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Submitted by
GREG KIMURA
a Weekend Warrior
from SIMI VALLEY,CA,USA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | KANAN RD TO CORRAL CANYON | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$4400.00 | | Purchased At: | NEWBURY PARK | | Strengths: | This is a follow up review. My first STS broke right before the warranty ended. GT was awesome - new upgraded frame at no charge (except for a new seat post - old one didn't fit). Much beefier design on my new STS 2000. I've ridden on this frame since early 2000. I've put at least 8,000 trail miles on this frame and she's still rock solid. If you can find a good used one, jump all over it. My first bike was about $4,400 complete. I bet you can find one of these used for about $300-500. I still love the feel of this frame - solid, forgiving, great climber (digs and digs), fast, fast, fast! | | Weaknesses: | Rear pivots squeak a little if not lubed. Granny gear will sometimes jam the chain - even with lizard skins. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense - wow, what a nice frame, but I still like my STS a little better. Jekyll is nice too, but not better than my STS. The thermoplastic CF is compliant in the right places, but stiff. | | Bike Setup: | XTR, SID (yes, I still use a SID), CrossMax, Thompson, S-Works TI BB and cranks, Thermo riser bar, Serfas saddle. Light weight, but strong. | | Bottom Line: | If you want incredible bang for the buck, get an STS on the used market. They are so cheap and you get a design that is still one of the best riding FS frames. The 4 link rear is phenomenal! The front triangle is wonderful. You can rip through a trail, miss your lines, yet you don't crash or even slow down. Good riding! Greg | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Calhoun
a Cross Country Rider
from Peachtree City, Georgia USA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Long uphill grinds and screaming downhills | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | New in December 1996 | | Strengths: | Heavy Duty frame for reliability and durability under hardcore riding conditions and circumstances. OUTSTANDINGLY smooth high speed downhill performance for the weight. (Modern downhill bikes are smoother but they weigh a ton!) | | Weaknesses: | The bushings do squeak unless you disassemble and clean them regularly. My LTS-1 is not rear disc brake compatible. Disc brake compatible models are RARE!
(SEE BELOW) Spare parts are non-existent (SEE BELOW)
| | Similar Products Used: | Specialized EPIC - Fun bike but WAY more flexy. | | Bike Setup: | XTR, Hayes front disc, manitou(not a great fork), Chris King Headset and Hubs, Easton Monkeylite riser bar, Thomson stem | | Bottom Line: | *** ALL LTS OWNERS NEED TO READ THIS ***
This bike has stood the test of time and continues to satisfy. Replacement parts are almost non-existent for these bikes. BETD in England produces a few great items for the LTS. I have some of their stuff on my bike right now. I am considering producing disc brake compatible rear triangles for 1997 and later LTS models. These are the models with the aluminum rear shock link that use the trunnion style shock. My rear triangle would be very similiar to the RARE factory disc brake compatible GT piece and would work with the factory GT chainstay piece as well as the factory aluminum shock link. Reverse engineering this piece will be a big project and is only worth doing if there is enough interest. It will require (and receive) the same quality CNC machine work and welding that top-of-the-line GT bicycles received. If there is enough interest from GT owners and enthusiasts, I will set up a website to further discuss the project. Please email me if you are intersted in this.
anc_is_me@yahoo.com
THE BOTTOM LINE
Of all the wacky full suspension designs of the 1990's, the GT LTS (horst link) has remained virtually unchanged in design. Others have come and gone but the LTS is still rockin up and down the trails. Unfortunately, the company that produced these wonderful machines fell upon hard times and is no more. They took with them any hope of getting spare parts for these awesome bikes. The GT bicycle company of today is not the same company but rather a bike brand from yesteryear. I intend to do something about this. I want to determine the demand for spare parts and start producing them. I need your input so write me and tell me that you are interested.
Thanks, Adam Calhoun | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Grummett
a Weekend Warrior
from Littlehampton west sussex England
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | South Downs | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Strengths: | The frame is robust and fells strong when pushed to the limit its also very responsive when needed ts also a really good climber and downhill riding its in a class of its own | | Weaknesses: | the squicky pivot bushes and rear shock a is a big problem but if the bushes are striped and cleaned every couple of months then it seems ok | | Similar Products Used: | scott genius mc10 | | Bike Setup: | hope mono mini front brake maguira hs33 rear brake marz bomber forks xt+xtr running gear mavic rims panracer tyres | | Bottom Line: | This is the 1998 lts 2000ds which i think is the best bike ive ever riden i also own a scott genius mc10 which i paid a hell of alot more money for which now i really regret. the nearly 9 year old gt thrills me every time i get on it but i do thnk the biggest let down is the stupid pivot bushes at the rear why did the replace it with the idrive range i would go out and buyanoher lts from gt if the still made it this is why im giving the gt lts range and my own bike 5/5 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Stubley
a Racer
from Nottingham UK
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | E Bay UK | | Strengths: | Build quality is superb. Welding is a work of art. Rides beatifully & very forgiving. I'm a roadie and use this bike for some winter fun! Brougt the frame from E bay for £130. Was lucky cause I got a 1st class example & did not really know what I was buying. | | Weaknesses: | None realy. Possible A bit heavy but my road bike is a Colnago C40!I've read that they require a lot of maintinance but i've had no problems yet. Just as well cause I'm a useless mechanic. | | Similar Products Used: | Previous moutain bike was a scott boulder which I had had for about 8 years. This was loyal bike but that bottom bracket cups chewed up when I tried to take them out hence the purchase of this frame. | | Bike Setup: | Magura Brakes, Xt and Lx other stuff, mavic wheels | | Bottom Line: | Good stuff! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from Western New York
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | everything in E-ville, NY | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | I won this bike in a raffle at a xc race in 1999 | | Strengths: | Plush suspension, lots of traction on climbs, good geometry for trail riding / light freeride, for the first 2 years I owned it I didn't have to do any maintenance | | Weaknesses: | Weight, Pivots get squeaky and require greasing frequently, standover clearance is not very good, chainsucks often in granny gear if chain is not heavily lubed, suspension feels sluggish accelerating and climbing, recently the rear shock mounts developed a crack | | Similar Products Used: | My other bike is a Trek 8500 hardtail xc bike; ridden a few other inexpensive f/s bikes like Iron Horse and Ibex | | Bike Setup: | Marz Z1 Bomber fork, lx/xt drivetrain, stock mavic 221 wheels which are now destroyed, most parts stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a 1998 LTS 2000DS, the generation with the curved seat tube and longer travel. Uses Horst Link rear suspension so it is fully active. I've used this as a trail bike and light freeride / jump bike for the past 5 years, so it has seen a fair amount of use (or is that abuse?).
The LTS isn't the best pedaling bike because it feels sluggish and bobs somewhat, unless I make the shock really stiff but then it is not plush enough on the small stuff. It soaks up bumps very well however, and definitely allows me to ride faster on some trails than if I was on my hardtail. It is also a fairly heavy bike, weighs around 31 lbs and it is basically stock but not built up with heavy components other than the fork, so climbing requires a lot more effort than on my Trek.
Like everyone else, the pivots on this bike, especially the big one right behind the seatpost, tend to get squeaky which can be really annoying when riding. Also the chain gets sucked into the point between the bb pivot and the granny ring frequenly when using the granny gear which can be a problem if you are in the middle of a climb. The biggest problem, however, didn't surface until a month ago when I noticed that the rear shock lower mounting tabs are cracked on the bottom half of each tab. I've ridden this bike a few times since then but I worry about them braking all the way off. I don't really abuse this bike that much where it should be cracking the frame, the biggest drop I have done is only like 3 feet and I hardly ever bottom out the rear. It may just be due to fatigue since it is getting old. I would recommend that all LTS owners inspect their frames regularly for cracks in case this happens to you.
Overall this is a good bike for when it was made, and still is a good ride but there are many improvements that have been made since 1998 to make bikes lighter and pedal better. I am probably selling mine in the spring to make way for a new f/s bike, but it has served me well for the past 5 years. I am giving a value rating of 5 because I got it for free, but probably 3.5 if I had bought it. Overall I am giving it a 3 because it does have several shortcomings, and mine is now broken, but is fun to ride. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Francis Si
a Weekend Warrior
from Bacolod City
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | tube | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | swing arm,good rear suspension, frame | | Weaknesses: | small head tube, heavy bike,always squeak when in use | | Similar Products Used: | specialized enduro | | Bike Setup: | rst hl front suspension, mofo dh front and mobster rear tire, amoeba borla stem and bars, deore crank, | | Bottom Line: | this is a good bike eventhough i bought it for only $80. The rear suspension works really good because of its four bar linkage. The only problem i got is that it has no spare parts selling here in bacolod so I have to go to a machine shop to make the bushings and there are no spare rear suspension if I needed one. The bottom line is that it is a very good bike and dont hesitate to buy if you found a cheap one | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Southcott Australia | | Strengths: | Plush rear suspension, handling, rear wheel traction, rare nowadays which actually generating some nostalgic interest | | Weaknesses: | Weight, pivot slop, creaky linkage, requires frequent service, can't get parts for it anymore as GT has no spares left. | | Similar Products Used: | GT RTS, LTS Boomerang, GT STS, GT Lobo, GT IDrives, Specialised FSR & EPIC, Trek Fuel, C'dale Super V, Raven, Giant AC1, ATX and MCM | | Bike Setup: | Stock frame, Judy DH 96, SuperDelux 96, LTS team Titanium one piece swing link | | Bottom Line: | Bought this bike in 1996 at the start of LTS boom, and since then the bike has done over 35,000kms. Stock 96 LTS frame but with so many upgrades the bike was never stock.
