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Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from San mateo, CA
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | china camp, marin CA | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | summit bicycles, berkeley | | Strengths: | indestructible | | Weaknesses: | a tad bit portly. but aren't we all? | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | XT front, xtr rear derailleur; original judy C fork. race face cranks/bb. easton monkey bar. mavic wheels | | Bottom Line: | This bike is freakin' awesome. I'm definitely not the first to be telling you that it's bombproof. I've been riding mine since buying new in '99 and it's served me very well, even after a good number of hard spills. I've upgraded most of the stock components to save some weight, but the frame itself is like a Benz from the 60s and 70s---it just won't die. I'll probably replace the fork once I get a few more $$$ and since it's very heavy, but I honestly don't see myself buying another hardtail in my life. This was the first and only MTB i've bought, so i can't compare the ride to other materials, but the steel isn't too punishing on my bum.
If anyone ever steals this thing, I will kill their families. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bart Cox
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenwood, MO, USA
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lawrence River Trails (Kansas) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike America - Lee's Summit, MO | | Strengths: | CroMo frame is unbreakable!, Decent Brakes, | | Weaknesses: | Cranks, Judy C - doesn't take much abuse, | | Similar Products Used: | none, this was my first bike | | Bike Setup: | Sugino 700 cranks, lx hubs w/ Sun Rhino Lite rims, michelin wildgripper lite tires, still riding a worn out Judy C | | Bottom Line: | Great starter bike! I got more that 3 good years out of this baby. Sure, I had to replace worn or damaged parts here and there, but that is part of it. All in all a great bike for the price. The Judy C fork is my only major complaint. It was toast in about 6 months of riding. The cranks would by my next complaint, they lasted about a year. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Geen Belt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bucks Bikes | | Strengths: | STRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not sure who is braking the frames out there, but you might consider losing some weight! I wegh 180lbs, and abuse my bike, it asks for more! | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamond Back (embarrased to say), Cannondale (o.k.), Magna | | Bike Setup: | Front suspension(Rock Shox Indy XC), Shram Grip Shifts, Shimano Deore LX and better. Mavic double wall (indestructable) Rims. | | Bottom Line: | Thought I might have messed up after first ride and crank fell OFF!!! That was attributed to the smart guy at the shop who didn't tighten it. I have a chromoly frame, maybe the aluminum frames are weak and irritating, but this frame is incredible. After crashing, it is usaully me or a component that suffers, not the frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John G.
a Weekend Warrior
from Washington DC
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything w/ jumps + drops | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | revolution cycles | | Strengths: | solid frame
most stock compnents
durable | | Weaknesses: | rims suck
not the best climber
saddle hurts | | Similar Products Used: | rock hopper | | Bike Setup: | stock ecept for the saddle | | Bottom Line: | it's a solid bike. the componets are good a it dosn't wear easly. you can take it cross country one day then dirt jump the next. it's worth buying if you are just getting into mountian biking. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rory
a Weekend Warrior
from Dublin
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ravensdale Dundalk | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | weak and flexy. i might as well be on a wooden bike | | Similar Products Used: | Kona cinder cone, DB Apex | | Bike Setup: | LX, Z2 Bombers | | Bottom Line: | Piece of sh*t snapped when i was just cycling over a few roots. I'm not the only person i know who has had problems with GTs strength (a friend of mine just cracked his LOBO after snapping his LTS in 2) I'm never gonna touch a GT again. It flexed like mad when i was climbing aswell (the brakes rubbed it flexed so much). i was cheated when buying this bike which isn't even capable of being cycled on the road. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Bujold
a
from Canton,CT,USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | peoples state forest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$659.00 | | Purchased At: | Benidorm Bikes and Boards! | | Strengths: | the frame is super strong and most of the components are good. an awesome bike and it doesn't weigh too much. | | Weaknesses: | the rims suck major Ass and the saddle is a crotch killer. i also had the chainrings wear out quick. | | Similar Products Used: | cheaper worthless piles of tin! | | Bike Setup: | long-travel kit for the judy...velocity rear rim...shimano LX chainrings....and rim wrangler cartrige pads. | | Bottom Line: | this is a solid bike! i have crashed hard many times and i ride drop-offs and the frame has taken it all no prob! i bought a velocity rear rim cause i trashed the stock one and it was a great decison! those things are bombproof! get the cartrige pads cause they are so much easier to change and brake better. some of the componets wore out but that's ok. And for all those pussies who were complaining about wieght....SUCK IT UP! this bike is worth every penny! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Kaibab trail in sleeping giant prov. park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Frame(I thought) strength, fit, price | | Weaknesses: | Broke on a road ride, cheezy components where you would be less likely to look (F. der, BB) | | Similar Products Used: | Wheeler 5900, parkpre scepter comp, Concorde Mirage, plus I have tried dozens and dozens of other bikes | | Bike Setup: | Stripped frame down when new and added Magura brakes, Raceface cranks and BB, bomber fork, WTB rims | | Bottom Line: | The bike cracked and broke at the rear dropout after less than two years of being ridden... primarily on the road.
