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Submitted by
ted dambrosio
a Weekend Warrior
from martinez ca. usa
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | mike's bikes | | Bottom Line: | just starting to use this site | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Loehr Young
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens, GA. USA
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR.COM | | Strengths: | The I-Drive is a good design. It's a GT. Really cool looking frame. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | I-Drive 2.0, STS XCR-1000 (LTS design) | | Bike Setup: | Psylo SL, King headset, Thomson Stem, EA-50 Bars, X.O shifters/rear derailleur, XTR front derailleur, Truvativ Stylo Team cranks, Gigapipe Team SL bottom bracket, Mavic X-Max UST wheels, 9.0 brakes/levers, 9.0 cassette, PC-99 chain, DX-646 pedals, Syncross post, WTB SSTK seat | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding an I-Drive 2.0 for a year an a half with no problems at all. I rode an STS XCR-1000 (LTS design) for about 4 years before getting an I-Drive. It was a bit of an adjustment from the four bar active bike but now that I am used to it it's all good. The design kinda fools you into thinking the suspension isn't working because you really can't feel it like you can with a four bar bike. I am a pretty heavy rider (210 lbs) and have not had any issue with either of the GT bikes (I know there have been lot's of reviews saying the frames are weak)but I personally have not had any of these things happen to me. That is why when I found a brand new 1.0 on this site I decided to go for it and build me up a cool fathers day present to me! So far no problems with either of'm. I hope I don't have any either! Anyone who has ridden a full suspension bike already knows all the advantages, climbing traction is awesome and you don't have to be so good at picking lines on the trail plus it doesn't beat you to death on a long ride! The I-Drive can be pedaled out of the saddle too! Way better than my old bike! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis
a
from Murrieta
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Chino Hills | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | Mountain Bike Warehouse | | Strengths: | I-Drive makes for a very plush ride, but does nothing to help the climbing. | | Weaknesses: | There are so many defects from engineering to welds. | | Similar Products Used: | Intense Tracer | | Bike Setup: | Psylo SL, Fox Vanilla, Race face next crank set, Mavic wheels, Formula disc | | Bottom Line: | I bought the original XCR 1000. I was happy with the bike until the seat mast cracked. After 8 weeks GT replaced the frame with a 1.0. less that a year later the frame cracked again at the seat mast. Pacific will not honor the warranty so I am out a chunk of money. Since then I have purchased a Intense Tracer. Now I know what a real mountain bike rides like. Everything about the Intense is far superior to GT. Especially the customer service from Intense, they have been out of sight. GT is done - stick a fork in 'em. Don't waste time monry and heart ache with GT. I pray every night that Pacific goes bankrupt faster than GT and Schwinn combined. Put the pieces of crap in Walmart where they belong and spend your money on a decent bike. To hell with GT! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brandt wysocki
a Downhiller
from ventura california
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail that gets40 mph+ | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | wheel world | | Strengths: | engineering masterpeice i drive is amazing | | Weaknesses: | cut too many corners to save weight, | | Similar Products Used: | giant xtc | | Bike Setup: | sids, hayes, mavic xt xtr,blah blah,,, | | Bottom Line: | my first xc1500 climbed well downhill it handled like a dream I was very bummed when I broke the seat mast....but then alas after 18 months of waiting..I GOT A NEW FRAME FROM PACIFIC WHOA now i have a 2002 giant xtc 4 bar and the thing locks out when braking downhill making a bumpy situation even harder to negotiate I broke that xtc frame too...but i got a replacement in two days....the new gt looks awsome way reinforced boxed, seat mount no holes.. extra gusseted wedge of support at the head tube and a cool color, kudos to the boys at wheel world for warrantying my frame and then I heard they got a bill from pacific for all the frames they warranteed | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | creekside at Steamboat | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Shop | | Strengths: | Great suspension, disc brakes, i-drive functionality | | Weaknesses: | Frame strength - I've cracked two frames(size large) right at the seat mast, and it appears with the second one I'm out of luck. Pacific seems unwilling to cooperate. | | Similar Products Used: | i-drive 2.0 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy GT. The design rides great, but structural integrity is just as important. Put your money into a company with stability and a reputation for strong frames and customer service - definitely not GT. GT bikes are a thing of the past. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren
a Cross Country Rider
from Southern, IN, USA
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Scales Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Dan's Comp. | | Strengths: | Good looking bike. Climbs really well. Design is very efficient. Great bike for a lighter weight (200 lbs and under). | | Weaknesses: | Frame strength. This is my 3rd I-Drive frame. The 1.0 held up better than any of the previous XCR 2000's frames. | | Similar Products Used: | GT XCR 2000 models (model years 1999 and 2000)
| | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi X-Fly 80, RS RC on rear, Wildgrippers 2.0's f & r.
