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Submitted by
Jonathon Edwards
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston TX
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Memorial | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Local dealer | | Strengths: | Great bike! This bike is in mint condition still after 10 years of me riding my herat out. I have only replaced the stickers and have gotten the front and rear shock serviced. | | Weaknesses: | Non | | Similar Products Used: | Non | | Bike Setup: | All XTR, Easton carbon riser and seat post. Everything still works great! Bike does not even have a scratch on it! | | Bottom Line: | The best bike of it its time an still kicking A**! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a
from UK
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Local woods | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Michaels Cycles - BAD DEALER! | | Strengths: | Bought an RTS-3 when I was 18, (9 years ago) and loved it. Completely solid bike for the money, & best softail of it's time. | | Weaknesses: | The seat stays broke twice over the course of 6 years. Second time round, GT refused to replace the part. I've got an RTS-2 frame off Ebay, and hoping to repair using swapped parts. Very hard to source parts. | | Similar Products Used: | Carrera Kraken frame. LTS-3 | | Bike Setup: | Carrera Kraken (soon to be back to my ol' RTS-2/3), Vuelta Airline 1, Judy T2, Panaracers, stock RTS-3 parts. | | Bottom Line: | I really missed riding this frame, so felt I must get it fixed / replaced. Found one on Ebay, and the hope of restoring a classic bike to it's former glory makes me cream my pants. Look forward to riding it more than anything. Get them while they're still working, & look after it!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Evans
a Weekend Warrior
from Kent
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake District / Ridgeway | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Trevs Cycles | | Strengths: | Tis still the business. Well I think anyway. | | Weaknesses: | The bushes on the base of the shock, where it meets the rocker unit, are prone to rapid wear. This has been sorted out on my bike by cutting off the base of the shock rod and cutting a thread into it. Into this a universal joint has been put, and with some custom spacers, tis running like a dream and needs far less servicing. This job was done for me by CVI in England. Well worth it. | | Similar Products Used: | Ridden loads of GT mountain bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Tis a workhorse rather than a trick machine. In the past has had amazing stuff on it including XTR and cook bros, but these days I am running a mainly deore based gruppo. | | Bottom Line: | Who knows whether its worth keeping an RTS on the road, but I still love the damn bike, and via CVI's work that is now alot less effort. These days they are like a vintage car and I always get riders coming up and drooling over it, even though they are riding santa cruz etc. This perhaps says far more than I ever could. Safe riding. Mal | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Dold
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Just ride along | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | River Market Cyclery | | Strengths: | Good solid frame, nice tig welds and gusseting. Ridden this
bike 10 years with no probs at all.
| | Weaknesses: | A lot of pivots, but they hold up well. Hoping I can get new
bushings when the time comes. Funky routing for rear brake
cable if you use cantilevers.
| | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn S10, Cannondale V | | Bike Setup: | Built myself from scratch. Rock Shox Judy XC, mostly LX
components. Avid Tri-Align brakes, adjustable pivot levers. [reccomended] Grip Shift Xray, 24 speed. | | Bottom Line: | The bike is a little hefty, but is rock solid and has not
missed a beat in over 10 years! This is not an active full
suspension; the rear only works on the harder hits. This works out well, as this is not a comfort bike and is built
for business. It ticks me off that GT was sold, and soon
you'll probably see GT's at Wal-Mart. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, NV
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Strengths: | I bought this bike about ten years ago and it is still kickin ass. Very strong frame and component setup. | | Weaknesses: | The noleen shock loses oil but still works good. | | Bike Setup: | Still running stock except for the front shock. Replaced the rockshock quad 10 after 8 years because it was worn out. | | Bottom Line: | As soon as this thing gives up I will get a new bike. I ride very hard and this thing takes the punishment. People talk about weight being a factor and spend thousands saving a couple of pounds. Yeah, this bike is heavy but I still smoke em going up hill and it gives me more momentum going downhill!!! The cheapest way to save weight is to go on a diet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Downhiller
from Toronto, ON, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Trails at Blue Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Kamikazee the Outdoor Store | | Strengths: | Still great looks even though 9 years old! Frame still holding up. Parts holding up. | | Weaknesses: | Getting frame or parts now limited to lucky finds on Ebay or similar auctions. Rear end stiff as Noleen shock dies. You have to cranck the spring rate way high to compensate for nitrogen loss. | | Similar Products Used: | None really | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR, Club Roost, Ritchey, Maxxis MoFo, RST Delta HL, Noleen with piggy-back reservoir. | | Bottom Line: | Reviewed a couple of years ago (05/29/01). Recently moved on to a real downhill bike (Santa Cruz Super 8). Still ride the GT on local X-country and downhills. Still a sweet bike that gets the looks and hammers the drops. I'm taking it real easy on this baby and will soon hang on the wall. What a classic. Really can't say anything bad about this bike. A true classic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ralph
a Weekend Warrior
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Friend | | Strengths: | No biopacing, good uphill climber, well balanced, smooth handling, great classic looks, | | Weaknesses: | Squeaking, some noise during downhill, chain slap, a bit heavy, | | Similar Products Used: | Giant | | Bike Setup: | Shimano XTR front and rear derailleurs, XT V brakes front and rear, and Deore shifters, pedals, hubs; Panaracer tires, Serfas RX seat, Rockshox Judy SL Front shocks, Kore, Titec, parts | | Bottom Line: | Very reliable, a great bike for really tough off-road use. I've used it in very diverse terrain and it has never failed me.