My workhorse bike of last 8 years which saw extensive use ranging from club level XC/DH racing to play riding in town and epic 800km camping rides, the LTS gave me reliable services but also plenty of hours in the garage getting fixed. Early this year I upgraded to a Zaskar 04 to replace this tired old rig and my attempt in selling it netted 0 interest, so instead of throwing money away I decided to rebuilt this bomb for old time sake.
So I scoured Australia for any spare LTS parts I can find and managed to source the pivots & bushings I needed, but at a heafty cost. $80 for a bottom bracket pivot, $110 to get rear shock rebuilt! GT and RockShox Oz saw me coming!! Arggh!!! Also rebuilt the Judy DH fork myself with some home made tools and finished the bike with some small upgrades so the bike ended up being a close replica of Nicolas Vouilloz's / Mike King's team bike in 95 season. In the end the whole exercise was worth the time and money, with new bushings and rebuilt shocks, the bike was back alive! Took the bike out today for a bit of freeride trash and the magic of the bike was back. Super supple rear suspension matched perfectly by the bonkers RS DH forks (still one of the best fork RS ever made, IMO), the bike was confidence inspiring on the fast and rough and handling was stable and predicatable. Yes the pivots creaked and the bike stink bugged under heavy braking (old news?) but the LTS was more than capable in keeping up with today's crop of full suspension rigs with more travel and better parts. The only place where the bike really lose out to newer bikes is in the weight department - comparing to a 04 Epic and Cannondale Gemini the LTS is an absolute brick! - luckly the rear suspension offers outstanding traction in any conditions so just go into granny and it will climb over anything the ride can physically handle. Turn the bike downhills and the faster you go the better it became, as long as the trail doesn't contain 6 foot drops which LTS lacks the travel to deal with. All other trail debries and corrigations are a piece of cake to dispatch with this rejuvinated LTS - just point and pedal thru fast and hard and let the bike rip, and when going through the corners stick your inside feet out bmx style, the bike will huck down, respond and carve through turns like snowboarding on a fresh groomed track without feeling nervous or stiff like the first generations of I-drives and C'dale Raven.
In a nutshell, the LTS design is still an outstanding piece of work, and almost 10 years later it can still hold its own against much more advanced designs of today. It wasn't perfect(we all know the bikes weakness) but it was a great step forward from the previous RTS concept and can still strut its stuff today among the more exotic full suspension companies. It is a real shame that the bike is now consigned in history books and GT has lost the edge it once enjoyed in the 90s, to come up with another concept as revolutionary as it did with the introduction of the LTS in 95. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steven Angle
a Downhiller
from Mercersburg,PA-U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | demon's drop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | private sale | | Strengths: | The link tuned suspension design is the best and most plush suspension system I have ever owned. This bike is great with a downhill setup. | | Weaknesses: | links tend to squeak every other ride | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Super 8 | | Bike Setup: | downhill/freeride | | Bottom Line: | This is my favorite bike I've ever purchased. It makes a kickass downhill/freeride bike. great for dirtjumps and big drops. It's the best frame for it's price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quasimoto
a Weekend Warrior
from Modesto, Ca
Date Reviewed: March 4, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The next one I ride | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | World of Wheels | | Strengths: | Frame. | | Weaknesses: | Rear links, bushings/bearings and no more available parts. It weighs a ton. Tearing down on a twice a year basis and greasing bushings/bearings. Otherwise...Squeak, squeak, squeak. Make sure you use loc tite on all bolts and screws. This bike has lost parts on 3 different rides since I have had it. It can really ruin your day. And, it's also high maintenance (I have dated more girls who require less attention). | | Similar Products Used: | Not in awhile. | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Monster T (dbl clamp) Fork, New and much improved Stratos rear shock (dump the Rock Shox)Xt/XTR Mavic 517. | | Bottom Line: | Alright... Here's the deal. This bike has been my main ride since 1997. Since then, I have completely rebuilt and upgraded it. I changed out the Bushings for the sealed bearing kits that GT offered in 1999, then, for some unknown reason, stopped making them. After one bearing got chewed up on an epic ride, I was forced to put a bushing back into one area of the suspension. GT (when the were still GT) was NO help. They wouldn't even give me the bearing number or specs. so I could go get one made. After their BK and sellout to Pacific. It boils down to this. GOOD LUCK WITH FINDING PARTS. In October 2002 I was bombing Wilder Ranch, in Santa Cruz and realized, after the ride, I lost a bolt from the pivot from behind the rear shock. I have looked and begged in at least 5 different bike shops in 2 different cities for LTS parts. Good luck. As far as the missing bolt. I am down to finding a machine shop to make me one. Then it occurred to me. What about next time? How much more high maintenance can a bike be? Do I need all of this "down time" from riding. It's still sitting in the garage. MY ADVICE TO ALL OF YOU GT LTS OWNERS IS GET OUT NOW, ABANDON THE SHIP. GET A NEW FRAME AND START OVER. YOU WILL NEVER FIND PARTS. DON'T BELIEVE ME.... CALL GT FOR HELP. My solution..... I bought a Santa Cruz Cameleon (hard tail)to strip my nice parts down from the GT and rebuild. I also am the proud owner of the last 21" Turner XCE ever made. I am looking forward to my grease ports to service and lube my suspension. I am really looking forward to the long rides I will now have with NO maintenance problems. GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL........You'll need it! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bren Divall
a Cross Country Rider
from High Wycombe
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the Red Point Highway, Frankfurt, Germany | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | second-hand | | Strengths: | Light, active suspension, conventional frame that will take two water bottles and can be carried. | | Weaknesses: | Suspension bushings will squeak if not maintained. 3.1kg frame is maybe a tad heavy by today's standards? | | Similar Products Used: | Previous MTB was also a GT-LTS, current one has replaced that one following theft. LTS was my 1st full-suspension MTB, previous bike, a Pacific, had a suspension fork, before that they were all rigid. | | Bike Setup: | Pace RC36 EVO II fork, Mavic Crossride wheelset, XTR brakes & drivetrain, Ritchey s'post, stem & handlebars, Flite saddle, Scott bar ends, SPD's - only 11.8kg | | Bottom Line: | A good mountainbike is one that doesn't get in the way, where you can cover terrain by controlling your body, rather than controlling a machine. For me, this is exactly what my LTS does. To get up and down slopes, and over obstacles, I just need to concentrate on where I want to go, rather that how I'm going to get there. I don't think about the suspension, but I do notice that I can ride for hours without feeling beaten up.
The LTS makes me a better rider, simple as that. I ride more smoothly now, and there is very little on a normal trail that defeats me.
Lots of other reviewers talk about the frame's fragility, especially the pivot bushes. My last one did develop some play, but that was after a year's hard mountainbiking, followed by a ride from Islamabad to Lhasa. (1st full-suspension mountainbike ridden through Tibet?) I had planned to replace the bushes, but then some scumbag stole it and inherited the problem. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DOOKIE B
a Cross Country Rider
from RIVERSIDE CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | LBC | | Strengths: | PLUSH RIDE,LOOKS COOL, NOT TOO HEAVY | | Weaknesses: | PLASTIC TRAVEL CHIPS WEAR OUT FAST, SWINGARM COULD BE STRONGER, ROCK SHOX ARE NOT THAT GOOD. | | Similar Products Used: | DIAMOND BACK FS | | Bike Setup: | 98 LTS 3000 FRAME, RYNO LITE RIMS, MR.T DUAL CROWN 5 INCH TRAVEL, LX XT MIX, ANSWER DH BARS, TRUVATIV CRANKS, KUJO 2.65 FRONT, WTB 2.4 REAR. | | Bottom Line: | I BOUGHT THIS BIKE IN LATE 97. IT WAS THE YEAR WHEN GT CAME OUT WITH THAT CURVED DOWN TUBE STYLE FRAME. THIS WAS MY ONLY BIKE FOR ABOUT 2 HALF YEARS. IT HAS TREATED ME VERY WELL AND THE RIDE IS SUPERB. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH BLOWN SHOCKS OVER THE YEARS, HAD TO REPLACE PROBABLY 4 TO 5 OF THEM. THIS LAST SHOCK WHICH I GOT ABOUT 2MONTHS IS SAID TO BE BEEFED UP SOME INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY, WE WILL SEE IF LASTS LONGER THAN THE OTHERS. MY OTHER ISSUE IS THE SWINGARM. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 OF THESE BEAUTIES. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET REPLACEMENTS FAIRLY EASY. AFTER I GOT MY XC BIKE I TURNED MY GT INTO A FULL ON FREERIDE MACHINE. I KIND OF BABY THIS BIKE NOW ONLY USING IT WHEN I GO TO THE SKI RESORTS OR WHEN I GO OUT ON ANYKIND OF HARDCORE RIDE, WHICH IS ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES A MONTH. I KNOW I WILL HAVE TO GET A NEW FREERIDE BIKE SOON BECAUSE THE NEXT TIME I BREAK IT I PROBABLY WONT BE ABLE TO GET ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR IT. I WISH GT WOULD HAVE REFINED THIS BIKE, AND KEPT IT ON HAS A FREERIDE OFFERING. JUST DOING THINGS LIKE BEEFING UP THE SWINGARM AND GETTING RID OF THOSE TRAVEL CHIPS, AND THIS BIKE COULD COMPETE WITH ANY OTHER FREERIDE MACHINE OUT THERE TODAY. ALL IN ALL THIS HAS BEEN A GREAT BIKE AND GT'S BEST OFFERING TO DATE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Wallace
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | innerleithen | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | local | | Strengths: | tough
light
shiny
nice welding and cnc bits
climbs better than any hardtail I've tried, on the steep bits, where they would attempt to wheelie and spit you off the back, the LTS just digs in.
