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Submitted by
gardy Faustin
a Racer
from brooklyn
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | prospect park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | my friend's house | | Strengths: | very strong frame like a rottweiller. | | Weaknesses: | rims are not the best. | | Bike Setup: | stock stx components. kenda slick tires.pauls shifters and brake levers. Chris king head set. crow bar handle bar.kore stem. and many more | | Bottom Line: | this is definitely the bike to get and you want to have fun on the road. you can do anything with the gt backwood.wheelies everything. i love my bike . it keeps me happy | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Frank Clemens
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | The tight, technical kind | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Shop, 1996 | | Strengths: | Reliable components, great handling and response. Looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | That the frame cracked and GT wouldn't replace it for some corporate reason. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 820 | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much out of the crate. | | Bottom Line: | I thought I was the only one who had an experience like the previous submission. My Backwoods frame developed 3 small cracks where the top tube and down tube meet, I have no idea how or when. The bike can still be ridden but it's dangerous as it's certain to get worse. I went through a ton of leg work trying to have it replaced but kept getting shut down as it's a 1996 and for whatever reason that voids the lifetime warranty the bike supposedly had. I loved the bike up until all of this went down so low chilis for this disgruntled GT owner. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Taylor
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Maryland Woods | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Princeton, NJ bike shop | | Strengths: | Good components, light weight | | Weaknesses: | A little pricey, weak frame & negated warranty (1995) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 850, 7000 | | Bike Setup: | Soft terrain tires, slimmer seat, stronger bars | | Bottom Line: | This bike served me very well up until the headset developed multiple cracks in the upper and lower portion after 7 years of average use. I'm only 180 pounds and never beat this bike yet the frame is cracking apart. The bearing seats must be out of round as a result and the steering is way off now - it's out of commission. I never took the bike off jumps and figure the rocky descents must have vibrated the frame to death. The worst part is the stone walling I took from GT when I attempted to have the lifetime warranty on the frame honored - they really treated me like a tool - a classic big business blow off. I might still be riding a GT if my frame's lifetime warranty wasn't negated by GT's bankrupcy/company change BS. Maybe I just got a lemon but have to say it's been a very distasteful experience the way this bike worked out. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ignaz
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Strong frame, nice chrome look, does everything except downhill well. | | Weaknesses: | Cheapo components. But who cares! | | Similar Products Used: | Other rigid bikes. | | Bike Setup: | All stock except for the rear tyres, cassette, chain, handlebars and stem. Added a Rock Shock Jett -(1999/2000)? | | Bottom Line: | Did lots of riding on it, took alot of abuse since Jan97. Became a whole lot faster on this bike. Now converted to my commute and hill climb training bike. Great bike to train speed and stamina on. To make it more bearable, I added a short stem and downhill bars to change the ride posture, combined now with michelin 1.95 tyres.
All these years the only thing that needs changing frequently is the cassette and chain, every 3 to 4 months for my style of riding. Front tyre lasted 7 years and the rear lasts 1 - 2 years, but I tend to ride them till the tread shows.
Get it new or used because it's one of those bike frames that I couldn't break. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Biff
a Downhiller
from Philly/Denver
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Looks and feels very solid. Love the silver color and boldens of frame. | | Weaknesses: | I would have to say by looking at it now that the components low class, but they are easly upgradeable | | Similar Products Used: | GT Teqesta | | Bike Setup: | Bontrager Rims, seat post/seat. Ringle skewers. Rok shox Quadra 21 r's, control tech stem and handle bars, and right now currently running the stock components on my Old/New Backwoods, untill they where out and I replace them with xt's/Xtr's | | Bottom Line: | I orginaly tried to get my old GT Teqesta repaired, it got shiped from colorado and got a little roughed up by the move (Bent carnks, Dlerailer, Brakes ect.. Anyway it needed about $200 of repair work (Bike parts worth around 2 grand). I was just about to get it fixed when, the bike guy, told me to go look out front, there it was the "A shiny used silver GT Backwoods" begging for my attention so I purchased it rather then fix my beloved Gt Tequesta. I am just gona switch over my good parts to it. i was gona get a new frame for my GT Teqesta anyway, so now i saved myself alot of money and got a real good solid framse. Any way the point of this story is that I love GT Bikes, I have owned 3 GT Bikes now for the past 17 years, including BMX. Theres nothing like a GT feel when coming down trail! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Warren
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney Australia