XTR V brakes, XT drivetrain.
| | Bottom Line: | The design is very efficient. The bike is not designed for riders who weigh over 200 lbs. At 230lbs I have tore up 3 frames. I like the bike even with the hassles of having to deal with gettting the frames replaced under warranty. If I weighed less and could get a good deal on the bike again I would definately get another one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pauluz
a Weekend Warrior
from Hilversum (the Netherlands)
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Trails Around Montherme (France) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Company Bike | | Strengths: | Feeling one with the bike. Anything that I can take with my bravour.
The perfect travel. Enough for going down technical stuff, not to much for going up. Perfect for going up when it gets technical and rough (keep speed is the trick.
Hanging on the back when it realy gets steep 45 degrees and more is just as easy as with my old stolen Zaskar LE from way back ('91).
In short: Reasonable light, very good handling traits in technical and even at high speed, climbing in technical conditions takes you as far as your own phisical shape will get you. A little bit heavy and wrong geometry for climbing long, evensurfaced climbs (but who like them anyway? If you do get the I-drive team for it). | | Weaknesses: | The sory's about breaking seatmast's. For some reason I don't read them for 1.0. But the other models...pfff..a lot bad stories.
Further the great service from GT..NOT. Getting a dogbone or bushings with the same size bolts....impossible...just go to BETD for the spares.
But speaking about riding: no weakness wathsoever!
| | Similar Products Used: | I-drive XCR 2000 | | Bike Setup: | Frame 1.0. Fork Marzocchi MCR Z1 (4"). Shock FOX Float R (no need for a lock out. XT and XTR (8 speed)parts including the first V's from XT (little bit sloppy but still going strong and modulates better than the new ones). Azonic, Kore, Cane Creek, Mavic and Oooh Yeah..WELGO PLATFORMS. Cables: Gore and Flack Jacket. | | Bottom Line: | I bougth this one as a frame, so I'm lucky that I'm not using any of the Rock Shox parts (Psylo Race and S(h)ID rear shock.
After they stole my good old Zaskar LE (1991 model), I rode Cannondale F900, GT Bravado and a XCR 2000...al of these bikes didn't give me the symbiosis I have with the Zasker LE. I decided to try it for one more time with GT. And ...ooooh baby...finally I found the bike. My confidence is back.
Strangely the geometry for the XCR 2000 I-drive and 1.0 should be the same, stated by GT altough. But for some strange reason it doesn't feel like it. The 1.0 is more lively than the XCR2000. And measuring both bikes confirmed this. The 1.0 is at least a little bit shorter at the top tube. The angles I don't know but after riding some serious technical dowhills without (finally) touching any feet to the ground...(the last time that happend was with the Zaskar)...I even think that the angles are different...Any way..this is the bike I can speak with.
Going up rough climbs..this bike also shines...the tricj for it is just keeping the speed up..the suspension will do the rest for you.
As for the stories about breaking the bike...I will see when it happens and then just buy a new one..cause the price went really down. Now you can buy a 2002 1.0 for around 750 $ (850 Euro's)..and with this frame you get warranty...wich is not the case for models bought before 2002.
In short: Buy this frame, you get a do anything, go anything bike with one of the best working suspension systems. The moving parts of this one don't get sloppy as with 4 bar linkages. But you get the same ride-quality as with 4 bars....
4 chili's for the hassle with GT itself..
