Submitted by
sboada
a Cross Country Rider
from Alexandria, VA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008
Strengths: Can take a beating
Pretty good stock components
Weaknesses: Suspension can take a bit to setup just right
Bottom Line:
Great bike, especially for what I paid. You get a beefy bike, that can take a beating, and offers a pretty plush ride to boot if setup correctly. SO far only a bent der. hanger in over 3 yrs of riding.
I'm still working on the setup, as I have had it since 2005, but just started putting alot of time behind the bars recently. So far it hasn't let me down.
One note though, while climbing it seems like there tends to be a lot of play in the back end. I am chalking this up to setup, suspension too soft, and am working through some setup issues.
If you are looking for a versitle bike that can take a beating, you can't for the price. Buy it if you can find one...
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2007
Strengths: Frame. Absolutely amazing. Climbs like absolutely nothing else out there; rear wheel stays glued no matter what. Weight is reasonable for an 'agressive' XC rig. Everything works as it should.
Weaknesses: Stock Ritchey Logic stem is a monster. Spoils you for other half-decent bikes. Stock Tioga tyres are dreadful.
Bottom Line:
This thing is incredible. With the exception of serious DH (Fort William DH track etc.), it handles everything with aplomb. Climbs like nothing else out there. No chain derailling/sucking. If you can still find one (2004 model), get one. Amazing.
Similar Products Used: Specialised FSR S-works, Trek Fuel 90 or somesuch
Bike Setup: Stock (XT groupset, Truvativ cranks & BB, Rockshox Duke up front, Fox Float in the rear etc.). Crank Bros Eggbeater SL pedals, Specialised Avatar saddle.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
adam groves
a Weekend Warrior
from england
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2007
Strengths: great speed to pedal ratio once upgraded to 27 gears. fantastic handling in all conditions esp dry tracks but even more on through the mud. bike strenght! 6 foot is my biggest drop without breaking anything origional!! so easily upgradeable to get awesome performance! never leave as "out of the box" it has so much more to offer.
Weaknesses: easily buckled "standard hoops" try some downhill hoops wilt fat chunky tyres and the bike will handle and perform 100000% better! GARUNTEED!!! SEAT BOLT! after 6 stitches to my nuts i would advise anyone to get the gtIT 1 DH seat pin. rear gears do tend to need frequent (4 month) set up
Bottom Line:
fantastic bike that will take anything thrown at it its awesome on the xc trails loves the north shore stuff and will never dissapoint!! and you can take that to the bank! if you want a xc pocket rocket or a really good allrounder then this bike is for you, if you want a bike built for drop and jumps allday long then go back to the drawing board!
Similar Products Used: none why would you use any other bik once you have ridden a I-drive
Bike Setup: WHEELS -hope hub mavic d-321 hoops swiss dt spoke FRAME- as it is 2 years and no need for a service on eccentric bearings! GEARS- upgraded to the xtr with hollowtech cranks- not much better than the standard deroe set up!!! rear shock fox vannilla broke it once but repaired it my self and works better than new!
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Submitted by
Alex Martinez
a Racer
from Houston, Texas, U.S.A
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2007
Strengths: Durability, Strong, light if setup correctly, stability, can handle anything thrown at it.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a 2004 Gt i-drive 1.0 bike. It rides very smooth and handles well on climbs and drops. It is very strong and handles anything I throw at it. The bike is very fast and light if you spend the bucks for the carbon (Easton) components. This GT i-drive rocks!
Similar Products Used: GT I-Drive 4.0, Hoo Koo E. Koo(Gary Fisher),Iron Horse, Norco Sasquatch,Cheetah Prowler,GT dyno,Hutch trickstarII
Bike Setup: XT crankset, CNT Monkeylite XC handlebar, EA70 stem, Ea70 carbon seatpost, High Roller Tires Maxxis, Vuelta rims, BB7 Disc brakes, Fox Flaot R fork, Fox Float R Shock.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
anthony distefano
a Cross Country Rider
from west chester pa
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2006
Strengths: grips like velcro, turns on rails, great balance what a deal
Weaknesses: rst rear coil- cant wait to upgrade
Bottom Line:
If you can hold on this bike will will make yor hair stand up. Great rideg
Similar Products Used: fsr xc, cannondale jeckel,gt i drive
Bike Setup: fox talas rlc, xtt out , avid disks and a whole lot of balls
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
John Gonzalez
a Weekend Warrior
from Staten Island, NY
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2006
Strengths: Lightweight... Strong Frame, I-Drive great feature that gets lots of looks... good paint that waxes well
Weaknesses: Pain in the butt to clean out idrive system after a muddy ride...
