|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Wahiawa
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Mililani | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Frame | | Weaknesses: | the stock components | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z4 Fork; Race Face Cranks, stem and XY seatpost; Mavic 221 rims / LX hubs; Panaracer tires; XT derailers and shifters; Avid SD MAG brakes and levers; Cane creek headset; Shimano M 545 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This is an update from back when I first bought the bike. I still love the frame, but as planned I replaced everything else but the seat (that's next). The bike rocks now. It's very light and hooks up great going up hill. Like a lot of other people said, if you don't have a lot of dough up front, buy a bike with a good frame and upgrade as you go along. I caught some great deals on e-bay as well as some local bike shops. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ern-Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Burbank, CA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Guadalasco | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Burbank Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Frame | | Weaknesses: | Depends on your riding abilities. As you get better, you may need to upgrade 'everything' except the frame of course. However, do as I did, and have fun doing it. I customized my bike to my liking. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, and Giant hardtails. Now, I own a Giant NRS, full suspension as well. | | Bike Setup: | I have upgraded everything, except for the brakes, the seat and seat post. Judy SL, UNO stem, FSR head set, Python tires, Mavic 221, Deore hubs rims, LX drivetrain and BB, 28 speeds, XT cluster, XT cranks, Sram 69 chain, Deore brake levers and shifters, etc, etc, etc... | | Bottom Line: | Good frame to start with and upgrade later. It is worthwhile to upgrade!! I brought the weight down from 30+ to 22 pounds. I love the bike now, it's quick and light. It's great for fire road riding and some not too technical trails. Climbs like a goat. The bike has held up well and it sure taught me how to ride and crash as well. Now I love the sport, can't get enough of trail riding. I recommend buying a inexpensive MTB if you are just starting out, and as you get better and get to like the sport, you can upgrade, learn and have fun doing so. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a
from west lafayette IN
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | wapahenni | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Project Bicycle shop | | Strengths: | good frame great color | | Weaknesses: | components | | Similar Products Used: | rock shox xtr/xt/lx avid azonic | | Bike Setup: | sun rhino lite rims with xt hubs(hand built by the great people at project) avid arc rival brakes lx leavers and derailleurs xtr cranks rock shox judy TT fork ritchey pro logic head set azonic riser bar kore stem oury grips panaracer fire xc tires | | Bottom Line: | the frame is great. the stock components werent the greatest the only major problems i had was the stock rst shock would bottom out and the threaded head set would come loose. and the rear wheel bearings would also loosen up. for 250 bucks i felt i got a good bike, after some upgrades its perfect. thanks to BH for some parts and Project Bike Shop for all your help.
i recomend the bike to anyone who wants to do some XC rideing.
im 215 lbs and this bike has taken every bit of punishment i can dish out and it still begs for more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Freeport, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cathedral pines, Long Island | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Amazingly strong frame | | Weaknesses: | Most of the parts hung on it | | Similar Products Used: | none...replacing '89 giant iguana | | Bike Setup: | Answer alumilite DH handlebar, FSA Pig DH headset, Cyclepro DH stem, Kona rigid jump fork, Truvativ 5D crank-32t, Diamondback comfort plus seat,Sun rhynolite rims, Deore hubset, Maxxis Mobster 2.7 front, generic 2.3 rear, BMX chain, single Shimano BMX cog-14t. | | Bottom Line: | To be fair, this bike was not outfitted for a rider like me..rough riding clydesdale who likes to jump.It's a beginner's entry level bike. But I didn't know that when I bought it. The price was right. After a year of putting up with my abuse, parts started breaking off, and almost every ride was coupled with a visit to the LBS. I've replaced every part on it except the seatpost, bottom bracket, and brakes. It's now a tough, fully rigid, bombproof single speed...my experimental beater bike.
NOW THE GOOD NEWS..THE FRAME IS AMAZING!!! Through all of the crashes, bad landings and other mishaps, the frame survives without a ding, buckle or ripple in it. It has earned my admiration and trust. Worthy of any upgrade you'd like to hang on it.
