Submitted by
GT Fanatic
a Cross Country Rider
from Kearneysville, WV, USA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2010
Strengths: powerful hydraulic brakes, decent brake feel and control, good gear ratio selections, comfortable seating position, grippy tires on trails, reasonable weight, maneuverability, reasonable for asphalt riding, fork performs well
Weaknesses: front deraileur hunts for gears, seat could be more comfortable, some rubbing from front brake disc, tire makes "rubbing" sound even though nothing rubbing
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money. The componentry is decent, and the frame seems to be very sturdy. The bike is also reasonably weighted.
If you're into 8-foot drops or rock-bed riding, I wouldn't recommend it, but I am confident that this bike can handle most trails that any typical mountain biker would encounter.
This bike also doesn't do too badly on asphalt, though I'd recommend a hybrid tire for the street. The factory off-roaders are a bit cumbersome. I have hit some pretty decent speeds traveling downhill on the asphalt, and surprisingly, this bike handles pretty well, all things considered.
Submitted by
rodaroda
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2009
Strengths: Price, geometry and looks.
Weaknesses: Mine comes with the lousy tektro v-brakes that need to be adjusted too often. Junked them and installed the M590 Deore set.
Bottom Line:
This is my spare bike. Bike is okay for the price range but needs quite a few upgrades (throw away the Tektro v-brakes) if you ride it often. It is quite heavy for a hardtail but climbs well and quick enuff for me.
Price is quite cheap but after spending $400+ on upgrades, better get the Avalanche Expert!
Similar Products Used: Trek 3700, Trek 7.2 and Gary Fisher Tassajara.
Bike Setup: SLX crank, SLX rear derailleur and the rest are all Deore set-up. Front sus SR Mag 32 100mm travel (changing this out with EXOTIC Carbon rigid fork)
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Submitted by
Colin Beaton
a Weekend Warrior
from Fall River, Nova Scotia, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2005
Strengths: I haven't found any real strengths with this bike but the only parts that didn't snap or brake on me are the headset, handlebars, seatpost and that's about it.
Weaknesses: Some weak parts aspects are the frame (I snapped it, then got a Avalanche 2.0 frame from warranty then cracked that too and am waiting to see if I can get another free frame from warranty), the tires wear down really fast, pedals have no grip, cranks are weak, fors are horrible and when it's hot or rainy out the forks move way too much and if it's cold the forks don't even move (weather effects it which makes it like riding a new fork each time) , shifters are sooooo weak the just snap of even if you don't fall, rims warp easily, bearings are cheap and wear really fast, brakes are okay but once they wear after a while it's impossible to find pads for it and most of the other parts on this bike it's almost impossible to find too.
Bottom Line:
I shoulden't have bought this bike because I do alot od jumps, drops, etc. So if you are ever going to buy a 200-300 dollar bike and jump it, then it's a waste of money because you could just save up longer and buy a bike 400-500 and in the long run you will save money, have better bike, and won't be fixing it more than your riding it. Nobody should buy this bike and I suggest that nonee of you ever buy a GT bicycle. Especially don't buy it if you plan on doing some jumps!
Similar Products Used: Ironhorse Sonic, any cheap xc bike.
Bike Setup: mz comp fork rear mammoth rim, front stock rim, sr suntour brakes that don't work cuz I can't get the pads, GT Avalanche 2.0 frame (basically the same as 1.0), new of the same shifters, primo tenderizer pedals...
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Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Western Australia
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2004
Strengths: Good equipment, weight, and ride for the price.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
I use the bike for Mountain Bike Orienteering - we have to navigate around a course shown on a map - lots of ups and downs, and different grades of tracks from slow single track with obstacles to fast graded gravel. The bike goes really well, and I'd recommend it highly as a first bike for trail riding and orienteering. PS For people living outside the US, and especially baby boomers like me, please get rid of the term 'weekend warrior' - it's non-descriptive and pretty childish! How about "Trail Rider" instead?
Similar Products Used: I needed to upgrade my old dinosaur 1984 Kuwahara Aries, so I did a lot of research, and tried out several other brands with similar specs to the Avalanche, including Specialised Rockhopper, Trek 4500, Avanti Montari, etc before picking the GT.