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | six foot track & belambi mines wollongong | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Calypso cycles newtown | | Strengths: | As everybody has said, one tuff frame! Sturdy oversized tubing puts you in the right direction evertime. Well balanced. Cannot fault this frame at all! | | Weaknesses: | Original crap running gear. As expected for the price. Mainly bought the bike for the quality frame & update as I go. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | replaced derailer etc with deore added rockshock xc judy's in 96. Still running the 96 judys today.(maybe due for an upgrade) | | Bottom Line: | Extremely happy with this bike & the components i have added.I have done plenty of miles on this bike & hope to continue. Ridden once a week just about for the past 7 years completely on dirt tracks, firetrails, single track, rock dropoffs, logs, creeks etc. I have puinished this bike broken rims, derailers, dropout etc & yet it still goes fine. I've ridden at Thredbo, Canberra, Blue Mountains all through the Illawara & southern Sydney lots of places lots of terrain & lots of memories. I guess this reveiw is a few years late, but hey if it's still running fine you should let people know the brand of quality! for future purchases. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Joyner
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan/now living in Texas
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ft. Custer | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | House of Bicycles | | Strengths: | Strong Frame....I've put this bike through alot and it keeps asking for more. | | Weaknesses: | hmmm....if I had to pick one I'd say the tires...Tioga Psycho K's. | | Similar Products Used: | Nada | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Vetta tri-shock saddle, Girvin Elite Cross-Link fork. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for any type of riding. I've ran this bike in mud, sand, rocks, stumps....you name it and it holds up and begs for more. I've got about 1000 miles on it and the original components are still kicking and when they wear out this is the type of bike you can slap some xt's or xtr's on and be spending your money wisely. I gotta give it 5 flamin turds for value and overall. Get it if you can still find it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nigel Boeur
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bullwinkle in Kelowna, BC | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$375.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Junkies in Port Moody, BC, Canada | | Strengths: | Lightweight and STRONG Frame, Great geometry, Good for 4 foot drops and jumps, and good components!!! | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | None! | | Bike Setup: | Tioga Tires, GT Vee Brakes, Sugino cranks, Shimano Deore Shifters, Deore Front and Back derailer, Rockshox Judy XC Hydracoil Fork With Disk Mounts, and a 13 inch Frame!! | | Bottom Line: | It's Great For just Riding on Smooth, Rolling Trails, and trials stuff like 180s and side hops cause' its light and fast, and technical stuff too!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damon
a Downhiller
from Crested Butte, CO.USA
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | upper upper loop | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bobcat Bicycles, Salinas, CA | | Strengths: | Strength, Weight, Form | | Weaknesses: | Original components | | Similar Products Used: | Secialized, Cannondale. | | Bike Setup: | Manitou SX LE, all Shimano, Sun Hubs. Raised bars. | | Bottom Line: | Got the bike in late 95. I've run through all the components more than once. Times change as do ancileraries.
It is very hard to change bikes. This is a great bike. I am a big guy. It is as light as a new Rock Hopper '01. This has been the best bike I have ever owned.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Centennial Park - Sydney | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bondi Beach MTB's | | Strengths: | Strong - very strong bike, good package all round, light & super rigid, fast, unbreakable, looks sweet too! Psycho tyres last forever too. | | Weaknesses: | Rigid, could do with front forks, could be lighter, | | Similar Products Used: | Apollo, Giant Warp full suspension, mongoose full suspension | | Bike Setup: | Ritchey head set, shimano spuds, and a few weight saving bits and pieces. | | Bottom Line: | A top bike, best value package. New ones have forks which I have'nt used, mines rigid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JT
a
from Arlington, VA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | Yahoo Classifieds | | Strengths: | Durability ... durability ... durability. Looks. Cost. Three triangle frame. | | Weaknesses: | Original components weren't the greatest. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano 535s, XT drivetrain, Thudbuster seatpost | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I figured I'd ride it for awhile and then upgrade to a better bike. Well, two years later, I won't be doing that. Just received my bonus and decided to upgrade the drivetrain to XT rather than pay bills. I can safely say: I made the right choice. I loved the bike before and love it even more now. I have put this bike through absolute hell and have had no problems.
If you can find one of these: grab it!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Hinde
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester United Kingdon
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | winstanleys in wigan | | Strengths: | Weight. Frame. The cost of this bike attracted me with a mind to upgrade the cheaper components as they wore out.