5 chilis for the frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Weekend Warrior
from annapolis, MD
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | patapsco | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | cycleworks | | Strengths: | cool color, grippy tires | | Weaknesses: | drive train, fork, stem, headset, rear axle | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | i got duped into buying this bike because it was the only one i could afford and i had a weekend bike/camping trim comming up that weekend so i bought this POS. it was fine for about a week when the rear derailer wouldnt shift into the first or last gear. i got it checked out and something was out of alignment. about two weeks later i was riding on a gravel trail when i noticed the wheel would rub against the frame when i petaled hard. i took it back to the shop and found out i broke the axle in two places and hadnt even taken it onto a remotly rough trail. this damn bike has been in the shop more times than it has been ridden. thank god i could use it towards a new haro ics 4.0. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Tempe Bikes | | Strengths: | Great price, looks cool, strong & light frame, componets can take a beating, replacable derailer hanger, easily upgraded. | | Weaknesses: | Hard seat(first thing replaced), plastic pedals, wheels need trued often | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Specailized | | Bike Setup: | rock shox duke xc fork, specialized bg pro seat, shimano M545 clipless, wtb velociraptor 2.1" tires, fsa headset, kore lite stem, weyless t6 riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for someone starting out in mountain biking. I bought this bike not knowing if I really wanted to get into this whole mountain bike thing. I also wanted to make sure that if I did,I had a good base for upgrades.
Good thing, I have come to love this sport and cannot get enough time to ride all I want. I have upgraded the cheap front fork that kept bottoming out and the hard seat as well as a few other things and soon a new wheel set. In my opinion thats all this bike needs for a recreational rider such as myself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Spazz
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | friends hookup | | Strengths: | Everything x-cept the rst shock. it's wayyy too squishy but that's not a problem anymore, i got a great deal on a manitou X-vert air | | Weaknesses: | seat takes a little gettin used to, but it's not too bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Marlin, joshua f2 | | Bike Setup: | tryin to make it as bugly as possible. Blue rear wheel lots of scratches and some pretty nice battle damage. | | Bottom Line: | Heh, it's a great bike for the wheelie coniseur. look for me somtime, i'm the kid who rides wheelies for blocks at a time | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shenaenae Brown
a Racer
from Brooklyn
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | The ones in the place I call my woods | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Smithtown Bicycle and Fitness | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | The seat hurts alot!!!! I HAD TO GO THROUGH MANY RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERYS TO FIX WHAT IT DID TO ME! The RST Shock cracked in half right out from underneath me. I got hurt badly! | | Similar Products Used: | Pile of dog poopy! | | Bike Setup: | Stock, however almost all the peices are gone they broke or fell off! | | Bottom Line: | I'm glad GT is going out of business! DK ROCKS! Screw mountain biking and go buy a Six Pack! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy Fuchs
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Spectrum | | Strengths: | Good frame and components for the money. | | Weaknesses: | Seat comfort. The seat is so hard and uncomfortable that it should be used as a form of torture. Suspension is a little weak. I bottom out when I ride hard. | | Similar Products Used: | Cheap rigid bikes. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, Suspension seat post. | | Bottom Line: | Overall good bike. Components have held up well. Tacoed the front wheel a little, but it was salvageable. Even with the suspension seat post the stock seat is unforgiving. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
phil
a Weekend Warrior
from alhambra,CA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | carbon canyon | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Pasadena | | Strengths: | Excellent bike for novice rider, I have been trash this bike all along, it as good as new. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | love it, a excellent starter mountain bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BEN
a Weekend Warrior
from NEW CITY,NEW YORK,U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | HAS 21 SPEED WHICH ALLOWS A GRATE VARAITY OF TRAIL TO BE FORFILLED FARLY PRICED . AND A OK WEIGHT GRATE BRAKES | | Weaknesses: | SEAT REALLY HURTS, GEARS GET STUCK BETWEEN 1 (1,2,3,4,5,6,7) - 2 (1,2,3,4,5,6,7) AND 3 DOWN TO 2 | | Bike Setup: | FRONT SUPENSTION | | Bottom Line: | GRATE BIKE FOR THE MONEY, GOOD FOR MANY YEARS FOR ALL AGES WHOM WILL FIT | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff D
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Race Pace Bicycles | | Strengths: | I weigh 150lbs and the shock doesnt bottom out with me on it. | | Weaknesses: | The seat hurts really bad. | | Similar Products Used: | 1996 GT Outpost, 1996 GT Timberline | | Bike Setup: | I only added a water bottle holder. | | Bottom Line: | It is a great bike for the money and it is holding up for me. I am going to add bar ends, and new tires. I am going to add WTB Velicoraptors 2.2 on it. It's a great bike and should be bought by anyone under 200lbs. Thanks | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GrassHopper
