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Submitted by
Troy kittle
a Cross Country Rider
from Bowdoin, Maine, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | bowdoin's snomobile trails, sometimes im out there before the snow completley melts. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Raibow Bicycle in Auburn, Maine | | Strengths: | Tough frame, the judy c isnt actually that bad, | | Weaknesses: | Heavy frame, Really heavy judy c fork, weak truvative crank, BB not worth a penny spokes came loose rather soon, so rims were a tad warped.. | | Similar Products Used: | an older cannondale, not a clue what model | | Bike Setup: | nothings stock anymore. manitou black elite fork, irc mudmad dh tire (rear), Xt everything, newer avid front and rear discs, sun rims 6061 disc spesific rims, shimano dx clipless platform pedals, replaced bb, casette, tektro brake levers... ect. | | Bottom Line: | i wouldnt get it if your out to bomb rocky hills, or even use it for long trails, but for somone who just wants to get out im sure it would be perfect. after 01 i think the components were replaced with alevio or some crap like that, dont bother with that stuff, the deore stuff it came with is ok, i replaced it all with xt, which is much smoother and stronger. i wouldnt pay more that about 600 for it. good deal though. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randall
a Cross Country Rider
from Blacksburg, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | Its a good beginner bike. Its solid, pretty light, good specs. Overall a good bike. | | Weaknesses: | Harsh ride (but considering the frame material thats to be expected. Very short effective top tube, feels cramped after a while. | | Bike Setup: | Avid disks front and rear, titec flat bar, Kore 130mm stem, Sram rocket shifters, Ringle wheels, bontranger saddle, syncros seat post. | | Bottom Line: | Its a good bike. I am upgrading for a longer/larger frame but I learned how to mountain bike on this bike and don't regret buying it. I don't know about GT quality now, but this bike was a good buy. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$699.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Strong frame
Avid disc brake | | Weaknesses: | BB, saddle, stem, tires | | Bottom Line: | Awesome mountain bike for future upgrade
Frame & wheelset will last for a long time | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Goh
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | Price, durability, colour combination | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Scott Comp Racing, Scott Yecora. | | Bike Setup: | GT Avalanche 2.0 with Marzocchi MX Comp fork, Mavic 517 rims with Deore XT hubs, XT F&R deraileur, Thomson stem, Easton Monkeylite XC handlebar etc... | | Bottom Line: | Great value for it's original setup. Had plenty of fun rides with it for the past 1 year. It managed to survive the few falls I had, indeed a very tough frame. Definitely recommended for beginners. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel White
a Weekend Warrior
from College Station, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Bryan | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle spectrum - now cycle station | | Strengths: | Solid light frame, decent braking power, good starter package with lots of room to grow | | Weaknesses: | Rims, Reliability and smoothness of drive train | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 Trek 4500, 1996 Scott summit | | Bike Setup: | stock 2002 model plus deore 9 speed drive train, deore disc hubs (haven't gone to disc brakes yet, just getting ready), with sun rhyno lite rims, selle italia saddle and a deore class crank and BB | | Bottom Line: | I was confussed when I posted my first review a couple of weeks ago. I knew that my component group and features didn't line up with the other reviews here. I've come to realize that GT went through this whole getting eaten up by pacific process with schwinn and that what I have is not a custom built 2001 GT ave 2.0 but a 2002 model. Just so you people out there looking at these know, and are aware the new GT line is a quality shift. What you know as a 600-800 dollar Ave 2.0 is now a 350-450 Ave 2.0 I'm still very happy with my bike, and enjoying building it up to my own specs. The frame seems like a really good platform to build on. I'll post again when something fails on me or after I get some months on this thing. BTW I replaced the Rims right off the bat, the 'xrims by alex' that came on the bike weren't worth a damn, I threw them outta true in the parking lot of the bike shop the day I bought the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa,OK USA
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Roman Nose State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | bikesale.com | | Strengths: | Durable Frame and Syncros Rims
Avid Disk
Clean look (Brushed Aluminum)
Price | | Weaknesses: | Snapped spring in Judy C fork
Pedals gt?