5 chili's 'cause this still one of the best alround bikes (who needs travel adjustment) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sunken
a Cross Country Rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | änggårdsbergen | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | www.cykelkallan.se | | Strengths: | Outstanding handling and component selection, looks good too. Psylo Race fork, Hayes disc brakes provides you with all the brakingpower you´ll ever need and does so in a smooth controlled way, XT/XTR components. Handles really well, climbs great, decends even better. | | Weaknesses: | Tubeless tires leaked first few months, but seems to have fixed itself??? Hutchinson tires a bit sloppy in high speed cornering when airpressure is low. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Jekyll 700 -Stiff
KONA stinky de luxe -Rocking horse | | Bottom Line: | I went for the I-drive 1.0 because of the outstanding components for the price and the fact that it has a Lockout feature on front Rock Shox Psylo and rear Rock Shox Sid in case I would change my mind about riding fullsuspension. The lockout feature proved completely unnecessary. Fullsuspension forever, hardtailers eat my dust.
Flamin'Chilis for GT I-drive 1.0 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JAMES STAUBER
a Cross Country Rider
from BEDFORD, NH USA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bearbrook | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1699.00 | | Purchased At: | www.bikesale.com | | Strengths: | This is my second review. I've had the bike for about 6 months now. I am extremely impressed with the bike. I am a 6' 2" 227 pound clydesdale. This bike handles evrything I can throw at it and begs to be ridden harder. The I Drive suspension is amazing. It allows to me to do things I did not think were possible. The derailleurs are first rate. The bike is a bit on the heavy side, but the I Drive systen more than makes up for it by permitting me to retain speed over rough terrain. The downhill ability of the bike is incredible. | | Weaknesses: | Tires could be better,... but hey for $1699.00 I really cannot complain. | | Bottom Line: | An excellent all around performer. The baragin basement fire sale price only makes it that much better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a
from Sata Cruz, CA
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Magic Carpet Ride | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Strengths: | Great components/shocks for the $$$$$
Rides sooo well! | | Weaknesses: | Tubeless tires leak Can anyone tell me whats up? The grips have to go. | | Similar Products Used: | Upgraded proflex 957 (anyone want to buy it?) | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Fast up, Fast down and smooth in between. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rodel
a Weekend Warrior
from Orange County CA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2100.00 | | Purchased At: | JAX | | Strengths: | Color, Component selection... Psylo Race fork, Hayes disc brakes, XT/XTR components. Handles really well, climbs great, decends even better. | | Weaknesses: | Noisy disc breaks, grips stink, tires perform really poorly in the soft stuff. | | Similar Products Used: | '00 Enduro Pro. | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike, I hope to GOD the problems that other riders are expierencing with their frames doesn't happen to me, but so far so good. This bike eats up rocky and rutty terrain with ease and carves up the singletracks. Climbing is very easy, and flying downhill is oh so sweet!!! Bike gets 5 Flamin'Chilis for value only cuz I didn't pay full retail for it other than that it woulda been a 4. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Weekend Warrior
from tampa
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | bikesale | | Strengths: | Great components at $1700 a steal., handles great, climbs great for a FS, looks cool! | | Weaknesses: | bad seat braket/shock mount design. cock pit kinda small. Tubeless tires leaked. | | Similar Products Used: | trek y-11 sucked, marin mountvision, k2 razorback team, sugar. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | Seat Bracket sucks! mine started cracking after like 5 rides.. no drops etc.. just xc riding. Couldn't wait for the GT fiasco to settle, got it welded, after one ride it crack at different place inches away from the prevous crack. Finally totally collapes.. after 2 more ride.
