Submitted by
duckhunter2847
a Weekend Warrior
from Rancho Santa Margarita, CA Date Reviewed: June 21, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Cholla, Rock-It
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Performance, Mission
Strengths:
Easy to set up, Shifts well, Zero pedal bob, lots of steering feedback. EASY TO CLIMB WITH.
Weaknesses:
started creaking after 3 months, i think i need to tighten the suspension or something. cleaned the chain and cassete, ride got alot smoother.
Similar Products Used:
nothing.tried some downhillers, too heavy.
Bike Setup:
stock. x5 shifters, x7 rear D, shimano deore front D. rockshox dart 3 front shock with lock out(doesnt really lock, lol), rockshox BAR rear shock, rektro auriga comp brakes(work REALLY well)
Bottom Line:
good begginers bike, suspension soaks up everything. rock-it at laguna woods was a cinch, bombed it the whole way9sorta) easy to control on the downhills once the sag/rebound is dialed in... light enough to hang with the $3k bikes but only cost $1k.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Reiska666
a Cross Country Rider
from Finland Date Reviewed: June 7, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
ChainReactionCycles,
Strengths:
Incredible climbing features, climb as a mad squirrel
I-drive really kills the pedal feedback
Great stability and smoothness
Easy & nice to handle
Good parts in unbeatable price
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
none, this is my first full sus bike.
Bike Setup:
Rear Shock:Fox Float RP3
Fork:Rock Shocks PIKE Team 2006
Crankset:Shimano XT, with Hollowtech II
Bottom Bracket:Shimano XT Hollowtech II
Pedals:Crank Bros Candy
Front Derailleur: Shimano XT
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
Shifters: Shimano XT
Rear Cogs:Shimano XT 9-speed
Chain:Shimano HG-73 Nine Speed
Rims:DT Swiss XR 4.1 D
Tires:Tioga Yellow Kirin 2,3/Blue Dragon 2,1
Front Hub:DT Swiss Onyx Disc with 20mm through-axle.
Rear Hub:DT Swiss Onyx Disc
Spokes:DT Swiss double butted stainless steel
Nipples:DT Swiss
Front Brake:Avid Juicy 5 Hydraulic Disc 203mm rotor
Rear Brake: Avid Juicy 5 Hydraulic Disc 180mm rotor
Brake Levers:Avid Juicy 5 Hydraulic
Handlebar:Syntace VRO EcoRiser handlebar
Stem:Syntace VRO Superforce stem
Grips:GT Lock Down, co-molded locking grip system
Headset:FSA Integrated, sealed angular contact bearing
Saddle:SDG Flex I-Beam
Seat Post:SDG I-Beam
Seat Clamp:GT Alum QR
Bottom Line:
Really smooth and steady bike to ride,takes any terrain as a butterfly.It feels that faster you ride,it behave even better.Climb as a hardtail,i-drive really works.For two years there has not been any problems.I prefer it is bike that you cant trust if you take care of normal periodical maintenace.Weight-weenies may consider lighter tyres.But these Tiogas are not bad at all.Good all-around bike for reasonable price,light enough for xc ride and steady enough for light downhill.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
M
a Weekend Warrior
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: May 5, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Split Enz
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2800.00
Purchased At:
Outdoorsman
Strengths:
Rides extremely well. It can take what ever is thrown at it when it is working properly.
Weaknesses:
The bolts holding on the idrive flex plate are constantly snapping and need to be lock tighted in to stay tight which doesn't help when the head snaps off in the forrest as it is nearly impossible to do a quick replacement. The dropouts need constant greasing to stop a loud creaking noise when pedalling and it sends vibrations up the frame. The fox shock has failed me twice, both front and rear Avid brakes have seized and the idrive system has been very high maintenance. The later three issues are not a problem, but the loud creaking and bolt snapping has been a nightmare.A bit heavy too.
Similar Products Used:
idrive 2 2004. (good bike which is why I chose GT again)
Bike Setup:
this is the 1.0 with all the pretty good stuff.