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Marshall Canyon, La Verne | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$454.00 | | Purchased At: | Temple City Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Awesome Frame (Stiff, Light, Strong) | | Weaknesses: | Crappy Componentry | | Similar Products Used: | Huffy | | Bike Setup: | GT Outpost, XTR/XT/LX, 2000 SID XC, Avid Single Digit 7 Brakes, EA70 Bar, CT2 Seatpost, SDG Satelite Seat, Panaracer Fire XC Pro Tires | | Bottom Line: | There Are Only Two Stock Pieces On My Bike, The Frame, And The Front Derailler. However, For The First Year Everything Was Stock And Performed Quite Well. Since I Bought The Bike I've Dropped It From 31lbs To 22.5lbs. It Rides Great. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Central Jersey
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mercer Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Line | | Strengths: | Cool, light, and strong aluminum frame, price. | | Weaknesses: | Shocks are terrible (I replaced them). They bottomed out off a 3 foot drop, and the Shimano Acera deraillers suck. I cannot shift into seventh gear. | | Bike Setup: | Bar ends, RockShox Psylo XC, maybe a Deore XT derailler | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price. The shocks and gears suck but the bike is only $350. I highly recommend it and I think its worth ugrading. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Boggs Mtn in northern CA | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's Bikes, Concord, CA | | Weaknesses: | Frame thickness makes using a U-lock difficult. "Triple Triangle" design may not work with all car racks. | | Bike Setup: | I bought it for weekend trail riding in the SF Bay Area and started with the standard parts it comes with. I've since converted it to a 'road bike' (no hills in Houston) with slicks and clip-on petals. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great entry-level bike. It's affordable, durable, and can easily be upgraded. As others have said, it's not meant for racing or extreme riding. For the recreational rider, it's a solid choice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jordan Soudani
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Colorado, United States
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$410.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Lover's Place | | Strengths: | The bike is very durable and can stand a lot of damage. I use it a lot and use it on some hard trails and it always stands up to the challenge every time. | | Weaknesses: | It's a little heavier than other hardtails but doesn't make too much of a difference unless you want a very competetive racing bike. It also has wierd frame thicknesses. The lock i bought didn't quite fit the designated area but it fit across the top instead. | | Similar Products Used: | My dad has a Trek 6500 and my mom a 4500. I have used both in similar conditions and I think the Outpost is the best of them for recreational or amatuer racing mountain biking. | | Bike Setup: | I have the basic parts it comes with which include an RST .381cl fork, I don't know what tires, Shimano V-brakes, and Shimano Accera gears. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is good for any mountain biker except a professional or someone that doesn't beat on it much because that defeats part of GT's purpose. It can go anywhere you can and has good parts at a reasonable price. If you're serious about recreational or even semi-professional competition, this is for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Angel
a Weekend Warrior
from Ft Lauderdale, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | frame, weight, componentry for the price | | Weaknesses: | pedals | | Similar Products Used: | none...this was my first mountain bike | | Bike Setup: | 10 degree threaded stem, bar ends, Odyssey Tripple Trap pedals, two water bottle cages, Specialized tires, removed all the reflectors and trimmed all the cables after installing the new stem. | | Bottom Line: | Just over 6 months ago my girlfriend and I decided to try out mountain biking for exercise. I knew nothing about it but, remembered the quality of the "GT" name from my old BMX and Freestyle days. Since this would be my first mountain bike. I wasn't looking to spend alot in case I didn't like it. I compared the Outpost against the Raleigh and I just felt that for the money you couldn't beat the GT. Yes, alot of the components are "cheap", but what do you expect for the category that it is designed to fit. The only problem I had at first was with my derailers. After the second week I took it in for an overall inspection and had everything readjusted. I haven't had a problem since. During the week I slap on a pair of Kenda slicks and ride 12-16 miles to the beach and back Mon-Fri. During these rides I try to jump everything that I can find(my girlfriend Kelli said I dog-the-snot out of it). On the weekends I slap on the knobbies and hit the local trails. The bike is very responsive and fast. The fork is a little mushy, but it serves well to introduce you to suspension forks if you haven't used them before. The brakes work great and it's still shifts like butter. The seat took a little getting used to, but it is fine. If you find the componentry and the overall bike itself cheap then fork over the big bucks and buy a higher level bike. For it's purpose and the price it can't be beat. I just upgraded to a Gary Fisher 2001 Sugar 3. I will keep my Outpost to ride around town and train with. It will also be my backup bike and loaner for friends. Thank you GT for introducing me and getting me hooked on such a great and fun sport.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a Weekend Warrior
