This is an update from back when I first bought the bike. I still love the frame, but as planned I replaced everything else but the seat (that's next). The bike rocks now. It's very light and hooks up great going up hill. Like a lot of other people said, if you don't have a lot of dough up front, buy a bike with a good frame and upgrade as you go along. I caught some great deals on e-bay as well as some local bike shops.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z4 Fork; Race Face Cranks, stem and XY seatpost; Mavic 221 rims / LX hubs; Panaracer tires; XT derailers and shifters; Avid SD MAG brakes and levers; Cane creek headset; Shimano M 545 pedals.
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Submitted by
Ern-Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Burbank, CA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003
Strengths: Frame
Weaknesses: Depends on your riding abilities. As you get better, you may need to upgrade 'everything' except the frame of course. However, do as I did, and have fun doing it. I customized my bike to my liking.
Bottom Line:
Good frame to start with and upgrade later. It is worthwhile to upgrade!! I brought the weight down from 30+ to 22 pounds. I love the bike now, it's quick and light. It's great for fire road riding and some not too technical trails. Climbs like a goat. The bike has held up well and it sure taught me how to ride and crash as well. Now I love the sport, can't get enough of trail riding. I recommend buying a inexpensive MTB if you are just starting out, and as you get better and get to like the sport, you can upgrade, learn and have fun doing so.
Similar Products Used: Specialized, and Giant hardtails. Now, I own a Giant NRS, full suspension as well.
Bike Setup: I have upgraded everything, except for the brakes, the seat and seat post. Judy SL, UNO stem, FSR head set, Python tires, Mavic 221, Deore hubs rims, LX drivetrain and BB, 28 speeds, XT cluster, XT cranks, Sram 69 chain, Deore brake levers and shifters, etc, etc, etc...
the frame is great. the stock components werent the greatest the only major problems i had was the stock rst shock would bottom out and the threaded head set would come loose. and the rear wheel bearings would also loosen up. for 250 bucks i felt i got a good bike, after some upgrades its perfect. thanks to BH for some parts and Project Bike Shop for all your help. i recomend the bike to anyone who wants to do some XC rideing. im 215 lbs and this bike has taken every bit of punishment i can dish out and it still begs for more.
Similar Products Used: rock shox xtr/xt/lx avid azonic
Bike Setup: sun rhino lite rims with xt hubs(hand built by the great people at project) avid arc rival brakes lx leavers and derailleurs xtr cranks rock shox judy TT fork ritchey pro logic head set azonic riser bar kore stem oury grips panaracer fire xc tires
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Freeport, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2002
Strengths: Amazingly strong frame
Weaknesses: Most of the parts hung on it
Bottom Line:
To be fair, this bike was not outfitted for a rider like me..rough riding clydesdale who likes to jump.It's a beginner's entry level bike. But I didn't know that when I bought it. The price was right. After a year of putting up with my abuse, parts started breaking off, and almost every ride was coupled with a visit to the LBS. I've replaced every part on it except the seatpost, bottom bracket, and brakes. It's now a tough, fully rigid, bombproof single speed...my experimental beater bike. NOW THE GOOD NEWS..THE FRAME IS AMAZING!!! Through all of the crashes, bad landings and other mishaps, the frame survives without a ding, buckle or ripple in it. It has earned my admiration and trust. Worthy of any upgrade you'd like to hang on it. 5 chilis for the frame.
i got duped into buying this bike because it was the only one i could afford and i had a weekend bike/camping trim comming up that weekend so i bought this POS. it was fine for about a week when the rear derailer wouldnt shift into the first or last gear. i got it checked out and something was out of alignment. about two weeks later i was riding on a gravel trail when i noticed the wheel would rub against the frame when i petaled hard. i took it back to the shop and found out i broke the axle in two places and hadnt even taken it onto a remotly rough trail. this damn bike has been in the shop more times than it has been ridden. thank god i could use it towards a new haro ics 4.0.
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002
Strengths: Great price, looks cool, strong & light frame, componets can take a beating, replacable derailer hanger, easily upgraded.
