Strengths: good tube angle, suitable light, good anyway
Weaknesses: So many "Unreal" GT, from Zaskar race to Agressor 3.0 available in China
Bottom Line:
The real GT is very good of riding. The poor is so many unreal GT available in China...many people can see the difference of the disc mount between them, and can be found in riding and angle I think. Poor China! Why do people do so many unreal GT, China is now a member of WTO, should be do sth good, not produce unreal products...
Strengths: stiff, light frame, the bike accelerates very well, good geometry, QR20 fork is light, stiff and very smooth, light front end steers quick and loves tight single track, reasonbale price
Weaknesses: stock bar is too narrow and has an odd sweep to it, formula disc brakes are better than mechanicals but not nearly as good as some hydros (Hayes), questionable durability of those mavic wheels
Bottom Line:
a fun, fast bike that loves xc riding and trail riding. if you're a heavy rider though you might bust some stuff on this bike (cranks, wheels) but if not you can't go too wrong here
Submitted by
Dave B
a Downhiller
from Leesburg, VA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001
Strengths: Marzocchi Z-2 X-Fly QR-20, FORMULA BRAKES, Best frame made for the money. (Strength & geometery)
Weaknesses: Mavic 221 Wheel Set (depenfing on your weight and riding style)
Bottom Line:
I reviewed this bike a little over a year ago on (07/03/2000). It has been my full time hard tail since then. I also ride a XCR-2000 (year 2000) i drive heavily converted to free-riding (Marchcchi SuperT, Hayes DH Disks, Mavic 521 DH rims, Tioga DH 2.3 tires, Azonic A-Frams & shorty stem) Well enough about that rig and back to the Zaskar. I wanted to post again for two reasons. 1) Give an update after a year of riding this bike. 2) post my experiences with the FORMULA brakes.
So, a little about me. I have been MTB riding now for about 5 years and it has become my passion. (Apologies to my wife) I am 6' tall and 200 lbs, so I am not a lightweight. I am a very aggressive rider, and take the Zaskar on trails from long forest singletrack to freeride runs with 4' rock drop-offs, to urban assault and everything in between. The mavic 221 rims are not suited to a rider my size doing what I do on the bike... I trashed the rear and upgraded my wheels to Mavic 317 disk rims. They are super strong and light. They stay truer than my DH rims on the full suspension rig. If you are just hitting trails then the 221's are fine, if you are big or like to bomb... get new rims. My respect for the Marzocchi Z-2 X-Fly QR-20 is the highest it could be. You could not put a better speced fork on this bike. It is stiff / strong and ready to take the big hits I dish out. This fork isn’t for every bike or rider but with the geometry (freeride-like) it is perfect. Frame... I wouldn’t trade it for anything else made. Period. I work at a bike shop now and see everything you could imagine... not to say there aren't comparable alternatives.. but none I have seen is better. (I give props to the Bianchi Super Bee frame). After a year of pounding the frame & fork I haven't had a single problem. One issue you may run into (as with most aluminum bikes) the bottom bracket will creek after a while. I used ti-prep to quiet it down and now all is quiet there. Excluding the brakes which I will comment on next the rest of the components (LX shifters, XTR read der, Syncross stem & seatpost, Grand prix seat) all perform well and as expected with nothing having to be replaced other than the rear der, because I trashed it. Now to the brakes. These are the single best brakes I have used. better then any V brake (avid, Shimano) and FAR SUPERIOR to Shimano XT's, Avid mechanical, and even the fabled HAYES!. I use Shimano XT's on another of my bikes and replaced them with formulas. Shimano's are nice for XC trail riding, but are soft and don’t have the power that the formulas do. I use Hayes DH (8" rotor front) on my XCR2000. I like them a lot, ample power but they just don't feel and modulate like the FORMULAS. I haven't had a single problem with my FORMULAS, and never bled them. I can’t see how others who posted here have so many problems. Like when you have them upside down. I clean my bike weekly which means I have it upside-down. Also when I work on it at home I don’t' have a stand so it is upside down then too. NERVER had air in the lines. It sounds like the people who have had this problem had their brakes bled improperly. No air should be in the reservoir. And that is where the air in their lines is coming from. Have someone who knows what they are doing fix your brakes properly. With NO AIR in the reservoir. I will ride this bike with formula brakes and not with 221's until there are none left to be had. The best bike my a$$ has ever sat on. I would give it 6 lava hot chillies if I could.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn Homegrown, Yeti ARC, Giant DS1, Gary Fisher Sugar, ect..