Excellent down hill-very plush, lets you get away all sorts of stupid lines.
100% fully active | | Weaknesses: | The delrin dual mode chip things for converting between xc and dh setups wear out quick. ( you can make your own out of brass though- and it will last forever)
You have to make sure all pivot bolts are tight before a ride ( I didn't and had a long walk home-oops.)
more maintenance than sealed bearing bikes.
The rock shox super delux can be dodgy, mine was flawless for 3 years but going to be decomissioned for a fox unit. | | Similar Products Used: | tested trek, marin, cannondale, klein, dbr,kona, pro flex(crap), orange, sts- the lts beats them all easily. | | Bike Setup: | 97 LTS-1 frame set, bomber z1 bam, kore, azonic bits, 521 cd rims on hope hubs with hope pro discs. | | Bottom Line: | The frame is light enough to be built as a serious XC bike while having more than enough strength to hack it down the way. Mine has been DH raced, jumped off walls and stairs and the frame is as good as new.
After a break from riding for a few years- my LTS is still more than a match for anything new.
If you have the tech knowledge of how to use allen keys ( well, if you don't-your not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed are you?), you can easily rebuild the back end of one of these in half an hour.
The main reason gt have replaced this with the I drive is not that its better ( cos it aint), but because the lts has been around so long that they have to try and sell somthing new. There are some absolute bargains to be made on these now, so dont just believe the marketing hype for all the latest models, but get a test ride on the gt- you'll see what I mean.
As for trouble with the chain falling off and getting jammed in the stay, the cure here is to shorten the chain as much as possible- problem solved.
Had no trouble with the rear sus locking up under heavy braking, it seems that people who complain about this use the fact that the back wheel skids a bit over the bumps as a symtom of less than fully active sus, but this is more to to with the weight transfer on to the front-any bike will do the same.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
trailgoat
a Cross Country Rider
from MA
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Note: This review is for a '99 GT LTS2000-DS.
-bombproof front triangle
-climbs well for its weight(four bar rear end)
-sweet descender
-good balance of stability and quickness with a 130mm fork
-handles mid-level(3-5')drops w/out complaint
-4.75 inches of travel from a RS Super Deluxe | | Weaknesses: | -Pacific now owns GT...good luck w/warrantee claims
-parts may soon become hard to find
-requires more maintenance than many designs
-plastic "travel chips" wear quickly
| | Bike Setup: | '99 GT LTS2000-DS frame, '00 Marzocchi Z1 QR20, risers and flats, Shimano mix | | Bottom Line: | After my '97 LTS-2 bit the dust with an ovalized head tube, GT's warrantee department upgraded me to a '99 frame -complete w/shock. I ended up with a vastly improved ride for the cost of a frame switch at my LBS. Unfortunately, I think that the days of service like that are over. Also... if you are in the market for one of these, look for a sticker on the seat tube that reads "100% American Made." Some of these frames were built by GT in California, while a percentage of them were farmed out elsewhere for assembly. Why?...I don't know, but the quality control is much better on the USA frames. Anyway...
Anyone that rides a hardtail in New England knows what mile after mile of roots and rocks can feel like. This frame takes the edge off of even the nastiest terrain, but still lets you rail the flats and singletrack. Mine is built up to about 29lbs -not bad for an older design. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Torsten
a Cross Country Rider
from Rgensburg, Germany
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bomb Craters at Grünwald, Munich | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$4500.00 | | Purchased At: | local dealer | | Strengths: | soft ride, great geometry, agile movement. | | Weaknesses: | Damn chainstay BROKE! Bushings f***ing cheap! | | Similar Products Used: | Litespeed Ocoee, GT Zaskar LE. | | Bike Setup: | Raceware RC-36 Pro Class Fork, Full XTR Shifting and Brakes, Chris King Rear Hub, Chris King Thread Set, SDG Titanium Seat, Syncros Seatpost, Kore Titanium Skewers, Mavic X517 Rims, Titanium Spokes. | | Bottom Line: | Well I bought the bike late August 1998, started off with an XT setup and a Rock Shox Judy DH 97. The bike rode great, uphill like a lightning, downhills with pure force. I loved it. Well right, the bushings squeaked terribly from time to time but that was just a thing of maintenance.
But one fact that disappointed me very very much was what happened in January 2002, when I just got on and rode to work. 100 meters later the chain sucked in and broke the stainstay. So now I have to pay about 190 Dollars to revive my old love. But it will live again and we will be together forever! (feels like Mary Shelleys Frankenstein somehow...) But it points out what everyone who rides a LTS for a longer time will feel. Pure love and devotion for his LTS. So folks just buy, put in the BEST and coolest parts you can get (next plan for me : Avid Arch Supreme Brakes) and enjoy! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JP Cart
a
from Orange County
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | San Juan | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Purchased At: | Used | | Strengths: | Rides great, rear suspension tones down all the little bumps along the trail without sacrificing climbing power. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy, mine weighs in at about 30lbs. | | Bike Setup: | Avid breaks, Manitou SX shock, Body Geometry pro saddle,LX derailers, Mavic wheels. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, I've had NO problems with it at all. I have a 95 with a rear bushing instead of an actual shock. I'd say there's about 2 inches or so of travel. Which is perfect for me cause I like the feel of a hardtail, but the suspension takes out the roughness. I don't even notice the rear shock unless I then move onto a hardtail. Overall, great bike which just got a bad wrap for some reason. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Layne
a Weekend Warrior
from utah
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr | | Bottom Line: | I think this bike has gotten a bad wrap. I had this bike and loved it. It was my first full suspension bike and had no problems with it. The suspension works great and none of my pivotes squeed. I had the 1997 gt lts team frame. It got 4.75 inches of travel in the back (I guess it was adjustable to 3.75 but why would you want to do that?) I think these bikes are the best deal out there I think GT over produced them so they are not hard to find brand new. Cambria bike sells the frame. I seen then in the $200. I bought a dbr x10 and get 6 inches of travel and love it otherwise I would buy another one. I had to sell mine for $500 the complete bike with a z3lt way underpiced but only way to get ride of it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from sweden, europe
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | lake garda, italy | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | geometry, strength, design, looks, comfort | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | many different hardtails, Fisher fullsuspension, etc. | | Bike Setup: | xtr, crossmax, sid, etc. | | Bottom Line: | The frame itself is a piece of art, BUT beware: it is absolutly necessary to get an american, handmade frame from the GT factory! I once came across a GT LTS bike in Miami, Florida and I couldn't believe the difference between my own bike and the one I was looking at. Welds, linkage system, overall finish, even tube dimensions were different. My bike looked like "a million dollars" compared to the other one. I guess it all comes down to money; GT makes frames in their american factory which are first class, the ones made in Taiwan are not in the same league.
I would really recommend the LTS american frame, since it truly is an amazing piece of work. The ride is inspiring and gives you confidence on any imaginable terrain, up or down. Climbing is actually better than on a good hardtail, since the rear wheel digs down in the dirt and pushes you upwards. Descending is a breeze with the spot on geometry and the bike is superfast in tight corners.
What about the linkage bushings? Well, like any mechanical thing, you have to replace parts as they get older. Simple as that! Do it once a year and you will be fine! Just contact your GT dealer and they will be happy to help you. I live in Sweden, (a looong way from USA) and I never had any problems getting replecements parts or customer service from GT.
The bottom line: I've been riding since I was 16 years old (34 now) and this is the best bike I've come across!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anders
a Weekend Warrior
from Madbury, NH, USA
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Nice ride, plush, jumps great, is awesome when it works, awesome customer service. I snapped the rear chainstay after warranty expired and they still replaced the rear with the newer model swingarm for free!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Snapped chainstay, Rock Shox Super Deluxe is a piece of scat, occasionally sqeaky pivots, flexy, cheap bolts. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-Drive - DH and XC, Zaskar ,Pantara | | Bike Setup: | Jr.T's, XT, Mammoth Rims, Tires - IRC Kujo/Michelin DH, Odessey Triple Traps(the best) | | Bottom Line: | Good bike for typical freerider, too bad they've stopped making them. At 6'3" @ 240 lb's its kinda weak...saving up for RM7 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MadD b0mBeR
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Strengths: | Light, active, Cheap now, climbs really well. | | Weaknesses: | Err. many design flaws that should never have even made it off the drawing board. | | Bottom Line: | Right, well, i will start by saying that i got it very cheap £650 and it is worth that much. It also built up to a 32lbs bike with 4 inch Wite Brothers on front and a dmn heavy wheel set. HOWEVER. 1, the rear end is about as stiff as a piece of cheese. 2, the pivots are actualy totaly wrong and using the wrong bush material, since the material that GT use is designed to be submerged in a very light grease (they are absorbent ceramic), but there is nothing on the LTS to keep the grease in, the result is that the bushes do not work as bushes, instead they remain harder than the aluminium and wear the metal to pieces (after 4 years there is approximately 2mm gap on the top rear pivot). 3, The spring that they use is a joke, when mine exploded i phoned some spring MFRS to see if i could get one made for me, and they all laughed at me for the simple reason that the spring is too short for the force that it provides, result, the springs shatter.
4, there is a brace on the top linkage, just in front of the shock, obviously designed to improve stiffnes, however, dont ever bottom out the shock otherwise this brace will smack into the rear of your seat tube, result, my frame now has a rather large wear hole there (perhaps as well i only weigh 160lbs).