Seat | | Similar Products Used: | tried a trek | | Bike Setup: | Cane Creek thudbuster post
Time clipless pedals
Oasis gel seat | | Bottom Line: | For the price, I couldn't pass up on the deal for my first mountain bike. It is easily upgradable and has been pretty durable to this point. The seat was way hard for my taste and the thudbuster smoothes the bumps even more. I would like to add another avid disk on the back - the front works awesome with no problems with hydraulics. I haven't had any probs with the BB like I read from other reviewers but would like to upgrade anyway. Also the Big Box rims have been really tough -haven't trued yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel
a Weekend Warrior
from College Station, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Campus - Texas A&M | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Purchased At: | cycle spectrum | | Strengths: | I'm VERY impressed with the tektro v-brakes. I had a trek4500 with similar brakes that I rode for 6 months, assuming the brakes on the GT would grab in the same way I was thrown from the bike during my test-ride. I managed to land on my feet - with a smile on my face for how effective the brakes were. | | Weaknesses: | From what I hear the BB and Crank look shady, I'm also going to replace the saddle and grips off the bat, but that's a personal preferance. | | Similar Products Used: | '01 trek 4500, '96 hand-buildup scott summit | | Bike Setup: | stock - judy TT, acera up front, no name crank, acera out back, xrims by alex with noname hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is I about had a heart attack when the guy told me the 380 dollar price tag for the bike after I test-rode it. I had assumed it would be at least a 500 dollar bike. Bonus! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
XC_Michigan
a Cross Country Rider
from Troy, MI
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo.com | | Strengths: | Outstanding frame stiffness. Most components are very impressive for a bike at this price point. Avid disks are excellent. | | Weaknesses: | As many reviews here point out, the bottom bracket failed at about 4 months, mine was no exception. The Judy C fork had a coil spring snap on me. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Duke XC fork, new BB and eggbeater pedals | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike for someone fairly new to the sport. Inexpensive enough to warrent some future upgrades as things start to go on you. I find the bike to be well balanced and a blast to ride, it's held up to some pretty good punishment so far. It's certainly not the lightest XC bike out there, but the frame itself isn't overly heavy, so upgrading along the way will yield a great bike. Guess this review is of no real point if they don't decide to keep producing them, but i'd like to see GT get back in the game. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan of the Desert
a Cross Country Rider
from The Mojave Desert, CA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Road That Gets Me There... | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo.com | | Strengths: | Avid CPS mechanical disc brake
Durable frame and wheelset | | Weaknesses: | Crankset and Bottom Bracket
Weight - this is a HEAVY bike | | Similar Products Used: | 1993 Schwinn Woodland rigid fork mtn, bike
2001 Gary Fisher Paragon | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for WTB classic saddle and Oury Grips | | Bottom Line: | For $500.00 bucks this was a great bike. If you haven't tried Avid's CPS mechanical discs you raelly ought to - they are inexpensive (about $80 each at Supergo or other mail order - and work better than most hydraulics. They were the best thing about this bike.
The frame and wheels are solid and ready for more abuse than most peoplre will dish out. The geometry leans toward the aggressive end of the scale. I had no complaints about the Rockshox Judy XC that came with the bike, but I have ridden lighter and more responsive shocks.
My complaints lie with the crank and bottom bracket. Like another rider who posted a review earlier, I bent the middle chainring just riding normally - whatis that about? Further, the bottom bracket creaked and got rough after a couple months of use - a cheap no-name part!