But other than that its a good bike, handles, virtually no bob, comfortable, great components, Hell if it wasnt for the above problem it would be perfect for me. Got an intense tracer frame on order... Not gona trust putting anohter GT frame on thats for sure...! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Haeata
a Racer
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lost World (Blue Mountains) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | Sydney | | Strengths: | Responsive frame that tackles anything you are prepared to throw at it | | Weaknesses: | See below... And I bought the frameset seperately and have had trouble finding a quality post to suit (with a healthy layback) | | Similar Products Used: | GT XCR-4000 | | Bike Setup: | XT, Rock Shox, Hope Hubs and Mavic rims | | Bottom Line: | Well, I just snapped mine at the rear drop-out. I think it has failed due to a poor weld... but I am waiting to see what happens with the Warranty. Especially with the current GT/Schwinn situation. If anyone has recently experienced problems with any GT frame I would appreciate hearing about it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JAMES STAUBER
a Cross Country Rider
from OLD BRIDGE
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | HARTSHORNE WOODS | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1699.00 | | Purchased At: | BIKESALE.COM | | Strengths: | Outstanding handling and component selection. The I Drive must be ridden to be appreccited,... mere words do not provide an adequate description of the bikes superb handling,....it flies uphill and downhill,... lockout feature on front Rock Shox Psylo and rear Rock Shox Sid,... | | Weaknesses: | noisy disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | A magnificent bike at a bargain basement price! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from Mesa, AZ
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Hawes/National | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | former job at local shop | | Strengths: | All of the above and then some. | | Weaknesses: | The upright position. I know the top tube is short for a reason, but it is quite a change coming from race hard tails. Oh, ya, The stock grips | | Similar Products Used: | Tooooooo many to list. | | Bike Setup: | Stock other than grips, QRs, | | Bottom Line: | If it wasn't 118* I'd be riding it instead of talking about how much I like it. The reason I bought this was so I could cut loose on trail (mostly PHX.) "free ride" like and not worry about trashing my race toys. No matter how crazy the line, big the drop or wide the gap this thing has held up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy Orchard
a Cross Country Rider
from Johnson City ,TN
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Jim Thorpe, Pa | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesale.com | | Strengths: | First of all its a GT that in it self is worth alot to me being as I have ridden nothing but GT my hole life. Also this bike handles like it is on rails, all those technical abilities I have been working on seem to be twice as easy on this bike and I feel like I can hit every jump and bomb every downhill harder and faster than every before. Not to mention that aesthetically this thing is pure perfection. | | Weaknesses: | A touch heavy but the pros out way that by a mile, would like to have had a longer handle bar and better tires,an it took me about ten minutes,which kept me from riding,to take of all the damn reflectors. | | Similar Products Used: | GT timberline FS, GT Zaskar LE | | Bike Setup: | Stock,will eventually change Tires and Handle Bar | | Bottom Line: | I am now an official believer in full suspension technology for the longest time I was against buying a full suspension bike because I never thought I could find a bike that performed better through winding singletrack than my zaskar.
But leave it to the people at GT to prove me wrong, the I-drive technology really blew me away. All my buddies already thought I was crazy because of the way I thrashed and pushed my zaskar to its limits, know that I have my new ride all they say is please don't drink all the beer before we get back to the car! If you are a hardcore rider who has maxed out your current bikes abilities you need to put one of these between your legs and find out what you are truely capable of, or are you scared? Gt might not be around for much longer but trust me I have never had a quality issue with there company and neither will you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. Spudboy
a Cross Country Rider
from Orange County, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rockit | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Werks | | Strengths: | Awesome handling. Blows competition away on nasty, rocky, rutty, steep downhills. Suspension has 4.5 inches of rear travel and Psylo forks have 125 mm of travel. Both are very plush but can also be locked out for long climbs. The Hayes disc brakes will stop you on a dime and are the best I have ever felt. | | Weaknesses: | Slightly heavy but as long as you lock out rear shock for long climbs, it climbs well. Great tubeless tires but tread design sucks. I went to Michelin for the front and Continental for the rear. | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 GT XCR 1000 | | Bike Setup: | King headset, Botinrager stem, Raceface seatpost, Michelin & Continental tubeless tires. | | Bottom Line: | If you want a bike that handles so sweet it will make you cry, this is it. It flies on downhills and sticks to tight single track. It will go over stuff your brain will say "no way" to. Tubeless tires are great but you need