5, The top of the shock its self will actualy hit the rear of your seat clamp when bottomed out, no matter which way round you have the compression adjuster.
6, Every single bolt that they use on the frame is USELESS! The bottom shock bolt bent withen 3 months, i replaced it with some high tenisile masonry bolts, they also bent in 4 months, so i just bought 20 of them and changed them every time they bent, result, i have gone through at least 8 bolts for the lower shock pivot.
7, The top rear pivot bolts are FAR too short, the depth of the thread on the bush is about 1.5 inch, so why do they only use 0.5 inch bolts?? I'll tell you why, so they can fall out, as mine did, i then made some countersunk washers and bought some 2 inch gun bolts, these have never come loose, never moved, and allow me to be far more selective with the torque i put on it.
Put simply, they are fine if you want them for a year or two, but bushes are a nightmare to get, due to the frame bottoming out before the shock does, the frame has a habit of cracking (my chainstay exploded around the weld, they were good ennough to replace it free, after 3 months thou)
DONT buy one if u want a long lasting frame, spend a whole lot more money and buy a Turner, I did, and i now look like the Joker even when i am not riding. Better design, better travel, better after market service (i have been chatting to David Turner ever since i got the frame, very nice bloke) and totaly worth the large outlay and the wait.
GET A TURNER! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lefty
a Downhiller
from new york
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | graham hills power lines anything with big drops and of course urban | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | cambria bike shop | | Strengths: | god like bike in all aspects
the best ride for a freee rider next too like $3000 frame bikes and even then its still pretty good compared to them
climbs reall good i out rode my friend who has a litespeed cross country ride on an uphill race i diden't cheat at all but still beat his ass
light ,awesome looks and 5 inches of really adjustable travel
no skeaks
black makes bike go faster it's goes stealth like b4 bomber | | Weaknesses: | a pain to adjust rear shock but it works awesome where eva it is um nuttin else | | Similar Products Used: | crap hardtails, k2 flyin monkey, specailized big hitt, fishers, konas, marins, giants, jamises, other gts, santa cruz bullets, rocky mountian pipeline and others, the only two that come close to this bike in ride are the pipeline and bullet but they climb like sh^tt so this bike ronces there as^ | | Bike Setup: | judy 100 race face tubine lp titec hell bent bar race face stem odi grips sun ringle zuzu platform pedals full xt with xtr rear derailer spin composite wheels intense dh 2.35 front tires and tigoa dh 2.1 rear paid about $1800 for all this and frame good righht? | | Bottom Line: | this bike owns all other freeride bikes all of them it's awesome
next on my list wich i'm saving up for is new wheelset and xt discs that or hayes maybe avid mechanical who knows but my bike works awesome for what i do and it awesome | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Bev
a Cross Country Rider
from Missouri
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Strengths: | It's a couch on wheels...climbs well...just feels right. | | Weaknesses: | Somewhat busy maintance schedule, but pays off. | | Similar Products Used: | Sampson Ti hardtail...nice rig
Aluminum LTS, prefers the thermoplasic | | Bike Setup: | Judy DH w/Arlo Englund Air, Fox Air rear shock, 1997 XTR components, White Industries Hubs, 217 Ceramic Rims. Rarely replace parts because everything is maintained. | | Bottom Line: | I can't count the miles on this bike. It's been raced, ridden, dropped (a long way by accident), and ridden pretty hard and it has held up great. Recom. to anyone with the $$ to spend, this bike could be the one for the long haul. I am the type to buy once and never buy again..if this is you, its worth the cash. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Powell
a Downhiller
from England, UK
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$14.00 | | Strengths: | Light weight, plush if maintained, takes the abuse of rocky downhill but still climbs brilliantly. | | Weaknesses: | brushings wear, tends to squeak like hell but can easily be fixed with a bit of clean up and grease | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Wildcat, idrive 3k, cannondale v700 | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS-1, Qranc Hercules, F.u.n.n Henchman Stem, Rockshox Super Delux, Bomber Z1's, XTR/XT, Hope Hydro front disc. | | Bottom Line: | Well i bought the bike about a year ago for a straight grand (UK pounds). This works out to be a touch pricey compared to the US price (damn import charges). However the bike rides beautifully, with the travel coping with most things i throw at it. The only problems i have had are there isnt much clearence for wider than a 2.1 inch tyre on the rear and it squeaks painfully in the wet and for a few days later. I have recently endevoured on a chain device by AC and just running the 44, this has proved to be a long affair, i would advise you check w/ the manufacturer before doing the same. On the whole the best grand i have ever spent, however i wouldnt pay the RRP for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shaun
a Weekend Warrior
from Malaysia
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Climbs quite well for a 5 inch bike. Good ride. | | Weaknesses: | Squeaking pivots are VERY noisy sometimes, especially after riding in the rain. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz hekler. | | Bike Setup: | Z1, xt, xtr, hayes hydro's, thompson seat pin..... | | Bottom Line: | Great bike if you dont mind the squeaking sometimes.rides great up and especially downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matthew delao
a Weekend Warrior
from whittier,ca u.s.a
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | rocket | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Weaknesses: | coupe delux rear shock blows! | | Similar Products Used: | intense UZZI DH(demo'd only 2 wks), KONA STINKY DELUXE(being built at the moment) | | Bike Setup: | xt/xtr group. zzyzx front fork. 636 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I bought this thing 2 years ago and had lots-o-fun with my first full suspension rig until I found out that I somehow bent my frame (front triangle). I took it to my local fav bike shop (ATOMIC BIKES RULES!!) who sent it to G.T for me even though they arent dealers. 6 weeks later, G.T first stated that they knew nothing about my frame, then called back 30 min later and stated that it was going on the frame gig to be re-aligned. 3 days later I got it back from G.T stating it was fixed but they didn't do a damn thing!! it appears that the frame was welded up wrong from the get go. So much for quality control! I personally think it sucks when you send in your bike to the mfgr (regardless of who packages the thing) and they dont remedy the problem. So much for spending $1900.00 on my first f/s bike. I will NEVER buy another buy another G.T after being jerked around sooooo much. I have since bought a custom SANTA CRUZ CHAMELEON($3400.00) and love the thing!!!- for a hard tail.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingston, Pennsylvania, USA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Decent finish, nice design, & durable. | | Weaknesses: | Squeaky pivits (but curable!) & Overpriced! | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS-1: Rock Shox Judy 98 XL 100mm Front & 125mm Deluxe rear, XT components, & Veloraptor tires with Mavic Rims. | | Bottom Line: | The Upside is I've put over 600 HARD ASS Kicken miles on this frame were others would have beeen destroyed! (Not bad for a 40 year old yuppie!) Overall the design is good, It all depends on your riding style and the course you ride. The downside is the squeaky pivits..no biggy! just lube and tighten. If your that much of a primadona and can't take the sqeaking..wear earplugs. The price of this frame was off the wall I bought mine used in 1998 for $600 in great condition, but $1500.00 new in 1996, give me a break!! No frame is worth that unless its "gold plated!" That what consumers get for overseas labor and parts ! Wise up ! GT I was thinking about upgrading to an i-drive frame but not at those prices! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light weight
strong
laterally stiff
good looking | | Weaknesses: | squeeky bushings(fixed by using teflon lube & tightening) | | Bike Setup: | LTS, XT/XTR, manitou, built up to 24lbs | | Bottom Line: | This frame rocks me. I built it up with XT/XTR components and a manitou fork and it weighs in at 24lbs. A full suspension with 5" upfront, 4" back at 24lbs? Pretty damn good if you ask me. The frame rails on downhills, and is awesome at climbing aswell. The only problem I have found is with trying to find rear shocks due to the threaded head. Either way, It's awesome. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lefty
a Weekend Warrior
from Mount Kisco NY USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Grahm Hills and power lines | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great all round bike it soars downhill and can climb fairly easily great ride and acceleration | | Weaknesses: | The squeaking in the rear linkage pivots hasn't happend to me yet and I've gone hard riding in dry and really wet weather and nothing has happend yet so i don't know what you other people are complaining about. | | Similar Products Used: | some hardtails & k2 flying monkey | | Bike Setup: | Judy 100 ful 00' xt with xtr rear derailer 9spd spin composite rims Titec Hellbent Handlebar ,Thomson Seatpost ,Raceface Turbine LP cranks | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a grerat bike for a freeridin rider that loves to go fast downhill but has to be able to ride back up the hill. Cheap for the frame at $$450 with shock and its light too so i can't complain and It's not a perfect 5 flamin turds but it's close but if you have the money screw this and buy a Uzzi SL or a Truth. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from morganton North Carolina
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any Pisga trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | This bike rides great. It can acsend and desend with the best of em'. | | Weaknesses: | I guess you've heard the squeaks; and as for me I could do without it, so im in the process of buing the rear linkage kit.($75.00) | | Similar Products Used: | other full suspension bikes | | Bike Setup: | LTS 3 with xt components 9 speed cassette | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is exactly this if your looking foa an all around great bike this is your bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from North East, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | clark road | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | my '97 lts-3 can(could)take anything. it's(was)tough as hell! plush, solid, smooth as butta'!! | | Weaknesses: | well, in november i broke it in half in a freak downhill accident. yup, cracked right between the 'g' and the 't' on the down tube. what can i say? such is life! | | Similar Products Used: | i just bought a k2 animal frame and built it up with the xtr/manitou/kore/azonic components from my recently deceased lts. | | Bike Setup: | xtr drive train, kore lite stem/gass pedals, azonic risers, '99 manitou sx(80mm), mavic x221's | | Bottom Line: | love the four bar linkage! completely owns all hills, up or down. the only problem was the terribly annoying squeaking the rear shock assembly developed even after being oiled. i ended up completely overhauling the entire assembly about once a month, that tended to suck. i'm gonna have to go with 5 big fat flamin' chilis for this sweet ride. (i just wish gt would get back to me about possibly sending me a new frame, since the warranty covers it and all). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Racer
from Spokane, WA
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
beacon hill | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Bottom Line: | I owned a '98 STS 1000. The frame just didn't feel right. My local dealer (Spoke n' Sport) gave me a good deal on a '99 LTS 1000. I couldn't have a better bike. I built it just the way I wanted it. Z-1 bomber on the front, White Inds. hubs, bb, and cranks. This bike is an excellent climber and an ever better bomber. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg Kimura
a Weekend Warrior
from Camarillo, CA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Kanan to Corral Canyon | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Sweet suspension. Very forgiving. Excellent traction up hill. Pick a line? You can pick the worse line and still jam through unscathed. Loves to go forward fast. Make that very fast. | | Weaknesses: |
Chain suck when the chain gets dirty. Squeak near BB, but went away after a few trips to the dealer. Also a bit heavy. Rear shock died after 2nd ride (leaked). A little unstable when going slow. Also the breakaway hangers are too weak and expensive ($20 each). | | Similar Products Used: |
GT-RTS, GT LTS aluminum
A few swingarm types and this suspension is far superior. LTS aluminums do creak. | | Bike Setup: |
Mine is a 1996 LTS Thermoplastic (with TI rear) with a Rock Shox Super Deluxe rear and Judy XC front. I upgraded the front with speed springs, which is a definite must. Mostly XTR/XT with Specialized S-works cranks, Ti BB, thermoplastic bar and A-1 bar ends. Serfas Ti saddle (excellent), Synchros stem and post, Crossland wheelset (excellent), and Team Master/Control red strip tires (a must) with latex tubes. | | Bottom Line: | Incredible! I have owned this since Aug 1997 and have put some hard miles on it (most original XT worn out and replaced with XTR). What a sweet bike. I can ride so much longer, without feeling all beat up. I go so fast and feel in control. I find myself laughing as I rip through trails. I miss lines and the bike keeps going. Excellent climber; the rear digs in nicely. Also, many have complained about the rear squeak and problems with the durability of the frame. I have not taken the pivots apart for cleaning yet and the only squeak went away over a year ago. I ride hard and push this bike hard. I have not felt any weakness in the frame and it has been down a few times. If you are looking for a fun bike that you can ride hard and fast, this is it. Now that all the initial problems are long gone, this is a 5 star! By the way, I keep this out of the water, which I feel has helped keep it quiet. Definitely worth the money, if you ride often. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a weekend warrior
from Aliso Viejo, Ca.
