Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Fontana, Ca.
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2010
Strengths: Sweet frame. Fits me great. Still tight. Shifts flawlessly (until recently due to lube). Rides lighter and stops better than my fairly new Hardrock sport.
Weaknesses: Stock handlebar was uncomfortable. Shifters and brake levers are integrated. Stock rims ate up brake pads. Purple color is funky by today's standards(but still shines).
Bottom Line:
This bike is perfect for someone who wants a great platform to build on and make your own. It is solid.
Not good for someone looking for disc brakes.
Similar Products Used: Giant Iguana. Specialized Hardrock Sport.
Bike Setup: Ancient Rock Shox fork. Trek System 4 bar. Icon stem. DeoreLX Parallax hubs in black rims. Tioga City Slicker tires. Bontrager saddle. Plain metal pedals w/plastic toeclips. The brakes and Shimano STX group are still stock (except for Dia Compe brake pads).
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Submitted by
Grant
a Cross Country Rider
from Missouri, USA
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2009
Strengths: The frame is very stiff, reliable, and light enough for hard core downhills and steep uphills.
Weaknesses: The tripple triangle frame (which is great) is difficult to put on a trunk mounted bike rack. In turn the frame is scratched horribly. No big deal
Bottom Line:
I get a lot of compliments on this bike on how good it looks and how light it is. I always tell them to take it for a ride if they already have not jumped on it. It’s a blast to ride, handle, and jump around on. It is race ready! It will be hard to find another bike like this as far as weight, reliability, looks, and feel go. She's mah baby.
Bike Setup: Slowly built up to this: Manitou Skerab Comp fork w/ 80mm travel. Easton Stem and post. Titec Hellbent bars. Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1 (blue wall) tires. Spinergy Wheels (yellow spokes/blue rims). Ory grips (Blue). XT rear Cogset and derail'. LX shifters and front Derail'. Truvative Stylo Team GXP crank set. Avid dial 7 V-Brakes. CrankBros Eggbeaters Ti (Blue). All pulling in with a weight of 24 pounds.
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Submitted by
Jesse W Helms
a Weekend Warrior
from Bakersfield
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2009
Strengths: Very well bulit bike you can go for ride "hard" one on a
rough trail and it will stay tight very little tune up
for your next ride!
Weaknesses: I have had trouble with the derailer sliping just a matter of adjustment.
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike I would not get rid of it for any
other!
This is fun to ride any where any time!
for 14yrs and up.
I bought it in 99 second hand from a guy my mom knew who bought it and never rode it. It still had the tits on the orignal tires. I rode this thing hard. I had to upgrade from the rigid front fork after an up close meeting with a stump. The Rock Shox Judy XC has done a great job. The stem mounting bolt broke after a month or so and im now on I think my 3rd stem. I have went through too many sets of tires to mention. I just put on my 4th seat. I still have the orignal STX components. I do need to replace them now as Im having some shift issues. Im dreading the day when I have to get a new bike. This has been the best! I may even look for a used Pantera if mine ever kicks the bucket. I imagine you can get one real cheap now.
Bike Setup: Rock shox Judy XC Fork, Titec Stem, Titec Riser Bar, Titec Seat Post, Bontrager Revolt SS Tires , WTB Speed V Gel Seat, STX components, V Brakes, Mavic rims
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Submitted by
JIm Mann
a Weekend Warrior
from Endicott, NY
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2007
Strengths: Indestructable frame. I really like the stiff ride. Very durable product. I can't remember when I purchased it, but it had to be the very early nineties.
Weaknesses: None that I can think of. I don't think it is heavy compared to other bikes I have been on in that price range
Bottom Line:
I have been on newer and lighter bikes, but can't see buying a new one as long as my old GT still runs like a champ. I would purchase a used Pantera over a new bike.
Weaknesses: Slightly heavier than I wanted, but with component upgrades I compensated somewhat!
Bottom Line:
It was by far my favourite bike, unfortunately I sold it with plans to upgrade the following season... ended up 6 yrs before purchasing again... still regret selling that bike!
Bike Setup: Full set shimano XTR front to back deraileuar and brakes sets(installed after purchase), WTB VelociRaptor tires on Mavic Rims (can't remember model), then I had purple anodized cable ends, brake levers, shift levers, cranks and pedals (looked slik as well as performed)
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Submitted by
Graham King
a Cross Country Rider
from Nantucket, MA USA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2006
Strengths: The Triple triangle frame design
Weaknesses: Mine was an early edition that had "U" brakes only. Also is a heavy bike.