I did some trail riding, but I try to ride on smooth, fast trails often. I did some moderate drop-off riding, but I can count on one hand the number of bad landings (landed with a jolt instead of a delicate heel-toe) landing. I bought this bike with the intention of keeping it forever, and to have it break on a road ride seems bad. GT is replacing the frame, but I am not happy with the way they have handled the warranty service, and that is in line with what I expected. They have a bad reputation.
While the bbike worked, It was ok. It fit me very well, and I liked riding it, but it wasn't anything outstanding.
Especially considering I bought it for the reputation of durability.
I will write a review of the Backwoods frame they are sending me as a replacement. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vernon
a Weekend Warrior
from New York City
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | it's very durable, very comfortable ride on any surface with its front suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Horrible saddle! forget about climbing...it will drain your energy source in no time. | | Similar Products Used: | cheaper brands | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | If you plan to do mountain trails, this will be fine. But don't expect do any ascending. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ad Ross
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Very strong. High spec. | | Similar Products Used: | 98 Karakoram frame with Timberline components. | | Bike Setup: | Beloved Karakoram with different stem. Thats all I need, baby. | | Bottom Line: | Very slightly heavier than an aluminium frame, but twice as strong.
I got LX throughout on mine, with XT rear mech all as standard. Bonza!
It's just a shame GT have stopped making the Karakoram - it's cheeper to make frames in alu these days.
Summary: The strongest bike in the world! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gray
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Strong bike, very stable -- stock tires have excellent grip | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy, somewhat klunky gearing -- you get what you pay for -- I laid out $800 for mine and I think it's a good value for the money. One recommendation -- mine came with a plastic tube to house a cable under the main crossbar -- pull that thing off -- it's a dirt trap and you'll have to listen to it every time you pull the brake (if you ride in mud like I do) | | Bike Setup: | Had to add clipless pedals, everything else is stock. Components are LX rear, which could be better, but still not bad. | | Bottom Line: | Good entry level bike -- I've ridden the $hit out of it and had no real mechanical problems. Shocks have been solid for two years -- no bending anywhere on the bike. I'm upgrading to a lighter bike, but other than that I'd keep riding this guy for a while. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from Redding,CA
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Couch | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | This bike was the best high end chromoly frame GT made and the parts list was awesome. | | Weaknesses: | The Crank should have been at least a Shimano LX and the seat should have been a WTB. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Timberline | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the seat I changed to a WTB. I race on Bontrager tires. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent package for the money very high quality parts. Clipless Pedals have held up very well and the Onza bar ends are the best. The WTB Enduroraptor tires kick butt on the trails for training but ,I switch to Bontrager Jones tires for racing. I love this bike and I have had no major problems after a year of riding and I ride a lot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jan Smidek
a Cross Country Rider
from Kosice, Slovakia, Europe
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Its overall performance is great. I would never change this steel frame for Aluminium frame. Although a bit heavier, absorbs shocks much better than stiff alu. I bought this bike almost immediately after it was put on the market, so now I've been using t for more than 1 and a half year and I just love it. | | Weaknesses: | The weight (see above) and also I'm not that satisfied with the tires, but that might be just my personal impression. | | Similar Products Used: | Scott Vail, Amulet Jump | | Bike Setup: | changed the cranks, chainrings and front derauiler for LX | | Bottom Line: | STEEL IS REAL !!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben Petersohn