Bottom Line:
Set up like i have it the bike comes out to 26.5 lbs... Bike has taken 5 foot leaps, stairs, rock faces, mud, sand, rain, NYC, whatever i could throw at it. Great Frame if you can find one!
Strengths: frame, handling, no bob, rims are very strong ,good for agressive ride as well as for xc. stock set up is very good bike word great .
Weaknesses: duke fork work great but i wish for a better one. rims are verry heavy
Bottom Line:
love the bike ,very happy for the price i pay. feels good and have confidans at all kind of ride xc ,all mountain ,agressive without damaging the bike.
Submitted by
Chad Cooper
a Cross Country Rider
from Gilbert, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2005
Strengths: All around great bike, great components for the price.
Weaknesses: I here Pacifica has bought out GT, And I have heard horror stories about there customer service and warranties. I just hope they are not tru!
Bottom Line:
I bought this as a discontinued '04 model about a month ago. Since then I have ridden this bike 4 to 5 times a day. I test rode several bikes prior to this one. I was set on the Cannondale prophet! But, my wife talked me into waiting one more day and trying another store. I rode this GT i-drive and fell in love with it. It functioned far superior in my opinion than the Phophet did. It had better components and braking system and the price was wayyy better than any bike in its class. It climbs and decends with ease. I am not an advanced rider, but I do enjoy the occassional drop-off and it has handled anything I have thrown at it so far!
Similar Products Used: Haro EX3, Specialized Enduro, Trek...........
Bike Setup: Still stock so far!!!
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Submitted by
Mike P
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2005
Strengths: Ride Quality, traction
Weaknesses: climbing
Bottom Line:
Rode everything in the $1500 range,the ride quality is outstanding! Been riding over 30 years and try to get in 10+ miles a day on rooty NC singletrack - the only bikes that compared in ride quality were a friends Santa Cruz Blur ($4000+) and the Specialized Enduro Pro ($3000+) Both were much better climbers but with an upgrade to pro pedal shock my I-Drive will be sweet! Save a buncha' $$$ and get a really fun ride!
Strengths: awesome value for money compared to other bikes. Suspension front and back make for a seriously floating and advanced ride. Traction is incredible, very few points where wheels slip. Downhills are way easier than the hardtail, and my back loves me. Bike has great stability and just feels right flowing down the trail. the i-drive makes for impressive suspension performance which does remain solid while pedaling but opens up with bumps. Disc brake fits with geomrty amaising.
Weaknesses: Havent meet. For my perfect fit I bought little shorter pipe.
Bottom Line:
Awesome, comfortable bike, takes a while to get used to it , but once you get comfortable, it feels right in every situation. Easy to ride. very good value too, i would buy it once more.
Bike Setup: Everything original except shorter pipe. XL bike is originaly equipet with long one.
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Submitted by
wil
a Weekend Warrior
from bendigo, aus
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004
Strengths: awesome value for money compared to other sub $3000 (AUS) bikes. air suspension front and back make for a seriously floating ride. traction is incredible, very few points where wheels slip. downhills are way easier than the hardtail, and my back loves me for the 4.25 inches of rear travel. bike has great stability and just feels right flowing down the trail. the i-drive makes for impressive suspension performance which does remain solid while pedaling but opens up with bumps. no brake jack and rear triangle is stiff as.
Weaknesses: a little heavy, but most weight is around the bb, so stability is great. also, rims are freeride rims, which is good that they are tough, but you can feel the weight on very long uphills.
Bottom Line:
awesome bike, takes a while to get used to it coming off a 23lb hardtail, but once you get comfortable, it feels right in every situation. even though ive put on dry weather xc tyres, the bike finds traction in any environment. very good value too, i would still buy it if it was $4000 AUS.
found the frame on craigslist for 75 bucks so I figured what the hell. The guy was selling because he has a friend at GT and got the newer model frame. Everything seems to be in Read More »
So I was inspecting and shortening my cables and discovered that the cable guide under the bottom bracket had split right up the middle, allowing the front derailleur shift cable t Read More »
Hi just curious if anyone can tell me what year my i-drive is, the frame number on the bottom bracket is as30600056 bi 1313
I was guessing either 2003 or 2004 but not sure which Read More »
I have a GT I-drive 4 1.0 that I have purchased secondhand, minus forks, to re-build. I'm not sure what headset it requires. Appears to be integrated typenbut not sure if it need Read More »
