Bike Setup: upgrade to XTR front and rear derailleur
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Submitted by
basharteg
a Cross Country Rider
from Grover, WY
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2008
Strengths: I reviewed this bike 6 years ago, and I'm still riding it. The Frame is as good as GT is reputed to be. I've changed switched the pedals egg beaters and the cranks to XT. I also upgraded the front derailer to XT. But I'm still rocking the Judy fork and the avid brakes. This bike is awesome. Been riding it for over 6 years, changed the drive train twice.
Weaknesses: Rear hub finally snapped about 3 years ago. I replaced it with an XT hub, had the rim replaced because I couldn't part with the Syncros Big Box rims. Replaced the moto raptor tires with a specialized set two years ago. I wore the others out.
Bottom Line:
What can I say? I've used it hard for 6 years, and it still is everything I need. That's value.
Weaknesses: hubs!! Both front and rear Formula, both bearings pitted within 12 months. I know we get a lot of rain in Wales but.....
Bottom Line:
Great balance, small model suits my build. Shimano gears incredibly robust. Can't say enough good things about the Avid disks - low maintenance, incredible stopping power, good feel. Clipless pedals give me some nervous moments. Liked the bike so much I bought a second from Halfords!! Great value at £500. So I have one blue and one black/silver. Very disapointed with the hubs. Halfords replaced under warranty, but will never knowingly buy anything from Formula again. Looked at the Avalanche 0.0, but it had Formula B4 brakes - got to be a disaster!
Now looking for good condition 2001 Avalanche or Aggressor for my daughter (must be xs)
Submitted by
kelly
a Cross Country Rider
from grover, wyoming
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002
Strengths: Frame is great; climbs well and screams downhill. Components have been good, by and large. XT drive train lives up to product's reputation, Deore cranks and shifters work fine, they could be XT for all I can tell. Bike handles really well for a larger frame.
Weaknesses: I'm not a really big guy, I go 5'9 165 and this bike kind of gets away from at times. I think it may be preferable for large guys, but this is a little gripe because on the whole this bike works great under me.
Bottom Line:
Every other bike I looked at with rocshoc fork and disc brakes was over one thousand. this bike looked great and had decent components, so I took a chance. Glad i did. This is an excellent bike. I cant' imagine upgrading it without buying a bike for 2,000.00 or more.
Bike Setup: stock set up. But a nice foamy cover on the rock hard seat and that was cheaper than buying a new seat. I intend to replace the richie clippless with Times. I still have a scar on my chin thanks to those damn richies. can't get in and out of them quick enough.
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Submitted by
Ryan W
a Weekend Warrior
from West Chester, OH
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2002
Strengths: Climing, Price with nice components,Weight, Avid disk brakes are amazing.
Weaknesses: Not many i can tell so far.
Bottom Line:
This is the first really nice bike that I have had. Last bike was a department store Pacific. Never buy them. My fork bent and broke while riding on flat ground. Pissed me off. This bike is 50X better than that as I would hope so. This bike climbs any hill you put in front of it. And the Avids make all decents feel controled and great. The biggest thing that i like about this bike was the price. I see many others have paid less than I but I still think that this bike was a steal. This bike hasn't faltered at anything I give at it. But this bike is best for those long hard rides with hard climbs and long hours.
Similar Products Used: I tried out many full suspension bikes like jamis and Giant until I settled on a hardtail.(Limited Budget)
Bike Setup: Only things I have swaped was the stock saddle and the stock clipless pedals to times.
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Submitted by
Stephen Schlather
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2002
Strengths: Geez, where do I begin? Components are incredible for the price, esp the disc brakes. You could ride the frame through a minefield and not have to worry about it cracking. XT derailleur. Incredible climber, handles downhill extremely well. The pretty colors.
This is an updated review from one I submitted back in October. I rode this baby 5 days a week for almost 9 months through some pretty nasty conditions. Right now it's in the shop getting a few fixes.
Let's see, problems: bad chainslap, creaking headset, broken seal on rockshox, regularly broken spokes due to chainslap and badly adjusted derailleur (my mistake though), replaced bottom bracket due to creaking.
The upside is that all the repairs were very inexpensive and most were "normal" maintenance issues so there's nothing to worry about there. Bike's in the shop getting the headset overhauled, rear derailleur adjusted and broken seal on suspension fixed. Total price is less than $20.
I haven't seen this bike anymore online or in the local stores. If you see one though I suggest you snag it as quick as possible. This bike is well worth the $650 it costs and leaves your budget open for upgrades and maintenance costs. I wouldn't be hesitant at all to enter a race with this bike. Also, Fire XC Pros made all the difference when riding this thing. This bike and those tires were meant for each other.
Similar Products Used: GT XCR 4000 - not exactly similar, but hey, it's a GT.