For an entry level ride, I would say that it is more than satisfactory. I will always thank this bike for introducing me to the wonders of Avid's mech discs. My GT met an unfortunate end - it was stolen on a vacation trip to San Diego. RIP, my friend!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Jumping Pound Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Calgary Cycle | | Strengths: | Strong frame, good price | | Weaknesses: | Front shock (Judy TT), Crank and BB (Truvativ FireX), Syncros Big Box rims, cage pedals, skinny Tioga tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockhopper, Norco 125 | | Bike Setup: | Axiom short stem, Rock Shox Pyslo XC, Deore shifters, LX front derailer, XT rear derailer, Avid V brakes, Truvativ Hussfelt crank, RaceFace SRX BB. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike, yea it's a little on the heavy side if your into cross country or paved trail riding. But if you enjoy being hard on your bike then you need the extra beefyness. My biggest regret is I didn't get the origional wheel set swaped for a disk compatible one. BIG MISTAKE. These rims can only take a small amount of abuse. After 1 year they are bent. If you want to get this bike make sure you replace all the weaker components listed above. You'll save alot of money and fustration in the long run. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | sells park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Great price, love the front disk brake, frame is real strong, velociraptor tires stick to anything | | Weaknesses: | could be lighter, cranks come loose all the time and will probably cause the bb to get ruined, thats about it | | Similar Products Used: | this is my first real mountain bike | | Bike Setup: | stock with EA70 straight bar and bar ends. | | Bottom Line: | Great deal, you wont find a bike like this in the price range, im a little worried if i have to use the warranty cause GT isnt doing to good this year. Great bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Townsend
a Weekend Warrior
from Southwest Harbor, ME
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Strengths: | GT-solid stiff frame excellant for clinbing. Price, if you pay for a bike like this you really can't complain. | | Weaknesses: | Judy TT shock , broke the spring on first ride. I have a lot of noise from cranks or bb. Replaced seat rock hard. | | Similar Products Used: | GT-Tempest | | Bike Setup: | Stock,except seat | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price, I will be changing somethings BB,rear hub,brake(switching to rear disc). Really a solid ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Logan Riggs
a Cross Country Rider
from Bronx, NY
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Saxon Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Strengths: | Frame is lightweight. Good body geometry. Great overall handling (ascending, descending, accelaration). The judy fork and avid disc brake are awesome. Even though others have reviewed against it, I found the WTB Velociraptor tires to be pretty cool. | | Weaknesses: | First and foremost, the Syncros rims are crap! (I had to get the rear wheel trued at least 4 times!) The pedals sucked. So did the factory handlebar and stem. The real shocker was the poor performance of the Truvativ crank. The bike surprisingly came equipped with a Suntour (eech!) cassette (which I immediately replaced!) Did I mention how lousy the rims were? (LOL!) | | Similar Products Used: | GT Rebound ('94) | | Bike Setup: | The strengths and weaknesses explain it already! But I now have the bike set up with an azonic riser bar, Kore stem, I kept the SDG saddle, and I XT'd the drivetrain. Add to that A set of Alex Rims (both disc and V-brake compatible, since I plan to put a disc brake in the rear!) And a set of Kenda kinetics, or Hutchinson tires. | | Bottom Line: | Overall, despite the weaknesses I found on the bike, it handles extremely well. I weigh 250lbs and you know that's alot of weight to put on a hardtail. But if you plan to not do too heavy a ride, then this is the bike to use, otherwise, I go to full suspension. I found the $850 price to be a little excessive, but I managed to enjoy the bike nonetheless! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James Costello
a Weekend Warrior
from NY
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mountain Reservation | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | E/T Cycle | | Strengths: | Frame and wheels are xtra sturdy. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap factory pedals. Front fork springs were shot after about 3 months of weekend riding and replaced them for $40. Had a lot of trouble shifting from the middle chainring to small chain ring on front sprocket. Turned out derailluer was bad. Shop replaced it at no charge. Works great now. | | Similar Products Used: | None. This is my first Mountain Bike. | | Bike Setup: | All stock with following exceptions: Shimano 646 pedals, Rock Shox seat post, Specialized BG seat, XT front derailluer. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for a beginner. I weigh about 210 and tend to ride it hard , not much technique but just tend to plow over stuff. I have fallen over a lot (especially after going clipless) and the bike has held up well with only minor adjustments being required. All in all a good sturdy bike for entry level riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoen[x
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Local big store | | Strengths: | This bike has taken a thorough thrashings on Trail 100, submarine rock, and (nasty)Trail 307 in Prescott. No bb grinding yet which seems better than par for the course. Big box wheels are heavy but have not gone out of true at all! The deore/lx combo is a great deal for the money just keep them adjusted. Great multi purpose velociraptor tires. A great deal for the money. | | Weaknesses: | My right pedal shaft was stripped out, but this was most likely poor assembly by my place of purchase. There was some odd lacing in the rear wheel but I have had no problems with it. I did manage to bend the 2 smaller chainrings and knock the deraillers out of what but they were happily adjusted by the place of puchase. (1 yr warranty)(Why buy online?)Stripped out crank also replaced at no charge. Heavy wheels but very strong. (I could probably drill out the wheel where the stem comes out and forget all about those stupid presto valves) | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money. Don't buy online. (no customer service) Disk/v brake combo is nice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gav Clugston
a Weekend Warrior
from N. Ireland
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Strengths: | Without doubt, the frames strength, and the syncros rims are very good. The front forks and components are also good, for the price. | | Weaknesses: | A little on the heavy side, crappy bottom braket which had to be replaced with a nice syncros one,after only a few weeks, pedals aren't the best either. | | Similar Products Used: | None-this is my first descent bike | | Bike Setup: | Michelin Wildgripper tyres, up graded the front brake to a Hope Enduro4 put the old Avid disk set-up on the rear along with a new Hope rear hub, put an XT mech on the rear also. Other than that, shes a stocker. | | Bottom Line: |
A worthwhile purchase for someone who wants a good, strong entry level bike at a good price and one that has endless upgradability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Frame appearance, rigidity; good brakes, overall value. | | Weaknesses: | The bottom bracket IS total cheese .... it stayed tight for more than a month then just went kaput. It was loose as all get out but never creaked, amazingly. The seatpost does creak, however, as the top of the post (or the clamp portion) is loose within the post. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, flipped stem.