a Weekend Warrior
from Roswell,Ga,USA
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bear Creek ,GA | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | i LOVE THIS BIke. It was perfect for me as a beginner with a good bit of cash. | | Weaknesses: | none a good solid bike. LUV IT alot. Bye | | Similar Products Used: | 99 aGRESSER | | Bike Setup: | nice frame although a little heavy still a great bike. | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks but it still is a little heavy but it still rocks. I love it if like a good an all around good bike this one is totally for u. BByyey luv ya. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Remy
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, Costa Rica
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Flagpole, Virginia | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | 1996 LX components are still incredibly resistant, gears dont jump and have withstanded the abuse, of snow, sand, salt etc. The Mavic wheels are heavy but also resistant and remain true. The triple triangle is a strong design and the CroMoly is not that heavy. I´ve used the bike for serious downhills in Virginia and Costa Rica and have never had a problem. When riding, the ride doesnt feel stiff as Alu. The bike is made to last and take in what mountaibiking is about. | | Weaknesses: | The RockShocks Q21R had to go. I now have soft Judys and I am completely satisfied. I still have the XT braking system(not V-brakes) but have no problems, only tired fingers when downhilling fast. Non replaceable deraileur hook has been a problem since I´ve bent it once. If that snaps I am out of frame. Ring teeth have broken from going over logs and rocks | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 930, Trek 700, DBR Zestek?, GT Zaskar, Cannondale. | | Bike Setup: | Replaced fork with Judy SL, need to change front gears, have gone through 3 seats, still want to put some Avid V Brakes. | | Bottom Line: | This bike was $1,200.00 when I bought it, and the components were better then. For that price now I can get all the works. But it is a good bike to start with and to get serious. The bike is thankful if its taken outside often, but can have a temper if not taken care of. I´ve raced intermediate races with it and I won´t plan to replace it soon. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Montgomery illinois
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | knoch knolls | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | light frame for chromoly,it's GT, great components | | Weaknesses: | wheels are horrible out of true after some steps. | | Similar Products Used: | mongoose | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | great bike for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CroMoPhile
a Cross-Country Rider
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 2, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Cro-Mo, not woosie Alu. | | Weaknesses: |
None, really, considering the price. Also, dealers quickly ran out of the '99 Karakoram. I guess the model was more popular than GT had anticipated. But they deleted the Karakoram from the 2000 model year line-up anyway. | | Similar Products Used: |
1999 Specialized Rockhopper FS. Nice bike, except for the fork. | | Bike Setup: |
Currently overhauling after one year and many miles. | | Bottom Line: | The review below sez that the chainrings are riveted together. This is not true on
the one that I own. The chainrings are individually replaceable. The chainrings
are in a standard 5-bolt compact design. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bart
a Cross-Country Rider
from KC, MO
Date Reviewed: November 30, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Lawrence River Trails | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
CroMo Frame, Rox Shox Judy, Unbreakable, Can't beat it for the money! | | Weaknesses: |
Crankset is horrible | | Similar Products Used: |
GT Backwoods, GT Outpost | | Bike Setup: |
99' Factory GT Karakoram | | Bottom Line: | This bike is unbreakable. I weigh about 210 lbs, and have ridden this bike hard. The only gripe I have is the crankset. Low end SR Crankset has given me some trouble... also chainrings are riveted together (unreplacable). The rest of the bike is excellent, especially considering the price! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elliott Hannam
a Cross-Country Rider
from Winnipeg Man.