From very dry to really wet tropic conditions, my GT Team RTS is really a reliable companion. I have traversed very muddy and dusty areas and have not encountered any problem.
Am a bit concerned that I might have a hard time looking for a replacement for the Noleen rear shock though it has never given me any problems (it seems to be bulletproof). A great bike to own. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Swift
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | independent/private sale | | Strengths: | Excellent durable solid aluminium frame/good climber and likes fast rocky descents/takes some stick but only wants for more/I believe that I cannot use it its full potential | | Weaknesses: | heavy, flanges give out all too soon in bottom bracket, (Luckily a neighbour mate is an engineer who makes them for me from scratch) | | Similar Products Used: | Giant, saracen | | Bike Setup: | XTR, Pace Racing forks, hydraulic discs front and rear, Hope hubs | | Bottom Line: | Brilliant bike/worth £4700 new!! I bought it for £800, only a year old! VFM+++ Pity about the weight and difficulty accessing spare parts. I hope my mate doesn't retire. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy Moore
a Weekend Warrior
from York, UK
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Dalby Forest, N Yorks | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Friend | | Strengths: | Strength of the frame is the best. The build quality is superb. Suspension ois a must for all weekend warriors to save the pounding on trails thoroughout forests and on the Moorlands. | | Weaknesses: | Parts are now hard to get hold off and are pricy. Main GT dealer in York is now HALFORDS (what is this world coming too). Sometimes noisy when downhilling! Eats tryes! | | Bike Setup: | As standard except xtr v-brakes and panaracer tyres. | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic. I can not see myself partying from that quickly made friend in the near future. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Gibson
a Weekend Warrior
from Lincoln
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Strengths: | The suspension exhibits the best of both worlds, not so soft that it hinders hammer time, yet it does absorb much of the large hits you can find around my neck of the woods. | | Weaknesses: | The bike is heavy. Even with a custom build up like I did, it still wieghs 25+ pounds for the 16" frame. | | Similar Products Used: | Klien Attitude | | Bike Setup: | XTR, Rock shock SLTi | | Bottom Line: | This is great looking and riding bike. I have the chrome looking Team RTS, and it still looks like new after almost ten years. Yes, that is right. I bought the frame in 1993 and built it from scratch that year. I was planning to buy a new bike this year, but after a trip to a few of my local shops I think I will continue to ride this for a while longer. There just doesn't seem to be a better compromise out theer that looks like the RTS does. Too bad about GT Bicycles. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
paul
a Weekend Warrior
from nj us
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | wissahikon | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | semi-active suspension locks out under pedaling force eliminating need for lockout shock. great handling | | Weaknesses: | non so far | | Similar Products Used: | gt lts, I-drive, crack n fail stupid v, trek i dont know y | | Bike Setup: | judy sl with englund cartridges, risse genesisse air shock, sun rims with xtr hubs, suntour thumbshifters, i use thumbies on all my bikes | | Bottom Line: | since the demise of noleen I had replaced the rear shock with a risse genesisse and set this bike up as my light weight xc bike and used the lts as my abuse bike. risse makes 3 shocks that fit the rts. the genny is air pressured
with no external damping adjustments. when you order a shock from them tell them your weight and they custom damp each shock. the air shock mates well with this design, set your air pressure so you have little or no sag. as xc bikes have gone full circle from short travel to long travel and back again,(trek fuel, fisher sugar ect.) now this bike is up to date again. if you have one collecting dust as i did because of the shock call risse and bring it back to life. englund air cartridges mate very well with the risse in the back. by the way i'm a 6'2" clydesdale at about 250 and have had no problems with either the risse or the england air shocks. overall a fine handling bike. also if you need to replace the pivot bearings take them to an industrial bearing supply house and they can get suitable replacements
