I am a long term GT fan, loving my first GT Tequests in the early 90's!
Weaknesses: Unfortunately, several. I'm 6'1", 205 lbs and ride fairly aggressive for my size/ In three months, I broke the stock Ritchey pedals, have had multiple spoke breaks, a rebuild of the Judy XC and most recently shredded the rear hub. It seem the Tequesta held up much better.
Bottom Line:
I am fairly diasappointed with the bike's durability. I love the GT name and have always whipped butt on guys riding Treks when I rode the Tequesta. But, I have a bud I ride with that owns a much cheaper Trek and has had minimal problems on the same trails and conditions. (And he's 6'4", 230!) With majo component upgrades, (to XTR, or Race Face, this could be a great bike. The frame is real solid!)
Bike Setup: Stock, plus Wellgo clipless pedals, Cateye wireless computer, Profile Design bar ends and Panaracer Fire Pro XC tires
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Submitted by
Coz
a Cross Country Rider
from Baton Rouge, LA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2001
Strengths: Great frame geometry. Great frame strength (trust me). Ritchey pedals have been 100%. Judy Race is a sweet non-SID fork. Well-equiped with Synchros stem and riser.
Weaknesses: Wasn't too impressed by the tires. The Mavic 217s are definitely in need of replacement. Formula disc sucks.
Bottom Line:
I'd have to recommend this bike to anyone looking to spend < $1000....however, For those willing to spend a bit more, check out the GT Team Zaskar...it's a nice step-up.
Bike Setup: Python Gold tires; XTR shifters and derailluers, Ritchey stem, XTR chain.
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Submitted by
kent hoggatt
a Cross Country Rider
from mandeville, LA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001
Strengths: 7005 aluminum frame, judy race, LX/XT components, real components front hub.
Weaknesses: the weighty formula disc brake set up. the weak spokes. the product seemed to be set up in a hardtail/free ride design. ended up just being heavy.
Bottom Line:
good bike, but costly after all was said and done.
Similar Products Used: cannondale f-500, jamis dakar sport 1999 model.
Bike Setup: 120mm coda stem, monkeylite easton bars, lost the disc brake set up for a new mavic wheel on lx hub, with lx vee brake. velicoraptor front/specailized team master rear tire. new spokes all around, dt 14 gauge.
Strengths: its a strong and rigid bike, handles all uphills and downhills
Weaknesses: not many weaknesses thank you come again
Bottom Line:
great bike, must buy, especially from a road biker who injuries himself, and then has no more use for the mountain bike, darn good deal If you know much buy bike would cost retail value
Weaknesses: Formula disc brakes, Tioga tires, Syncros stem
Bottom Line:
First let me promise not to use the term "bomb proof" in this review. The 2000 Avalanch was my first bike and it has been a great bike. In the beginning I had a few problems with the Syncros stem. After a couple of trips to the LBS and a grinder the problem was solved. Tioga tires were quickly replaced with the better performing Bontrager Jones. Formula disc brakes are a joke. Last I heard they completely pulled out of the US and left GT high and dry. Will swith to Avid manuals ASAP. Koski rear brakes are excellent as well as the LX/XT components. Have broken several cheapo spokes built into the Mavic 221 wheels. Richey Logic pedals perform OK and the R.S. Judy fork is solid. SDG Grand Prix saddle tore after 2 months but is still comfortable even with the nose taped up. Overall, this bike is a fun ride! Now that the 2001'S are out you can pick up this bike for a good price. Plan on a few extra bucks in upgrades over time and you will have a great bike for a while.
Strengths: the fork is great. i love how it is adjustable. the frame is very strong. overal nice componetry for the money.
Weaknesses: rear hub, seat, pedals those were changed
Bottom Line:
great bike for the money. i would suggest the bike if you race cross country. I have broken my arm because of the pedals. they had mud and i couldnt get in so i bought time pedals. they have great mud clearence.
Similar Products Used: cannondale f1000, giant xtc
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Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2001
Strengths: I own an 2001 Avalanche 2.0. This bike is very fast, mostly because of the stiffness of the frame. It's also fairly light and climbs steady. This bike is equipped with some sweet Syncros rims and when you add kevlar spokes it makes them completely bullet-proof. The Avid front disk is awesome and recommend you put a rear one on to balance it out. Nothing about the bike is bad, overall a good bike for the buck.