Bike Setup: changed tires to Panaracer Fire XC Pros. Thinking about changing headset to Chris King Threadless. Changed out Shimano UN-40 BB to UN-72.
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Submitted by
Gregor
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Barbara, CA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002
Strengths: Frameset, included components, brakes
Weaknesses: saddle is a little hard
Bottom Line:
If you can still find this bike for sale, pick it up! The frame is bombproof and the components are pretty nice for $650. The Avid brakes alone retail for about $85 apiece. You can't find a better hardtail value out there. It's a nimble bike, climbs well, and stops like a dog hitting the end of it's chain. I use it for XC riding on weekends and I ride it to work a couple times a week. I hadn't ridden in about 8 years and wanted to get back into biking. I researched a lot of bikes and kept coming back to this one. I also need to give props to Cambria Bike: their staff was excellent and gave new meaning to the term 'customer service'.
I can't say enough good things about this bike. For the money I paid, I have beat this bike up and it's hasn't had any problems. In 6 months: 35 rides, 450 miles, 3 sport class x-country races (one at Michuax PA!!) and have yet to have a mechanical other than a few flats. It's HEAVY, but you really don't notice it, because it's well balanced, you can throw it around. I'm not sure what it is (probably the heavy rim's centrifugal force) but this bike cooks down hills without pedaling! Shox and Headset suck, period. I'm getting EKO air cartridge and Chris King headset. otherwise, buy this bike if your tight for $$$. 5 steaming turds both value and overall (remember the price).
The bike is nice, handles ok, but i bought the XL frame and i should have went for the M. The suspension leaked and i got it repaired on the final day of the warranty(!). Then i learned how to do hops on the backwheel and then... THE FRAME BROKE (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) at the rear!!!!! It clearly wasn`t my fault because i wasnt ripping the bike hard and i am just a beginner, but the GT customer service told me it is my fault and were very stingy to me, but they told me they will replace the frame but it might take a lot of time, because they don`t have an Avalanche frame and they have to look for it somewhere!It is the beginning of the season here in Estonia and they make me wait my arse off!!!! I still haven`t got a new frame and i might be sitting still for a long time! NEXT TIME I`M GOING FOR A KONA!!!!!
Bike Setup: wellgo bmx pedals, vdo cytec 15+ computer.
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Submitted by
Andy Lintern
a Weekend Warrior
from Oxfordshire, UK
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002
Strengths: Good solid frame, Avid Disks, good standard components
Weaknesses: A bit heavy for the price but who cares - you get fitter :)
Bottom Line:
Bought the bike for £680 reduced from £800 last May. The best value, best looking bike I had come across. Feels very solid (specially the saddle! hmmm time for a USE Alien suspension seatpost) and the brakes are excellent. The bike is well balanced and the gears shift smoothly (or they did once I leaned how to change gear properly :) (newbie alert) Well recomended midrange hardtail.
Similar Products Used: My first MTB :) (tried Trek 4300,4500,6000, GF Tassajara, Dawes Edge)
Bike Setup: Standard except changed the clipless pedals for ordinary ones.
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Submitted by
Jeremy Bengay
a Weekend Warrior
from Provo, Ut, USA
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2002
Strengths: Good bike for the money!!!! The frame is really good. The components are pretty good. XT rear derailler.
Weaknesses: GT hubs, Deore front derailler, seat, tires, tubes, handlebars, Grips, Deore Crankset, nothing a little bit of money can't handle.
Bottom Line:
For the price I bought this bike at I could use the cash I was to spend on it to buy better parts. Some of the components will need to be upgraded but not for a while. Turn this hog into a $1900 by saving the cash for an XT up-grade kit($300) and better shocks($400).
Submitted by
Kenji
a Cross Country Rider
from places unknown
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2002
Strengths: disk brakes, rugged frame, chain, and price.
Weaknesses: BOAT ANCHOR
Bottom Line:
4 months of abuse - So far, so good. While this bike is extremely heavy, I love it. I beat the crap out of it and it asks for more, gearing is great for climbs, just needs a better shock. ehh, for $699, shouldn't complain.
Weaknesses: A bit heavy overall, some crappo generic parts (GT stem, Syncros riser bars)
Bottom Line:
Very solid and smooth bike. Avid brakes are amazing. Recommend you swap out stem and handlebar (way too heavy and awkward even compared to budget aftermarket alternatives). Rockshox Judy XC is decent performer, but plastic pre-load adjusters and steel steerer are cheesy. Some "freeride" feel to bike (e.g., robust frame, rim & hubs, SDG saddle, 100 mm-travel fork, upright riding position) with corresponding weight penalty. XC-oriented rider like me had to make a few adjustments. However, EXCELLENT VALUE for $650 (or ~$800 if you include my parts substitutions). Great looks to boot.