Bottom Line:
Great bikes but, hard work, costly and time consuming to maintain. I won't be buying another GT for fear of more hassels. Very disappointed. Expensive mistake. GT after sales service rubbish.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nathan caithness
a Weekend Warrior
from melborne, victoria, australia Date Reviewed: April 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
fast and flowing
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1500.00
Purchased At:
from a friend
Strengths:
The whole bike is just incredibly good. It handles so well on every kind of track. Also I am crap at big jumps but this bike actually makes me feel confident on jumps. i-drive system is easy to tighten and adjust as long as you have the correct i-drive tools. Great components, love the fox floats. This bike is good for cross country, free ride and light downhill.
Weaknesses:
Don't have any yet but make sure that the i-drive system is always greased and tight.
Similar Products Used:
gt force 2
Bike Setup:
stock setup
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike buy it buy it buy it
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ed locke
a Cross Country Rider
from greensboro, NC. usa Date Reviewed: December 19, 2007
Favorite Trail:
fast
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
perfomance
Strengths:
great value, very nice components.
Weaknesses:
bottle carriage, frame is heavy feeling but you feel safe.
Similar Products Used:
Stumpjumper Elite/Epic/Giant Anthiem.
Bike Setup:
changed tires/bars/shifters.
Bottom Line:
After riding this bike now for nearly 2 months hard, Here's the bottom line. It's unmatched stability wise. I feel as safe and confident on this frame as any I've ridden. Desends, corners wonderfully, you won't be dissappointed. Here's the problem, I like to stand to sprint and or out of saddle climbing. This bike mushes when you stand. I nearly always ride with propedal which helps some. When sitting it proforms great and if you are a sitter then bike will be hard to beat. I'll probably end up with the Stumpjumper Pro with Brain front and rear that gives a stable platform.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
allen grenz
a Cross Country Rider
from columbia, sc, us Date Reviewed: November 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
performance
Strengths:
great part spec, downhill couldn't be better, no bob never switch the rp3 from lightest propedal even on climbs. loves big air
Weaknesses:
creaking somewhere in bb area or ID pivots after 40 miles when pedaling climbs, stock tioga suck
crank bros 5050X pedals, panaracer fire xc pro and kenda nevagals sets depending on uses
Bottom Line:
This bike by far is the best bike i've owned. sold my 07 ex 9 for it. My riding friend had an ID 5 2.0 That I used in florida for a weekend cause my fuel was not with me . I couldn't believe the capabilities. I drove to NC two wks later and bought the 06 model 5 1.0 it is 4 lbs heavier than my trek. I had no idea GT made a product of this calibur suprised more arn't on the mountain. Get better tires the Tiogas put me right into the dirt three times not cool. once you have decent rubbers corners will have a new meaning to you on this ride. buy it i hear the new model is better if you can find one
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ed locke
a Cross Country Rider
from greensboro, NC. usa Date Reviewed: November 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Hobby Park/Owls Roost
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
performance bike
Strengths:
1. Great parts spec 2. I-Drive has no swingarm feedback,very smooth. 3. Super Stable especially in the corners. 4. Affordable
Weaknesses:
1. A little on the heavy side. 2. Water bottle mount is located on underside of down tube.
Similar Products Used:
First full suspension. Other MTB is a SP Epic hardtail.
