Submitted by
rockasockee
a Cross Country Rider
from Logan, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2011
Strengths: I've owned it for 12 years and it still takes a pounding without showing any age or weakness.
Weaknesses: Nothing at all.
Bottom Line:
realizing this is an older bike, if you're thinking of purchasing an avalanche or zaskar (the avalanche le is basically a zaskar with lower end compenants) I would highly recommend this bike as a superb hardtail that fits better than most. I've ridden this bike over 3000 miles on every type of trail imaginable and it has never let me down. It's a keeper and I don't think i'll ever get rid of it! Great bike for both beginners and veterans alike.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher, Giants, Specialized, Jamis, Kona etc.
Bike Setup: I've changed the stem, seat, front and rear derailleurs to xtr and added a brake stabilizer on back brake, and changed pedals also changed wheelsets several times currently ride mavic 517's also have a seatpost shock installed to take the edge off harder hits.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Syosset, NY
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2006
Bottom Line:
The bike has lasted almost 10 years and it is still going strong. My front suspension is on its way to the grave so i am shopping for a new suspension...not a new bike. If anyone knows what a good shock for this bike is please email me thanks.
Submitted by
Rod Burley
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Tx, USA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2002
Strengths: Extremely light! Indestructible frame - I have actually dented the frame years ago, but it's still structurally perfect. Good componenet selection.
Weaknesses: none really
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike. Highly recommended. I weighed it the other day - 25lbs for a 16.5" bike. Very light, very tough. Best bike I have ever owned. I am selling it now only because I bought the only bike better than an aluminum GT - a Litespeed.
Strengths: This bike withstands anything. I have put it through every kind of terrain and pushed it to the max. It has never failed me. I have been racing for 4 years and I kept the bike stock for the first 1.5 years. The bike has quality components that can easily be upgraded if you desire. Marzocchi rules!
Weaknesses: The crank squeeks after used a couple years, but by then it's time for an upgrade anyway. The bike starts off heavy out of the box because of the Bomber, but it's well worth it.
Bottom Line:
If you can still get your hands on this bike, go for it. It is sweet. I love Marzocchi and would have a hard time buying anything else. The Avalanche will take so much abuse and just keep going.
Bike Setup: XTR:Shifter/brakes; XT: derailleurs; red Race Face Next LP crankset; Race Face cro-mo bottom bracket; red Chris King headset; Mavic 517 rims with red spline drive nipples, red Chris King hubs and red salsa skewers; Moxey seat post; (oh, I have an Avalanche in billet with red decals!!!)
Strengths: stiff frame, great paint job doesn't scrath easily like trek, rides smooth, light cheep over all great bike.
Weaknesses: comes with mavic 221 which are to week and other than that nothing is week on this bike
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is that this bike is the toughest bike out there. I race every weekend and i am an agressive rider and this fram has held up through everything. some parts have broken, but hey that happens on every bike when you race.
Similar Products Used: couple rigid bikes, and some friends hardtails
Bike Setup: Z.2, wellgo wpd-700, ritchey rizer comp,
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Submitted by
JaSe G
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2000
Strengths: I actually own a GT Avalanche LE which I find is alot lighter and better than the Avalanche. The frame is light, but the Judy's just ain't enough travel...keep jaring my arms. Overall this bike is good, especially if you also like trial riding, jumping table tops etc.
Weaknesses: They rear wheel is way too light and on steep up hills it slides to much, no tracktion. Other than that its pretty sturdy.
Bottom Line:
This bike is Great on rides. I own a 16" frame and its just perfect for Trial things. A bit small on rides though so I would recommend an 17-18" Frame depending on your size. Forks need to have more travel and rear wheel has to have a stronger and heavier rim. All over its a really, really light, neat machine that will give you FUN. And thats all there is to MTBing!
Bike Setup: LX: Cranks, Hubs, Front Derailler XT: Brakes, Shifters, Rear Derailer Forks: Judy SL
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2000
Strengths: LX, Z2 FORKS, AWESOME WORK ON THE FRAME, STIFF AND RESPONSIVE, EXTREMLY RUGGED
Weaknesses: THE STX CRANKS,RIDE THEM UNTIL THEY BREAK. CAGES FOR PEDDLES, HAD THE DEALER REPLACE IMMEDIATELY. FRAME IS RUGGED BUT HEAVY. SEAT IS HARD FOR LOND RIDES BUT I PADDED IT.