Bent handlebar is a little wonky -- I prefer flat bars but the stocker is easy and inexpensive to replace. | | Bottom Line: | Previously reviewed on this website (10/30) when still new and continue to be happy with the purchase except for some blatant cheapness in the bottom bracket (I heard grumblings about this) and the weak seatpost where the clamp visibly moves and audibly creaks atop the post.
The cheap BB is inexcusable. The seatpost is annoying and dangerous. Maybe it's an anomaly, but it's upsetting that such cheapness and cost-cutting would be built into an $800 bike. The fact that supergo was blowing them out at $499 almost makes up for it but I'd be furious if I paid the full retail price and experienced these problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Henry Churchill
a Weekend Warrior
from Hartford, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | farmington res. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop. | | Strengths: | the low price got me much better hardware than I would have been able to get otherwise. Too bad i see 1.0s for sale cheaper now. Oh well. The mech disk is phenomenal and the frame climbs and hops great too. | | Weaknesses: | rear V is great for dry or light rain, but after that im glad i got that disk up front. Also i busted the seat clamp and couldnt find replacement, so i had to buy a new post. Also take those damn straps off. | | Similar Products Used: | i tested a rockhopper, and a trek and for the money this was the best bike. | | Bike Setup: | stock except for seatpost | | Bottom Line: | This bike was a great buy, i absolutely love riding it. Havent had any problems with the front chainrings although i think im gonna want to replace those. also as soon as money allows im gettin an avid disk in the back. These brakes are absolutely awesome, just ride em for a couple miles and then they set in and work great. easy to adjust too. The frame is real stable and its easy to hop logs and rocks. Front shock is nice as well as everything else on the bike. My only problem is the lack of support ( but what can u expect when they go out of business). I guess that is offset by the amazing prices. They are nice and cheap now but i would recommend gettin the 1.0 because of the better components and now the prices just keep falling. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Abrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville,Tn,USA
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Haw Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Super Go | | Strengths: | Strong frame, front disk brakes and a smooth front suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Rear wheel spokes snapped on the cassette side of the hub within the first week while on a green-way trail. Replaced all eight on that side and have had no problems since. | | Similar Products Used: | Hawk Hill by Marin, Trek and Trailmaster(Which was given to a 14yr old who is thoughly trashing it.) | | Bike Setup: | Stock out of box. Added handlebar extentions to help with climbing. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for $500. Will up grade the BB and thinking about switching to rear disc. Also may have to go to better hubs in the rear, if so thats when I will switch to a rear disc. Rode this bike hard XC, considering I'm 285lbs It has handled the stress well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Philip
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Falls / N.-B. / Cdn
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | none yet | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Toner Bicycle Shop | | Strengths: | Strong frame & rims(syncros bigBox). Looks good, a little heavy but it doesn't really matter. | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket.... almost incredible... Suntour freewheel, cheap handlebar/seatpost/stem.