to get rid of the ones that come with the bike. They are very sloppy. Other than that the tubeless roll much faster and I have not gotten a flat on one of them yet. The bike is slightly heavy but I don't even notice it. It has a slightly short top tube but replace the seatpost with a RaceFace and you can move the seat back much further. After you do this and replace the bar stem with a 90mm one, the bike handles even better than stock. All of the drivetrain components are very smooth. The Hayes disc brakes are the best I have ever felt. Living in So. Calif where it's dry and rocky you need good brakes and these excel. For cross country and downhill riding, this bike is the best. GT's future is uncertain so getting parts later may be a problem but for now I will ride the crap out of this bike. I'm giving it five flaming turds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Russ
a Cross Country Rider
from Arcadia, Okla, US
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake McMurtry near Stillwater, OK. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2800.00 | | Purchased At: | Buget Bicycles in OKC | | Strengths: | Sweet ride on rough trails. | | Weaknesses: | Weight bottom line. And the nose bleed when sitting in the saddle. It gets a little get use to being so far off the ground. Not a problem once you get under way. | | Similar Products Used: | AMP F5 with XT setup. | | Bike Setup: | All XTR drive train, including XTR cranks, bottom bracket, shifters and CT2 handle bars. | | Bottom Line: | It's a heavy bike coming in just under 29 pounds with the setup I have. However, it runs rings around my AMP on rough trails that is five pounds lighter. It's a bike that's able to keep it's tires on the ground when you need it the most.
I love the disc brakes and the long travel in front and rear. It's been a good choice for me.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay g.
a Cross Country Rider
from Tri Valley area, CA. USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | still searching | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2350.00 | | Strengths: | component selection, rear lockout, psylo fork, i drive tech. major ground clearance. | | Weaknesses: | a pinch heavy. component tradeoffs between the 2.0 and 1.0. unfinished welds (appears $ has been spent on technology and adequate components instead of fit and finish)--that's ok with me | | Similar Products Used: | hardtails | | Bike Setup: | all oem--that's good enough for me | | Bottom Line: | this is my first fsb. i took a LONG time test riding the fsr-xc, fuel, c-dale and giant (no fisher or intense in my area). felt at home on the i-drive (though i was skepitcal at first). i read as much as i could and talked to many riders. the bottom line is that all the mentioned rides (above)are sweet. it gets down to two things: what can you afford and how does it feel. my advice: spend a little more than you intended--i did--we all did (2 friends bought a gt team and a 2.0. i drive as well)
i really feel that gt is on to something with the i-drive system. it is a tough call for someone trying to decide between the 2.0 and the 1.0.
if you're leaving ht's behind don't cheat yourself out of a test drive to feel the difference yourself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ray Jaimez
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Tx, USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky Hill Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Action Bike in San Antonio,Tx | | Strengths: | Looks great! There is no bobbing. This machine rides very smooth through all the rough rocky stuff. This bike is very fast. The i-drive technology really works. You have to try it on the trails to understand how well it works. I rarely ride my hard tail after building this machine. | | Weaknesses: | None. Get stopped every once in a while so people can check it out! | | Similar Products Used: | 95 GT Team RTS (full XTR), 97 Diamondback (full XTR), and a 95 GT Timberline | | Bike Setup: | Full XTR drivetrain and brake system, Chris King headset, Kore stem and bar, and Mavic Crosslink wheels with a 2001 Manitou Limited Edition Ti Lite front suspension. | | Bottom Line: | GT sent me this frame prompltly without question after findind a stress crack on my Team RTS. That RTS went through 5 hard years of rough trail riding and a few races. I definitely recommend this bike to all who are looking for a bad ass machine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
marcin
a Racer
from wroclaw Poland
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | kygdfjytdkytfkydkjdk kfiyt iytfiytftyy y yuioytro76rl | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Slacker
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | P.V. | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1850.00 | | Purchased At: | DiamondBar Cyclery | | Strengths: | Looks | | Weaknesses: | Seat mast & logos | | Similar Products Used: | none (first bike) | | Bike Setup: | King HD Set, Easton E60 50mm 25deg Stem, MoneyLite carbon 2" rise, Mavic D521, Kujo DH 2.35, Hayes, XTR R Der/LX frt, stk fork, SID Dual Air, Shimano M 646 pedals | | Bottom Line: | Cannot recommend this bike. I had three defects (stem & 2 frame cracks) within 1 yr. Both frame cracks were in exactly the same spot bottom of the seat mast about 1/2" back from the shock mount and both cracked in about 4 mos. The 2nd time the frame craked GT gave me a LE front end only (to their credit), but I couldn't get the pivot pin out and neither could 5 LBS's. I finally found a shop that got the pivot out - took them a few days. My bike was down for 1 1/2 mos. waiting for GT to send the correct parts to my LBS.