Bike Setup:
Carbon bars, XO twistie shift. Thompson stem. Maxxis Dirtmark.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike, even better for the money. I'm 50 yrs old and normally ride road 6-10 thousand miles a yr. I do have an SP EPIC hardtail which flys but I always came out of the woods feeling beat. All my cronies have gone to full suspension bikes and can't say enough how they feel after a long day in the saddle. The only caution I had buying this bike was the weight factor as there are several bikes out there in the same price [$2500/$2700]range weighing 27 lbs. I suppose even if you tried to make this bike lighter 26/27 lbs it would cost you $1500.00 ie wheels/saddle/pedals. Then you're up to $3500-4000 and you most likely not be looking at this bike anyway. You can't find a better bike for the buck so long as you can get it for what I did or close to it. The components and suspension work very well out of the box. I ride with a bunch of fast guys [local racers] and when we're on the flat twisties or downhills this bike gains ground fast. After my first ride and feeling the heavy-ness on the hills I dumped the stock Tioga tires and went with Maxxis 2.1 front and rear, dropped an easy 1 lb of rotating weight----huge improvement. It's like nite and day how much lighter this bike climbs, the bike actually feels nimble on the climbs. This is something I would recommend right off the bat and you'll be feeling you're riding a sub 27 pounder. I was a little leary of the GT brand too, ie Kmart etc. but GT in the past has been on top and it seems they are making a come back on their higher end bikes. I bought the bike because I couldn't pass up the great price. Where can you get these components for that price. I took a chance on the bike thinking if I didn't like it I could swap the frame out. To my surprise the GT handles unbelieveable. I can't say enough about it. I come from an M/C MX background. I know what a balanced bike feels like and this bike gives you the confidence that if you need to push the limits. You can lock out the FoxRL fork and stand up to climb without too much bob coming from the RP3 rear shock,[it has 3 modes but no lock out] but if I had the money I would swap it out for the Fox RP23. The idrive system really works, no swingarm feedback. It's taken me a bit a time to get used to sitting while climbing but if you do the I-Drive will find the traction on the steep. I too am curious about higher end frames. I would be confident to put this bike against any other 2500.00 bike. Buy it for your first full suspension bike if you don't have 4-5 grand to drop on a top liner, you won't be sorry. When I do get some extra coin I might buy something on top, but I better be racing else it will go to waist. Or I can boast about it being 23 lbs for what ever that is worth. Buy it, ride it and enjoy where it takes you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ant
a
from Liverpool UK Date Reviewed: June 25, 2007
Favorite Trail:
llandegla
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Fairly light for a dual suspension frame, Price is competitive. Handles smoothly in fast banked turns and a great climber up hills
Weaknesses:
The link thats bolted on so the i drive worked broke on my first ride. But got a new one for 7 quid!!
Similar Products Used:
GT XCR 1000
Bike Setup:
Marathon sl fork XTR front/rear mech rapid rise & m960 cassette FSA V drive chainset Hope m4's Mavic D521 and Easton Monkey Bar EA70
Bottom Line:
Great bike to get you smiling on even a wet day!
Value for money, strong and great build. I would by GT again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Denver Date Reviewed: March 28, 2007
Favorite Trail:
The next one
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1620.00
Purchased At:
Performance Bicycle
Strengths:
Like everyone else that has reviewed this ride has said, components are top notch in this price range.
Weaknesses:
It's fat, but so am I! The cleats on the stock Candy's are candy ass and wear out fast.
Similar Products Used:
None - this my first full suspension. But, I've sent 3 Specialized Stumpjumper hardtails to their graves since 1987.
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Speedplay Frog Pedals. The bike is all XT with a splash of XTR. A great Fox fork and shock.
Bottom Line:
Over the winter Performance had a momentary lapse in judgement and I took advantage. The bike was marked down to $1999 and they were offering an additional 10% discount on all purchases. On top of that I get a instant 10% store credit on all purchases for being a Team Performance Member. That brought the effective price of this bike down to about $1600. Performance Bicycle Rocks!!
Besides the great deal I got on what I consider a high end component bike, the GT performs very well as an all mountain. Despite the frames considerable weight, I seem to be able to climb as well as folks riding Santa Cruz, Yeti, Stumpy and so on. If I want a lighter ride I'll lose some of my gut. On the downhill this bike truly shines and I wonder why I waited so many years to get that other spring.
Buy this bike if you are not a snob and don't have to have one of the big brand names. It ain't a fashion show out there! This is a decent frame covered with some of the best components you'll get at this price level.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from San Clemente, CA, USA Date Reviewed: March 11, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1900.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
1. Great parts spec 2. Idrive seems to work - not just a gimmick 3. Very stiff, stable frame 4. XTR rapid rise rear derailleur
Weaknesses:
1. Heavy 2. Clicking noise from bb area that I can't seem to figure out.
Similar Products Used:
Rocky Mountain Element, Gary Fisher Montare, Giant Anthem
This is a great bike for the money. I would not buy it for the sticker price of $2800, but when Performance was blowing out the '06 model I picked this one up for $1800. The components and suspension alone are worth that much. I was a little leary of the GT brand at first, but when I saw that Brian Lopes and Hans Rey use their products it changed my mind.
