This review is for a 2004 Gt Avalanche 3.0 size small the rear derailleur didn't shift half the time. The chain slipped and the chain rings have chewed my legs 3 times! (happened on arrival...it happened A LOT) The fork (xc60) bottomed out twice while landing, and bike flipped upside down...my head didn't like it :( this was probably due to adjustment though. That frame through a thousand crashes is still dent free! It is indestructible. Although all that happened i still loved the bike.
Similar Products Used: motobecane 600ht (also sucks haha)
Bike Setup: ...Motobecane 600ht above was b4 upgrading it is now a good bike cheers!
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Submitted by
bigCgt
a Cross Country Rider
from ontario
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2008
Strengths: Strong frame, decent brakes, gears work fine, what to expect for the money spent
Weaknesses: crank (replaced it due to flexing issues) pedals (bearings lasted a month then replaced with wellgo steel pedals)
also changed out the rear cassette and chain along with the crank swap
Bottom Line:
Im a big guy at 285 pounds and this bike has held up good so far other then the above mentioned parts that i replaced. I take it off small drops, ride over curbs, take it in trails with lots of big roots.
I think it is well worth the $470 canadian I paid for it.
Bike Setup: stock except more road friendly wheels, truvativ 5d crank, alivio rear cassette, chain for a 27 speed (narrower then stock)
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Submitted by
jay taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from liverool
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2008
Strengths: great for jumping solid frame bosss suspension
Weaknesses: not very fast
Bottom Line:
a really great bike for going round a quary or woods with mates really good for jumping a proper experiance of a gt mountain bike this is defintaly the bikefor me aged 15
Submitted by
Jean
a Cross Country Rider
from Hamburg Germany
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2008
Strengths: Very good quality for the price.the Gearing & rapidfire is excellent after alittle time and setting it up like the brakes.Adequate Kenda Tire
Weaknesses: Major Weakness are the pedals replaced it at the store!was a freebie from the owner (value at the store 25€ ;) not all screws are black small detail but it bothers me. :(
Bottom Line:
The Bottom Line is i spend 400€ for the Avalanche 3.0 and about 250€ for tuning it(35€Handlebar, 2x16€ breakpads,20€ breaklever, 30€ dirtgards,2x 50€ Mountainking 2.4, 16€ seatring & more than 30-50€ for div.small parts Style and light)! And you know what?... It was worth it, it was a cool bike to start with now its my dream bike (tought i will replace a few screw for black ones!;) ). I ride mostly street and a little bit DH & FR and for my skills now its very good it takes drops from 1,5 meter without even complaining;) ! perhaps not a "pro" bike but its still fantastic for the price and even better tuned!!! Greetz Jean
Similar Products Used: Felt Q200, Felt Q220,Felt Q620,GT Outpost
Bike Setup: New BLACK Pedals, DH Handlebar, Avia Break lever, Koolstop breakpads, teflon coated breakwire, Continental Mountain King 2.4", SKS Removable Dirtgards front and Rear, Style seatring alu.
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Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Athens, Ga USA
Weaknesses: Low quality front and rear dérailleurs, low-end front fork, flimsy rims, plastic pedals, low-end crank
Bottom Line:
A great novice bike, but take it on some trails and you'll regret not getting a nicer bike. This is my first (serious) bike, and its been great so far in getting me to and from class, but not so great on the trails. The crank was stripped in a matter of a month, the dérailleurs are low-end (both front a rear), and the front fork is too loose to use off road. I snapped my rear axle after a year and got a nicer double-walled rim. Originally I was planning on slowly upgrading this bike, but I think I'll just buy a Trek 4300.
Submitted by
JL Wright
a Cross Country Rider
from Little Rock, AR, USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2007
Strengths: Excellent frame; it can take a pounding. Decent starter wheels and tires.Suspension on front fork is great for up to medium trails or obstacles (pops curbs like a charm).
Weaknesses: Shifting is a little squirrelly till you get it broken in good, then it settles in nicely. A lot of people point out the dérailleur; I haven't had any trouble, but like I said, I broke mine in first. The saddle was really the only thing I didn't like about this bike.