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Judson Miller
a Cross Country Rider
from Leadville, Co , USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | birdseye gulch | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Grand West Outfitters | | Strengths: | Ive had this frame for 5 years and have riden it hard and long. It just seems to get sweeter with time. | | Weaknesses: | Any time you ride a bike for so long, things are bound to wear out. Finding replacement parts has been a task lately. Anybody know what to replace the Noleen coil shock in the rear with? | | Similar Products Used: | Uhhhh? | | Bike Setup: | Full XT, V-brakes, Rock Shock Psylo, M-747 clipless | | Bottom Line: | This is one sweet bike that I just cant seem to part with. Its been a real hassle to get things upgraded, and it would have been easier to build up something newer, but it's worth it. Ive put so many miles on my RTS-2 that I feel naked riding anything else. I dont know what im going to do when this era comes to an end. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig
a Downhiller
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mountain Ski Hills | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Kamikazee the Outdoor Store | | Strengths: | BOMB PROOF. This bike is huge. I've been riding an RTS-1 for 7 years now. I'm on my third frame (I'm 6'0" 225lbs and ride downhill). GT is great about frame replacements. This is one SWEET bike. Climbs, loves fast singletrack and craves smooth-fast downhill. I can't praise enough about this bike. Over the 7 years I have done some really sick things with this bike and it just keeps pounding. Best bike I've ever ridden. A true classic that will hold it's own against todays bikes (but looks way cooler). 5 Stars all the way. | | Weaknesses: | Hmmmmmmm......frame failures around the rear rocker arm flanges, and seat tube. But then again, I'm a really big strong guy who like to ride sick stuff. GT is good about replacement. | | Similar Products Used: | What product could ever be compared??? I've tried the i-Drive (don't like all the rear motion). LTS is nice but will never be the RTS. | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR with original Noleen coil-over shock, RST Delta H dual crown fork (5" travel), Club Roost riser bars, Maxxis MoFo DH front and rear tires (sweet). XTR big ring replaced with Vuelta 48t, Radical K downhill saddle, Ritchey rock rims. | | Bottom Line: | I would love to upgrade to a GT-RTS Team frame. Anyone with a gently used frame email me at flemingcraig@hotmail.com
This is a very cool bike. If you ever see one in good shape, buy it. A good all around bike that can eat anything you throw at it for many years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Poland, Maine, USA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Upper Quarry Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Rainbow Bikes - Auburn, Maine | | Strengths: | Stiffness, ability to hold it's own agains the new stuff | | Weaknesses: | None so far, except getting used to the clicking noise of the rear motion. | | Similar Products Used: | Fuel, Sugar, Joshua | | Bike Setup: | XT/LX, Judy XC Long Travel, LX V-Brakes, Thompson Seatpost, Stem | | Bottom Line: | I bought this '97 RST-2 complete bike off the showroom floor this spring as a left-over and the dealer took $1,000 off the original sticker price to move it. We upgraded the cantelever brakes with new LX items, and replaced the Quadra fork with my Judy from my old hardtail. This bike rides and climbs like a hardtail, but the limited rear suspension travel smooths things out just enough to make me ride much faster. I love it. It does not feel outdated next to the new stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kelly Elmore
a Cross Country Rider
from Glendale,Arizona
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | WhiteTanks | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Garage Sale for frame | | Strengths: | Really stiff bike Strong as hell | | Weaknesses: | rear end doesn't fit V brakes real well my brakes seem to close to the rim. | | Bike Setup: | K2 smart fork on front,Mavic cross ride wheels,All xt componants except cranks which are LX.Race face stem.titec bar and ect. | | Bottom Line: | I got the frame at a garage sale for a hundred bucks.Its the team frame and I bullt the bike over a period of time and its held up to racing and every thing else I could through at it. the bike is BADASS>>> | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Brackin
a Cross Country Rider