Bike Setup: Chris King Headset, XT Cranks, Mavic 317 Disk Rims, (all upgrades) Rest of the bike is stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Damon Bennett
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney,NSW,Australia
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001
Strengths: Super Stiff, reasonably light, great balance dynamics, some good components The discs are the best,(The Formula's squealed initially a lot but 2 extra shims stopped this) No going back to V's once you have outbraked your mates every corner and every long down hill run, without cramping your hands doing so. Infinitely more modulation control.
Weaknesses: XT rear hub,whats with Shimano non cartridge hubs???? This ones died, both bearings and the drive mech.) Crap Korski standard seat,hence the initial upgrade to a Selle Ti/Gel Flight, XT cranks a bit spagettish, (Im not big or strong either) Crap standard Mavic cheapy rims, Mavic 517's now much stiffer,
Bottom Line:
GT's in OZ are Taiwanese which doesn't alter the quality but makes you wonder if buying Taiwan bikes for less isn't a bad idea. Even the Syncros is made under licence in Taiwan, maybe their excellent manufacturing means these are better than the hand made GT's from USA. Great strong bike with many excellent standard features, so for AUS$3500.00 this really was a good buy, I think my next bike will be a complete custom build (my specs) as the money you save on a complete bike you spend soon enough on upgrading all the stuff thats either average or doesn't cut it. Anyone looking for a solid work horse XC bike without wanting to spend AUS$5K(US$2K at the mo)or more wouldn't do too wrong picking this year or 2001 model Zaskar as its dynamics annd strengths pro's outweight its slight no so light status
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain, Team Muddy Fox(my old faithfull stolen), Giant XTC1(light for a full sus), Scott Carbon Fibre(super light)
Bike Setup: Mavic 517's,Formula dics, XT running gear and rear hub (upgrading to Chris King) ,Sycros seat,stem & bars, Real f/hub, Michelins, SID XC's (really good, worth servicing often with 5/15 mix for more sensitivity.)Selle Ti/Gel Flight (The best seat I think money can buy) Shimano M-858(these have been as good as Shimano peddles get, I think they can really make great peddles, Shame about their hubs)
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Nicholas Schu
a Cross Country Rider
from Ashland, Oregon
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2001
Strengths: Climbing Prowess. Component spec. You absolutely cannot beat the component spec on this bike. All components are name brand, no house that I could find. The X-Fly QR-20 in stiff, light and plush for three inches. The brakes are excellent. Great in all weather conditions. I can find little wrong with this bike. I use this bike for everthing. It is well suited for any type of riding.
Weaknesses: The LX front derailleur isn't as precise, but that is an easy fix.
Bottom Line:
This bike is go anywhere, do anything, ride everything type of bike. It takes any type of twisting, winding, single track and begs for more. Light and resposive. Wow what a bike. It handles slick rock trails at moab quite well. I highly suggest this bike to anyone. What a bike
Similar Products Used: Jamis Komodo, Trek 8500, 1999 Zaskar
Bike Setup: Stock component spec except for the front derailleur which is now XT
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Keith Bangs
a Weekend Warrior
from Malden, MA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2001
Strengths: Nice quality frame and components. GT went out on a limb with this one.
Weaknesses: Formula Disc Brakes
Bottom Line:
I love my bike. My setup is just like I want. This year I'm looking at a 4 inch travel fork and new cranks. But my Zaskar is going to stay similar. Better get your GT before some other company buys them from Questor. There are rumors that Trek is going to by GT from bankrupt Questor.
Similar Products Used: I'm a mechanic at Pro Cycles in Wakefield, MA so I have ridden almost anything you can think of.
Bike Setup: Stock: XTR R Der.; LX Shifters, F Der, Cranks; XT Disc Hubs, Syncros Post, SDG Sadle, and Z2 X-Fly QR20. UPGRADES: XT Disc Brakes, Rhyno Lite Rims, WTB Headset, Race Face DH Stem, Titec Ringleader Riser Bars, ODI lock-on grips, Michelin Comp 24.1 DH Tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Nick S.
a Cross Country Rider
from Brentwood, Tennessee
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2001
Strengths: The frame is sooo dang strong!!!!!! The X-Fly is good considering its XC style. Paint job kicks! Although mine is quickly deteriorating!! The ususal disk brake ups, but....