Bike Setup: Standard - I just added some toeclips. I've now saved the $200 extra required for SPDs and a pair of shoes.
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Submitted by
Ryan D
a Weekend Warrior
from oceanside, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2004
Strengths: Brakes, Frame, compenents
Weaknesses: Haven't found any
Bottom Line:
This is my first bike, I have had it for 2 months and I ride it usually every weekend, and once/twice during the week. I must say, I am impressed. I really don't have any complaints. The only issues I have had, which are very minor are:
Brakes were rubbing against the pads and sounded annoying. I totally bit it a few times and my rear derailleur bent in a bit, preventing smooth shifts, but that would probably happen to anyone. First tune fixed that no problem.
Eventually I might upgrade a few things like the handle bars, fork, and maybe components.
But like I said, no complaints. Great bike for the price.
It´s really amazing what this bike can offer you at this range of price. All shimano components are great and work just fine for cross country. Tioga tires have a very nice grip at all weather conditions and can keep you running fast at all the time. Excelent control at narrow places even at high speed situations. A very light bike like expensive ones. (about 12kg) GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc has it all, do not hesitate to get one, ¡THIS BIKE REALLY ROCKS!
Submitted by
beau thomosan
a Cross Country Rider
from midlothian
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2004
Strengths: good frame and decent components for the dollar
Weaknesses: seat, seatpost, handlebar, stem and grips
Bottom Line:
bought bike for girlfriend size XS. I built it up with above components. for one thing, you need a good seat for comfort. Another, a good post for shock absorption. Carbon bars and good grips to keep shock out of wrists and hands. Stem? Well it is heavy and I dropped almost a pound just from the stem alone. So I got the bike down to 27.5 lbs the same weight as high dollar hardtails for only $700.00 total. (The bike was on sale as well) See, I do care about the comfort of my lady.
Bike Setup: stock, but, as soon as you get it buy a carbon bar and seatpost, a wtb saddle, and a light stem and good grips.
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Submitted by
Danny Howarth
a Cross Country Rider
from Bridlington
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2004
Strengths: Very strong frame vbrakes have great grip on wheel rims good for riding fast single track judy tt good for riding smaller dropoffs
Weaknesses: bad gradient on seat (very flat) hard to ride on steep uphills brakeblocks on v brakes wear down fairly quick on long technical runs stock tyres dont have good grip on very wet and muddy tracks stock pedals are big and clumsy on technical routes
Bottom Line:
Very good bike for new beginner xc riders very strong so dont matter if u fall of (it'll hurt u more than the bike) new seat and pedals are essential really but won't cost too much anyway. overall very good budget for the spec on the bike.
Similar Products Used: Marin palisade Shogun xc300
Bike Setup: mostly stock new shimano spd pedals wolfrace rear tyre with new seat and post
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Submitted by
Martijn
a Weekend Warrior
from Holland
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004
Bottom Line:
This is an update of my previous review..... I've been riding this thing for over a year now, and to be honest.... I don't like it anymore. After some rides in the hills in Zuid-Limburg (near Maastricht) (I live near Amsterdam, where it's really flat) I have to say the geometry just s*cks big time for climbing. The seatpost angle is way too flat. Even with a zero set-back seatpost the saddle is so far behind the bottom bracket that you can't climb properly. Even when you lean forward as far as possible (which is very oncomfortable) there is so litte weight on the front wheel that you unvoluntarily make a wheelie and loose control. Maybe I'm too tall for it (1m97) I'll try to get a Gary Fisher frame with Genesis Geometry.....
Submitted by
Vic
a Cross Country Rider
from Moscow, Russia
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2004
Strengths: FRAME!!! Decent stock setup
Weaknesses: Rims BB Tyres Front freehub
Bottom Line:
Well, this is just the first impression. I'll try to update that later.
Quite a contradictionary feeling from this bike. First, excellent frame, rigid, sensitive. From the other hand - awfull wheels with tyres designed to fit some APC or tractor - too rigid. Absolute junk BB began to consume dirt and water just on the second week. But c'mon, I've made a dream bike out of this.
