Submitted by
jjudsc
a Weekend Warrior
from glendale,AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2010
Strengths: inexpensive
Weaknesses: idrive dogbone failure
Bottom Line:
do not buy anything from GT that has the dogbone (straight metal that connects bb to main triangle), the bolts will become loose and will eventually snap.sad part is... its hard to find the barrel nut anywhere (funny because GT promised easy to find parts for their bikes). customer support is terrible. Even bike mechanics tells me nothing but problems with this design and yet GT did not do anything to fix it. buy it only if you want to bike around town but better yet get the hard tail instead.
Similar Products Used: specialized..fuji..trek..diamondback
Bike Setup: hayes trail hydro..xt derailleur..lx shifters..
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Submitted by
GabiR
a Cross Country Rider
from Israel
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2009
Strengths: Great, massive bike, took a hell of a lot of beating during more then 2 years of use, with hardly a dent. Didn't have any major repairs except routine change of chain (twice) and casette (once). Although the derailleurs are only LX, I did not have any trouble with them and very little adjustment was needed. On downhill singles it feels very safe and stable, rides over all kinds of obstacles like they were butter. The front and rear suspensions are very good and I have not felt the need for locking them (which they are incapble of, anyway). On the uphills there is no noticeable bobbing.
Weaknesses: Heavy for cross-country and especially for climbing. There is no good room for bottle holder (it's under the down tube and the bottle gets very dusty/muddy quickly).
Bottom Line:
Great bike, good value for the money - I got mine at 40% discount because it was 2 model years behind.
Bike Setup: Standard off the shelf - front and rear Shimanoo LX, front suspension Splice 130 mm, rear Fox Float 0.5" I think.
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Submitted by
Diggler
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA, US
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2009
Strengths: Great feel, excellent suspension system with minimal loss of power
Weaknesses: Bit on the heavy side
Bottom Line:
I really liked this bike, in fact I have had my eye on the idrive ever since GT came up with it all those years ago but never owned one. Got an amazing deal on the price as it was a 06 model that never left the shop so I got it for 600. Which is cool but as it's 2009 not all that surprising I suppose. Still all the compenents like the SRAM gears still hold up great. One thing to be said is that this is definetly a downhill bike. If you do the occasional paved ride, or use it around town this bike is not for you. It is the first step into more of a hardcore off rode riding style. I do like downhill and hard XC but due to where i live and work I don't get to it that much. So I committed a crime and actually traded this beauty in for a hardtail (Mongoose Amasa Comp '09), not because I didn't like the bike but because for the different types of riding I do it wasn't versatile enough. You burn a lot of energy on road climbs and carry extra weight. So my advice is unless you mash it up off road only stick to a hardtail or something a bit lighter. If on the other hand you are a entry level DH this baby is for you! When I win the lottery I am buying the 09 version and will have a bike for every ride :)
Submitted by
john doe
a Downhiller
from Ashland, OR
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2008
Strengths: Climbs Great. Surprisingly tough! Ive taken this bike 6 ft drops, good size doubles, and have only been shuttling the bike. Im surprised how this thing holds up.
Weaknesses: The front gear shifter tends to move around sometimes when you haul ass. Only one bolt holds it to the frame, but you can just turn it back and your good to go
Bottom Line:
I was a XC rider but after riding this bike, i got into downhilling. But you'd be surprised as to what kind of abuse this bike can handle. All my friends have downhillers and i keep up with them alright. If you want a tough all mountain bike then get it. There is one on pinkbike.com for sale that is my friends, and he has barely used it.
Submitted by
Lukasz Krolak
a Downhiller
from Ashland, OR
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2007
Strengths: Bike handles really well on jumps, log rides, rock drops, all that stuff, and its a really comfy ride around town to. Its a perfect Dual Suspension bike that you can actually ride off the mountain as well.
Weaknesses: You will probably want to change the rims. You'll notice they are pretty thin but either than that i freaking love this bike.
Bottom Line:
If your looking for something that can take lots of downhillin and ride comfortably in the city than this bike is worth it. Its not really that expensive for the performance and your really going to get your moneys worth. If all you want to do is downhill though you're probably better off getting a bike that is heavier and has like 7 inches of rear and front travel
Bike Setup: Manitou Splice front fork 130mm. Fox FloatR rear shock.