from Wahiawa, HI
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | East Range | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop in Honolulu | | Strengths: | Heavy duty aluminum frame. Styling - The Triple Triangle makes the GT standout from the rest. Cost (I got an awsome deal at $275 for being at the right place at the right time). Weight - Better than I expected for the price. | | Weaknesses: | Rough shifts (you really have to back off when switching gears) The seat was painful at first, but my rump is getting used to it. The pedals are a disappointment. The fork is a bit squishy, but I weigh 200 lbs and that probably has a lot to do with it. | | Similar Products Used: | None. This is my first MB. I was a BMXer in my youth. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but the pedals will be switched out for Shimano 545's within the week. | | Bottom Line: | Perfect for someone on a budget that wants a big name bike for a department store price. Great frame to work around. This bike is definately a keeper. I will just add the components I want as I go along, but for now it's a great ride plain stock. I give it all ten torched wienies. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Edward Jamison
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Flight of Icraus | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Strengths: | Componeants can take a beating.
Frame is strong and stout, very upgradable friendly
Looks Pimp
Climbs like a mountain goat with is a$$ on fire...
Descends are stable but scary
Stable Bike at higher speed | | Weaknesses: | Componeants, while sturdy, are crappy
This bike isnt for people over 190 lbs or so..thats no problem for me since im 100 lbs...:o)
Threaded headset means you need a new stem and headset if you want to upgrade...
Crankset wore out on me after 6 months..~1500 miles
Cheap fork bobs alot and it is scary goin down hill fast since the fork bottoms out so easily... | | Similar Products Used: | er...Fisher Marlin..Trek 4500, both pretty nice.. | | Bike Setup: | Stock 'cept for toe clips | | Bottom Line: | This is a nice bike for the price...no more...the frame is stout and looks nice so it is a haven for upgrades...This bike is recommended for starting MTNBikers who want a good value....no for any one else...5 turds for price 5 turds for stuff for the price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin Soul
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Delta Watershed | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | White Rock Cycle | | Strengths: | Affordable, good overall components that can take a beating. | | Weaknesses: | The shocks but what do you expect for the money. | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Scrambler, Trek 4300, Rocky Mountain Cardiac | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Marazochi Z5's (GREAT SHOCK) | | Bottom Line: | I real good bike for the money and as you get better like I have it is worth upgrading. If your looking to buy an entry level bike this is the best I have found, even compared to slightly more expensive ones. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingwood, WV
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$329.00 | | Purchased At: | Whitetail Bikes | | Strengths: | Price, ability to handle a number of surfaces | | Weaknesses: | Seat uncomfortable for me | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback Response, Response SE | | Bike Setup: | Stock, but with Specialized seat | | Bottom Line: | Excellent choice for someone just starting out with a MTB, especially for riding in a wide variety of places. I recreationally ride a variety of surfaces: pavement, rail-trails, two-track and single track. This bike does it all well, and very comfortably after you replace the stock seat. For a bike to ride with the family, and for occasional jaunts through the woods, this bike is hard to beat. It may not cross the finish line first, but in my experience, it will finish. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Wolff
a Cross Country Rider
from Ticonderoga, NY, United States
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any thing challenging | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Purchased At: | B&M | | Strengths: | Almost everything. All the components work real good and bike holds up to a beating. | | Weaknesses: | Not much at all.. maybe.. the plastic stock petals. but those get replaced quickly. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 820, Raleigh M440, Timberline | | Bike Setup: | Rock shox Indy fork, replaced headset, stem and petals, had to replace wheelset, still looking for a good wheelset | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great!! A great investment. Especially if your just starting to bike. For the price I feel it's one of the best out there. I accually own a 99outpost. Front suspention is crution. I've put this bike through hell and its still in great shape. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Seth
a Weekend Warrior
from Lawrence, KS, USA
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Cedar Bluff (Kansas) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Nice aluminum frame.