The bike does ride well, but pray you never need any serious (I-dive or pivot) maintenace on this thing. Keep in mind I think the seat mast defect is limited to the small frames. If you compare the seat mast (small) with other sizes or the LE front tri you'll see what I mean - look at the bottom of it between the shock mount & seat tube.
I think you money will be better spent on another bike. Plus who knows how long GT will be in business? | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a Cross Country Rider
from Plainfield CT USA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Perise Rock Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Ordinary Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Makes me feel involnerable. No weak points. Disk brakes are great. Love the lock-out. Fork is mega ajustable. Rear-end is super plush. Will climb anything, but gives a good workout. Super stable at speed; straight as an arrow, point and shoot! | | Weaknesses: | A little on the heavy side, but well worth the weight. | | Similar Products Used: | XCR 3000, LTS Team, Avalanche LE | | Bike Setup: | Stock items with Selle Italia ti | | Bottom Line: | I was worried about the tubless tires, but they roll very smooth and I haven't had any problems. If you're the kind of rider that rides a lot of different terrain, this is the bike for you. There's no doubt in my mind that this bike will be my first choice for a long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert bransby
a Cross Country Rider
from London England
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wescott near Dorking | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike 2001 show | | Strengths: | Looks! downhill speed, super plush rear end | | Weaknesses: | None yet other than people stopping you to look at it!
I supose with the setup I've got (I just bought the frame and used parts I had on another bike) I could make it lighter. | | Similar Products Used: | I suppose any other high end single pivot bike | | Bike Setup: | XT/XTR Mix, Hope C2's, Z1's and mavic D321 cd's hence the weight but you try putting them out of shape! and I'm not the lightest of blokes. | | Bottom Line: | Great looking, great riding, I've riden it down some very steep downhills and very rocky/rooted and it's eaten them up and wanted more!
I had some worries about the I-drive bottom bracket over here in the UK what with our glorious weather but up to now it's been sweet.
I'm trying my hardest to hunt down a shop that will suply me with a few bearing kits for when I need to service it, could be a problem as problems with the main suppliers going bust! :-(
I have to give it 5 turds for value as I picked up the frame for only £450 and it's not let me down on the many times I've thrashed it so 5 all round!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | skeggs point | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2300.00 | | Purchased At: | California Sports | | Strengths: | Nice components, Hayes disks, tubeless tires, xt/xtr mixed drive train. Awesome control on the downhill. Psylo fork is probably the best fork made this year. I-drive really works. | | Weaknesses: | The frame has a short top tube and high bottom bracket which makes climbing steep stuff a little more challenging. Weak frame. My frame developed a stress fracture in the sheet metal on the seat post arm. I'm riding only cross country and never did any power drops, so I was obviously surprised to see the frame fail. GT was quick to replace the frame, but the bike is not the same. The bike squeaks with every movement and doesn't feel as solid as the orignal. | | Similar Products Used: | I rode absolutely everything before buying this bike | | Bike Setup: | Std factory installed parts. | | Bottom Line: | I really fell in love with this bike. The bike is really a nice blend of a cross country bike and a free ride bike (w/o the weight penalty, my bike weighs just under 28 lbs, small). The downhill control is great, and the Psylo fork is the best I have ever used. The tubless tires are okay. I must admit I did suffer my first pinch flat the other day. Overall, I would recommend this bike for the average freerider. I'd give it 3 flaming turds with a two turd penalty because of the weak frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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