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Have a 97' LTS-2 built up with Answer/Man 80mm TPC fork, kore parts, XT and the like. Have been having fun with the bike but the squeeks have gotten to me. Rode a few other frames set up for simialr riding and love d them all over the LTS. (Though in it's day it was a great ride) Still rides well and I'm comfortable on it but getting back to nature is not possible when you scare it away! Till the new bike (Ellsworth, PsycleWerks or Intense Uzzi) I'm a trail bell for the pack... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a weekend warrior
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: September 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the LTS 3000,the 98 model, and can only say this bike rips on the downhills. If you are looking for a bike for downhills or not that many uphills, then this bike is definately perfect. I have not have too many problems with chainsuck. Although I only weigh 120 lbs. and I ride a 14.5 frame. If you do a lot of climbing and are looking for a freeride bike, this ain't it. I think this bike sucks on the uphills. I first tried it with a riser bar, and then switched over to a straight with barends, and that helped a little, but still my rear tire would not always dig. Plus your hauling up extra weight in the back end from the rear suspension. I'm too use to my hardtail and plan to stick with it. This bike does rip on the downhills, no complaints about that. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rassie van Aswegen
a weekend warrior
from Corning, NY
Date Reviewed: August 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a 97 LTS frame after my old custom made frame started to crack at the welds from fatique. I got the frame really cheap as they are currently offered on closeouts before the 1999 frames are released. Anyway I was expecting to be fairly impressed with the ride quality after my LBS let me test ride his. After building it with XT-XTR a Zocchi Z1 Bam fork and some deep V rimms I was unimpressed with the weight. All that was blown into the weeds after my first 10 mile singletrack jaunt down the Black forest trail in Pennsylvania. This design rocks. Apart from the weight you get very little biopace effect when climbing and extremely good traction in all conditions. The Steering is precise and the rear suspension erases all but the largest hits. The rear suspension even overshadows the awesome Z1 bam fork I have up front. Just be sure to get the sealed bearing kit and you will be a happy camper. 5 of the Hot jobs for this one. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doctor TAN
a weekend warrior
from FRANCE
Date Reviewed: August 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a 1000 DS frame 6 month ago, I put a Manitou Xvert-R on, XTR wheels, syncros stem, XT V's.The bike is very plush (I put the super deluxe on the long travel side) but for a street after work it's not sloopin enough compare to my 2 other SUNN (Revolt & Vertik). The nice side with this bike is it's traction which is phenomenal the same thing with stability. I just began to do local downhill here in french Britany, just to see it workin hard and I'm not disapointed. For the enormous creakin noises of the rear under water u can have a spare kit of sealed bearing which would be standard for 1999. I'm just comin back from the fench alps where we rode on international downhill like Les GETS, MORZINE and COURCHEVEL.The bike was marvelous still not sloopin enough (it's nearly top level in M size, I know I repeat myself but I would like GT to make sloopin bike for guys with balls and knees!!!!) 4 Chill's one is missin on da sloop side and noise. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david d.
a cross-country rider
from san francisco
Date Reviewed: July 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great all around performer. Downhill performance is especially good. The bike is adept at dealing with whatever line you throw it at. I have one of these and a Turner Burner. I would be hard pressed to rate one above the other, except that the LTS has a definite noise problem, and GT doesn't make a kit to eliminate that problem for bikes older that the 1997 model year. This is frustrating, considering how much the bike cost. I race the Turner cross country (its lighter), but ride the LTS more recreationally, especially when I'm riding with friends and want to have a bit of an edge on the downhills. For some reason, I'm a little braver on the LTS. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Kerckhoff
a cross-country rider
from Menifee, Ca
Date Reviewed: July 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a 98 lts 2000 about two months ago and the bottom bracket on the rear shock cracked on both sides! I haven't read about anyone with this problem so I guess (Hope) it was a freak thing. Its not like I've been taking it off 10' jumps or anything. I don't race and just ride because I like riding. Otherwise its a great bike. I hope nothing else breaks after I get it back from the shop. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skitch Mobley
a cross-country rider
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: June 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
My 97 LTS-2 Frame is built with full XTR and a Z1, complete with a Kore, Race Face, Azonic cockpit and Spinergy wheels. For bombing singling track and rutted fire roads, it rules. However, racing this rig is a bit tedious when you have to actually put the beast over your shoulder and hoof parts. My shoulder is still sore from Canaan. If you're gonna race more than two or three times, don't buse an LTS. It's just too bulky. However, for training and just having a blast, the bike handles beautifully. Very predictable with great traction both climbing and descending -- particularly climbing. You can grapple over stones and roots with loads of mud and the beast just won't spin out. My only real complaints are the build quality. The bolts holding the rear end together came from the factory stripped out, and I don't mind having to lube the pivots every other week, but it does become annoying. Those are the only draw backs. I've hear about people having problems with their Rock Shox Coupe Deluxe shocks, but so far, I've had no problems with 6 months of severe riding. I put a lizard skin on it and it keeps all the crap out of this sensitive piece of machinery. So, if you want a bike to have a lot of fun on, build an LTS. They rule. If you plan on racing a lot, build a hardtail with a suspension post. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Hartman
a cross-country rider
from Jacksonville , FL
Date Reviewed: June 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm a 63 year old man that's riding for health reasons. 18 months ago I bought a 96 LTS 3. Since I have upgraded my components with a Manatou FS TI front shock, a Kore Stem, a Race Face seat post, Race Face crank, XTR Shifters, V Brakes, Ride On shift and brake cables, XTR Derailers, and Spingery Wheels, I find the LTS as good a ride as you can get. Even better than my son's Cannondale Super V1000. It is now an awesome bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bert Fox
a weekend warrior
from Naples, Idaho 83847
Date Reviewed: June 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I am a 45 year old recreational road rider that recently bought a 97 LTS3,
with a RST Mozo Pro 4.5 instead of the Indy XC. I've ridden it twice and know that I'm not that much into offroad riding. The bike handles excellent, but my motor doesn't put out enough!!I'd rather put the$ into a cross bike and not worry about offroad riding. I've invested $1400. I'll sell for $1000. Will consider some trade. Bert Fox,(208)267-7252,foxden@dmi.net | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T Haas
a cross-country rider
from Reston, Va
Date Reviewed: June 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This posting is in reference to an STS 1000DS frameset. There is no section for this frame as of yet, so I'm putting it where somebody might read it. I purchased my frame in March of '98 and it lasted just shy of 2 months. The new and improved head tube snapped like a twig. During an very low speed endo, the frame broke company and is now in 2 pieces. It really suprised me how easily the bike broke, in fact, I got up (unhurt fortunately) and just laughed, how pitiful I was thinking. Anyway, GT was very very attentive as they 2nd day aired me a new frame. However, I opted for the alloy LTS instead. After reading all of the reviews and asking around, the number of broken STS stories I've heard I can't count with all of my fingers. Needless to say, $1800 is a whole lot of money for something that failed so miserabley. Maybe I got a lemon, then again, I wouldn't take the chance on an STS again, unless, GT could
come up with some very convincing proof as to the integrity of their thermoplastic/carbon designs.....So, piss caution in the wind? Buy an STS!As to the LTS 1000DS? Great ride. Can't tell the differece between the two. I put up a posting under STS 1000DS, check out my review there (currently under new reviews). GT is a great company, there rep was very cool. They back up their propaganda 110 percent and there is no substitute for that. They will take care of you, and for that I'll keep on buying GTs. My only gripe out of all this was, I started out looking for a bike and was going to get either an STS or a Specialized FSR, now, I don't have either. Plus, my LTS is orange, not the exact color I requested--I like it now, but when you're blowing a bunch of hard earned cash, you want WHAT you want. I set out for a no-compromises bike, spent a lot of money and ended up with a compromise. Guess that's life some times. One chili for the thermoplatic STS.Four for excellent servie from GT (except sending the wrong color).Three overall. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy
a cross-country rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: May 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
