Strengths: Super stiff frame and yet very lightweigh,.tough as nails. climbs like a rocket and screams down the hills. Bought my Zaskar in 1995 and it changed the way I rode forever. I love this bike! Puchased a full suspension Trek fuel EX9 in 2006 and I still enjoy my hardtail.I started riding in 1982 and still enjoy it at the ripe old age of 50+yrs. GT built a limited edition 500 Zaskar frames in 2008. Not sure if it's the same as an original, but it says a lot about the legendary Zaskar!
Weaknesses: GT no longer builds these bikes in the USA.
Bottom Line:
If you can get your hands on one of the original Zaskars, buy it! It is one of the finest hardtails ever made.Tr
Bike Setup: Shimano XT derailers and shifters, Original Mavic rims, 135mm BOA stem, Kalloy UL handlebars, Titec bar ends, Thudbuster seatpost suspension, Lizard V-brakes, Bontrager FS+10 Race saddle.
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Submitted by
ClayP
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2012
Strengths: strong as hell, stands the test of time. No other hardtail compares. It is a classic and has set the bar for hardtails
Weaknesses: no longer made
Bottom Line:
This is the best hardtail ever. I have had 4 over the years - my original 94 Zaskar which I reviewed before got stolen. I replaced it with a Zaskar X which was ok but slightly different fit that I could not get used to. I gave that to my brother and since have built 2 Zaskar LE frames up with XTR drivetrains, Crossmax wheels, and SID race 80mm forks. I am considering buying a third frame to build. Get the pre-2000 frames for the real deal
Submitted by
ClawOfDoom
a Cross Country Rider
from Bradford, West Yorkshire, YK
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2011
Strengths: Utterly bombproof, super stiff and climbes like a mountain goat
Weaknesses: No tabs for mounting discs
Bottom Line:
The reason this bike is still being used after 14 years is because mothing i have tried comes anywhere close to it. I've just refitted the groupset and retro-fitted discs to the back thanks to a mounting plate from A2Z. Hopefully this beast will keep me going for another 14 years. Awesome bombproof bike...
Bike Setup: 1997 Zaskar frameset,
XT Dynasys 10 speed drivetrain, shifters & Disc brakes.
Rock Shox Recon Race 120's,
Shimano MT15 wheels
WTB Velociraptor up front & Bontrager XR4 on the back
Strengths: Super strong, super stiff--indestructible for over 15 years!
Weaknesses: hard to find oem parts for 93-98 era, ride can be harsh if you aren't used to it. No disc tabs, if you want to upgrade.
Bottom Line:
Get a pre-1998 GT frame and build it up into a super snappy hardtail, if you can find one! I bought this bike with paper route money when I was a kid, and I have left it pretty much stock. I have put THOUSANDS of miles on it and it still rides like brand new. The frame is indestructible and crazy stiff, and the OEM parts from its era have outlasted similar components on post-2005 bikes. If you have one, you will keep and ride it forever!
Bike Setup: Stock XT everything except RF cranks and rings; mavic 217's, Hadley GT hubs, RS Judy XC (with new elastomer), panaracer FireXC Pro
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Submitted by
Joe D
a Cross Country Rider
from Margate Fl
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2011
Strengths: Super Stiff. Point and go ride. Bomb proof. Climbs like a Mtn Goat.
Weaknesses: Super Stiff, beats the living hell out of you on rough trails.
Bottom Line:
Love It! I bought the bike in Oct of 94 and its been beating the crap out of me ever since. Have crashed more times then I can count and the only thing that breaks seems to be me. As I said earlier, super stiff, goes where its pointed, climbs like a Mnt goat. I've had it set up both as a MTN Bike and as a Road bike. GT out did themselves when they made this beaut. Would not sell it for the life of me. It even went to Lake Tahoe on my Honeymoon. Only reason dont ride it as often as I use to is the back just cant take the beating any more. Like I said SUPER STIFF.