| | Similar Products Used: | Giant Rainier/ATX 860, Norco Charger. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with XT Drivetrain, Clipless pedals, Odi lockjaw grips. Next step will be the front suspension. | | Bottom Line: | Very good & tough bike for the price. Good handling for rough riding. Changing to XT drivetrain makes a very big difference, the XT freewheel compare to the previous Suntour works a whole lot better. Next time I'll be bying I'll make sure to ask about the BOTTOM BRACKET . I had to change that no name piece of junk during the first month of riding. It was cheap, heavy an already grinding . I'd rather pay a little more then spending my money on that kind of suprise . Finally it is still a great bike an the frame is the reason to upgrade it. I guess I would still buy from GT but hardtail only... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skooch
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne,Fla
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Snow Hill, Ulamay,Ascension | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Adventure Bikes | | Strengths: | I've taken this bike to Ascension Island... a volcanic test bed of rock, sand, cassia and klinka. It climbs well, masters the mud and the disk brakes are great on the downhills. Rides well on long road hauls. | | Weaknesses: | The seat post sucks until you get it trained. It continued to slip at the most un-godly moments. It settled in after a few weeks... | | Similar Products Used: | A Trek 850 and a Mongoose MB. I rode the Mongoose for 5 years until it got stolen. This GT took its place... | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Right out of the manual and out the door w/ helmet and gloves! | | Bottom Line: | I'm a multi-purpose rider. I do pavement hauls to get in shape but have no fear pulling off the road at anytime to scratch my eyes out on some off-road, swamp-infested, palmetto-choked or rock-strewn path from hell! The bike is on the heavy side so if you like pulling your bike up the climbing walls, you might want something lighter. This bike is well worth the money, especially if you're looking for something under $1K. If I had had the bucks, I would've stayed with GT anyway but would have thrashed a Ruckus! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quang
a Weekend Warrior
from San jose, Ca, USa
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | flume trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Calabazas cyclery | | Strengths: | Nuke proof frame! the avid mechs rock, great control,
great components for the price! | | Weaknesses: | The seatpost slips and a little heavy but it ok!!
| | Similar Products Used: | Gt kakorum, and giant rainer SE | | Bike Setup: | stock except new Xt rear derailer, RS duke SL, arch rivals in the back, and rock shox seat post. | | Bottom Line: | This bike dont get any better for the price.
the frame will hold up for years so future upgrades are always there. Handles great!!
What can i say this bike really
KICKS ......!!! GT RocKS!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
danny diosomito
a Weekend Warrior
from orlando, FL USA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | belleview/Ocala, FL | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | bikesale.com | | Strengths: | Great Price at Bikesale.com. Good buy for the money. Solid frame and overall decent components. Front disc brake, Rock Shox judy C, LX/Decore... GT Rules!! | | Weaknesses: | Little heavy but manageable. | | Similar Products Used: | 1996 GT Timberline FS | | Bike Setup: | Stock components but replaced pedals with Shimano clipless (much cooler and more power). | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks!! Future upgrades will be to add a rear disc brake... possible XT derailleurs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from San Luis Obispo
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Copelands Sports | | Strengths: | Frame, Wheels, Fork, Disk Brakes | | Weaknesses: | Weight | | Similar Products Used: | First good moutain bike, many other crap bikes used in past due to lack of money. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Shimano downhill clipless pedals (big red ones) | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money. Couldn't pass this deal up. For almost half bike it was a steal. I love the beefy frame. Even though mine weighed in at 31.5 lbs. I rode it REALLY hard down the rockiest trail in the area and i was sure that when i got to the bottom i would have parts loose and crooked wheels, but must to my delight, everything was solid.
I really like the stopping power of the disk brakes. Overall, a well built strong bike that can be upgrade with no end.