Weaknesses: The rear LX stock deraileur and front deore do not like to get dirty. I'm not sure if it's the rear sprocket or the chain, but high gears on the middle sprocket are jumpy when muddy. The Rock Shox Judy C came right off and I put on my Manitou 3. The Manny 3 is almost 2 lbs lighter and makes the bike ride faster and stiffer. The Rock Shox Judy is a big heavy dog. Get rid of it GT!
Bottom Line:
Overall the bike is impressive out of the box. Very happy with the ride, the components could be balanced better (front and rear derailuers and heavy front suspension) but overall I give it thumbs up for the athletic weekend warrior that has some aggression to release before he gets back to work on Monday.
Bike Setup: Manitou 3 front shock and kevlar spokes, everything else stock, upgrading to all XT components.
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Submitted by
andy
a Weekend Warrior
from nanaimo B.C.
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001
Strengths: great bike.fork is sweat,bomber z-5.this bike is very confidence inspiering.
Weaknesses: wtb rims are very weak.no weaknesses but that
Bottom Line:
the best bike i've ever riden.got sweat deal to.i recommend this bike to an intermediate rider who wants to do some freeriding or any ,level of skilled rider doing some freeriding and can't get the money to get a good full suspension.the z-5 fork is a dream it takes every thing ,no questions asked.you do a 2 foot drop onto pavement and you can't even tell you hit except for some chain noise.not for cross country riding though because the fork weighs 4 pounds.over all a great bike go out and get one.
Similar Products Used: 2000 gt tempest with rock shox jett.
Bike Setup: complete 2001 gt agressor 1.0 with brand new 2000 avalanche frame with a 2001 bomber z-5 set at 100mm.v-brakes
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Submitted by
andy
a Weekend Warrior
from nanaimo B.C.
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001
Strengths: great bike.fork is sweat,bomber z-5.this bike is very confidence inspiering.
Weaknesses: wtb rims are very weak.no weaknesses but that
Bottom Line:
the best bike i've ever riden.got sweat deal to.i recommend this bike to an intermediate rider who wants to do some freeriding or any ,level of skilled rider doing some freeriding and can't get the money to get a good full suspension.the z-5 fork is a dream it takes every thing ,no questions asked.you do a 2 foot drop onto pavement and you can't even tell you hit except for some chain noise.not for cross country riding though because the fork weighs 4 pounds.over all a great bike go out and get one.
Similar Products Used: 2000 gt tempest with rock shox jett.
Bike Setup: complete 2001 gt agressor 1.0 with brand new 2000 avalanche frame with a 2001 bomber z-5 set at 100mm.v-brakes
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Submitted by
Glenn S
a Weekend Warrior
from Canada
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2001
Strengths: Great frame (but that's just GT in general). Disc brake on the front and disc-ready in the rear (that is a HUGE plus, because it saves you quite a bit of money).
Weaknesses: Frame sizing options. I noticed that GT switched from the 1999 sizing scheme which was by measurement (15", 16", 18" etc.) to this S, M, L beeswax. It's a way of producing fewer size options without directly admitting to it. I own a 1999 16" GT as well, which fits perfectly. I didn't want to go with the small, so I ended up with a medium, which is a tad bit to large in terms of standover height. Stem can be changed and saddle can be altered, but my nuts cannot be moved.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money. GT frames are, in general, well built even when they're not built in the U.S. GT cleverly puts a red white and blue sticker on the left chainstay that says "Designed in Southern California USA" which is rather silly. People seek American-built. I've never heard of anyone caring if something was designed in America. I haven't had the bike very long, but it rides extremely well. This is my first disc brake equipped bike, and I must say it's a welcome change. I will almost certainly add one to the rear wheel. The rear wheel, of course, is disc ready. At $1000, this is a fantastic bike. I'm very happy with it.
Hi everyone... I just got an Avalanche frame and need to track down a front derailuer for it. If anyone can tell me what swing and clamp diameter it should be, that'd great. The pe Read More »