1997 STS (thermoplastic) Frameset- Downfalls- No substitutes available for the superheavydeluxe rear shock, the shock can (and does) hit the seatpost collar thus bottoming out. It takes a whole ride season to dial the bike in for a particular rider (so much adjustability)
Upsides- Once the bike is dialed in for you, it is PURE PLEASURE to ride. Downhilling is point and shoot, control is unparalelled. Once adjusted, (the trunion mount rear shock) the bike brakes awesome. It just squats and stops on a dime. The factory setting is stinkbug heaven, but NO MORE going over the handlebars at just the thought of using the brakes.Thermoplastic frames dampen a lot, and flex when comparing to aluminum. I am getting older (27) and like the plush ride as opposed to getting the snot beat out of me each time I hit the trails.The STS 1997 frame is a great performer but the people at GT need their heads checked when they set the prices on these. I know I need my head checked for paying so much for it. $1800 list? They probably cost like $200 to mass produce them or even less. I would give the bike 4.75 stars out of 5 but the price knocks down the rating... after all you can buy a great K2 proflex for much much less money. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc BECKER
a downhiller
from Luxembourg / Europe
Date Reviewed: May 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
After having broken two Thermoplast frames (always replaced by GT with no charges) I thought that maybe it would be better for me to change my believe
from Thermoplast into Aluminium and so the last frame i broke was changed to the new 1998 GT LTS 1000 frame (with a little charge +- 250 Dollars). From that day on my live changed. This frame is much stiffer than the Thermoplast (don't believe the Hype) Have much more fun riding now without the fear of a broken frame. Five stars for the great customer service (Thank you GT)PS: Keep the trails clean !!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve woodward
a racer
from Bristol England
Date Reviewed: May 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had a 95 team LTS for over 2 year now, currently equiped with a Pace RC36
front fork, XT, LX, control tech bars, stem, Titec, etc. Weight 28.6 lbs useing
a calibrated force gauge.
Its a really good ride, climbs well and goes down hill like a rocket. I've only
had to strip down the pivots once and regreased them, though its now due for another overhaul, as the horse link pivots are so worn the back wheel felt like
the quick release hadn't been done up. Though I do race a Orange P7, so the LTS
is not used all the time it has been used alot of weekends over the last two years and in really muddy conditions. The Horse link pivots are only £6 and so
this is no big deal as its easy to do with no special tools required.
On the down side the ride position is to far forward and if your not careful it
does have a tendancy to toss you over the front. Something they must have change on the newer models i.e. the bent seat tube putting you futher over the back wheel (Shows they listen).
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lal
a cross-country rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Well, the best four bar linkage suspension frame around ! It's the perfect X-country suspended frame, it will always find traction in uphills and keep you on track on any downhill. I'm a 200+ pounds rider and I have no complaint over the frame beside that it's a bit noisy... so take it apart and grease all the pivots often for a silent suspension | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a weekend warrior
from Isle of Man
Date Reviewed: May 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm now on my third LTS and wouldn't have it any other way. rarely does a bike have so much character that folks will willingly tell all about it's list of faults yet never consider buying something else! Forgiveness is rare but Busby's Babe is so right so much of the time!My '95 LTS frame was one of the early batch with sh*tty seat tube, misaligned rear brake bosses and poor BB threads. It took forever to loosen up the Fox Alps4 and still I loved every minute until I got the '96 through warranty. As others have said, what a difference! Smooth, relatively stiction free and so lively. I've still got it and use it daily. Again the seat tube was way out of size and needed reaming, the shock lost damping after about 30hrs but what a 30hrs it was. the UK distributer shocked me by turning the shock around quickly and professionally! For a change!Now I'm in love with my STS 1000DS. the '97/8 rear end is way ahead of the old cast Ti system. Tunability is excellent and the Coupe Deluxe would be perfect if only it was easier to change springs! If you have one of these later bikes get the sealed bearing kit. It does what it says on the box! Superb. All the chillies!I run an 18 frame with pushed back saddle and stumpy stem. I should be on a 16 but this setup really rocks downhill! Screw the moaners and get yourself an LTS! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc BECKER
a weekend warrior
from Luxembourg
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm not really satisfied about my LTS Thermoplast 96', because now after 16 month of riding I broke my 2nd Frame (Yes, I did already broke one after 8 month of trailriding) Well it has always have been replaced, but I'm not sure about the strenght of this material. Suspension works fine but it's not maintenance free as many users already confirmed.(Especialy when you ride in the rain).
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a cross-country rider
from Thunder Bay, Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This review is for the GT STS 2000. This is not the dual sport one, it's the one with the black headtube lug and straight seat tube.What can I say, this bike KICKS ASS. One of the shock mount bolts came loose but I tightened it up and haven't had any problems since. this bike climbs great, even in the mud with old tires. Downhilling: I don't even have to think about it anymore. Just point and shoot. Technical riding and jumping took a little getting used to after riding my C-Dale hardtail for a year and a half.
Full suspension is the way to go.5 flaming piles'o'poo | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nicolaas Komen
a weekend warrior
from anna paulowna, NL
Date Reviewed: April 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought an LTS '97 framekit for a nice price in Germany. Well after the first couple of ride's the upper pivots sounds peeping. After greased with Judy butter no sounds. Now its a quiet and very good working system. I have purchased the new seaed bearing upgrade kit for the lts (part number 280283), but first i will drive with the original bearings till theye are used or give problems as i have read on the othe reviews.
Herefore i've had a Giant ATX990, a bike with no service support, also no manual or maintenance advisory and a worse working system due to mud.
The lts frame came with a good maintance manual and good support from the german importer which gives additional technical advise on the internet so you can maintance the frame and can drive with it in worse conditions.(remember a motorbike needs regular service too!)
I'v build the frame up with Z1 bomber, race face crancs and some shimano XT(R) stuf. The bike has got a very good handling and has the possibilty to adjust it to the riders needs. I like the lts very much and i hope when i have build it with the industrial bearing kit that this bike doesn't need to much maintance. This is the first full susp. for as far as i know without pogo effects etc. only in granny gear you can feel the system working. Well therfore i will use a bigger ring on the back and use the middle wheel on the front in future time by climbing .
Because the frame wasn't standard build with the sealed bearing kit I will give this frame a 4, but if it was maintenance free no problem to give it 5 stars. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Meik Schruhl
a cross-country rider
from Alamogordo, NM
Date Reviewed: April 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I like to ride my LTS-1, it runs great but most of the time the squeky bike sleeps at my LBS. I had problems with the long travel Judy, rear hub, bottom brake windings, front michellin tire and any kind of links. Seems they build an indoor bike!!
I never saw a slower service from any brand than from the arrogant people at GT in Santa Ana. Hopefully they change their bad service soon.
Otherwise it is the last GT I ever bought!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gregg
a racer
from CT
Date Reviewed: March 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
(re: 96' LTS-1)
This bike has two sides.The good side is the sweet ride. It is way comfortable and very plush. For long epic rides, or blasting downhill or thru real rocky stuff... it is the bomb. Pretty sweet looking too. Very stable at speed, and handles pretty well through the tight stuff (not great, but not too bad). Not too much bobbing in the climbs, but the slight bob, and the weight make it a pretty poor climber.Bad side(s). Heavy bastard. Over a 7 lb frame. Squeaky bastard. Had to rebuild the rear end once a month during the heavy riding season. Gotta pull the cranks to rebuild the pivots. Did I mention that rock shox sucks? Blowing out the super deluxe once a year seems to be the way it's going to be.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a cross-country rider
from western Kentucky
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been riding my LTS frame now for about a year and I love it! It is the first full suspension bike I have owned. I don't think I could ever ride a hard tail again. My LTS is a 1997. I have made a few upgrades to mine such as a 1998 Judy XC, XT V-brakes, downhill bars, and a new paint job. It performs great! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ralf Engelhart
a cross-country rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I got a GT LTS Thermoplast last year and it is still my favorite. There have been no problems so far. The suspension works very well in different conditions.
