Submitted by
Bigkeeko
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2010
Strengths: Strengths are weight, lightning fast acceleration and it climbs like a billy goat.
Weaknesses: The standard spec is pretty stinking to be honest and the tyres are plain silly. Umpteen pinch punctures. Unless you`re about 4 stone then change them.
Bottom Line:
I`m going to disagree with the guy from Switzerland for a kick off. The 120mm fork has turned the bike into a barge through twisty singletrack. The frame as crazy as it seems cannot cope with the extra travel. At high speed it doesn`t react anywhere near as sharp as it did and even dialling in a bit of sag still doesn`t compensate.
The 100mm was spot on. Bottom line is its a race bike and does what race bikes do best. Its not a criticism as its still a damn good bike. Its very comfortable over fire road and the likes, damping out trail buzz etc.
In saying that I`m stripping mine down and selling it as I fancy a change. Good bike but not a keeper. Oh, and its my 2nd. I had a Zaskar Le back in 1996.
Similar Products Used: Various hardtails (Fat Chance/Ibis/De kerf) over the years but not carbon fibre.
Bike Setup: Couple of minor upgrades but replaced the Reba with a Magura Durin marathon. 120mm.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Pieter van Tiel
a Cross Country Rider
from Commugny, Switzerland
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2008
Strengths: this review is for the Carbon Team. Very light at 9.5kg, the bike is stiff and comfortable for a hardtail
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
This is the ideal trail bike to go for long, fast rides. Key is the fork upgrade to 120 mm. GT presented the carbon zaskar last summer in Engelberg with it, and it rocks! The riding position is better, small bumps are non existant which really helps after a couple of hours, and when descending the 1000m vertical drop trails in the Jura the bike just flies down like an all moutain bike. The rear wheel follows easily, as the carbon frame does act as a filter, unlike aluminium. The Zaskar corners switchbacks a bit less well then the Epic, that felt, especially after a couple of years, softish and non symetrical in its response when cranking it. The Zaskar transforms any impulse in a (sweet) forward motion, hopefully for a long, long time.
Similar Products Used: Specialized epic marathon, Orbea Alma
Bike Setup: fox rlc 120mm, avid ultimate (xtr brakes are still "sticky"), the rest is standard, including full xtr. Chelsea bikes did a trustworthy job in getting it all ready when I was visiting NY. Thank you cheap US Dollar. Tires: Nobby Nic in front and Racing Ralph in back , both 2.25. The stock Kenda's do not work in our terrain, too many rocks and gravel, muddy when wet.
Strengths: super stiff frame, great forks from Fox as always, Swiss DT wheel set, super fast accelaration
Bottom Line:
great bike that has the legendary zaskar brand name, was a bit worried about the carbon fiber not been up to scratch at first, but i was totally wrong, GT have got the construction of this frame spot-on, have owned a trek 9.0 and if i was to compare the two I would take the zarkar carbon pro hands down. Great bike that performes as well as it looks.
Bike Setup: xt groupset with xtr shifters, fox rl forks, swiss dt wheel set
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rik Brutsaert
a Cross Country Rider
from virginia beach, va
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2008
Strengths: Light, stiff, low vibration, agile
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
This bike climbs like a billy goat and corners like a champ. I can go fast through spots where I used to have to come almost to a stop on my full suspension because of the tight cornering. It has taken my riding to a new level because I can go faster around turns and climb much faster. Unlike my aluminum hardtail, the vibrations are almost non-existant. While I feel the difference between the softail, the difference in the speed that I can maintain on this bike is substantial. I am excited to race it and I'm optomistic that I will have good results.
Anyone have an idea what the weight of the 2010 GT Zaskar 9r Pro is? I am demo-ing one this weekend and just want to know what to expect. Also, I might be able to purchase the bike Read More »
Seeing as the GT rep looks at this forum, I'm thinking about a carbon 29er HT to compliment my Marathon 9r.
So, what's the weight of the Zaskar Carbon 29er Pro.
One nice looking Read More »
Does anybody know if the 2011 white Zaskar 29er pro has a QR15 thru-axle fork? The picture seems like it does,but the spec says otherwise. Anybody seen one in person? Read More »
I would like input on whether I should stay with the 2011 GT Zaskar Pro frame or switch it's components over to the Ventana El Padrino.
[URL="http://www.gtbicycles.com/2012/bikes/ Read More »