Similar Products Used: GT Outpost, GT STS(2),GT LTS, Jamis XCT2
Bike Setup: Shimano XT Groupo, Marzocchi Z1 FS, Easton Monkey Lite Handle bars, Race Face Carbon Cranks/Chain Rings, Chris King Headset, Ringle' Hubs, Mavic 517 Wheelset, Selle Italia Ti Seat, Time ATAC Peddles
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Submitted by
Luis
a Weekend Warrior
from Guatemala
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2010
Strengths: Frame building quality
Weaknesses: Head angle a little outdated
Bottom Line:
Once I thought about selling it but my son stopped me, he was so right, this bike has no equal. I recently replaced the old Profile 25.4mm handlebar for a riser 31.8 mm and the handling improved a lot, much less vibration now. This bike looks so cool, it still make heads turn and people ask for it.
Bike Setup: 1994 model, Shimano XT all around, Judy XC 100, SR crankset, Icon clipless pedals, Rolf wheels, Ringle seatpost (same blue anodized color)
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Submitted by
briansol
a Weekend Warrior
from central CT, USA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2010
Strengths: Great climber, stiff, nimble, fast.
I road XC with it, I did downhill fireroads at VT ski resorts reaching 60+ mph, and it outclimbed everyone else with more expensive bikes and in better shape than myself.
Weaknesses: 2nd water bottle placement (can't use tall bottle), decals peel easily, lots of Mothers' polish and elbow grease to keep the frame up.
Bottom Line:
I've easily put 5k TRAIL miles on this bike since buying it when i was 14 with my paper route money. There's nothing quite like a zaskar, and bikes haven't been the same since GT went across the pond.
Similar Products Used: spec stump jumper, trek singletracks
Bike Setup: full XT, judy XC
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Submitted by
chartshark
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2010
Strengths: Great Climber, V. fast uphill. Full Sus. guys are scratching their heads why they are so slow when getting passed.
Weaknesses: Stiff frame makes for a rough road down the Mt. Could also be described as active feel. Full Sus guys are wondering why you're hitting the breaks on the way downhill.
Bottom Line:
A great ride, it gets a few looks around town and chatter at the rack. Mine is in a ball burnished finish, 6160 Aluminium polishes up bright.
Bike Setup: Shimano XT Cranks, XTR - other components, Shimano Carbon Fiber V-Break Booster, Head Lock - stem, Yeti Bars, Marzocchi Supper Fly Z.2 Forks, WTB Laser Beam Wheels.
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Submitted by
gforcegixxer
a Weekend Warrior
from honolulu hawaii
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2009
Strengths: the bike is very light accelerates fast and is very nimble around turns like single track
Weaknesses: the problem with the zaskar is that you cant get um two for one lol i'm not really complaining it's worth every penny
Bottom Line:
back in 94 i had this bike everywhere i went and rode it everyday during te weekdays on the streets and weekends offroads. imade a mistake when i got into downhill i sold it and has a disco volante made which was also a good choce of bike for the purpose but when the mountain bike downhill tour stopped coming to hawaii i lost intrest and sold the karpiel and wished i still had my zaskar, well 10 years later my neibor said that his cousin had one of those bikes and wanted to sell it so i took a look at it and foundout its my old zaskar needles to say i went to the bank machine and is now looking for retro parts for it and will keep it until i die
Similar Products Used: there were none that rode as well as this bike
Bike Setup: 1995 blue le manitou 3 fork xtr cranks deraillers and controls srp titanium cassette ringle hubs and chris king headset
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Submitted by
munkey
a Weekend Warrior
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2009
Strengths: This frame is still my favorite mountain bike that I have ridden because it can be made to do anything. Currently have it setup as a softer freeride bike and it has never let me down even after 10+ years.
Weaknesses: GT don't make bikes of this quality anymore!
Strengths: lightweight, solid, stupidly fast. can be downhill beast or, with a change of tyres..road bike, xc...anything!
Weaknesses: nowt
Bottom Line:
Bombproof! so adaptable to any terrain it's silly! 12 year old zaskar le was bought 2nd hand without decals as a town-commute bike, but since i've had it my other two bikes have been ebayed away as neither could cut it against the zaskar. even the carbon composite i had weighed more and was sluggish in comparison.
Absolutely Love this bike!