Decent Component Set.
Good all around bike.
Tough Bike.
| | Weaknesses: | Fork to some degree, it will occasionally bob on me.
The pedals need to go.
Where's the bar ends? (dealer issue). | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Moab | | Bike Setup: | STOCK w/ Specialized bar ends | | Bottom Line: | This bike is damn good. I got it yesterday and have already gotten about 10 miles on it. I would suggest to anyone under 200lbs. The fork is ok for most of you "weekend warriors". Best buy for the price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamin Rathbun
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, MO USA
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lost Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Momentum Cycle | | Strengths: | Price, Frame, Seat, Style | | Weaknesses: | Front suspension fork seizes up easily. Every time it's moist out, I have to re-grease the fork to get it to loosen up. Most of the plastic pedal pieces and reflectors fell off within a month. The front der guard broke within a month...I've had to reattach it twice. I bent the rear arm slightly and I get a minor "wobble" now. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | This has nothing to do with GT but...I added a CatEye Enduro II speed/odometer.
Don't buy one! This is my second...they last about 2 weeks each...if you ride hard at all. So much for the "heavy duty cables" they claim to have... | | Bottom Line: | I'm guessing this bike would be fine for the average weekend warrior.
I ride between 40 and 100 miles a week on everything from rough trails and singletrack to street.
I'm 6'3" and 225 lbs. and I think that has something to do with this fork dying on me so much...just too much weight and too many miles for this bike...
Anyway...barring the front suspension seizing up every time it's moist out, my other complaints with the plastic pedal pieces, reflectors, and front der guard breaking so quickly are pretty minor. Hopefully GT will ship me a new fork and the shop can straighten out the rear arm and all will be well.
It's a great bike for around $350...just not enough for me... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabe
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham,Alabama,usa
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | oakmountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | cahab cycles | | Strengths: | good frame | | Weaknesses: | seat is p.o.s.
wheels bend like rubber bands
shock is low end
front/rear shifters suck
can't take hard pedaling | | Similar Products Used: | na | | Bike Setup: | normal | | Bottom Line: | i am 6'9" and 230lbs.
i have broken the seat, the rear rim, the chain, it was the biggest bike i could find in my price range. i should've held onto the cah and asaved up 1000 more for a bomb proof bike. or the money i say below average. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Whitney
a Weekend Warrior
from Poland, Maine
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Purchased At: | Rainbow Bikes | | Strengths: | Looks, Color, Aluminum Frame | | Weaknesses: | None found yet | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 820 | | Bike Setup: | Gel Seat | | Bottom Line: | I'm writing this for my wife who bought this the same day I bought my Trek 820. We swap bikes often, so we get to judge the two. I found the aluminum frame to be about the same weight as my chromoly framed 820. The front derailer is better on the GT, but the rears are the same. She hated the seat, and bought a gel-seat really meant for a hybrid bike, but it fits her better. Besides, I took her GT seat for myself, which I love. It might be better shaped for men than ladies.
This bike is everything she was looking for in a trail bike. She bought a Trek 700 hybrid the week before, but didn't like it on the trails. Thankfully, our bike shop gave us full credit towards this one. It's probably the last bike she'll ever need given the style of trail riding we do. The only upgrades might be a little higher bar and some better peddles.