Weaknesses: The disks SQUEAL INSESSENTLY, until you take it to the shop and get the pushed back again and again. This should be cautioned because it can drive one to the edge of INSANITY!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!! Also its sooo freakin stiff it can make you a little sore.
Bottom Line:
ITS A MONSTER!!!! (when the brakes aren't squeaking) Climbs well, light but extremely strong!! Its sweet, and I'm obsessed with it. The paint job is so sweet, probably becuase I love orange, but it is still pretty sweet! Only the 5 chilis because I'm so completely obsessed with it. but probably deserves a 4 in value! This is definately a bike for the XC/freerider!
Favorite Trail: Ho Chi Min Trail, Whistler BC / Fairview Nature Park / Lock 4
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$1450.00
Purchased At: Cumberland Transit Bicycles
Similar Products Used: Konas- ManoMano and Hahana
Bike Setup: Marz Z2 X-Fly, Syncros stem, Forumla Disk Brakes, Tioga Factory X-treme Tires, Xtr,Xt,Lx mix, Syncros riser
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
T
a Weekend Warrior
from Kennesaw, GA., US
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2001
Strengths: Strong frame, great shock, speed, speed, and more speed, and the bike keeps begging for more punishment.
Weaknesses: The brakes squeal like a pig.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a MONSTER. It is the fastest most agile bike I have ever had the pleasure of riding. The bike climbs like a beast and handles downhills with the speed and grace of a Gazelle. I give the bike 4 Flames b/c I had problems w/ the breaks for the first month after I purchased the bike. After the break problems were resolved I've had no none normal maintenance problems.
Submitted by
justin repath
a Racer
from norman, ok, USA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2001
Strengths: Geometry, agility, responsiveness, componentry, color comfort (this bike is like riding an armchair), fast fast fast freeride!
Weaknesses: That @#%$$y Syncros Stem and GT's excessive use of Cable housing.
Bottom Line:
I love my bike-my bike loves me. I love to ride my bike-my bike loves to be ridden. I'm completely goo goo over this machine and when I'm not riding it, think about it. It has got to be one of the most comfy and agile rides there is. With the suspension seat post it will rail and bomb through anything while all you have to do is pedal. I put goodies on this bike which put weight on the bike, but the goodies are worth the weight. The easton frame is strong and good-lookin! I feel like this bike is simply an extension of me when I ride it. It is suitable for nearly any condition but best for hauoling a-- through singletrack. It is money well spent.
Bike Setup: Stock items: XT hubs with mavic X rims, XTR rear derallieur, LX front deraillieur, LX Hollowtech cranks, formula H.D. brakes, SDG Grand Prix seat(comfy), syncros stem and riser handlebars Marzocci Bomber front shock. Xtra's: Tires-continental; twister pro rear and explorer pro front (try it you'll like it), TIME ATAC pedals, Rock Shox suspension seat post (about the only advantage of buying a Zaskar X).
This is the best bike I'v ever ridden! The frame is strong ass and the SID fork does it's job excelent up front. The Synkros seatpost is stiff and light, and so is the stem. Synkros riser bar offers superb control, and the XT/XTR mix insures you'll never need an upgrade. The rims are cheap X221 and they work OK, unless you ride extreme, like me. Overall this bike is great, and I recomend it to everybody!! Yhere's a but - and it's a big one. The Formula Evoluzione brakes are the worst brakes I have ever seen. First of all, they squeal like f*ck. You can't turn the bike on it's upside down eighter, 'cause air will enter the system. "OK, minor drawback," I tought, "so I'll have to use a bike rack when I wash it. Before they told me that, I had turned it upside down to wash it, just like with my old bike. This resulted in air in the system, so I took it to the shop to bleed them. The day after I got it back again I had air in the system. "What the f*ck??" So i took it back to the shop and they "fixed" them. They also told me that I had turned the brake leavers to much down, so air had enterd the system that way. "Fine, put them in their original position" I said. When I got it back this time, I took it to a big mountain to race downhill with a friend, but we could actually just drive back home, 'cause I had air in the system. Now I had not adjusted the leavers and I had not turned it upside down. I took it to the shop and asked them what the f*ck was going on. A week or so later they called me. They told me that I couldent adjust the position on those leavers. "I know, I haven't done that!" I said, and after a bit of talking and arguing, the conclusion was that I coulden't ride uphill or downhill, 'cause if I did, the bleedimg chambers would turn so much that air enterd the system. That explanes why they after servicing them 10 times or so still coulden't get them to work. A potentiall great bike ruined by one component? Yup - 'fraid so...