Submitted by
GCRad1
a Weekend Warrior
from Costa Mesa, California, USA, EARTH
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2008
Strengths: Strength itself - it has withstood years of abuse.
Great frame/bike for any level of rider as it will deliver at any level of rider capability. As you start, advance and collect skills the bike itself will just become an extension of yourself. Every time get back on the bike after being off for a while, it's still the same bike - a great bike!
Weaknesses: ME! I can not pass any judgment of weakness about this bike as it has been great! It is the California made Zaskar so I think it is stronger than the overseas made Zaskar's.
Bottom Line:
SOLID BIKE! I grew up in the BMX scene and when I started MTB'in around 1986, Redline did not have a great MTB and GT did. I wanted something that I could relate to as I knew the strength of these companies and had no idea of what was going on in the behind the scenes of what was being developed in the MTB-NorCal founding roots. I knew the GT name and that is what I went with PLUS GT [Gary Tuner] lived in Alabama, I am from Alabama... It's all about having some type of association with your bike...
My GT Zaskar is now a classic as GT has re-issued a limited edition Zaskar again! [2008] I guess I should put all the XTR components that I still have brand new in the pack - never used!
Make sure you buy the Klunkers DVD! HISTORY!!!
Long live The Bike Beat!!!
When I go full suspension, there is only one choice for me:
CHUMBA!
Similar Products Used: GT Karakorum K2
REDLINE PL-20
REDLINE PL-24
I don't ride other bikes or even worry about what is the newest and the latest - I just peddle.
Bike Setup: Tioga DH bars / Tioga DH Stem / Shimano DX Pedals / WTB Seat It's just a a BMX bike with gears!
I have 1.40 Michelin slicks for commuting.
knobbies for dirt.
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Submitted by
glenn spearing
a Cross Country Rider
from Loughton Essex England
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2008
Strengths: Durability, strength,good looks, climbs superb and proper xc geometry.
Weaknesses: A bit on the stiff side, but its ally and a built to last race bike, what d'ya expect?
Bottom Line:
Had this bike or should i say frame for so long it feels like a memmber of the family (1994). Mega tough ( I weigh 105kg) still rides a treat, can still hold its head high on singletrack against modern tackle. A true classic. Superb.
Similar Products Used: Been thrashing round on this thing since 94!! yes thats 14 years. So memories of other bikes are so hazy they're not worth mentioning. Mind you, friends full sussers feel awful.
Bike Setup: All sorts over the years, but currently a mix of xt, xtr, mavic, easton and 'zocchi forks (the old frames only like 80mm travel) running it as singlespeed at mo'
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Submitted by
John Firth
a Cross Country Rider
from Holmfirth, England
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2007
Strengths: I bought my 1993 (that's right! USA built) Zaskar LE second hand only a few months ago and I am blown away by how well it climbs. It is so agile and my riding has definitely improved as a result of having this bike. It descends beautifully too, with razor sharp handling as long as you don't mind the kick in the pants the really super stiff ally frame can give you on really rocky stuff. Looks cool too in the original anodized purple (which sounds odd, until you see it).
Weaknesses: Haven't found one yet. For a second hand 14 year old frame it is immaculate. No creaks or cracks or bends anywhere. Bomb proof!
Bottom Line:
I've wanted a Zaskar ever since I got my first GT 10 years ago and boy it was worth the wait. Contemplated a full susser but absolutely no need now, the Zaskar LE can do it all, and in most cases better! The best £500GBP I ever spent. If you want a strong but lightweight XC bike that'll outclimb anything and still stay in front going downhill too you must consider a Zaskar, (especially when the new US built ones arrive.)
Similar Products Used: My original 1997 GT Timberline. Triple triangles rule! Also my wife's Marin Bear Valley SE (has to be said another US classic)
Bike Setup: Race Face Evolve XC cranks, XT groupset with Sram chain, Mavic XM117 rims with disc hubs, Shimano XT discs front and back (needs an adaptor on the rear but works just fine), Rock Shox SID Race fork, carbon fibre riser bar, Easton EA50 stem, Cane Creek headset, Shimano DX636 clipless pedals, Panaracer Fire XC Pro tyres.