You can have fun on downhill an also on a long tour. If you treat ist good, it will never disapoint you. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Randolph
a
from weekend warrior
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased one of the first 95's as a frameset and built it up with XT parts of a GT bike build package. I ran a Manitou EFC on the front, and quite honestly, though I love the bike, the suspension has never been truly dialed. Part of the problem with the Fox Air Shock on early models is that it requires a high level of force to break the stiction on the air shock. Recently, I decided to go through the bike, so I purchased a later model LTS frame only, pulled the rear Rock Shock Deluxe and rear triangle so I could run V-brakes, and re-built the bike with a new Bomber Z-2. Can you say night and day?!!! A new Nuke Proof wheelset finished up the lateral stiffness equation, and the bike honestly has become everything I had hoped it would be. Downhill bars and a shorter stem helped dial in the cockpit, and it is the ripping machine now. I noticed a lot of people have had problems with the shock mounting bolts as well as RockShox Deluxe failures. My bolt was sheared off when I pulled it out of the top mount and also bent. Not too cool. I wonder if any GT guys read this. I asked over and over whether or not the 95 front triangle would matcht with the 96 rear, and their techs continued to say No, they are computer aligned in a jig at the factory - it can't be done. Seems like everyone else has figured out it works. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve noake
a downhiller
from Yorkshire
Date Reviewed: September 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
'96 20 aluminium LTS 170lbs rider.(spring changed from 750lbs stock to 700lbs - £30 'n' a load of aggro trying to get it off !!)
yes, after reading all these reviews I have to agree with a lot of what people say.The pivots do squeak, its really anoying, black gold grease seems to last longest, (i've run my bike for 2-3 months between services with no sign of wear on the bushings, and no squeak using the stuff.)I've blown 2 rockshox super delux rear shoxs,(taking about 2 weeks to turn-around, each time, from the distributor.Crap service for a £300!! rear shock,)and the rebound damping is pretty crap, to avoid the back end leaping about too much whilst climbing, I have to run a lot of sag say 1.5 to 1.8 inches.
BUT - it's a very good all-round bike. It's a good climber,with out too much power loss (better than my mates santacruz heckeler),and it's a good decender (though not as plush as the heckeler)- kinda swings and roundabouts.
Would I buy another ?, well, all fully suspended bikes seem to have their share of problems with maintainence, so based on the ride, maybee, i'm certainly interested in a 'freeride' version of the lobo(coz with a longer shock stroke the rebound should be more controlable). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fredrik Allinger
a weekend warrior
from sweden
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Fave FS when working, pity its been breaking down all the time. Bought the 96 frameset, built it up with choice parts, as a playbike/gravitymachine. Rode it for about two months when righthand chainstay broke, this under normalish riding.
Bastard of a time trying to get it fixed. When it reappears, I get to keep it for three more months, then the Fox unit gets all #@ed up. Happy times are here again. Cost for repair is higher than cost of new rockshoxunit, buys Coupedelux wich improves overall riding. Bottom line: excellent bike when working, but the continous breaking down is starting to truly bug me out. Rating is for ridequality only. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a cross-country rider
from Breckenridge, CO
Date Reviewed: August 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have ben riding the LTS-1 since march 96' and believe it to be an excellent cross country ride. There is no noticeable loss of power on seated climbs, although out of the saddle climbing is slower. The suspension works great in all area except heaving braking where the rear end tends to unweight. Downhilling is great in slower to moderate speeds, but over 35 mph the bike feels alittle unsure. I am pysched to try next years STS dual sport and overall am very pleased with the LTS | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kb turner
a cross-country rider
from Great Valley, Pa.
Date Reviewed: August 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm really happy about the positive reviews on the STS frame. One thing bothers me, and that is the internal cable routing. My 18 frame is munching up cables, and replacement is costly and time consuming. The good news is that so-so Shimano or Dia compe cables work best. Gore-Tex and other treated products offer no better performance, the former usually turns to confetti after a few rides.Can anyone suggest a better fitting housing ferrule ? There's too much play at the head tube, and I know this is causing havoc on my XTR front shifting duties. My other concern is the pivots loosening, and have bought a torque wrench in hopes of solving that small worry. Sticking to the exact spec really does make a difference, instead of that just right touch. Also, a little beeswax on the threads behind the rear shock really keep the pivot snug, and holds up better than any Loctite spooge. Stock, out of the box, the STS works great for me, just a little problem with the high maintenence. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant Gaston
a weekend warrior
from Brisbane, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had my STS 2 for neary 3 months and I can't believe how well it rides. All the bumps disappear. It is not too heavy at approx 26lbs and could just about climb anything. It hardly bobs when standing and not at all while seated. If you are thinking about buying a new bike this is definately one to consider. The thermoplastic frame is great,nothing seems to scatch it. This is truely a great bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jean Pierre
a downhiller
from South Africa
Date Reviewed: August 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just bought a STS DH frane set and beleive me after riding God knows how many other fs rigs I have found something that makes me so hard that stuggle riding it half the time . Ther is no other bike on this planet that comes close . My only problem was the rshx dho that I got with it ,one would think that a 5.75 bike would at least have a fork to compensate for that travel ,anyways the bottom line is this bike kicks major arse and if you ever able to find someone ludicrist enough to take theirs for a spin grab it and leave the country asap .5 chiles all the way !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David C
a weekend warrior
from LosAngeles
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
O.K. Here is the poop on the LTS. Owned a proflex sold it after two months, bought an LTS(96) have kept it 15 months. Have ridden AMP's, Canni.'s Trek's etc.. The LTS is a great supple suspension. I am a firm beliver in 4 bar linkage designs. 4 bar's stay active under all conditions. Single pivots designs like Santa Cruz's and Cannondales are plush but not as much so as most 4 bar linkage designs. When descending fast in rough terrain you need suspension that stays active under peddling and breaking. Unfortunatly, this often equates to excessive bobing when peddling slowly during climbing. Hey, I believe it's worth it though because the downhilling is the most fun and requires the most spot on equiptment.
I jump my bike on bmx jumps, I know that is a no no, I have raced the LTS down hill and basicly just all a round thrashed this bike every where. No hint of play in the pivits, no cracked or worn bushings and no noticable rear triangle flex. What can I say, all the anti LTS propaganda was BS. However, it is not perfect and I would be remiss if I didn't tell all the facts. The LTS is not fully active under breaking. The rear shock actually expands, stinkbugs under breaking. It doesnt lock out but it will cause the rear tire to bounce around a little like a swing arm bike does (ie. Foes, Santa Cruz. etc..) under hard breaking. So one of the reasons for having a 4 bar linkage bike is thrown out the window. I still believe that as far as mass production bikes go it is the best around. If you got the $$$ and you want something that is about as plush as is possible look into the exotics like Titus or Intense. I just bought an Intese Uzzi SL. Plusher than the LTS, however my LTS was a 96, the 97's have one inch more travel and are probably as plus as the Intense. I am a serious velo shusser and wanted the closest thing to perfection so thats why I didnt buy a 97 LTS and went for a bike that was totally active. It is tough on climbs but rips on the downhills. The LTS also is a natorious chain dropper, chain sucker, and chain slapper, whereas the Intense has none of these problems, none!! The LTS has some quirky handling traits which I am not sure where they come from, but the steering is slow during mid speed single track decents, however the steering becomes twitching during fireroad descents.Weird. I am really not trying to turn this into an Intense review but the bike does handly better than the GT. To sum it up, if you cannot afford an exotic then buy an LTS, it is almost the best FS rig available. Plus thay have a great warranty. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Wojteczko
a cross-country rider
from Mississauga Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: July 25, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
STS 1.
This is my favorite bike. I bought it as a frameset and built it up myself. It
is in the 25 range. I am running a kore chain reactor to prevent chain suck
and it works. This frame rides much better than the previous Y bike I was riding
A definite 5 chilli. It is light but feather light which is OK. Suspension is
full active all the time unlike Cannondale which locks out under braking or
the Trek which locks out when you stand up. Geometry works great, alwalys in control no matter at what speed you are flying along at. I am going to race
the Canada cup at Hardwood hills in a couple of weeks, I think it will work great seeing as I have had no problems. I am using IRC tires on it, the Mythos
XC, best tires I have ever tried, blow away Cross Country Navigators or Tioga
Psycho K's. Buy them, or this bike or both. It is the bomb. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JeffP
a cross-country rider
from lower Michigan
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I got a '97 LTS-1 this spring and so far it's been great. No problem with chain suck - just chain slap on the choppy downhills. I got a bullet bros. chain tensioner for that. One of the pivot bolts did loosen up so you need to check 'em periodically. I think the rear design is brilliant - they've got some good engineers. I had swapped out some parts to lighten the bike up so it's ~26 lbs - so its still pretty lively, just alittle back heavy. I think it's a great bike for all around freeriding with downhill capability too. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin
a downhiller
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: July 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have a '97 GT STS-DH thermoplastic.
What can I say.. this bike rocks. I've ridden over a dozen full-suspension and Downhill bike and there aren't many that come close the the performance of the LTS design. The rear wheel moves in a up and down motion rather than swinging forward towards the front as many URT bikes do. (Ex. Treks' Y-bike) I also used to own a '96 LTS which was the reason why I decided to buy the DH model. Some people may whine and complain about having problems about the bike but having worked at a bike shop that carried GT's, I only saw 1 or 2 problem LTS's. (I've seen many more problems with other bikes.) Buy one! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Campbell
a cross-country rider
from NewHampshire
Date Reviewed: May 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Dont believe the hype! Although this bike has a solid all around versatility, it excells at nothing. I have had the frame for two years and have had to replace every part except the front triangle. The bike sounds like an old squeaky bed going down the trail, is prone to chainsuck about every five seconds or so, and breaks on a regular basis. Ive had enough, I'm going back to a hardtail(probably an Ibis Mojo or a Fat City. Dont make the same mistake I did. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Clark
a weekend warrior
from Cumbria
Date Reviewed: May 5, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
STS DH. The ultimate cross-country bike. Don't beleive the bullshit. Mega travel works everywhere. Goes up, down, anyway you like it. More comfortable than a cery comfortable comfort thing. More buzz than a chainsaw. It just does it... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ollie ]:-(
a racer
from Adelaide, South Australia, Earth, The Universe
Date Reviewed: May 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
LTS - Life Time Stress. My bike is a LTS '96 used for downhill, dual slalom, cross country, going to work, everything. It's been a year since throwing a heap of money into a dually. Chainsuck, it seems to happen when the suspension compresses and I change gears, and when it gets stuck I need to compress the suspension and dislodge the chain, which is always fun in the middle of a race. Pivots, pivots everywhere, be prepared to check things often for play, loose bolts and mysterious squeeks.