Bottom Line:
I did a lot of research before buying this bike. The one constant I saw was that many people who raved about this bike admitted to buying more expensive bikes, then missing their old GTs. If you are an urbanite like I am, this a great deal. If it gets ripped off you're not out thousands of dollars, and it's more than capable of handling city travel like a charm. Off road it's just as formidable as higher end bikes, plus GT has a 5 year warranty on the frame (it used to be lifetime). I live in an area where I commute to work by street on my bike, then I can hit numerous trails scattered throughout the city afterwards (they don't call Arkansas the Natural State for nothing). The Avalanche 3.0 is more than capable of handling either terrain. This is a great bike for the entry level novice to the expert who may not want to risk their high end, super tricked out bikes on everyday travel.
Submitted by
Dean Badeaux
a Cross Country Rider
from Kennewick, WA
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2007
Strengths: Bullet proof frame, easy on the wallet, surprizingly decent tektro disk brakes, a great starter bike for xc.
Weaknesses: Plastic Pedals, plastic front derailleur, chain stick under load sometimes, Suntour forks sucks! I broke the right side pedal in half the first summer I got it.
Bottom Line:
I've thrown this bike down so many mountains in the last two years and it just won't break. (not that I want it to). The frame is undeniably bad a**. Supper rigid and climbs better then any aluminum hard tail I've ridden. But the stock parts have got to go.
My bike setup hasn't failed at all. And not even GT's top-of-the-line hardtail comes even close to my bike's specs, and it only cost me $450 in upgrades off ebay to make it so.
I recommend this bike to any body who enjoys xc on a decent hard tail for a good price.
Then only reason I won't give it the highest rating is becuase of all the work a had to put into upgrading, and the crappy forks, pedals, and derailleurs that come stock.
Similar Products Used: Iron Horse maverick 3.0, diamondback response sport
Bike Setup: X.0 rear derailleur, rockshox pilot 100mm, xt front derailleur, xt shifter/brake combo, avid bb7 disk, race face evolve DH crank, new wheel set.
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Submitted by
Sam Scavo
a Cross Country Rider
from Old Forge, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2006
Strengths: Good frame,almost identicle to the higher end models, i have upgraded a good number of components.
Weaknesses: crankset wore out in a years time, came with cheap wheelset, only 21-speed i upgraded to 24
Bottom Line:
my avalanche is a 2004 i doubt there is any differance, but it is a good bike for the college student who wants a quality bike that they will want to up-grade in the future.
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2006
Strengths: Thought it had a great price,and not being that experienced in mountain biking, looked like a good bike to me. Has a great frame just like everyone else says, and I have had no problems with any of the stock equipment ont it. I don't push it extremely hard so everything on it is good for me. (even the plastic pedals)
Weaknesses: None for me so far. Maybe I have just been lucky so far.
Bottom Line:
So far I love the bike, I have had no problems with anything on it, and don't think I will. I don't ride anything crazy, just some local trails and street riding. So everything on it works great for my riding. If your looking for a bike that looks great and works good and not gonna hammer it, then this is the bike for you. And if you find it at the right store on sale you can pay less then I did for it, and I thought my price was good.
Bike Setup: Stock, except seat, Men's specific comfort gel seat from Seatguy.com, and cool PA License plate that says Dave (gift from girlfriend/bike partner)
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Submitted by
Johannes
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2006
Strengths: Stiff as can be
Weaknesses: Nothing to feel
Bottom Line:
I'm using this bike since 1992, for tracks in the Alpen, for CC, but also for biketrecking. It is a great bike GT built.
Submitted by
kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from ipswich,qld,australia
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2006
Strengths: Tough frame same as avalance pro. Great for upgrading.
Weaknesses: derailiers,pedals
Bottom Line:
I have given this bike a rough time . Mostly cross country with some downhill .Had a few good stacks. Ripped seat and bent hanger every thing else works fine. I bought this bike with the intention of upgrading as the funds become available. So far I have replaced the pedals with shimano ones I had on another bike.and a LX front changer as I had a spare not because they broke. I have seen too many pedals broken in races and I dont want to be one of them.Great value for money.
Hi,
I recently bought a GT AVALANCHE 3.0 2011 and I don't like the color . Does anyone have an idea on how much it will cost me? I don't want a very cheap paint job but some dec Read More »
I bought this same bike for 400$ because it was the only XL one I could find, and its 'like new'.
Did I get ripped, good deal, or fair price?
EDIT:Cant post pics yet.
Read More »
I have a 3.0 avalanche and currently has sr suntour xcm hlo v3's and i want to replace it with rockshox recon gold rl.
here are the specs
Model Recon: Gold RL
Application/T Read More »