Have nothing to say about stock derailleurs - they were changed on the first day. They say, Deore group is a decent one, but if I have my good old XT for the rear, why should I stay with worse product? Tektro brakes are good for a beginner, not for me. Maguras took the place on the second month. Stock brakes are good enough, silent and enough stopping power, but modulation is not the one you expect. First wanted also to change levers, but was pleasantly surprised with the Deore levers integrated with shifters (in fact was also too lazy to change shifters as well). And, well, really first thing to change is stock BB. Go for some Shimano or Truvativ right after purchase. Changing the crankset is an option - I've been thinking on some Firex or Stylo, but the stock one keeps going - let's wait for a while. Wheels are damn heavy, junky, equipped with tires for a tractor. If you have this bike for downhill or dirtjumping - they are right what you need. I'd prefer something more versatile - no nuclear strikes in our region are expected next year for the wheels to survive. Mavic Crosslink will do just fine, and, yeah, tyres to go - something lighter and ones which roll better. Stock make noise good for the tank.
The bottom line? Here it is: Excellent bike. With stock setup is good for a beginner or for upgrading some older set. You're getting durable and versatile bike for the price and when you really know what you want, it becomes an outstanding base for deep upgrade. Recommended for everyone. This frame really rocks.
Similar Products Used: Univega Alpina 530 (1999) Schwinn Mesa (2001) Merida Matts Sport 700 (2002)
Bike Setup: Currently Avalanche frame, RockShox Pilot XC, XT rear der., LX front der., Mavic Crosslink wheelset, Magura HS-33 brakes, Maxxis Ignitor/Larsen TT tyres, some minor extras. (Yeah, I know, it's quite a different bike compared with the stock one)
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Submitted by
Eric Ratch
a
from Delhi, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2003
Strengths: -Excellent frame, strong and rigid with great geometry -SRAM 7.0 Cassette! -Deore parts group -Shimano 475 mechanical discs!
Weaknesses: -Stock bb was very cheap -Judy TT lacks adjustment
Bottom Line:
This is an update to my earlier review. I've ridden the bike now since April (8 months) and have minimal complaints. The frame is extremely rigid and strong supporting my 230 lbs wieght, it also has excellent geometry that lets you carve any corner at tremendous speed. The bike is very agile and can be manuvered through most situations. The Deore parts group works great, just as good as any LX or XT stuff just a little heavier. The stock tires were very grippy and held on most terrain but they did eventually tear on the sidewalls and have been replaced with a set of Michelin XLS tires (great tires> light and grippy, roll very fast). The stock bars were too narrow so I awpped them out for some Radical HY-Ryze XC bars (1 inch rise, 9 degree sweep) and they are awsome. As for duability, I've ridden the bike for over 1000 off-road kms and have replaced the bb (the stock one was junk, replaced with shimano UN-52 and haven't had any trouble since), I had to replace the derailler hanger, but that was more of a rider error than the bike, replaced the front wheel because of a really bad taco after a crash, replaced Deore rear der with an XT (i got it really cheap so why not?), the Judy TT front fork has no adjustments and is a bit of a pogo stick but works well for the most part on all terrain (I've got a Z2 Atom 80 waiting to be mounted right now). On the plus side for this bike it has a SRAM 7.0 Cassette, complete parts kit, and the Shimano 475 discs. All of these features were unheard of at this price range in the other bikes I looked at (Specialized Hardrock Pro, a few Gary Fishers, etc.). The parts work amazingly well and are super reliable, the discs are great in all conditions although they do squeal a bit when wet, but I don't mind cause you still have tons of stopping power. All in all this is a great bike. Off the shop floor it can be an excellent do it all bike but with a few upgrades and tweeks it has become the best bike I've ever owned. Gt has outdone themselves adn this should no doubt be the best bargain of 2003. If your in the market for a new ride, check out the Avalanche 1.0 Disc!!!!! -The RatchAttack
Similar Products Used: 2001 Giant Rincon SE 1998 Diamondback Topanga 1995 GT Outpost 1998 Barracuda A2R
Bike Setup: Stock except for XT rear der., front wheel (shimao 555 hub w/ mavic 221 rim), Michelin XLS tires, Radical bars, ODI lock on grips.