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Submitted by
Malcolm
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007
Strengths: Frame geometry is the most revolutionary out there. Mounting the crank on the rear suspension arm works. Almost eliminates rear suspension bob on climbs.
Weaknesses: Heavy- both front and rear suspension are weak. Stock tires are trash. Hydraulic brakes don't seem to be built for extreme braking (an 8" rear disk would help). Note: all problems (aside from weight) with the 3.0
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike for the frame geometry concept which I pointed out works great, but if you're looking for a great DH bike, go for an I-drive 7 (which allows for upgrades to rear travel) or the ungodly treck session 10 which uses the same concept. This bike is heavy for xc if you race (there is a composite frame out now) but you just can't beat the frame geometry if you want a full suspension.
Similar Products Used: First full suspension I've owned. Rented others and used to own a treck hard tail.
Bike Setup: Switched tires with Nevegal front and Michilin All mountain rear (get a minion for DH folks). Upgraded fox float seals.
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Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville, TN.
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2007
Strengths: Beefy frame. Comfortable saddle. Great brakes and shifting. Very solid suspension.
Weaknesses: Little rear heavy when you have to hop, but you adapt quickly.
Bottom Line:
This is my only full suspension bike. I've had this bike about a year and ride East Tennessee trails 5 times a week. I've bent the derailleur hanger on it couple of times trying to climb some wicked rocks, but other than that I haven't had any problems. I am seroiusly considering racing this bike with no upgrades other than what I specified above. If you weigh under 180 , this is a good solid ride. I weigh 175 and launch off some serious drops and jumps at some serious speeds and have never been disappointed with the outcome. I've crashed this bike numerous amounts of times at 20 mph+ and didn't so much as scratch it. If you are a beginner, you can't find a better full suspension bike for the money!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Epic, Cannondale Rush and Prophet, Jamis Dakar XCR
Bike Setup: All stock except for new Maxxis Ranchero rear tire (which is amazing) and Maxxis Ignitor front tire. XTR rapid rise rear derailleur. The only upgrades needed to make this a perfect ride.
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Submitted by
Rick
a Cross Country Rider
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2007
Strengths: efficient suspension design, well balanced.
Weaknesses: squeeks and creaks
Bottom Line:
This is for the 2007 bike. bought the bike, parted it completely so I could put my own bits on it. I actually swapped it out for my 05 ID5 since the "flex bone" was becoming such a pain in the arse. The new frame has a solid chunk of metal. Now I don't have to carry a spare link in my camelbak. Anyway, My original intent in 2005 was to buy a cheap beater frame for the winter/wet riding months. Turns out, I actually like the ride BETTER than my main ride. Efficient pedalling with a nice progressive feel to the suspension. Very agile feeling frame, the 07 more so than the 05 if that's possible. Maybe the dropped top tube? Anyway, if GT keeps up the nice product engineering and development, it may start turning more heads. Hard to dig your way out of the walmart bike stigmata, but so far, nice job! And Mongoose is hitting the DH and big hit bike seen hard! Too bad it seems Schwinn has been burdened with the task of the low end bike duty. As for the ID5, I bet if a different company with a different (better) reputation slapped their name on the frame, these things would draw a lot more attention. Sure ultimately it's a high single pivot design with a lever arm to negate the bob but it just plain works! And for anyone who's curious: the shock length and stroke is 7.5 x 2 even though the web site says otherwise.
Bike Setup: Personal build, 02 Z1 20mm, XTR cranks, Hayes hydros, 8 speed XTR cassette, XT deraillers.
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Submitted by
Jonathan Rucks
a Weekend Warrior
from Alpharetta, GA USA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2007
Strengths: The i-Drive system is a dream for climbing. The components are good and easily upgraded.
Weaknesses: Well I am 190 lbs so the front fork was too soft and the rear derailleur was just ok.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the price. The first climb with this bike was a treat. My old Mongoose was good, but this was great. Lots of folks wondered why I bought a GT, but for the 7 or 8 times I ride a month it is just what I needed. If you aren't 190 lbs like myself you can probably get by with the stock front fork. So far this is a top-notch buy, will update after a few more thrashings.
Similar Products Used: Tried out a Cannondale Prophet 4 (awesome, but GT was a better economical choice)...upgraded from a 2002 Mongoose Sommet, my first full suspension and a great bike.