from Lincoln, AL, USA
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mountain (AL) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | BikeSmith in Lewisville, TX | | Strengths: | stability, durability, rear susp that's tight & ideal for XC work | | Weaknesses: | weight - she's a tad on the plump side. Mine is 27.5 lbs. this is due to the solid aluminum rocker, I think. | | Similar Products Used: | Bianchi Timberwolf | | Bike Setup: | XT Hollowtech BB & cranks, LX derailleurs, M747 clipless, easton monkeybars, manitou sx-R forks, hayes front disc, yadda, yadda, yadda | | Bottom Line: | Lookit. I've owned this RTS-2 bike for nearly 5 years now. My RTS-2 frame was missing a weld on the BB. The shop found it on the first tune-up & GT sent me a Team-RTS frame as a replacement. Since then, this bike has worn out every componet at least once, some twice, and yet it keeps on performing. Sure, she's a little heavy. But, lets face it - u need the workout. Bikes will come & go; a very few will go down as landmark breakthroughs in innovation, craftsmanship, and quality; this is one of those. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Novato, CA USA
Date Reviewed: March 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Trees Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Independent | | Strengths: | Great climber, not too heavy, great looks, great single-track bike | | Weaknesses: | Short travel, weak swingarm | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC-1, Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | Judy XL, Kooka Cranks, riser bar, Syncros stem, xt brakes shifters & derailers | | Bottom Line: | After buying a new Giant AC-1, I have switched to a long travel bike but wanted to show my GT some respect. I rode the bike hard for 5 years and only had to replace a cracked swingarm once (replaced by dealer with no questions). Components came & went on this frame, but the bike was solid the entire time I owned it. Could not have bought a more durable bike and gotten more use out of any other full-suspension frameset. I can only hope that my new bike will perform as well as the RTS-1. I will never sell this frame!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Baker
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney NSW Australia
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mountains | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Privately | | Strengths: | Overall it was a really nice bike. Well designed and well made. | | Weaknesses: | Does nothing spectacularly but everything well | | Bike Setup: | XTR, Aheadset, Magura Brakes, Mavic rims, Judy TT. | | Bottom Line: | As an entry into the world of Duel Suspension and as a solid reliable cross-country machine I honestly can’t prase the RTS enough - I'm really sorry to say goodbye to my old RTS3 it has been through hell and back too many times to count. It feels a bit like a loyal mutt who is old and sick and needs to be put down. My frame has cracked at the counterlever mount and I've had to get a new one. If there is a MBT heaven the RTS won't be alone.
For the rest of you RTS riders keep on peddling. If you are looking at buying a second hand RTS take a really close look at the welds near the bottom bracket and for any sideways play in the swingarm.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray Jaimez
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Tx, USA
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Hill Ranch in Smithville, TX | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Broadway Bicycle Show | | Strengths: | The Team RTS feels like a hardtail on smooth fast single track trails. Great climbing machine without any bobbing. The semi-active suspension works really good when it is needed on those steep chunky trails. An overall fast frame when good parts are used. GT was quick to replacing the frame which makes GT a great service oriented bike company. | | Weaknesses: | After five years of hard riding, a small crack was found around the weld near the rear v-brake. I would have ridden this bike for a very long time. GT has replaced it with new i drive. | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M9000, GT LTS-1, Turner XCE | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR with Chris King headset, Mavic Crossland wheels, and a Judy SL shock. Bike weighed in at 26.5 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | The bike kicked ass. I would have kept it forever if it wasn't for the small crack on the frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Malcolm Evans
a Weekend Warrior
from Britain
