Submitted by
bazzapp57
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster, Lancashire, uk
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2011
Strengths: Excellent handling, bombproof frame, neat anodised ink blue finish
Weaknesses: rear hanger, bust mine on a steep climb - easy to replace though. 1999 frame had no disc brake bosses, so it's rim brakes only folks. it was a bit of a rarity in its time, it attracted criminal types.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a looker, handles like a dream. I Bought the frame from Merlin cycles, in Leyland UK, along with a set of hand built XT wheels. Built the bike myself using an xt set-up. could only afford cheap forks when first built, but have replaced those with Manitou for a much plusher ride. The Zasker still looks & handles well after 12 years of hard riding. Back in 1999 GT only supplied the Zaskaer as a frameset, if you wanted one, you had to build it yourself or ask a dealer to assemble it.
Similar Products Used: GT Tequesta, Kona cindercone, Kona Hoss deluxe
Bike Setup: XT groupset, Hand built (merlin cycles) XT wheels, Manitou forks - replaced cheap RST mozo pro that I fitted originally
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Submitted by
zach
a Racer
from petaluma california usa
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2001
Strengths: Every thing about the bike. The fork works awsome climbs like a cross country racer and descends like a down hill
Weaknesses: LX v brakes Squeek, but nothing else
Bottom Line:
is that this bike rocks.. I use it for cross county racing.. bobming down chairlift trails as downhill.. what ever you throw at it this bike can handle..to get to the core the bikes better than you are...if you can get it do but steer away from rockshox unless your getting a phsylo or boxxer. This bike deserves better than aracing fork ....bottom line YOU WANT THIS BIKE!!!
Strengths: The Forks are awsome they are the toughest things. I love this bike because it is so burley. The Disc brakes are great. It is a great cross country bike.
Weaknesses: It is kind of heavy. I only wiegh 95 lbs. so 25 is alot to me. The srengths and stiffness makes up for it though
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike. It is a good bike for riders that are going to ride hard. It is very tough. I really enjoy riding it the disc brakes make all of the difference. I am only fifteen but this is by far the best bike I have had. I have put alot of money into other bikes butt this comes with it all. The bomber z2 Xfly is the smoothest fork ever. I love this bike.
Submitted by
Macdaddy
a Weekend Warrior
from Devon
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001
Strengths: Harecore, bombproof need I go on?
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Excellent, flows like liquid over bumps. Fast, responsive, lively and above all bombproof. I would recommend this frame to anyone looking for one bike that can within reason do anything? Drop offs, Jumps, trails and downhills are not a problem. Word of warning - Don't get sold a made in taiwan 2000 zasker going cheap in he uk. Make sure you buy a genuine American one as the quality is not the same. My advice 'buy a zasker today'. Look out for the new GT Ruckus (beefef up zasker according to MBUK magazine???????????)
Similar Products Used: GT Backwoods, Voodoo Hoo doo, Stuntjumper, Team Raleigh, GT LTS, Canondale Killer V + Raven.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z2s, LX front - XT Back, Mavic D521 back wheel - Mavic 121 Front, Pace composite racing hub, Kore Stem, Magura Race line Bakes, Tioga Factory XC Tires, Club Roost DH bar and flat BMX pedals.
Weaknesses: SADDLE, ouch buying a new one so I can have kids
Bottom Line:
I've taken it to WV, CO, UT and most other fun places and it doesn't break. It hurt when I was getting used to the new pedals. Hmm... 50 words, well living in Chicago now I put slicks on and ride it on the trail by the lake alot. It goes smoothly but not nearly as fast as my road bike
Bike Setup: All XT 8 spd, Maintou SX fork, Synchros stuff, 747 pedals
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Submitted by
globetrotter
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2001
Strengths: Excellent handling climbs well
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
After 10+ years of riding and racing MTN bikes this is the best ride I have had. Great bike and solid value for the $. As for the criticism of the weight of the frame all I have to say is if you are concerned about a pound or two get a grip, lay off the cookies and get your fat @** on the bike and drop a few pounds from your own frame. This bike rocks it is perfect for a serious weekend warrior or as an entry level racing bike.
Submitted by
Carl Morse
a Racer
from Hortonville WI 54944
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2001
Strengths: Strong Strong Strong. Efficient energy Transfer. Light enough to pedal without whining.
Weaknesses: Ah well there is a scatch somewhere.
