Submitted by
Mdrolet77
a Cross Country Rider
from Montreal
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2008
Strengths: Frame, handlebars, shifters(not gripshifts)Pedal gears, original chain, rear derailler&gears
Weaknesses: wheel rims are weak bending and giving you flat tires, seat post tends to break will need to be welded stronger
Bottom Line:
This bike has no end... Ive used it in cross contry competitions for 3 years, used it to downhill and beaten it like hell and ive never had to give up because of a breakdown. It is well worth what I have paid for it, changing front fork for RS sid and wheels for anything stronger will give you a better ride tho.
Bike Setup: Original with seat post rewelded and rims strengtened
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Submitted by
Cinderella Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2008
Strengths: It's strong, it isn't very heavy, it has a good selection of parts, I've ridden it harder in the last year than most people would in 5 years and it's still going strong.
Weaknesses: The rims are crap.
Bottom Line:
For the money this bike is amazing, I love it and I'll never get rid of it.
Bike Setup: Stock except for a new 2007 Manitou Slate fork
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Submitted by
Alan
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2004
Strengths: Frame, handling
Weaknesses: All parts, broke the seatpost on my first mtb ride...front hub gotta be change after 200miles.....rims out of shape after half a year of XC riding...Promax rim brakes needs to be change for anything off road...same with saddle and seatpost. The RockShox Jett C is also not that good of a fork. No disc brake mount on it either. Pedals bearings also gone after one year of riding.
Bottom Line:
GT Tempest is a good frame, paint chip off easily. Stock parts sucks ass but other then that, its ok. Its basically the same stuff as the Zaskar which is one of the best frame in XC riding except that the Tempest is old so that therefore, it doesn't have disc brake. It is also slightly heavier then new bikes because its 7005 not 6061. Made in Tawain not USA (unlike other top end GTs) Bottem line is, buy the frame, not the parts!
Similar Products Used: Klein Attitude Race, GT Zaskar LE, Trek 4900, Norco Jammer, GT older frames, KHS, Kona
Bike Setup: Stock except Thomoson Seatpost because of the cheap one that it came with and another set of tires for road. Changed to SPD 959 as well.
Stock parts includes: - GT Tempest Frame - Rockshox Jett C 65mm travel - Acera parts - LX rear der - promax brakes - unknown crappy rims/pedals - WTB 2.1 tires
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Submitted by
Grant
a Weekend Warrior
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2003
Strengths: looks good, strong as hell
Weaknesses: everything but the frame and rear derailuer
Bottom Line:
i have had this bike since 1997. it didn't take long before i ditched the rigid fork, broke the stock Acera shifters, and bent the front rim. I broke the stock Acera crank just playing around my yard (thank god not on the trail) and the stock Altus canti brakes suck. i am just now getting back on it more and upgrading the stock drivetrain and broken parts but i love the frame. it's super stiff and looks awsome. i got the green frame and it looks great, but the paint chips kind of easily. the stock handlebars are heavy and the grips fall apart after a lot of riding but with all it's weaknesses i like the bike.
if you want a decent bike with a great frame to build around, look for a Tempest. you might want a riser bar to get more weight to the rear for climbing. this bike is awsome. only an overall rating of 4 because the stock components suck ass.
Strengths: Very sturdy, feels very secure in your grip. I have no problems with the weight of the bike i think its very light. the traction is very good and it is a very well balanced bike. the shocks work very good and im happy with this pirchase.
Weaknesses: The stock rims are a little too flimsy and bend fairly easily. Also the kickstand's spring is a bit loose and makes noise when i hit a bump or jump.
Bottom Line:
It is e very good buy and a reliable bike. It is extremely appealing to the eye and lasts. I ride on an average of only about 10 to 20 miles a day and it gets the job done with no serious problems. Go get one! Very good for the intermediate to expert bike rider. Vey fast and agile.
Bike Setup: Everything basically stock except pedals, front rim, and a speedometer/ odometer.
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Submitted by
Ben du Feu
a Cross Country Rider
from Jeresy (CI)
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2002
Strengths: Looks good, corners well, fast, Stiff, feels as if it is part of you and can be trusted to do what you want when it has some tyres that dont say tioga on.
Weaknesses: Tioga factory Tyres. Dont grip on anything need michelin. Paintwork gets scratched easily. Heavy but 2.1 inch tyres didnt help. Deore rear derailier needs adjustment all the time to stop clicking.
Submitted by
Jon Webster
a Weekend Warrior
from Staffs, UK
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2001
Strengths: Light but Robust frame, good paintwork
Weaknesses: I bought the frame second-hand for £60 with a seatpost and front derailleur, so I don't think it has any!
Bottom Line:
I bought this frame to build up for local trail riding when I decided it was pointless getting my Trek Y-11 full susser messed up just to ride on tarmac and gravel.
I already had various bits of other bikes to use up, so I built a very nice Tempest for around £250. It would have been cheaper but it took me three chains to find one that worked with the 8-speed drivetrain. Taya and Sedis 8-speed only gave me 21 gears apiece, and even an HG Shimano only worked properly when I re-aligned the cage on the LX rear derailleur with a pair of mole grips. So much for inter-compatibility!
Riding wise, I think the bike is pretty good. With a 3-inch stem it handles nicely, is light and responsive, and the 2.5" Indy fork gives just enough to take the sting out of the bumps. Weight comes in at around 28lbs.
I always use Specialised CrossRoads Semi-slicks, on or off-road, and they really rock! Keep the pressure up, and the central ridge keeps contact to a minimum for tarmac. Drop the pressure, or corner the bike, and the side lugs bite. The only thing they don't like is deep mud - but out of an average 20 mile ride how much is really that muddy?