Bottom Line:
The best mountain bike I have ever owned. It was stolen 3 times, I got it back 2 of the three times. I rode it in 4 diffrent states over a period of 4 years and literally thousands of miles! Thanks to ebay I was able to replace it almost exactly, this time with "V" brakes!!
Bike Setup: Monkey bars 27 speed up grade grip shift PSYCHO tires DiComp 990 rear U brake
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Submitted by
donald nuccio
a Cross Country Rider
from yamato, japan
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2006
Strengths: The frame is so solid, one of the strongest designs in the history of biking
Weaknesses: It is a tank, pretty heavy I mean graphite was a concept when this baby was hot in the showroom
Bottom Line:
You know I ofter think about getting a new bike because this one is 15 years old. I crashed so hard I have been bruised, scratched, rolled up, ets. and one one occasion had to get sewn up. The frame however still remains solid. Been through 3 sets of wheels, 2 lower brackets, three sets of gear, and you't think I own stock in rubber because of all ot the road I chewed my tires up with, but hey rubber doesn't really count.
Like say, it is my first real mountain but set up for touring and that first bike is like your first of anything elst, it sticks. I have een he nae for 11 years and takenis on 3 cruises. I has been all overn the world; Japan (currently reside and too many cities/places to list), Okinawa, Hokkaido, Seoul, Baharain; UAE; Kuwait City; Pago Pago, O'ahu, Hawai'i, New Calodonia, Bunbury, Perth, Darwin, Cairns, Gellong, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville (I love those last 6 places), Guam, Saipan, Vladivostok, Shanghai and of course all over the US, espicially my greate home state of CA. I take it on almost every short cruise and all of my long cruises. After 2 years of sea time, these ports all over the Pacific have been ridden.
I am about to do a complete rebuild because it is still cheaper than getting a new bike. But it is still like new regardless. The only drag is that it's a hard tail. When it is finally, dead, stolen, broken, burned up or in some other foorm decinigrated, then I'll go with a full suspension, until then................nah, I'm stickin' with my ol' Pantera just fine.
Bike Setup: complete deore group with front/rear blackburn racks and a full set of bags. Like say, I wasnot aggressive, just liked to tour.
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Submitted by
Brad Petchell
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2006
Strengths: Awesome strength, I've given this frame a beating over the last 13 years on road and off. Stiff as rigor mortus.
Weaknesses: She's a heavy old girl. Canter lever brake mounts (well she is old)
Bottom Line:
I love this old girl, bought it of a mate back in 92 or 93, can't remember. She's seen half the world with me on my travels and about 4 years of bicycle couriering. I reckon I've done about a 100,000+ km on her. She's seen 3 sets of wheels, 4 rear derailers, 2 sets of cranks, 4 44 tooth chain rings, 7 or 8 cassettes and chains, 2 seats and posts, and god knows how many tires. She spent 2 years hanging in the back shed in a sad state. She got stolen once and returned (Bit stupid to steal a bright orange/red bike that every courier reconises). She's been through rain, shine, mud and dust. No one builds frames like this anymore, I hope she'll out live me.
Similar Products Used: ???? they don't make frames like this anymore!
Bike Setup: Only thing original is the front derailer and the frame. Currently running knesis forks, deore hydros (had a bracket made to mount the rear brake), LX running gear
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Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from pennsylvania
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2005
Strengths: Frame is indestructible. The bike's been in three crashes--the last one, I was hit by a car. The frame remains solid.
Weaknesses: None I can list.
Bottom Line:
I have put this bike through everything, 3000 miles a year for the past eight years. It's a great ride, climbs well, and has never let me down.It handles well on and off road, but is at its best on an all day ride. The frame alone was worth the money I've put into it. Get a Pantera, if there are still any around.
Strengths: Very strong and durable. We have used these as Police Mountain Bikes for 9 years. They hold up very well. Rear rings replaced after about 9 years of abuse. Handles great!
Weaknesses: Came with solid fork. ( Department was too cheap) Hard ride but bullet proof. I am FINALLY getting front suspension this week.
Bottom Line:
I am 6'3" and 200lbs+ and I ride this bike mostly on the streets and pathways. Every surface imaginable. Lots of curbs, cars, rocks and glass. If it holds up the to pounding I give it in the city- it will do well on the trails. This frame is rock solid! I like it so much I bought one for me. Would be great for a build up project!