Weaknesses: Hard seat(first thing replaced), plastic pedals, wheels need trued often
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for someone starting out in mountain biking. I bought this bike not knowing if I really wanted to get into this whole mountain bike thing. I also wanted to make sure that if I did,I had a good base for upgrades. Good thing, I have come to love this sport and cannot get enough time to ride all I want. I have upgraded the cheap front fork that kept bottoming out and the hard seat as well as a few other things and soon a new wheel set. In my opinion thats all this bike needs for a recreational rider such as myself.
Bike Setup: rock shox duke xc fork, specialized bg pro seat, shimano M545 clipless, wtb velociraptor 2.1" tires, fsa headset, kore lite stem, weyless t6 riser bar.
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Submitted by
Spazz
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2001
Strengths: Everything x-cept the rst shock. it's wayyy too squishy but that's not a problem anymore, i got a great deal on a manitou X-vert air
Weaknesses: seat takes a little gettin used to, but it's not too bad.
Bottom Line:
Heh, it's a great bike for the wheelie coniseur. look for me somtime, i'm the kid who rides wheelies for blocks at a time
Weaknesses: The seat hurts alot!!!! I HAD TO GO THROUGH MANY RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERYS TO FIX WHAT IT DID TO ME! The RST Shock cracked in half right out from underneath me. I got hurt badly!
Bottom Line:
I'm glad GT is going out of business! DK ROCKS! Screw mountain biking and go buy a Six Pack!
Favorite Trail: The ones in the place I call my woods
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At: Smithtown Bicycle and Fitness
Similar Products Used: Pile of dog poopy!
Bike Setup: Stock, however almost all the peices are gone they broke or fell off!
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Submitted by
Tommy Fuchs
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2001
Strengths: Good frame and components for the money.
Weaknesses: Seat comfort. The seat is so hard and uncomfortable that it should be used as a form of torture. Suspension is a little weak. I bottom out when I ride hard.
Bottom Line:
Overall good bike. Components have held up well. Tacoed the front wheel a little, but it was salvageable. Even with the suspension seat post the stock seat is unforgiving.
Submitted by
Jeff D
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2001
Strengths: I weigh 150lbs and the shock doesnt bottom out with me on it.
Weaknesses: The seat hurts really bad.
Bottom Line:
It is a great bike for the money and it is holding up for me. I am going to add bar ends, and new tires. I am going to add WTB Velicoraptors 2.2 on it. It's a great bike and should be bought by anyone under 200lbs. Thanks
Similar Products Used: 1996 GT Outpost, 1996 GT Timberline
Bike Setup: I only added a water bottle holder.
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Submitted by
GrassHopper
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2001
Strengths: Awesome Frame (Stiff, Light, Strong)
Weaknesses: Crappy Componentry
Bottom Line:
There Are Only Two Stock Pieces On My Bike, The Frame, And The Front Derailler. However, For The First Year Everything Was Stock And Performed Quite Well. Since I Bought The Bike I've Dropped It From 31lbs To 22.5lbs. It Rides Great.
Bike Setup: GT Outpost, XTR/XT/LX, 2000 SID XC, Avid Single Digit 7 Brakes, EA70 Bar, CT2 Seatpost, SDG Satelite Seat, Panaracer Fire XC Pro Tires
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Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Central Jersey
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001
Strengths: Cool, light, and strong aluminum frame, price.
Weaknesses: Shocks are terrible (I replaced them). They bottomed out off a 3 foot drop, and the Shimano Acera deraillers suck. I cannot shift into seventh gear.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price. The shocks and gears suck but the bike is only $350. I highly recommend it and I think its worth ugrading.
Bike Setup: Bar ends, RockShox Psylo XC, maybe a Deore XT derailler
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Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2001
Weaknesses: Frame thickness makes using a U-lock difficult. "Triple Triangle" design may not work with all car racks.
Bottom Line:
This is a great entry-level bike. It's affordable, durable, and can easily be upgraded. As others have said, it's not meant for racing or extreme riding. For the recreational rider, it's a solid choice.
Bike Setup: I bought it for weekend trail riding in the SF Bay Area and started with the standard parts it comes with. I've since converted it to a 'road bike' (no hills in Houston) with slicks and clip-on petals.