Overall a great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore,Md,USA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Aluminium Frame, Brakes stop great, Shock, Gears, easy to adjust, wheels | | Weaknesses: | seat hurts, pedals are plastic | | Bike Setup: | STOCK | | Bottom Line: | I have went from a cheap $99 dollar bike that had a bent rim and the brakes sucked. The GT Oupost has a great shock that has not bottomed out at all but i just got it 4 days ago. The pedals are the worst thing on the bike and the seat hurts but i am getting use to it over the days. The gears are low enough to get you up hills that are steep. Everything has been great so far... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a
from annapolis md
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | tires, brakes, rear derailer, warranty, looks, frame | | Weaknesses: | plastic petals, fork too sort, cables streach a lot before getting broken in, | | Similar Products Used: | trek 4000 & 6000 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | this bike will take anything i can throw at it, and coming from a fearless 14yr old thats anything. from hopping curbs at home tojumping ramps w/ my friendsand their bmx bikes, to doing all sorts of racing in local competitions. this bike is great | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Olen Penn
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, Tx
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | white rock | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | cheap price. Color. It allows people to get into riding with a small amount off cash. I paid $350. It is better than a huffy:) | | Weaknesses: | shifting, shocks, seat, tires, crank, plastic peddals, heavy. | | Bike Setup: | bar ends, tires, saddle, peddals | | Bottom Line: | I would not buy this bike again. My dealer support sucked. They did ask up front what I wanted the bike for and I said sidewalk riding. I had a lot of fun on this bike for about three weeks. This bike is fine for sidewalk riding, but I soon graduated to 20 and 30 mile rides. This bike is not intended for extended rides. The tires suck, I had two flats after the first ride. I crashed on a dirt track and the bike went downhill from there. Eventually crank sqeaked, the rear brakes sucked, the shocks educated my in the meaning of cheap(lower end), and the bike is heavy. I didn't know how heavy it was until a dealer loaned me a reliegh m80. As soon as I lifted the bike I noticed an incredible difference in weight. For another $100, you can ride a reliegh M80 too, it is worth the money. I now have a cannondal f700, but I think the M80 was a better deal at $450.
If all you have is $350 and you need a bike really fast and you ONLY ride around your house and you will NEVER get serious about biking, buy the outpost. Otherwise save a few more dollars and then go buy the M80. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hardtail
a Weekend Warrior
from pa
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | aluminum fram | | Weaknesses: | lousy seat | | Similar Products Used: | gt timberline/saddleback | | Bike Setup: | normal gt outpost | | Bottom Line: | Ok, here it is, I have owned 2 outposts, the first one I bought was 5 years ago, I still have it today and use it for a spare for friends who want to go for a ride or want to see what mountain biking is all about. My new outpost,a 2000 is just fine for my riding,,,,I ride advanced single tracks, i bunny hop rocks and logs, i go through water and climb as good as friends who have bikes that cost 10 times what I paid,,,,,do they have a better ide? probable for the money, but do they get more of a ride then me, no way, i do what they do and then some, its true i can't come smashing down a downhill like them because of my front shocks, but I wouldn't anyway! so there is no difference. Both my outposts are reliable, in the shop rarley and when they are they are in for the normal stuff. 99% of the bikers out there would be fine with an outpost but get sucked into the hype and go out and get more then they could ever use and end up lookong like a chump on the trail. I rode witht he most experienced of riders and kept up and manouvered around the stuff they did, hopped over the things they did, jump some 3 foot mounds, just about everything i wanted to do. Look at the difference, $350 for an outpost....u save $1700 over the Zasker....or $3500 over the top full suspension gt, before u spend that much dough buy a Outpost and see what you can and can't do,,,,worst case is you buy it, and then have to sell it for 200 bucks,,,,so ya lost 150, but on the other hand buy the best and you will never know if you could have had the same enjoyment with less,,,,much easier to suffer a %150 mistake then a $3000 mistake. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Calvin
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Dirt trails to Hershey Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very good.
- Triple triangle softens ride but it is metal so dont expect to much.
- Tires are knobier and grip better than competitors in this price range (350 - 450)
- Awsome color
- Quite responsive but not to quick
- Many people say that the RST 381 is a bad shock but from what i have tried the only one that beat it was the Rock Shox Judy. I am a light person Less than 110 and it is soft enough and my friend who owns a Rock Shox Jett says this is a way better shock.
- Be careful Trek (which includes fischer and specialized) will use last years parts on this years bikes GT doesnt. | | Weaknesses: | - Seat Hurts but i am quickly getting used to it
- Barely fits on my bike rack but it works | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 820, 4500, 6000
Specialized Hardrock
Gary Fischer Mamba, Marlin, Tassajara
Raliegh M40, M50, M60, M600
GT Rebound
Schwinn Mesa GS
Dimondback Topanga | | Bike Setup: | Stock, I might add pedal straps and bar ends | | Bottom Line: | Very good. Comared to all other bikes this is the best, period. I would cant really say but i am a beginner and it is awsome, if it wasnt why would i bother rating it? I think it is perhaps the best entry level bike for everyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clinton Sower
a Downhiller
from Harrisonburg, VA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fire roads west of here | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | I've beat this bike every other day and she keeps going.