I wish the bike were a few pounds lighter. I have a Rocky Mtn. Element 4 inch travel bike that also weighs nearly 30 lbs which really puts things into perspective I guess. The GT is a 5 inch travel bike and it weighs the same as my XC rig. If you want a light full suspension bike, you really have to pay for it.
The bike performs wonderfully. You can lock out the Fox fork and stand up to climb without too much bob coming from the RP3 rear shock. The idrive system really seems to work. If you sit while climbing you don't even need to lock out the fork. My only complaint is that I seem to have a clicking noise coming from the bottom bracket area that I can't find. I've had the cranks re-installed at the bike shop and everything tightened so I'll be damned if I know what it is.
I really enjoy the stability of the bike. The Tioga 2.3 front tire does a great job of keeping the bike upright when going into turns in loose dirt. The bike is just stable anyway. It seems to be a great deal but I am curious about higher end frames. I have never ridden a Santa Cruz, Ellsworth or Turner but I am curious how their 5 inchers compare to the GT.
Bottom line: buy it if you don't have a lot of dough to spend on a high end bike. Dont buy it if you eventually plan to go super high end and just want something in the meantime. Go ahead and spend the money on top of the line then you won't be wondering about it like I am doing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phil
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ, USA Date Reviewed: March 11, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Any
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2300.00
Purchased At:
Performance
Strengths:
All around solid bicycle.
Weaknesses:
None yet. The bike has been everything I had hoped for.
Similar Products Used:
GT iDXC
Bike Setup:
Stock
Bottom Line:
This is a very nice bike. Very solid all the way around. The frame is strong and fairly light. The components are Shimano XT throughout, and I have not had so much as a hiccup with thier performance.(nothing against SRAM)Candy C pedals are great.Fox fork and rear shock have done the job and looks sweet in the process. The bike is light enough for some XC (30 pounds), and has enough strength and travel to handle some drops and jumps. I dont really have alot else to say, but, GREAT BIKE.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TLYMTB
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens, GA. USA Date Reviewed: September 6, 2006
Favorite Trail:
All of them
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
ebay
Strengths:
Very beefy frame, super stiff, seemingly bottomless suspension, pedals well.
Weaknesses:
A little on the heavy side, linkage has a couple of parts that work loose from time to time but that is not a big deal to me. It has a low bottom bracket so you gotta be careful over trees etc... but the low bb makes it very stable.
Similar Products Used:
Old LTS, various i-drives, Team, 1.0, 2.0, id-4 2.0.
Bike Setup:
Reba Team, Thomson post & stem, Easton EC-70 bars, Hayes 9 carbon brakes, SRAM XO, Race Face Deus cranks, Egg Beater pedals, Mavic 819's with DT hubs.
Bottom Line:
For a bike with this much travel it pedals like a x-country rig! Climbs very well considering the weight (30.7 lbs). The travel is friggin bottomless, I have rolled it off of 3 foot drops etc... and not come close to bottoming it out! This bike can be set up for x-country/trail riding, or with a beefier parts spec could handle mild black diamond riding. Good neautral geometry that behaves in every situation I have put it through (up, down, knarly tech terrain, rock drops, stairs, walls, roots, dry, mud, extended smooth and rough climbing, tight and twisty single track, & even a little bit of mild jumping). Once again I bought the frame from ebay and put it together to my liking so it's not the factory parts spec at all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Barnsley, UK Date Reviewed: July 28, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Wharncliffe/Grizedale Forest
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2795.00
Purchased At:
Barnsley Bicycle Centre
Strengths:
Strong in most areas - lightweight, great groupset and brakes. Fox shocks enable on the fly adjustment to lock out suspension for those boring flats or hard climbs. Silky smooth over the roughest terrain. Well specified and could probably handle most terrain thrown at it.
Weaknesses:
So far my only complain is the grips get real slippy with sweaty palms but their lock-on's so a doddle to replace.