Bottom Line:
This was built for me. I bought Frame and Fork and ordered everything myself. Only Spent $1,100 and it is light and good. Setup is great and efficient frame rules. 3.8 is a better weight than my other steel frame that was 5.6 lbs. Didn't spend a lot for this and weighs in at 23.4 pounds. And a titanium seatpost is on the way to replace the heavy Kalin Steel post(326 grams).Should way 23 or better afterwards. Every part I have on on it i read reviews and they suckes to the other people. Me and my other 10 or so friends never ever had problems like ones mentioned. Advice for people is go splined. Creak free and Stiff. Mars 1 is a good fork. First day i used it it spit out a tad of excess microlube but that is a good thing. It won't be sluggish that way. Also XT shifters Rule! And you don't need a 34 tooth granny cog. 32 is still easy! Anyway if you want a durable and still leightweight frame a Zaskar is a good frame to start a bike up on. Peace
Bike Setup: Full XT except Crank, BG Seat, Mavic X-Link, Bonty Tires, Mars 1, Easton, SRAM, Avid
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Mark Sheppard
a Downhiller
from Huddersfield, UK
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2001
Strengths: Unbreakable frame to handle heavyweight butt and downhill racing
Weaknesses: Rear tyre clearance to frame very tight when using Tioga Factory DH 2.1, no disc mounts.
Bottom Line:
Started out riding this bike at 220lb bodyweight, and nothing broke going downhill at speed over big rocks so it really must be an indestructable frame if my weighty butt couldn't break it. Good rigid frame when turning those cranks hard as well, no discernable twisting or flexing whatsoever.
My only whinge is the clearance with my preferred choice of tyre, not GT's fault, but found a mud spattered Tioga 2.1 at around 40psi was starting to rub the frame, used araldite to protect the frame at the offending points to stop this progressing any further.
Overall, excellent choice for downhilling and large people, frame perhaps a bit heavy for pure XC, need to be aware of tight frame clearance when using larger knobbly tyres.
Bike Setup: Judy SL 2001 forks, XT except for LX hubs + LX rear mech + front chainrings, Tioga Factory DH 2.1's, Power Pro cranks, Planet X stem + bar + seatpost, Crane Creek headset
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Submitted by
Tim Armitage
a Weekend Warrior
from Leeds England
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2001
Strengths: STRENGH,LOOKS (POLISHED), ABILITY TO DO ANY MOUNTAIN BIKE SPORT, GOOD REPUTATION.
Weaknesses: TYRE/MUD CLEARANCE
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE RULES, IT STILL LOOKS GOOD AFTER 2 YEARS ABUSE (JUMPS AT BMX TRACK, THE ULTIMATE MTB CHALLENGE AND CRASHING ALOT). I WOULD EVENTUALLY LIKE TO TRY A FULL SUSPENSION TO PROTECT MY AGING BUTT, BUT I AM STILL VERY HAPPY WITH MY ZASKAR AND WILL PROBABLY NEVER SELL HER.IF YOU NEED A VERSATILE BIKE FOR EVERY OCCASSION THEN LOOK NO FURTHER THIS IS THE BIKE FOR YOU.
Strengths: bomb-proof frame, light, nimble on the trail
Weaknesses: a little uncomfortable on long rides (but comfort isn't the point)
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is this bike is indestructable. It's been ridden in countless races and even more rough trails and it is still in good condotion (relatively). This bike has shifted like a gem from the moment I got it and handles like no other bike I've ridden.
Strengths: Takes hits like cheech. Killer fork, frame fits like a glove, fast as lightning. Rode it in the 24hours of Snowshoe Race (2000) and didn't miss a beat. (Hail 'Taint Hard!)
Weaknesses: could be lighter. had a bad experience with the seat-tube not being able to clamp tight enough to keep the seat in place. Brought it to the bike shop and they hacksawed metal off the frame. Upset, I called GT. They're sending me out a 2000 frame. Looking forward to the frame, but I can't stand the paint job. I'll miss my silver Zaskar.
Bottom Line:
Zaskar's a meaty bike that won't let you down in a bind. You'll be riding for days before you blow anything out on this jimmy.
But take heed... this bike is a little on the heavy side. Ask your buddy who's toting a Rock Hopper to trade with you for a minute and you'll see...
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Cornwall, England
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000
Strengths: Great frame geometry and build, LX components value for money, Light, GT backup.
Weaknesses: Mavic 221's are weak - bent both in less than 200km. Under BB cables. No disc mount on frame.
Bottom Line:
Great XC bike, climbs like a goat, but jeez is it hard on your butt after a long day! If you're an old gimmer like me, fit a suspesion post. Needs boosters too. Shame about the weak rims but I'll change 'em when they're finally trashed. '99 Zaskar's are cheap in UK now so snap 'em up quick. Still the best bike I've owned (so far).
Similar Products Used: Raleigh, Kona, GT Arrowhead FS
Bike Setup: Straight outa the box, but fitted rear brake booster and RS susp. seatpost
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Anaheim, CA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2000
Strengths: Strong, built well and GT supports their products.
Weaknesses: Could be lighter but then it wouldn't be a GT
Bottom Line:
I liked this bike so much I bought another one! I wanted a 16" frame for the local mountains. I have an 18" Zaskar, XT thumbshifters, XT drivetrain, Grafton cranks and brakes. White Industries Ti BB, Low mileage. No suspension. Selling it, all it needs is a shock. Anyone interested locally?