I don't know if anyone else has noticed the minor bend in the seat tube, I have a 20in and it's very noticeable, had a few problems getting a seat post that would fit. I asked the rep about the bend and they reckon it's designed that way, why?, who knows. I have recently broken the right hand chain stay, 30km's from camp, I managed to limp back with the help of some fence wire, a couple of hose clamps and a stick shoved into the broken bits.
It took 1 month to replace, which isn't too bad, but when compared to a friend of mine broke his middle of the range Joshua frame, he got the top of the line as a replacement in 2 weeks, and another case where a Giant ATX??? broke and Giant replaced the rear swing arm in a week and put it on the bike as well, now thats customer service. The problem I've got now is absolutely no faith in my frame, so it's time to look for something more reliable. GT used to mean bomb proof to me, I've owned 3 hard tail GT's and had no problems. Have also bent one of the bolts that hold the rear suspension coil in place. The price for spares is also pretty scary, $45aus retail for a derailleur hanger, and you can't buy a whole bushing set(as far as I know), everything is sold separately here.There are some good points, it climbs like a mountain goat, it is indeed incredible. The suspension design just soaks everything up whether it be uphill or downhill, balance in the air is also very good.I wouldn't recommend a LTS for serious MTBing, if you out for a fun time and not a long time do it but be warned it could go at anytime. I am not going to make the same mistake again.See ya downunda.PS...If your not scared your not trying hard enough. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
downhill doug
a racer
from oakland ca.
Date Reviewed: April 22, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
ilike my new sts 2s suspension the feel is great but i have proven the thermoplastics are very fragile. i broke it at a local race but the great people at gt&park tools replaced it right at the race.so stick to aluminum for now.but hats off to gt for the help.it seems to me that thermoplastics are still in the infant stage . my rating will be in three parts 1. suspension 5 chiles 2. frame thermo 3 chilies alu 5 chilies and customer service 10 chilies overall it is one of the best. buy one and you will agree. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Grant
a weekend warrior
from MI
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had a 1995 Team LTS for 18 months and I plan on keeping this bike for a long, long time. This frame is is so sweet! I get a kick-ass rush at how fast I can throw this thing into corners. What a blast! Pick the worst line, and cruise through it. Beware...this bike will make you over-confident when (if ) you also own a hardtail.
GT, if you're reading this....slap whoever spec'd those wimpy bolt heads on the pivot assemblies near the shock. I'd like to see anyone try to put the right amount of torque on those tiny fasteners. Come on...this bike deserves better, and so do your customers. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david tonetti
a weekend warrior
from lodi, ca usa
Date Reviewed: February 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been on my 96 LTS since february of 96. What can I say? Great frame! I use it for occasional racing, both cross country and downhill. Stable high speed handling and predictable singletrack manuevering. Good frame for clydesdale class riders, Im 230lbs. Blew out original rock shox super deluxe, but rock shox sent a loaner prepaid so I could ride until my shock was fixed! no charge! Buy one! You won't regret it. Not a lightweight, all high end parts$$$ 27.5lbs. love it. tip: To clean rear shock and pivots, let the mud dry then use a soft brush to remove the crust, try not to spray with high pressure water. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david tonetti
a weekend warrior
from lodi, ca usa
Date Reviewed: February 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been on my 96 LTS since february of 96. What can I say? Great frame! I use it for occasional racing, both cross country and downhill. Stable high speed handling and predictable singletrack manuevering. Good frame for clydesdale class riders, Im 230lbs. Blew out original rock shox super deluxe, but rock shox sent a loaner prepaid so I could ride until my shock was fixed! no charge! Buy one! You won't regret it. Not a lightweight, all high end parts$$$ 27.5lbs. love it. tip: To clean rear shock and pivots, let the mud dry then use a soft brush to remove the crust, try not to spray with high pressure water. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
keith coleman
a cross-country rider
from jackson tn
Date Reviewed: February 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
the lts purchased in feb 1996 has been broken twice before jan 1997
pivots have been replaced although all scheduled maintenance has been
performed. i have not abused this frame . it rides great but quality sucks.if
interested i have designed an antichainsuck device to protect the chainstays. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jared Rando
a downhiller
from Canberra, Australia
Date Reviewed: January 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased my team LTS ('97) bike about 8 weeks ago. I built it up with XT parts, Judy DH forks, Azonic bars, Control Tech components, Mavic 535 rims and XTR V Brakes. The bike is awesome. My first race on it was a Category 2 National round at Canberra. I came first in the sub-junior class. A few weeks later I raced at the Thredbo national round. I came second. I also raced in the Raw NRG Dual Challenge (Slalom). I felt the bike wasn't so good for slalom as it was for downhilling but I still managed to finish in the top 16 (It was an open event). The bike is the best downhill bike I've ridden and my only complaints are that the pivots tend to become squeaky fairly soon after they've been oiled. But I don't care! It absoloutely kicks arse! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alastair Murdoch
a weekend warrior
from Glasgow, Scotland
Date Reviewed: November 21, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
What can I say. Mental!! This bike is Mental. Regardless of what is in your way, you can just come crashing through unscathed. I have ridden and raced a team frame (borrowed from my mate) for a considerable lenght of time. The bike was being comverted from cross-country to full downhill, so it had 4.5 travel RST forks (also well mental), stock backend, V-brakes, GT hubs with 217 and Velociraptors, topped off with a syncros 0 degree stem and a 22 X-lite bar.With regards to the frame, it has performed well in six months, only requiring a rebuild once when the pivots dried out and strated to squeek. The only downside is that the top piviot pin holding the shock had stared to bend. Not good. Otherwise, the aluminium model is lighter and just as strong as the thermoplastic, and will buils up into a race ready bike, regardless of your disipline. However, crosscountry riders should allow 2-3 weeks before deciding they hate it as it can seem a little wierd at first.
Alastair murdoch | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Johimes Ringby
a cross-country rider
from Santa Fe, NM
Date Reviewed: July 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been riding my LTS now for 3 or 4 months. I probably should have bought a bigger
frame, as I am ALWAYS way back on the saddle on the downhills. Any farther foreward would
make me feel like flipping it (for the record, I am 5'9 and regurarly ride
a 16 frame).
The ride is nice and very plush but I cannot seem to get enough rebound damping no matter
how much I futz with the adjustments. The back end likes to launch into
the air after medium or big hits if I am not careful. I am going to send the shock back
to Rock Shox and have them change the viscosity of the oil. If that does'nt do it, it is time to try
a Stratus air shock.
Mixed with Speed Springs up front, it is otherwise a well balanced ride.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Bennett
a cross-country rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my LTS frameset since the begining of the 96 season. So far, everything
seems to be running smoothly. I have had to take apart every pivot to regrease the
bushings. This only took a hour to do thanks to GT's complete LTS manual. Now, the
bike is squeak free. GT recommends taking apart the bushing every 50 hours of riding.
This may sound like a pain in the ass, but considering that it will only take you
a hour to do, it is little to ask for such a sweet ride. The Rock Shox Super Deluxe
gives 3.5 inches of plush, bump eating riding. I would have to say that my only
complaint about the LTS is its cost. At $2800 CDN, it ain't cheap.
Get it. Ride it. Love it.
Mike | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Khanh Dinh
a cross-country rider
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
The performance of this bike is great! The maintanence is not so great. Them there pivots sure do know how to make noise when they're dry!!! It's so bad, sometimes i hesitate to ride if it's making noise. To get rid of the noise, i usually drip some wet lube on the pivot(s), mainly, the bottom bracket pivot. I'm in the process of trying White Lightning on the pivots to cure the squeaks...haven't had the chance to do it yet though. If any GT reps. are reading this, give us grease ports next year!!!! This frame has been in production for 2 yrs. now, I think the natural progression is grease ports for next year.....
I've noticed the front triangle is stiffer than my old FSR frame, but not by much, just enough that it not disconcerting. The rear end is not as stiff as the FSR's rear end though. I think this may be due to the really long horst links. But given the squeak and the slight flexiness, i wouldn't trade it for anything else on the market now, except maybe for an outland...
With the rock shox super deluxe-this shock rocks!!!-this bike doesn't quite make the sub 26 lb. full-suspension ride category.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brady Schroeder
a weekend warrior
from Redondo Beach, CA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently purchased GT's carbon fiber thermoplastic frame with the dream of owning a strong,
yet light mountan bike. Unfortunately, it is NOT light. The entire set up weights 27 lbs.
with '96 XTR components (w/ the exception of Ringle hubs).
The performance of the framset is excellent. However, the first two weeks of riding were
acompanied with a horrible squeak from the bottom pivot. The squeak went away, but I am
cautious after taliking with a fellow mountain biker with the same frame. His frame also
squeaked, but unlike mine, it did not go away. His borke! Requiring a total rebuild.
Overall I give the frame an excellent rating, but I suggest you investigate the rear
suspension pivot point's reliability. I've had no problems with mine, but I'm afraid I will. | | Overall Rating: |
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