With the strong frame and rims i can use this bike as a freeride bike without worring about damaging the bike. Also, very stable while riding downhill very fast. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | rigid frame, good components, inexpensive, front disc, arrived within one week using standard UPS ground shipping | | Weaknesses: | The suspension fork (on my L-frame) seems a little boingy. I suspect the springs need to be replaced with heavier ones. I have the fork on the slowest rebound setting and it bounces everywhere. | | Similar Products Used: | I haven't used anything similar -- I've had experience with a lot of different bikes from older Fisher, Specialized, Schwinn and Giant mountain bikes and a Basso road bike. | | Bike Setup: | stock as it came from Supergo | | Bottom Line: | I'm very happy with the bike and think most anyone would be, too -- from beginners to more advanced riders. The frame serves as a good platform for future upgrades so beginners can grow into it and upgrade as they go. More advanced riders will appreciate the rigidty and toughness of the frame. Some drawbacks: The pedals are pretty cheap (the bearings in one are far tighter that the bearings in the other), the handlebars seemed like they were nearly four feet wide and the stem made it seem like I was sitting completely upright. I cut down the stock bars, flipped the stem upside down and it's great now. Pedals are cheap to replace. I've heard bad things about the TruVativ cranks (Firex SL) and an allegedly cheezy bottom bracket, but so far nothing's creaking. Before riding the thing, I rechecked the crankarm bolts and red loc-tited them. The bike arrived from the west coast in exactly one week and I was pleased with the packaging of the bike. The stem and headset were already on and all that needed to be done was to put on the bars, put on the front disc, adjust the gears and brakes and screw in the pedals. Pretty easy to do. The rims also were perfectly true. Despite some stories I'd heard about Supergo assembly quality, I'm very satisfied with the service I received and the quality of the bike -- and the partial assembly -- once it arrived. I would not hesitate to order from Supergo again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom jordan
a Cross Country Rider
from vista, ca
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | daley ranch, escondido, ca | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | alpha bikes, vista, ca | | Strengths: | I had Alpha Bikes put this bike together form the frame up. It has all XT drive components, 2.4 tires, Azonic Pyramid wheels, Italian hubs with sealed bearings, a Z2 Auto Race Marzochi front shock, and Shimano disc brakes. As you can see I've upgraded the bike a bit. | | Weaknesses: | None!! | | Similar Products Used: | LTS 1000 GT full suspension and this guy blows it away. | | Bike Setup: | XC | | Bottom Line: | The frame is worth the upgrade heavy or not.
So at $499 you could have years of upgrading and never get tired of it.
Tom Jordan | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Alexandria, VA USA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Fountainhead Regional Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesale.com | | Strengths: | Price, solid frame, good components (except tranny/shifters), price, front disc, price | | Weaknesses: | Slightly heavy frame, LX components | | Similar Products Used: | Bianchi Peregrine | | Bike Setup: | Completely stock | | Bottom Line: | GT is blowing these out thanks to their reorganization. That means this $750 bike is now selling for $500. I bought it from Bikesale.com, which means I built it myself. There are some warranty issues involved with that scenario, so buyer beware.
The bike is strong and comes with a good seatpost, wheels, and tires. The front disc is awesome, even if it does make a bit of noise when wet. The Judy C works well, but is also a bit noisy. The only real negative is the LX components, but that's what you get for $500.
I do some pretty heavy riding (technical/difficult trails), and the bike has performed very well. After I switch to XTs, there won't be many improvements left to make.
Bottom line: nothing else in this price range even comes close. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marty Rosamond
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | None yet. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo (Santa Monica) | | Strengths: | Some very nice brand-name components for the money. I've read some incredible things about TruVativ cranks and this bike's got some you can check out. Front disc brake is great! Has mounts for rear disc too...you'll need a new rear wheel though. Rims and wheels are a bit heavy, but so am I. The bike just feels great. Go to supergo.com and see if they're in your area. If not, have them mail one of these beauties to you. | | Weaknesses: | The only thing I can think of is that it doesn't have a Shimano XT drivetrain on it, but then the price would jump way up. The Deore/LX set-up is plenty to get you going.. | | Similar Products Used: | Motiv, Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Stock.r | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding bikes my whole life, but I'm just now seriously getting into MTB's. I shopped around a lot. This web page helped me educate myself quite a bit before I even went and looked at bikes. I didn't have a lot of money to spend but I wanted something I wouldn't outgrow right away. This bike gets you into some nice components at an incredible price. GT made bad-ass stuff when I was riding BMX and they've grown up into MTB's right along with me. I highly recommend this bike right now, but I'll check back in a few months to drop a little more science after I've put it through hell.P | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Edison, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Cheesequake state park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$860.