Bottom Line:
I DON'T MIND THE WEIGHT SINCE THIS BIKE REFUSES TO DIE. I BOUGHT NEW SPRING '98, THE NEW ONES NOW ARE EVEN BETTER SPECCED.AT THE TIME, GREAT VALUE. THE QUALITY OF FRAME WORK IS OUTSANDING FOR NON-HAND BUILT. THE Z2 FORKS ROCK. I LIVE IN CHICAGO AND RIDE THE CITY AND SUBURBAN TRAILS SO THIS MORE THAN PROVIDES WHAT I NEED. I WISH THEY WOULD HAVE CHARGED MORE AND PUT LX CRANKS ON IT.
Bike Setup: STOCK EXCEPT LX CRANKS, RITCHEY PEDDLES
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Submitted by
Greg
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego CA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2000
Strengths: I have the Avalanche LE which has much better components (Rock Shox Judy fork, Shimano XT brakes, etc.). This bike has always worked great for me. Its fast, the braking is great and it has held up well.
Weaknesses: I have had some problems with the derailer, but other than that, there are few weeknesses.
Bottom Line:
If you don't need dual suspension (personally I think rear suspension just weighs you down and is a waste of money) this is a great bike. You should definitely considering getting the LE model over the standard Avalanche. The enhanced components make a big difference.
Submitted by
Sean Dollard
a Cross Country Rider
from Albany,NY
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2000
Strengths: Tracks like a rollercoaster on acid. great climber with anybody but my big butt on it. WTB Velocirators some of the best tire in alot of conditions but wore out fast.
Weaknesses: Initial components not ment for the clydsdale class of rider. Stiff frame, too stiff for the north-east. Broke the stx-rc crank the third day of riding. (Shop wouldn't warranty crank)
Bottom Line:
Great frame good components for the money but if you ride the least bit hard be pepared to upgrade or replace worn outs.
Similar Products Used: GT Outpost fully ridged. This was my first mountain bike. I purchased it to see if I really like it. I was hooked.
Bike Setup: Was stock for first 6 months then upgraded.. XTR rear der. XTR pods and brakelevers and brakes. Sun Ryhno lite wheels laced to LX hubs.(Needed something realy strong) Tioga Factory cros scountry tires Tioga riser bar.2 inch rise. RaceFace Crank. Upgraded bottem bracket, cassette chain after the initial product wore out. Shimano Clipless DX.
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Submitted by
Johnny T Nordahl
a Downhiller
from Lierbyen, Lier, Norway
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2000
Strengths: The frame is light and stiff, very stiff. In fact, it's the best frame I've ever used. The components are good and it is good downhill.
Weaknesses: Toe clips and STX-RC cranks at this price ain't good. The rest is perfect.
Bottom Line:
This is a good cross country bike, but it ain't quite as light as I mean that a cross country bike should be. I use it most for downhill/freeride were it works almost perfect (short travel fork and no rear suspension), but it's a blast down Aronsløypa, which is a skiing senter!!
Submitted by
ralph harvix
a Cross Country Rider
from RALEIGH
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000
Strengths: great frame, strong as my socks.(smelly) not the frame. its good. doesnt smell. excellent fork Z2!, XT rear derailleur, otherwise smartly specd.
Weaknesses: none yet, maybe the stx-rc cranks but we'll see
Bottom Line:
woah. i woke up early to take her out for the maiden voyage and she's a fast lady. fast women...mmmm...so i was just going friggin a zillion and the fork just freakin ate the bumps and pooped them out! she's a monster, climbs like the dikens. i was just surprised that it came with some cheesy cranks and platforms with clips. i tried riding off a ledge and fergot that i wasnt attached, so i sayd DAYUMMZ...4 burning hemmerhoids for value(crankz)-id give 4.5- but overall its unstoppable
I am taking a chance that this might not be considered Vintage or Retro by you folks, but here it goes.
I inherited a late 90's GT Avalanche, I believe it to be an LE (XT rear Read More »
Any feedback with regards to what fork would fit my Avalanche 1998. Not sure about the measurements that need to be taken or how, or weather this frame is modern enough to be compa Read More »