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Submitted by
jordan zeitlen
a Weekend Warrior
from atlanta, ga, us
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2003
Strengths: Strong, fairly light-weight, durable. Great high-end components. Strangely comfortable seat. Can really ride it hard. Value and quality.
Weaknesses: Curved handle bar (why?) Single wall tires. Rock shox a tad soft, even cracked up.
Bottom Line:
I ride my bike hard and I am 6'1" 200lbs. This bike is strong and rides light and fast. I have gotten on top of some bikes were I feel the cranks are going to snap when I really dig into it, this thing isn't going anywhere. Deore derailleurs make shifting smooth and the brakes are not spectacular but solid. On my first serious ride a few months back a buddy of mine snapped his brakes and flipped while my GT came off without a hitch. The shocks could be a little tighter as they give on the downturn sometimes. Also, just had it tuned and after several hard rides it only needed minor adjustments, no major issues at all. Looked at Raleigh, Giant (The Giant and Raleigh are about $150 more too), and Haro, and for the money you cannot beat what this bike offers, plus the GT name carries some weight in terms of quality and knowing what you're getting. Couldn't be happier.
Bike Setup: Deore everything, Tioga tires, Truvatix crank, solid brake set - stock
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Submitted by
Graeme
a Downhiller
from Cape Town, South Africa
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2003
Strengths: Light, excellent for high speed single track, falt and downhill, responsive through switchbacks, extremely strong frame design 10' drops off no problem
Weaknesses: None yet!
Bottom Line:
Excellent Value for money, good all rounder, cross country, downhill and dirt jumping! Almost anything you can throw at the bike it can handle, using double walled Alex Rims, with sealed Quando hubs, my tires of choice are the panaracer FireXCpro 2.1`s, these tires are unbelievable, tried WTB Veloci Raptors and Mutano Raptors, there is no comparision, the Panaracers are a complement to a great bike, with a combination like this you defiantely have an edge!
Similar Products Used: Gray Fisher, Giant ATX, RST Shocks
Bike Setup: Shimano Deore throughout, Marzocchi bomber MX pro 03 shock, tekro V-Brakes, Club Roost wide raised bars and high lift stem, Alex double walled rims, Quando sealed hubs, DT double butted spokes, Panaracer FireXCpro 2.1 tires
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Submitted by
tony atkinson
a Weekend Warrior
from sydney Australia
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2003
Strengths: frame!!!! forks drive train brakes (disk) you can't beat deore and the shimano 475 disk is just insane
Weaknesses: tyres don't grip well on wet road (easy fix)but on dirt very sweet, pedles suck changed em for V8 platforms
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks, have ridden it off ledges, stairs, single track, DH, ramps,waterbars,small drops (4ft)it handles sooo well the brakes are amasing for cable disk awsome stopping power one finger stopping,and fantastic modulation endos are easy . For fast single track or dh fun or better yet tech single track with drops you can't beat this bike for the doller $1099aus you always feel in control even when your not the shocks work well for 90% of anything you can through at em the other 10%of stuff was way too big for them but you just have to give it a go!!!! bottem line "get one"
Favorite Trail: groov train anywhere that is fast and fun
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$1099.00
Purchased At: frasers
Similar Products Used: shogun, secialised P2, specialised duelie, avanti, mongoose.
Bike Setup: stock except WTB high roller 2.35 tyres
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Submitted by
Heylerds
a Weekend Warrior
from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2003
Strengths: This is also for 2003 GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc! Price!!! Good Shimano components... -Disc Brakes! -Deore derailleurs -Deore brake levers -Rear hub
Weaknesses: Stock pedal sucks!! On the market for good quality SPD/Platform.. Bit heavy
Bottom Line:
This bike was the best deal I saw when I was on the market for a good quality bike, looked around for about a week or so for this price range and the other bike doesn't have the same or close to the components that this bike have.
Ride is great, first time I used this bike was at Hilton Falls in Milton, Ontario. Weather was overcast for the first 10km then it started raining pretty hard. The bike performed well on dry, wet, muddy and slippery trail, the disc brake was awesome! no squeak and squeal at all!!
Bottom line for me: Get this bike if you want good, quality components for a pretty decent price!!!!!!
Many thanks to Joe of The Bike Zone (www.thebikezone.com) for helping me out and giving me the best deal.