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | New Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Trevs Cycles | | Strengths: | Unlike most of the reviews on this site, my beloved GT RTS3 has been up against the British weather for over five years now and is in desperate need of some TLC. I have spoken to many riders who share my feelings that it was, and still is one of the best performing full sussers out there. It does nothing brilliantly, but does everything well and I for one do not want to get another bike. | | Weaknesses: | But,,, as most RTS fans probably know the aftersales availability of parts now is terrible. No one to my knowledge produces a shock we can use and getting hold of spare parts, in Britain at least, is a night mare. It is a shame because I am sure most owners trade the RTS in because as the parts wear out, and unfortunately they do so quickly, it is difficult to keep the bike up and running. | | Similar Products Used: | I have always ridden GT mountain bikes and am currently riding around on a Zaskar while I attempt to fix my ageing friend. | | Bike Setup: | Hopefully by having a shaft custom made I am going to run the frame on an air shock, and it is going to have Hope discs, my old XT parts and run 2000 RS Judy Races | | Bottom Line: | I love the RTS and to be completely honest I could not tell you why. It combines a stiff, fast ride with damage limitation built in, and as far as I am concearned looks the business. With so many on the second hand market now, for anyone who is looking for a cheap full susser worth spending time working on, this is the bike. Hopefully when mine is finished it will be working like new again, if not better with an air shock, but if I have to critise the bike it is that it is so hard to keep running well. If you like a challenge you know what to do! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Florida
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Crusty Knuckles | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Good looks, durability. | | Weaknesses: | Rear travel | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale, Trek, GT XCR | | Bike Setup: | SID, Mavic Cross-links, full LX/Deore, KORE, Kona, Bontrager. | | Bottom Line: | The first thing I noticed was the same trails i've been riding with my hardtail became almost effortless. Once I got used to the geometry of the bike I couldn't believe how agile it was. There are not alot of hills where I ride but it seemed to climb the ones my old bike did easier. I've ridden other full suspension rigs that cost a bunch more than this bike I gotta tell you i'm glad I went this bike instead of a more expensive one. I found a new frame in a local shop that had never been built up and bought it for a song. I put a mix-mosh of on-sale parts on it and it's every bit as good as the "Modern" full-suspension bikes i've ridden. I'm planning on racing with it next year, I wonder how it will look from behind? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie
a Weekend Warrior
from Hongen, Germany
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Skookum Flats Washington State | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Outstanding climber. Pretty good downhiller. Performs very well on slick, loose, rutted, rocky singletrack. Takes the edge off short narly descents. | | Weaknesses: | Weight? Mine comes in at 27 pounds with LX/XT. No bad for a full suspension. More travel would be nice for downhill. | | Similar Products Used: | Zaskar LE, Cannondale Jekel. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FS shock(definately needs upgraded) XT brakes, LX everywhere else. | | Bottom Line: | Love it. I went from totally ridgid to this but I have ridden several other full suspensions and hardtails. I don't notice nearly as much bio-pacing on my RTS-1 as on the other full suspensions. Going to have to pry my body from it to get me to ride something else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Chun
a Cross Country Rider
from Concord, CA USA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mitchell Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Bike feels safe at speed and technical points. Low center of gravity makes cornering really easy. The suspension is just right. It's not plush, but it's something that takes the edge off a rough ride.
This bike looks sweet in silver. I will never be able to let go. | | Weaknesses: | 1st frame broke, second frame is almost 2years old without any problems.
The frame is heavy, and sometimes brutal. For full suspension, it can really beat me up on some days.