The frame is nice for the price; good geometry. | | Weaknesses: | This bike has no real weaknesses for the price.
The 2000 model comes with a cheap fork. The rocks around here will kill it or your wrists in a weak. I liked it better when it came rigid.
| | Similar Products Used: | Trek Singletrack, Schwinn High Sierra | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox xc long travel fork, Shimano clipless pedals, Shimano Acer derailers (stock), ProMax brakes (stock), I go through rims like I go through watches. | | Bottom Line: | If everything in life brought me as much happiness as this bike has, you wouldn't be able to slap the smile off of my face.
You can't beat the value. I bought this bike to go from campus to trail here at JMU. After riding it for a couple of months, I got my brother one for Christmas.
This is a great first bike for continuous riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Olly
a Weekend Warrior
from Southampton, Hampshire, U.K
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Strength
Looks
Frame Geometry | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | DMR Trailstar, Specialized Hardrock, Kona Cindercone | | Bike Setup: | Azonic Single Walls
Planet X stem
DMR V-8's
Rochshox Indy C's
FSA Powerpros (getting soon)
Continentals | | Bottom Line: | This bike rules okay so I've spent quite a lot on it but who cares this is one hell of a bike. I ride a lot probaly at least 5 hours a week street, trials, downhill, trails, jumping. And this totally holds up really good bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Kuzmyak
a Weekend Warrior
from Yorba Linda, CA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anaheim Hills is convinient | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Strong, light frame. Everything else is fairly normal when it comes to bikes in this price range. Usual lower-end components and fork (some bikes in this price-range have forks worst than the RST 381cl.) It has attractive looks, but thats only a plus, not a reason to buy it. | | Weaknesses: | It may cost just a little more than other bikes in this price range, depending on the bike shop. The previous reviewer said this bike wasnt too stiff, but I disaggree. The frame may be too stiff for many people. But some people, including me, like that feel. But all the other steel bikes that cost as much as the GT (including Specialized and Trek) had much more forgiving frames. The seat is a prostate-killer too. | | Similar Products Used: | Haro Accent (rigid), Trek 830 Antelope (rigid), and i tried the trek 820, Giant Rincon SE, Specialized Hardrock, some Mongoose and a few others, bleh. | | Bike Setup: | stock, except for a new Serfas RX saddle and Mr Tuffy tire liners. | | Bottom Line: | Well, let me start off with, most 300-400$ bikes are similar in components, with a 1-year service warranty and life time warranty on the frame. In my opinion, what feels best is the deciding factor for low-end bikes. I'd have to say the Specialized Hard-rock and Rockhopper look like better deals with better components, despite grip-shifters, but the GT felt best to me. The derailers seem ok to me too, although the previous person didnt care for them. Brand new derailers should work fine as long as they are properly adjusted. Maybe your cables just stretched out a little and you need to take your bike in? (it happens, i thought my GT had bad derailers too but they work fine now)I've taken it out a few times, I love it, and am very satisfied. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dominick
a Weekend Warrior
from Syracuse, NY
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The GT Triple Traingle design 7000 aluminum frame which gives the bike a light feeling. (I'm coming from a HUFFY! hehe) Kick ass blue color! | | Weaknesses: | both derailers are Shimano Acera. I'm a big guy and these derailers are weak under pressure! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized, Shwinn. | | Bottom Line: | I just purchased this bike recently. I'm coming from a really cheap huffy bikes and i was looking for something a little bit more extravagant. I was looking in the 300 to 400 dollar range and i decided to go with the Outpost. I liked the bikes feel and look. (Love the blue color!) I would recommend this bike for someone that is a bit on the heavier side and is looking for some medium trail riding, nothing to rigid. This bike has a solid look to it, due mostly to it's frame, but i'm affraid that it's too gentle when it comes to some nice trails, due mainly to it's somewhat cheap components. (First upgrade will be both derailers!) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$