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Pan Am trails | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Fairly Light, Reynolds frame performs well, Judy XC works great,Mega 9 lx/xt work great | | Weaknesses: |
dont like handlebar, tires not great | | Similar Products Used: |
Kona Cindercone, Rocky Mountain Hammer Race. | | Bike Setup: |
Judy XC,full LX/XT rear, titec bar ,onza stem. | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike got it for 1100 Canadian which is an amazing deal for full lx and a judy xc. I love this bike and it hasnt broke down yet | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles Barrett
a Weekend Warrior
from Havana Il
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
The price was great for the components you get, bought it for $675 out the door. Frame is very forgiving on the rough stuff. GT dealership was the best dealer in the area, staff was great and even took me out on the trail with them. | | Weaknesses: |
Bike is a little heavy. The cranks and rings on my bike were Suntour and on my first ride I bent all three front rings on a log. They were very thin and weak so I bought LX cranks and rings (also a rock ring), much better. | | Similar Products Used: |
I am getting back into riding after a three year exit. My old bikes were Diamond Back Aggressor, Trek 930, Cannondale 500, and a Schwn Sidewinder. All bikes from the early 90's. | | Bike Setup: |
Set-up was GT specs, but now I am on LX Cranks and Shock is full dampered(stiffy). Also I have a Answer riser bar and took off bar ends because this bike can climb effortlessly. | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is this is a great bike for the bucks and a very trail friendly bike that gives you a confident inspireing trail ride unmatched from previous bikes owned. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Abington, MA
Date Reviewed: September 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
F. Gilbert Hills State Park | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Judy C nice shock for this bikes class
Shimano LX package is flawless
Avid V brakes rule
Solid Bike | | Weaknesses: |
Just a little heavy but in this price range it is to be expected. | | Similar Products Used: |
a Univega MTB
Gary Fisher Wahoo
Pro Flex 857 | | Bike Setup: |
Judy C with most of the stock components Switched out the rapid fire shifters for gripshifts got rid of that BellAir sore a$$ seat (ouch). | | Bottom Line: | the shimano package is perfect for this bike I like the LX components. Nice looking bike (solar mint is cool) THe Rock Shox Judy C is great it responds perfectly for a lower cost shock nice and plush. This Bike CLIMBS! I am new to the Mountain bike thang (just about a year) But this bike gives me more and more reasons to keep on riding. THe GT certainly takes a beating and is as smooth as ever.
I love my GT (Gross Tonage)!!! Five Flaming Stank Bombs!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shahn Lieb
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, CA
Date Reviewed: August 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
just local stuff | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Great bike for the money. Also has lots of awesome componetry for its price range. Has a great ride. It also is one of the nicest looking front suspention models that GT makes. | | Weaknesses: |
Everyone says that the bike is a little bit on the heavy side but it is much less than other brand name bikes and even lighter than a lot of the models that GT makes it weighs in at about 33/34 pounds which isn't bad | | Similar Products Used: |
cheap crap
But I've demo'd alot of high price bikes and ridden trail with some $pricey$ GT's | | Bike Setup: |
all factory set-up except the pedals I wasn't ready to invest in shoes so they switched the pedels. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is KILLER. It performs like a porche on trails as well as cross-country. It deffinitely has a giant bang for the buck(exspecially with the Judy Rock Shox) I would diffinitely recommend this bike to anyone for a bigginner all the way up to advanced riders. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sandblaster
a Weekend Warrior
from College Park, MD
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
all-around great bike... 'specially the shocks, at this price level | | Weaknesses: |
the cranks aren't exactly stellar | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek 930, Kona Chute & Stinky, few other things | | Bike Setup: |
uhm, stock | | Bottom Line: | A friend who wanted to get into mountain biking recently took me along to a few stores when he decided to finally make a purchase. He ended up getting the Karakoram, and he LOVES it - and so do I, now that I've had a chance to ride it. This bike rocks. The componentry is unheard of on a bike at this price, and while the cranks will eventually leave something to be desired (try one log-crossing with that plastic over the big ring), they hold up well enough. Love the steel frame - but then I just dig steel over aluminum any day. Great bike! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