| | Bike Setup: | LX/XT, with Manitou SX-Ti | | Bottom Line: | Great frame. If you can pick one up used for cheap, take it. It's a lot of fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RILEY WILLIAMS
a Racer
from OKC, OK, US
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | DRAPPER | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | DOES NOT TAKE AWAY FROM MY UPHILL POWER LIKE MOST FULL SUSPENSIONS | | Weaknesses: | WEIGHT TOO HEAVY | | Similar Products Used: | M-60 REIGHLE AND A SINGLE SUSP. TREK | | Bike Setup: | ALL STX EXCEPT LX V BRAKES | | Bottom Line: | I LIKE IT I TOOK IT OUT THE FIRST DAY I HAD IT AND IT HAD JUST GOT DONE RAINING AND IT WAS REALLY MUDDY THE BIKE HELD UP VERY WELL. NICE COMPONENTS BUT NOT GREAT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Loren Jones
a Weekend Warrior
from Preston, England
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Exmoor | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | Although this bike is old, I still can't get over how agile it is. OK, it is relatively heavy, but on decents and whilst generally going real fast, this bike has brought me a lot of psychotic laughs. I bought mine second hand, and I was amazed at how easy it was to get major air and stay in complete control. I was a BMX'er as a kid and had a bad crash which put me off getting serious air, but this bike has helped to put the spring back into my jump. Coincidentally I have also realised that this bike is Bomb-proof,; much like my old BMX's. It's a fun bike to ride, and I recomend it to any weekend warrior who's looking for a very decent budget bike. Believe me when I tell you that this bike will probably outlive most of the newer full-suspension bikes. Those who have one of these bikes will know what I mean.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dakota
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lake View Terrace
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Oak Grove | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
This frame is still being used at XC races today by Professionals, next race your at check it out! | | Weaknesses: |
A little on the heavy side. | | Similar Products Used: |
Bikes in my stable at the present time:
LTS
Zaskar
STS Lobo DH | | Bike Setup: |
My RTS: Magura Raceline D's, XT mega 9 all around. Mavic 517 CD, titec cockpit, Manitou etc... | | Bottom Line: | The RTS frame is still being used in XC races today. It climbs better then my LTS, not as good as my hardtail Zaskar, doesn't handle the downhills like my LOBO. But for an all around bike I love it. The best of both worlds. Sure there's plenty of bikes out today with a lot more travel, but who wants 6 inches of travel while going XC? All in all, this frame will be in the frame hall of fame. People who say that the frame is dead, are just people being taken by marketing hipe, and think that the newest frame out is the better one. I have all types of GT frames, look at my list! But for most XC I still ride my up dated OLD faithful RTS. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Harrington
a weekend warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: July 30, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my second-hand RTS 2 years ago, and it's taken all the abuse I can throw at it (quite a lot!). It's not as nice as some of the spangly new full bouncey's out there, but I love it and ride it almost every day. It's been tricked out with Hope discs, Royce BB, Middleburn, Pace, XLite and Judy's, and it goes like a bloody rocket downhill and it take singletrack no problem. Enough said...I like it alot. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ervan Wane
a cross-country rider
from USA, Boston
Date Reviewed: May 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Who says that the LTS sucks? Whos says that LTS is heavy? Whos says that LTS looks like a piece of rotten metal? Who says that LTS cracks for nothing? Well, my LTS doesnt suck nor is it heavy nor looks like rotten metal nor it cracks for nothing. Its a piece of beauty, pure beauty. It takes you from x-country to down hill to off road to the road. The only thing is that the rear suspension is too short. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DEAN
a cross-country rider
from Brisbane, @ustralia
Date Reviewed: May 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Though it may not be the lightest full sups, the GT LTS is curb weight 27pounds.
Compared to many other Full Sups, it might just be short travelled, but Its design is unique and quite pretty. Many will fall in love with this frame.Design- 4/5
Looks- 4/5
Weight-4/5
Durability-5/5
Cost-3/5
Performance-4/5 What else can I say man? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skyline
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: May 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Though I'm just a weekend worrior, I know how to distinguish good and bad. And the RTS is Good. It looks good, Feels good and handles well. Its has been with me for one year and no problems faced before, therefore it is pretty reliable. I do go off road sometimes to trash my bike. But it always comes home in a PIECE! GT. THE TOUGHEST FRAME | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graeme Goulden
a cross-country rider
from Warrington, UK
Date Reviewed: April 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought my RTS in October 97 after completly falling in love with it in the shop. Sure, it doesn't have 6 inches of rear travel like the new designs coming out, but this shock works. The ride it gives is unsurpassed and it can handle literally anything I throw at it, whether it be flat out XC, downhill or going to see friends. It came with standard parts but upgrades include, Rock Shox Indy XC's, Planet X stem, DX V brakes and Marin bar ends. All this added to the excellent ride. There are plenty more upgrades to do, and, it has always drawn attention to itself in the street! The best looking full sus bike out there? Quite possibly. For fun, reliabilty, drive, value, ride quality, handling, cofindence at speed, all terrain traction, ability to survive the British weather etc etc etc etc... Its the RTS. I love this bike by the way. 6 stars | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Florida