Bike Setup: All stock except for new FOX Float RL front fork and XTR rapid rise rear derailleur. Good setup for weekend thrashing.
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Submitted by
JOE
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2007
Strengths: The frame(idrive)& Geometry are great to build on. Climbs well.
Weaknesses: Just the fork- it could be better.
Bottom Line:
For the price it can't be beat. A great frame that climbs,handles well and looks good. The 8 inch front rotor on the Hayes is a major upgrade to the earlier 6 inch. Received outstanding service from the guys at The Bicycle outlet.
Submitted by
jake gonzo
a Cross Country Rider
from valinda, ca u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2006
Strengths: amazing climbing ability, feels solid downhill, shifts and brakes well, very comfortable enjoyable ride
Weaknesses: front forks are a bit weak, bottomed out several times, plan on exchanging to a fox or rock shok
Bottom Line:
lots of bang for the buck, rides smooth and can climb anything. the i-drive system really digs in on tuff technical climbes. it seems very solid and handles all surfaces well.
Similar Products Used: santa cruz, jamis, diamondback
Bike Setup: all stock parts, added tires (kenda nevagal)
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Submitted by
Sean
a Weekend Warrior
from Arlington, VA USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2006
Strengths: The iDrive is awesome climbing hills. Great disc brakes. Rear shock is nice.
Weaknesses: Fronk shock could be better.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money. Can be upgraded easily. All it really needs for someone who is really into mountain biking is a new front shock. The fronk shock isn't terrible just not top of the line. Comparable to the Rock Shox J3.
I read the reviews below and disagree. The bike does not make noise. The noise heard is probably the disc brakes. All disc brakes make noise if not properly adjusted.
You won't find the high end features on similar bikes for the money.
Submitted by
Frank Connell
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2006
Strengths: Great looking bike with some good components esp the Avid brakes and the saddle is awesome - you forget yt's there! Toe clip pedals with platform are great and the pivots look great and feel solid
Weaknesses: Definitelt the Front fork which is way tto soft and Ive already had to change the springs in the thing. Also got a lot of creaking in the frame unless it is REALLY lubricated often which can be apain because its not the best bike to wash.
Bottom Line:
Love this bike a lot though at times it feels like a high maintenance girlfiend. I just wish it would be a bit more solid and 'chunkier' Ive not yet ridden it for a long time without something bothering me a bout it and I just wish I could get a few months use of it without some thing popping up. Will it ever settled down a nd be a solid dependable bike or Im I forever going to be treating it like some pampered ballerina?!?
Similar Products Used: Old hardtail, Marin Hardtail
Bike Setup: From Stock with new pedals. I redid all the cable housing esp with the brakes at the back. They were all just too long. Fed the back brake and back derailer cables through the back sus bholding bracket on the downtube. Keeps them out of the way.
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Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Manchester, CT
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2006
Strengths: I-Drive works well. I get NO pedal bob even when spinning very fast. I like all the components that came with the bike EXCEPT...
Weaknesses: The maitou splice fork was broken out of the box. Rebound assembly broke making the fork into a rigid. Manitou is replacing it with a minute :02 for free.
Bottom Line:
I like this bike but I have only ridden it once or twice so I cant speak of durability. However all the I-Drive stuff seems to work very well. Again, only issue I had was with the fork which was broken out of the box. If you get a frame with a manitou Splice, plan on getting a new fork or at least getting warranty work done.
I have an opportunity to get an i-drive 5 3.0 for $500. Mod that I know of right now is a Reba fork. I was thinking of getting this to have as a dedicated trail bike and leave the Read More »
Tried posting this in the GT subforum without much luck; thought maybe some people here could help.
I have an opportunity to get an i-drive 5 3.0 for $500. Mod that I know of righ Read More »
I'm looking at maybe buying one of these bikes. The price difference is only $50. From the reviews i read the shocks and disk breaks on the 4.0 reviewed better than the 3.0. I've Read More »
I'm looking at maybe buying one of these bikes. The price difference is only $50. So i'd like to here what everbody thinks. I'v been out of mountain biking for about 4 years, i liv Read More »
Going to see a guy who posted on my local forum about a GT I Drive 5 3.0 for $300. It's an 06' model and he said he kept it up pretty well and didn't ride it hard. The bike looks Read More »
