Submitted by
MarkCAAD3
a Cross Country Rider
from Sacramento, CA Date Reviewed: September 17, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Salmon Falls
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$400.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Single Speed, Cost
Weaknesses:
Weight, brakes, tires, handling, seat post binder
Similar Products Used:
Stumpjumper geared
Bike Setup:
Manitou Minute 100mm fork
Bottom Line:
Good entry level Single Speed (SS), but that is where it ends. This bike is heavy and sluggish. It climbs like its going thru mud.
The disc brakes stop well but that may be because I can't get the front to stop rubbing. I would recommend this if you do not want to go fast and are looking for a beginner SS MTB. If you are not fast and just looking at doing flat single track.
The tires wash out in dry conditions. I have an 08 with WTB DNA, they are not good at all. I will be replacing very soon with IRC Mythos which are lighter and hook up wet or dry.
The frame alone weighs 5.5 pounds so this out weighs my fully geared Stumpjumper hardtail. Yes I'm looking for a new frame, also looking at Avid brakes. The BB clicks under pressure.
I put a Manitou Minute on this before the first ride and will have the frame switched out pretty soon, although riding the peace makes me faster on all my other bikes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
breck50
a Cross Country Rider
from monument, co, usa Date Reviewed: August 8, 2009
Favorite Trail:
everything
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$300.00
Purchased At:
craigslist
Strengths:
Solid,good geometry, decent quality, very good value for the money.
Weaknesses:
A little heavy, but at the price, that was expected.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Stock except for the tires, swapped out for Maxxis. Also different grips.
Bottom Line:
Bought a used 29er Peace off Craigslist. It was the best money I have spent on a bike. It gives me a great workout, since I have to pedal harder on the hills and faster on the flats. Just riding this single is making me a better rider on my geared bikes. I highly recommend the single for anyone looking to add something different to their bike collection!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alloy
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL Date Reviewed: May 2, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$750.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
Comes great set up with decent parts. 2009 has a nicer frame than previous models. They got rid of the creaky eccentric BB. This is the 29er version I have.
Weaknesses:
Tektro mechanical brakes--replaced them right away with BB7's
Similar Products Used:
raleigh XXIX
Bike Setup:
Stock for now
Bottom Line:
This bike fits me great, I'm 6'1 and the large frame was perfect. Where I ride there is a lot of mud. Now the 29" wheels take some grunts to get moving, but once they start I just roll through the mud. I've ridden a geared bike for years. Sold it after getting to this. I'm riding it stock, for the price it is sweet. Doesn't feel as bulky as you might think, even for it's size.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
vlipgyore
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Beach, CA. USA Date Reviewed: January 22, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Aliso Woods
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$399.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bike
Strengths:
Great way to break into 29er AND single speed realm without spending a lot of dough.
Solid frame (steel is strong and forgiving) and wheels (heavy but durable).
A damn good value!
Weaknesses:
Really none if you dont ride it hard - if you do then: seatpost, headset, bottom bracket, hubs - in that order.
Similar Products Used:
None - I've only had 26" geared bikes with various suspension setups.
Bike Setup:
I now sport a Thompson seatpost and stem, FSA orbit xtreme pro headset, Easton Monkey lite bars, Shimano SLX crank & BB, Salsa QR clamp and Surly 20T cog (that 18T was brutal on my local hills) - I'm now in searcvh of a decent wheelset on eBay since my LBS said my original wheelset is terminally ill. The original brakes and levers remain.
Bottom Line:
I had been curious to try a single speed so I bought this bike on a whim figuring if the 29er, single-spped thing wasn't for me then I wouldn't be out a lot of money. That was 10 months ago and I haven't ridden my geared bike more than twice since then!
I love this bike and ride her 3 times a week - I feel like I've just wrestled a gorilla when I am done with my ride but this bike has done more for my ftness level than any other bike since my first (Schwinn Sierra MOS) 18 years ago!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tricky13
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: September 19, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$680.00
Purchased At:
City Bike Depot (Syd
Strengths:
OLD SCHOOL!!!