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2000
Strengths: Good climer, quality frame, nice components EXCEPT for those cheap a$$ FORMULA brakes.
Weaknesses: FORMULA EVOLUZIONE HYDRAULIC DISC brake review below:
1. Brake levers are cheap! I have owned the bike for 4 months and have already broke the clamp which secures the lever to the handlebar. The levers have lots of play from the fully extended position to where the levers engage the brake.
2. Brake engages without pressing the lever. Road vibration causes the lever setting to change which causes the levers to engage the brake. I find myself adjusting the brakes everytime I ride singletrack.
3. The brakes squeak bad. I clean the brake disc and the problem returns after a 30 minute ride.
Bottom Line:
I love my bike but if I were to do it again, I would have built the bike from scratch and left the FORMULA DISC BRAKES out!!!
I have had nothing but problems with both the quality and customer service from FORMULA. I broke the clamp which secures the brake lever to the handle bar. The lever was returned to FORMULA because it was a manufactuer defect(cracked along the weld). My bike has been sitting in the shop from 9/2/00 til today 9/29/00. I have contacted them through email, fax, and phone. They do not answer their phone!!! I am still waiting for a response or replacement. Their customer service is the worst I have EVER experienced.
I would have given the bike a 5 but GT had to go with Formula brakes. That's very unfortunate that they had not used Shimano XT's or Hayes.
Submitted by
Johnny T
a Cross Country Rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2000
Strengths: This bike really kick ass! Everything is perfect, the geometry, frame size, shock... It's really stiff and it aren't that much you can't do with this bike!
Weaknesses: There is a BUT. And a big one too! The Formula discs really suck ass! They just don't work. You cant turn the bike on its upside down, 'cause air will enter the system. This is true, but nothing is written in the manual. It's now almost two weeks since I bleeded the brakes and I now have air in the system again, without turning it around. This ain't supposed to happen, is it??
Bottom Line:
I recomend this bike to everyone, but while you are in the shop, make 'em change the brakes to Shimano XT or Hayes. The Formulas are so bad that I have to give this bike 2 in overall rating...
Bike Setup: Stock, except Shimano 535 pedals and Mavik X 517 rear rim. The Forulas suck, so I'm gonna save up to Hayes (they rock!!)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Alex Collins
a Downhiller
from Bristol, England
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2000
Strengths: The weight is pretty cool cos i can run heavier stronger stuff for jumping
Weaknesses: Its a pain to clean
Bottom Line:
This bike rules for pretty much any part of mtb, I run it for dual mostly but i love to throw it around a good trail in the summer. Im 5ft 11 and i have the 12.5 inch frame size cos its easily manouverable but i can still run the seat higher if i wnt to ride up a hill its great on the way down though. My version has the bend in the top tube this keeps the cable routing as straight as possible which gives incredible shifting buy one if you find it on sale.
Bike Setup: 535 pedals, stock. (I will put on Hayes brakes as soon as I can afford them!!!!)
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Plymouth, MN
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2000
Strengths: Everything besides the Syncros stem. I love the frame geometry and color. The stiffness of the frame, plus excellent fork, tires, and hydraulic disc brakes make for a very responsive ride.
Weaknesses: Syncros stem.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike!! I admired it for about six months on GT's web site until I finally saw it in a shop one day. At that point I had to have it! The frame is very stiff and handles extremely well in corners. I also the stiffness of the fork, it is a big plus when climbing hills. I even love the tires, they really dig in when climbing and hitting turns at high speeds. The hydraulic disc breaks work great, haven't had a single problem. Sweet paint job, too. Bottom line...one fast bike that can take a beating!!!!