Similar Products Used: We have 15 GT's and have replaced some with Fuji's
Bike Setup: Stock set up with Police add-ons (head lamp, rear rack, flashers front and back, equipment bag- lots of extra weight and no failures other than flat tires.
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Submitted by
William Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Ut
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2004
Strengths: Even though I have several much nicer bikes, my GT Pantera gets more use than anything I own. I bought this used from a friend with all the old crappy components and have switched everything out to XT/Sram 9.0sl and a Marzocchi Xfly 80mm fork. I think that the durability of this frame is what makes it stand out. Even thought it's not the lightest, you just never worry about it. I am going to keep riding this bike and continue to upgrade it until it dies; hopefully never.
Weaknesses: Flexy seat stays - original componentry sucks - even though the seat/top height are perfect for me, the top tube is a little short
Bottom Line:
This was my first real mtb and it is still my favorite bike. There is something special about your first nice bike and when you personalize with all of your favorite componentry, you never want to get rid of it. For a relatively inexpensive frame, it is absolutely indestructible and worry free. I ride this everywhere from around town to really technical and difficult trails and it handles everything I throw at it. The weight penalty is well worth the added durability and it is stiff enough that it climbs great, particularily out of the saddle. When you stomp on it, it goes without the frame flexing on you. I added a Salsa brake booster to the rear end and it has taken care of the flexy brake boss problem. If you find one of these frames for a reasonable price, get it and ride it forever. Mine may become a single speed at some point in the future.
Similar Products Used: Trek Fuel100, Trek liquid 30, Santa Cruz Chameleon (single speed), a bunch of road bikes
Bike Setup: Pantera frame - XT cranks, BB, frt.der. and brakes - Sram 9.0sl twisters and rear der. - XT hubs with Mavic 517's - Marzocchi X-fly 80mm fork - Ritchey post, stem and bars with a Flite saddle
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Submitted by
Tom Abrams
a Racer
from Glendale Az USA
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2004
Strengths: This frame is sick. I've met guys who have scoffed at the tri-angle thoery, saying it weighs to much, but when we compared my $800 bike to there 2000+ ride, the weight was negligble. Now, it does help that i completely replaced the entire group with xtr.
Weaknesses: It's been a while, but i can remember that the bike came originally equiped with an stx rc package. I didnt care for it, becaus the brake levers and shifters were molded from into one component. It's a 21 speed, equiped with a heavey steel cluster. Needless to say, i had to ditch that and go Ti.
Bottom Line:
This Frame, is to stay. I'll lose the components and rebuild this bike from scratch just to hold onto this beaut.
Bike Setup: Xtr: V brakes, Rear derailer, Levers and shifters. Stx Rc crank. Standard Shimano steel bottom bracket. Tioga Head Set. Rock Shox Rc. Specialized Ergo Seat. GT Seat Post. Kore stem. Nuke Proof Atomic Hubs, Xtr 24speed casset, Look clipless pedals. Mavic 521 orange rims.
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Submitted by
Tom Abrams
a Racer
from Glendale Az USA
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2004
Strengths: This frame is sick. I've met guys who have scoffed at the tri-angle thoery, saying it weighs to much, but when we compared my $800 bike to there 2000+ ride, the weight was negligble. Now, it does help that i completely replaced the entire group with xtr.
Weaknesses: It's been a while, but i can remember that the bike came originally equiped with an stx rc package. I didnt care for it, becaus the brake levers and shifters were molded from into one component. It's a 21 speed, equiped with a heavey steel cluster. Needless to say, i had to ditch that and go Ti.
Bottom Line:
This Frame, is to stay. I'll lose the components and rebuild this bike from scratch just to hold onto this beaut.
Strengths: handles great, stiff, solid, great looking welds, 10+ years old and still going
Weaknesses: a little heavier than some, funny color
Bottom Line:
I bought this thing used 4 years ago (for a beater) and it was old then. Heck, it has a u-brake on the rear. Anyway, I've ridden trails, dirt jumps, some urban, etc, and I cannot kill this thing. I've roasted some parts, but the frame and fork are nearly indestructible. I recently put 38mm semi-slicks on it and it now has new lease on life as a commuter/touring rig. I thought about selling it at one point, but now I think I'll keep it just to see how long it will go. Four-point-five big honkin chili's. Five if you can stand the funky orange color .