This bike is an absolute delight to ride. It is uber-cool, simple and as beautiful as an old-movie screen siren.
Weaknesses:
It is what it is with good, but not outstanding quality componentry. The main issue I found is trying to set up the Tektro Aquila brake pads to sit parallel to the rotor. Haven't mastered that yet!
Similar Products Used:
Diamondback Hardtail, Malvern Star Dragster (hehehe)
Bike Setup:
Stock, but changed to tyres for Maxxis 'Holy Rollers' and glad I did. These tyres are terrific for urban riding and soak up the bumps well yet roll without effort on the tarmac.
Bottom Line:
A superb bike that is a delight to ride. Welcome back cro-moly frames, I forgot how comfortable steel frames were! It's been a long time since I rode my cool 'Dragster' back in the 70's and this is as close to rekindling my youth as I can get. On the road this bike is as much fun to ride as my FSR Stumpy is cross-country!
If you like old-school simplicity and a very beautiful looking and timeless bike then look no further. It won't win any races but if you're looking for something different to just jump on and ride then this bike is it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
flightmedic_tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Jonesboro, AR Date Reviewed: July 23, 2008
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Shop- Jones
Strengths:
Bullit proof, good components, 29'r
Weaknesses:
seat tube and clamp
Similar Products Used:
Giant, Specialized Epic FS
Bike Setup:
Stock except just swapped stock grips for OURY's
Bottom Line:
First bike since a fews years off a bike (school and new daughter) and I wanted a SS. Glad I went with the GT. It is solid and fast on the trail and with the 29r you can just about roll over everything. I am glad I got rid of my other bikes because I wouldn't ride them again after this one. GET THIS BIKE you will NOT regret it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
phudnut
a Cross Country Rider
from Jackson Hole, WY USA Date Reviewed: June 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
panguitch, utah, reno flag bear deadmans, crested butte, hagen/farrins/wilson canyon, jackson hole
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
simple, durable, good parts at this price (a lot of easton stuff, the cranks and BB are good stuff) the steel triple triangle frame is forgiving for a hardtail and an oldschool throwback. I dig it and I thrash my gear hard
Weaknesses:
a bit heavy, but at this price I'd rather have durable and heavy over flimsy and light. narrow seatpost (but when I singlespeed I spend a lot more time standing on the pedals) not impressed with the cane creek headset, had to dish and tighten the wheels when the bike came.
Similar Products Used:
this is bike #4. I also have a Bianchi Cross bike, a Santa Cruz Heckler, and a Specialized S-Works FSR. This is the first hardtail mountain bike I've had since my first generation Schwinn Homegrown. Definately like steel better than aluminum.
Bike Setup:
as it came, but put a Reba w/ 100mm of travel up front.
Bottom Line:
I'm 25 but I started riding mountain bikes in '92 when I was 9. I like racing x-country and hitting jumps and stunts. I think all aspects of mountain biking are cool. I have other bikes but this one is seeing a lot of ride time. It's a cool bike, and the frame is a classic, not a cheap hunk of steel. I have a tall fork on the bike which makes the geometry pretty slack, I think the slower handling works well for a hardtail. Mine has 26 inch wheels, I don't think GT offers this bike without 29 inch wheels now. Singlespeeds aren't for most riders. It is just plain hard to crunch them up long uphills at altitude. I think it's a good bike and a good value.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tony
a Downhiller
from Maryland Date Reviewed: April 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
the watershed
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
online
Strengths:
Decent components, good solid wheels, good feel
Weaknesses:
None thus far
Similar Products Used:
Raleigh XXIX
Bike Setup:
completely stock
Bottom Line:
Great bike. I use it mostly for commuting but do not hesitate to take it on any XC trails(I ride it at the Frederick Watershed in MD if you know where that is). Its a solid bike, highly recommended as a first SS bike. My only potential regret is not getting the 9'er version, but still an outstanding bike. 5 flaming turds for value and overall.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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