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike N Gear | | Strengths: | Brakes, shifters | | Weaknesses: | Front discs (Avida) began to squeak a bit after a few weeks use. When wet too, obviously. Chain occasionally shook loose from front derailler when falling from a curb: sidewalk to street. No biggie. Also, hands can get numb after a few hours trail riding, better get some gloves. | | Similar Products Used: | Pacific | | Bottom Line: | Ive put on about 250 miles in 2 weeks with this and love every trip. Aside from a few petty and easily fixable weaknesses, this has proven to be a very reliable bike. No emergency roadside repairs, shocks can handle everything I give em. Works OK on roads...lots of rolling friction from the tires, but that is to be expected with a mountain bike. If I buy a second bike it would be the same brand. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd Bradshaw
a Weekend Warrior
from St.Louis
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Chubb | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$725.00 | | Purchased At: | SouthSideCyclery | | Strengths: | solid frame-Jack Daniels tried to take a bite out of it but got me and a parked car instead | | Weaknesses: | I won't by a fork named after a woman anymore-JudyXC good for the first while then tapers off. Cranks and bb came from the same old-folks home | | Similar Products Used: | Kline,Schwinn,Specialized | | Bike Setup: | stock,Richey clipless | | Bottom Line: | Overall the bike is pretty solid for what you pay. I still believe in the old-school hardtail. Their are a few changes that you'll want to make when you get going on the thing, but there are a lot of things that you won't need to touch | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from washington
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | dunno | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | a place with good deals | | Strengths: | good bike, good for what I'm using it for (commuting and fun), nice rims, can't complain on the price was 850 got it for 500. (the wheels are 400) | | Weaknesses: | front shock spring broke??? how can that happen? (after 120 miles 100 miles was on road the rest was dirt /rock road no jumps or anything), the grips are falling apart after 3 weeks use, front break (disk break) squeaks a lot!!, and back breaks wear down to fast, | | Similar Products Used: | MOTIV( crap ), schwinn, giant | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | good bike for the price just wish some of the parts could have been better. wished it had back disk breaks! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brent
a Weekend Warrior
from WA
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | www.bikesale.com | | Strengths: | Good all around, strong bike, with features normally found on more expensive units. | | Weaknesses: | Replaced the bottom bracket after a couple of rides, come on GT what is this poo you stock this bike with? A decent bracket does'nt cost that much! | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab Series | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except replaced no name coffee grinder bb with better sham and no coffee grinding bb at least for a couple of months. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price I paid, should last a few hard seasons with minimal servicing. Do however, if you purchase this bad boy replace the bb, huge noticeable differance.Brake combination can be adjusted to feel simular with the avid brake levers, work great and I actually like disk/v combo. Seats comfy, pedals well, at least are not plastic and rims, shock, stem, handle bars are strong enough for what most can throw at them Grips are comfy and stay in place!!!
Would have given this bike a higher rating except for GT's blatent cost cutting in the bb, just because we can't see it doesn't mean it shouldn't be there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TL Poompher
a Weekend Warrior
from Wilton
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pequonney Valley | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesale.com | | Strengths: | Sturdy frame...looks good...nice brakes...great deal on the web since GT and Schwinn went bankrupt... | | Weaknesses: | little on the heavy side | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hardrock a1 fs, Schwinn Moab disc | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Nice bike for the money...grea all around bike...good for trails or jumping | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gonzalo Carrasco
a Weekend Warrior
from Norfolk
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | www.bikesale.com | | Strengths: | Awesome deal at bikesale.com.
Real nice frame, decent spec'd, good enough fork, weird but interesting brake combo (front disc and rear V's) | | Weaknesses: | Mmmmmm ..... the handlebars are not too comfy. Nothing too bad though. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Tequesta 1996, Crestone Carbon 1998, K2 Beast 1998, DBR X-2 2000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I bought the bike for my girlfriend (I have a dual-suspension with the same specs). But .... man .... I envy her now!
For an easily upgradable bike, with a very solid frame and Syncros Big Box rims, the price paid was a steal!
Some people dislike the brake combo, I think it is quite interesting and effective.