old fart
a Cross-Country Rider
from CA
Date Reviewed: July 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Wilder Ranch | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Fork, brakes, tires, ride. | | Weaknesses: |
Front shifter, weight | | Bike Setup: |
Added riser bar & stem | | Bottom Line: | It ain't a Merlin, but I couldn't find a better bike for less than $900. It's a happy camper bashing along a rocky single-track. Judy fork is far superior to Jetts you usually find at this price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross-Country Rider
from Longmont
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Hewlet Gulch | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Lasts a long long time (9 years) | | Weaknesses: |
A bit on the heavy side | | Similar Products Used: |
Trek 830, specialized stumpjumper, Trek Y5 | | Bike Setup: |
Rock shock, all lx drivetrain, grip shift | | Bottom Line: | I've had this bike for 9 years. I use it now for a guest bike and i sometimes ride it just for fun. This bike has thousands of trail miles and is still going strong. You can't go wrong with a bike you still ride after a decade | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Myr
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbia, Maryland
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Overall value! | | Weaknesses: |
Those silly little reflectors that were precariously attached to the pedals....they fell off during my test ride. It's an extra, but really useless. | | Similar Products Used: |
most in the same price range including Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale bikes | | Bike Setup: |
Judy C and factory components | | Bottom Line: | This is a wonderful package for someone like me who wants to take a serious stab at moutain biking. I'm not at the point where a lighter frame would make much of a difference so I opted for spending a bit extra on components. Clipless pedals and bar ends also saved me a few bucks. It's already survived a few crashes and is holding out just fine. I love my machine! Even the hard cores have commented on my 'nice little starter bike'. In short, it's a great big bang for your buck. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rahul
a Weekend Warrior
from West Hartford, CT
Date Reviewed: June 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
PRICE. NICE PACKAGE, in my opnion at least. | | Weaknesses: |
A little heavy but its all good. | | Similar Products Used: |
hoo koo e koo, rockhopper | | Bike Setup: |
20 karakoram, with judy c's.al stock parts except baskets instead of clip in pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike is so badass that GT has sold out of them. I went to get one the first weekend it came out and my LBS had already sold 3. That was way backin November,and in June, im damn happy i bought this sucker. I've ridden steel all my life (im only 14) and i was thinking of switching to aluminum. but then i realized how stiff that was. this baby takes the major bumps and has a SWEET fork for those of us that have never experienced shocks before. 5 red hot chili peppers for this bike | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross-Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: May 23, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Great Components for the price
Well Built Strong Frame | | Weaknesses: |
Weight(about 30lbs.)
GT's Availibility | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized Rockhoppet FS
GT Backwoods
Raleigh M80 | | Bike Setup: |
'99 GT Karakoram (factory specks) | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike for my wife a few days ago, but man was it a pain to find any in the bike store's in the Salt Lake City Area. The bikes a little heavy, but it came with great components for the $$$'s and is on a nice Reynolds 525 Cro-Mo frame. I prefer the Cr-Mo frame's for cross-country riding; They're more comfortable, and much stronger then most of the Aluminum frames I've seen. This is a incredible bike for the money; Too Bad it's for my wife. I would have given it 5 Chili's, but GT's availibility on this bike gave me a pain so 4 chili's is all it's getting... Great Bike, Good Luck on finding one. In my area the GT reps are claiming that there is no more stock on the '99 Karakoram. I hope the '00 Karakoram lives up to the '99.Bad Bad GT, Bad Planning, Bad Customer service... GREAT BIKE... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clipper
a Cross-Country Rider
from All over the Midwest
Date Reviewed: April 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
One Tough A$$ bike!!
Great Components.
BEST DEAL FOR UNDER $1000!!!!! | | Weaknesses: |
Little heavy.