Similar Products Used:
Haro, Specialized Enduro Expert, Orange 5 Pro Hope
Bike Setup:
As out of box
Bottom Line:
I researched and demo'd a lot of bikes before I bought the GT. It felt right the first time I rode it and when pressed can really give you some speed! I still ride my GT performer BMX bike from way back in the 80's and if this gives me half that much pleasure I'll be well pleased.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jamie solomons
a Cross Country Rider
from newstead victoria australia Date Reviewed: April 7, 2006
Favorite Trail:
moonlight flat castlemaine
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$4600.00
Purchased At:
dragon cycles maryborough
Strengths:
this bikes strengths are how active the suspension is and how well it climbs and handles all conditions
Weaknesses:
there are none
Similar Products Used:
giant nrs2 2003
Bike Setup:
stock standard apart from the tyres
Bottom Line:
out of the box this is a fantastic bike with no weakness anywhere it is light enough 13.5 kilos to be able to throw it up the steepest climb stiff enough to handle technical descents no frame flex here plush enough to deliver a super smooth ride where you lose no power the suspension design is much refined over the old i drives and offers reliability with the new bottom bracket bearings throughout great fork float rl light enough and works super well xt drivetrain throughout unmatchable in quality fox float rp3 rear shox outstanding in all areas truvativ bars stem great spec thomson seat post fizik gobi saddle very comfy all in all this is the best bike i have owned by a long shot handles everything i throw at it with ease i love to climb amd this bike also likes to climb the frame geometry helps in this area not too steep or too slack exceptional bike recommended to serious riders
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob Wilson
a Weekend Warrior
from Carmarthen, S/Wales, UK Date Reviewed: September 28, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Glyncorrig/ Afan Argoed
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Winstanleys cycles,UK
Strengths:
Very plush 130mm travel, no-bob, overbuilt frame, good geometry, superb traction
Weaknesses:
Dogbone link bolts alloy (snap easily) dogbone link failed at bolt hole
Similar Products Used:
Marin Quadlink
Bike Setup:
Custom build-Fox float RLC, XT group, Hope m4 mono's, Mavic crossmax ust wheels, Thomson post/stem, Easton cnt bar, Sellia Italia slr-xc, Nokian nbx 2.3 tyres.
Bottom Line:
A strong do it all bike capable of climbing with the lightweight f/s whippets and roasting them on the downs. Holds its line across terrain because of strong swing arm and superb boulder swallowing capibility plus out climbs just about any other bike on the technical stuff. I-drive sniff's out traction on wet rock and deep mud. This bike has survived the British winter which has killed the bearings on most other bikes pivots. Very good value for money without the bulls**t of other brands, if MTB's were judged on performance not image this bike would be king.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hud
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia Date Reviewed: June 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Beechworth and Lysterfield
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$3600.00
Purchased At:
Brunswick St Cycles
Strengths:
Frame design, I hardly ever need to use the propedal settings. All the components are top shelf, worth the extra $850 over the 2.0
Weaknesses:
I hear lots of bad things about the bearings loosening off and bolts breaking, but this hasn't been an issue for me yet. Stem was sooo long.
Similar Products Used:
Raceline EXT Expert Giant VT3
Bike Setup:
Easton 1.5inch riser, 100mm Pro stem, X9 rear mech, pg990 cassette and chain, X7 shifters
Bottom Line:
The price was Aus$3600 RRP $4000. I haven't used it on real rough or steep stuff yet, but it should shine. Massive brakes, stiff cranks and very smooth suspension. I hardly ever switch on propedal because it climbs bob-free. I find I can vary the sag a lot and it makes little difference, which is great if I want a plush ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Hans Inge Berg
a
from Norway Date Reviewed: April 25, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Great travel, can stiffen up the frame for XC. Brakes can stop a train. Superb response and tunability. Crank bros pedals work even when swimming in mud. HR Pike\fox RP3 combo!! sweeet!
Weaknesses:
the Dogbone screws supplied are crap. they break off after a couple of trips. GT supplier is waiting for better replacement screws.
Similar Products Used:
Scott elite racing
Bike Setup:
out of the box
Bottom Line:
The best bike i've ever ridden.. too bad about the screws...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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