Oh, the "billet" color comes with some decals which make it look real good too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
max
a Downhiller
from Russia
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Frame, Syncros Big Box Rims, cranks, front wheel, brake levers | | Weaknesses: | Bottom braket, Tioge Factory XC tires, Handlebar, rear Deore hub, Suntour freewheel, SDG saddle | | Bike Setup: | I've made lots of upgrades:
*GT frame M-sized
*Rock Shox Judy TT
*Panaracer tires (Pyro rear; Fire XC pro 2.1 front)
*Mavic D521 back rim
*Syncros Big Box front rim
*LX rear/Deore front Hubs
*Deore drivetrain
*Truvativ Firex cranks
*LX 98 V-Brakes
*San Marco saddle
*Roox Torque Bar
*GT Stem
*Lizard Skins Moab grips :) | | Bottom Line: | good bike for future upgrade
frame worth it ^^^^^^ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Weekend Warrior
from Clearwater, FL
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | - STURDY, ROCK-SOLID, STRONG, FRAME - Syncros Big Box Rims
- Avid Mechanical Disc Brake
- TruVativ Firex Cranks | | Weaknesses: | - A bit on the heavy side
- bottom bracket is suspect | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Trek 4900 Disc, Specialized Hard Rock Comp | | Bike Setup: | Completely Stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great. It is a bit heavy at approx. 28lbs, however, it also allows it to take a pounding, especially from a 240lb guy that likes to ride trails. For the money, you get a lot between the Syncros wheels, Avid disc brake, Rock Shox Judy C, and the strength of a GT frame. I almost bought a Giant Rainier but it did not have nearly as many upgrades. The retail price of this bike is $849, but Mountain Biking magazine (March 2001 issue) named it the best bike under $800 and had it listed as $750 which I got my LBS to match. I have no reservations of giving this bike 5 flaming chillies in both value and overall ratings. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Weekend Warrior
from Aurora, Co
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$725.00 | | Purchased At: | Treads | | Strengths: | Frame, Brakes | | Weaknesses: | Bottom End Crank - burned out 1st 3 months!
Rear Hub - Burned out 1st 4 months
Seat - P.O.S.
Judy C - P.O.S - Very noisy, even after multiple oil changes etc from supplier.
Pedals - Get what you paid for
| | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale, Diamond Back | | Bike Setup: | Replaced weak parts | | Bottom Line: | P.O.S.
I'm 175 lb and haven't performed any serious off road riding that would put excessive stress on the bike, yet to grind 'no-name' components such as Rear hub and crank in such a short time as well as listen to the constant rattles in the fork leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. I guess that's what you get for buying a 'huffy'
Spend your hard earned mula elsewhere | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wandie
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$475.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Value for money. 9 speeder. Good Starter Bike. | | Weaknesses: | Its got aircraft wings for handlebars and the stock GT stem is too long for me. Outdated caged pedals typical of bikes of this price. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona NuNu, Specialized Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Stock Europe/Asia version:
-Deore drivetrain
-Judy TT
-Avid SD3 brakes
-Truvativ FireX
-Tioga Factory 1.95
-Syncros BigBox
-SDG Comp saddle | | Bottom Line: | A good bike for starters and worthy of further upgrades. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Strengths: | Fast, Strong, Aluminum, Light, Good components, 27 speed and nice looks. | | Weaknesses: | Umm, the tires (Panaracer Fire XC Pro) are a little slippery on the loose stuff, but that's not the bikes fault. | | Similar Products Used: | Some Schwinns and Norcos. | | Bike Setup: | All stock. | | Bottom Line: | All around awesome mountain bike. I haven't had any problems with the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dino Zunjic
a Cross Country Rider
from Zagreb croatia
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Maribor | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$469.00 | | Purchased At: | Black market | | Strengths: | Ultra durable frame,light,triple triangle,Tioga factory XC. | | Weaknesses: | Drop out is not strength,judy TT have a problem | | Similar Products Used: | Conquest,Limex,Scoot,Gary Fisher,Kona,Carraro... | | Bike Setup: | Full DEORE drive train,Judy TT,SDG Sincros Big Box | | Bottom Line: | Exelent bike for cross and trials not for downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim Hesketh
a Weekend Warrior
from Merritt Island, Florida
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Strong, smooth, and can take some urban assaulting! | | Weaknesses: | No weakness yet, except for the tires. | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Avid Arch Rival rear brake, Continental tires, Kore stem, Titec handlebar, and 2001 Bontrager saddle.. | | Bottom Line: | For the money, this a great example of a strong nimble hardtail. It is great on tight switchbacks, and can even handle a 4' drop off a loading dock. The synchros box rims can take the abuse, and the Avid mechanical brake is fantastic in sloppy weather.
The Judy C fork is adjustable to 100mm, and is a decent fork for the money. Like I said I ride this bike hard and it has not let me down yet. This bike is worth the test ride at your LBS. You'll like it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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