a downhiller
from COLORADO
Date Reviewed: April 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The GT RTS was good in it's time, but now it's time to let it die. I rode a GT RTS 1 for a year and hated it. It sucked on cross country and almost sucked on easy downhill stuff. It made me go back to a hardtail. I find it easier to race dual slalom and cross country on a hardtail. Remember technology is our friend. It's time to move on. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Gillen
a downhiller
from Huntingdon Pennsylvania
Date Reviewed: March 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The GT RTS just plain rules. But what do you expect from a GT.If you have a
rts 2 maybe you should get a new fork. The quadras 5,21 just don't cut
it. But a judy or even a indy will just make any rts number one. It has to be
the best design for a bike you can use for downhill and cross country.I Just got
a rts frame from Cambria and with awsome components its the best! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryan
a racer
from Corning, NY
Date Reviewed: March 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've only had my '96 Team RTS for a few days, but I've already put about 60 miles on it and I love it. I got it new from Cambria. They bought all ot GT's remaining frames. I agree with the others, It's not super plush, but it takes the edge off. It also greatly approves traction on the loose steep stuff. I run a Conti Doublefighter on the back and you'd never know it was a semi-slick. It's only fault is that the rear end is a little flexy and it really needs a brake brace. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jody
a cross-country rider
from Auburn, AL
Date Reviewed: February 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm maddly in love with my RTS. It's incredibly stable at speed and it climbs wonderfully. It's not plush, but it has plenty of suspension to provide me with more control, confidence, and comfort; it's quality not quantity. It may be an old design but it performs as well as if not better than many newer ones. If you are looking for plush, look elsewhere the, RTS isn't it. The RTS is a great bike that can handle lots of situation. It's not the most agile bike in really tight twisty stuff, but I love to take on singletrack with mine. I have a lighter hardtail but I prefer to ride and race my RTS. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a cross-country rider
from Philadelphia
Date Reviewed: November 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
What can I say.........If its a GT its got to be good. I'm tired of hearing people saying this frame sucks. My RTS climbs as good if not better then my hardtail not to mention it handles great over the rough stuff. Its a nasty bike that holds its line and even off line it still feels like its on rails. This thing smokes. Need I say more? | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a cross-country rider
from Portsmouth, England
Date Reviewed: September 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I am on my second RTS, having bought my first in Jan 93 and the latest (a 96 RTS2) just last month. The bike suits my style superbly, I love the 'stiff' feel of the frame when the going gets really rocky. My upgrades include Rock Shox Mag21's, Velocity aeroheat rims and Velociraptor tyres, L&M Stardrive cranks and shift rings, XT V brakes and rear end, Club Roost bars and needle roller FSA headset. Still the sexiest looking full sus around - not bad for an oldy!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dylan Menes
a cross-country rider
from Reno,NV
Date Reviewed: January 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The RTS isn't the lightest or plushest, nor does it have a lot of travel, but for rocky, gnarly, fast and technical cross country I have yet to ride anything better! I find it outclimbs my old zaskar and pretty much any other hardtail I'v ridden, particularly in loose or pumicicy conditions. It's super stable, the downside of which is that you have to muscle through tight turns, this is my only complaint.The solid feeling it gives has greatly improved my courage at speed. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nate s.
a racer
from cottonwood az
Date Reviewed: November 27, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I rode an rts for a little less than a year before putting a crack in the
the main frame(right below the head tube)and a crack in the rear triangle.
It worked well for cross country but just didn't have enough travel.
I couldn't believe it only lasted me a year.Overall I'd say its a piece of
crap.Something that costs that much should be better built.I'm now riding an
LTS and I love it.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose Venegas
a cross-country rider
from Caracas,Venezuela.
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
Even though by bike is really an RTS Team issue, the only words that i can give are of praise. I´ve ridden this bike thru everyting but snow(not much down here), it has behaved like it´s supposed to carving thru turns like it was on rails, climbing like you wouldnt believe. In the beggining i had some problems with the rear shock (the Nitrogen charged one ) it seems that some of the retainer ring where defective, but the dealer took care of that inmediatly.Overall i´d say its the best bike there is. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe T.
a weekend warrior
from Honolulu, Hi
Date Reviewed: May 15, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
If your looking for a bike thats reliable look no further. I had my bike for 31/2 years. This bike preety muck can do anything. From cross-country to downhill to even ramp jumping. Hook this baby up with XT parts and magura brakes and you got a bike that can go anywhere.
The weight is a problem though, but if your like me it's how you ride counts. 2 inches of rear travel may not be much but a bike thats last as long as mine is worth much more.
| | Overall Rating: |
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