Not as great of a climber as it could be. | | Similar Products Used: |
GT Richochet, GT Avalanche, Bianchi Lynx SX, Cannondale F400, Diamondback Zetec, Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Specialized Rockhopper A1 FS, Trek 930. | | Bike Setup: |
'99 GT Karakoram (factory specks) | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great and the best deal out there for under 1000 bucks (as long as you don't mind a heavier frame). The frame is Chro mo and thus can take a bigger beating then an aluminum frame. Steel frames are cheeper then aluminum too. The components on this bike rock! GT Lists its suggested retail at $722, but if you shop around you can find it for mid to high $500's. It comes with WTB Enduroraptor tires, which just happen to rule (with the exception that they hold dirt a little more than average). I can't say enough about this bike, but go get one because they are flying out of the shops! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a Cross-Country Rider
from new york
Date Reviewed: April 12, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: |
strong, solid cro-moly ride. pretty aggressive geometries, nice stance | | Weaknesses: |
little back heavy w/ the triple triangle (cro-moly frame) | | Similar Products Used: |
stumpjumper comp & pro, trek 8000, gary fischer big sur & kai tai | | Bike Setup: |
'97 stock | | Bottom Line: | this was a good ride. i'd almost buy it for the $700 the shop was asking. the fork defintitely was sticky and needed upgrading (even for the price-conscious). a solid ride, with good responsiveness. it could be a contender for its price range, but the parts package isn't quite as flattering as fischer. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: March 27, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
tested or demo'ed only | | Bottom Line: | I have not purchased this bike, but I am going to buy it in about 6 hours when my LBS opens. I am getting what I feel is a pretty good deal on this bike at $569 (GT lists the suggested retail price on their website as $722). To be honest I am so excited about this bike I can't sleep. Anyway, I have done over a month of extensive research, talked to many people that own the bike and they have all given the bike awesome reviews. I have also test ridden 40 bikes between the price ranges of $450-$1000 (including all the GT products between the Timberline and the Aggressor) and I really feel that this bike is the best bang for the buck. Take this review with the weight, or lack of weight you feel it deserves, but as far as I am concerned, this bike is the closest thing to a piece of heaven on earth. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a weekend warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Actually 4-1/2 stars (nothing's perfect)I test rode a lot of bikes, and this one was the best all around. Not as good a climber as a Cannondale (the stiffest) but better than the others, and has the best parts group for the price. Yeah, it was listed with an Alivio front, but my shop said that they were likely out of Alivios and upgraded a few parts (so I'm halfway set up for 9-speeds!) Getting used to clipless pedals, but a great street, dirt road and technical bike. May be the best deal out there for the price for a tall person. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a cross-country rider
from Va
Date Reviewed: February 2, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
The 99 Karokaram is one tuff bike. Although a little heavy (roughly 30lbs) it is very strong and durable. For the retail sticker price you simply can't beat the total package. This bike I would recommend for the avid mountain biker and even weekend warriors who are looking for a lot of bike for less $. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Elliot Jones
a weekend warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: December 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have rode my friends Karakoram, and i thought it was suberb! He was going to put some Z1's on the front, then he changed his mind and he said he'd get some '99 Rock Shox Judy100's. This is what i think this bike needs: a different set off front forks. It needs a longer travel fork in my mind. Perhaps some RST Mozo Pro 3.5 forks ( I have them on my MTB and they are excellent and cheap!). I think the groupset is great for the price! I Would buy Definatly recommend this one!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AZRon
a cross-country rider
from Tempe
Date Reviewed: December 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
If you don't mind a bike that's a little heavy (my 18 Karakoram
weighs in at about 30lb, bathroom scale) this bike is a great
package. I bought a new GT Timberline FS in '97 (since stolen) for
for the _same_ price_ as the '99 Karakoram and every single
component/feature on the Karakoram is an improvement over the '97
Timberline, in some cases a major improvement. The Karakoram also
comes equipped with clipless pedals and bar ends, so you can save
by not having to add these after market. This is a popular model
and they are flying out of the bike shops (one shop had _eight_
on backorder). Also, solar mint is a good color for those of us
who don't like our paint jobs too outrageous.The GT catalog and web site sez that the Karakoram comes with
Alivio front derailleur and shifters, but mine came with an STX-RC
front derailleur (labeled with a decal) and (I'm pretty sure)
STX-RC shifters.
| | Overall Rating: |
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