I've had the bike now about 4 years and half the components are still going strong. Earlier this week I added some Hope Hubs and new mavic rims. | | Weaknesses: | The only weaknesses being the rims weren't completely true when i bought it, and i haven't been arsed to get them straightened. Still they've never majorly affected my riding | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M-Trax | | Bike Setup: | Rock Shox SID XC 2001. LX v-brakes. Panaracer XC Fire Pro tyres. | | Bottom Line: | Simply a great bike in my opinion. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Trowell
a Cross Country Rider
from Rotorua, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | redwoods | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | The GT Backwoods is one of the strongest bike ive used. I am over 6 foot and 100kg and ride my bikes very hard. The Backwoods has never failed | | Weaknesses: | Brakes- They tend to no go the distance | | Bottom Line: | If you do not want to spend alot of money and want a good STRONG bike then go GT Backwoods | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ewan give me something and i'll ride over it !!!!!
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntingdon, cambs
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | jumpin' street | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike sale, £400 pauls cycles, norfolk | | Strengths: | Building block for a do anything solid ride. Cool GT suspension hub on the front | | Weaknesses: | Almost completely stripped it in about 6 months. Beefed up the components | | Similar Products Used: | GT Karakoram: Chromo equivelent. | | Bike Setup: | 18 inch frame,Judy DH fork, c.n.c machined stem, Mavic D521 rims on lx hubs, IRC kujo 2.25 tyres, avid fr XT rear v brakes and dmr v12 flat pedals(the best pedals in the world in my opinion) | | Bottom Line: | If you need a frame and see one of these get it quick. This is a strong responsive frame that will last like no other. Despite all the recent changes and trends in frame design, this one is still up there with the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Whakarawarawa Forest, New Zealand | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$805.00 | | Purchased At: | New Zealand/Christchurch Penny Fathings | | Strengths: | So far everything about this bike Ive found is a strength. With me being 100kgs the ole girls had a hammering and its still going as strong as the day I rode her out of the showroom. The Triple Triangle frame would have to be its greatest attribute. | | Weaknesses: | Im thinking hard here to see if Ive ever found any..........Nah none tha I know of. | | Similar Products Used: | Usually on Trails get to ride other guys bikes for a test but I still prefer mine. | | Bike Setup: | hardtail, IndyC front shock, STX RC running gear, Showroom brakes and downhill bars Just to keep the riding position more comfy | | Bottom Line: | "The GT Backwoods"
I've had no problems ever with this one, I'm really hard on my gear (but maintain it well) and it's never failed, not even a twisted brake bracket or mangled mess running gear.
Top product! this hasnt been my first Mountain bike but will be my last for a fair old while. Recommended buy for all those who dont wish to spend a small fortune but want a great bike for all aspects of riding. I only wish I found this one before I got my first one. Although when I want to update it would only be another GT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad Williams
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfax, VA USA
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | "The Cliff" (Roanoke, VA) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$690.00 | | Purchased At: | The Washington Bike Center | | Strengths: | The frame is very stiff and rigid. The triple-triangle design, like all GT bikes, provides superior stability and lets you feel the road/trail extremely well. The rapid fire shiftersThe rims and components are very durable and need very little maintenance. | | Weaknesses: | With the stock cromolly front fork and the stiffness of the frame, trail riding over rocky ground can be jarring. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Avalanche | | Bike Setup: | Trail Riding | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a bottom of the line GT aluminum frame, but is suitable for a novice racer. Overall, it was the most bike for the money in it's class with the nicest components. Frame type and brand is personal preference, but if you're looking for a practically indestructible frame with good medium/high quality components and is suitable for trail or street, this bike is a bargain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eegiboo
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Excellent climber, strong, durable, good balance. | | Weaknesses: | A tad heavy, requires frequent polishing for that shine(maybe cos mine's ancient), original components weak. | | Bike Setup: | RST 381XE, All XT except FD (LX), crankset (Deore Hollowtech) and brakes (tektro). Mavic X517 | | Bottom Line: | Buy it for it's excellent frame. Upgrade its parts and you'll have a superb entry level bike. It's perfectly at home on the road or the trail. Mine is still going strong despite its advanced age and the numerous crashes, it just does'nt give up !! Very, very nice. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin Bowman
a Weekend Warrior
from Halifax, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Thats Secret | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | FRAME FRAME FRAME!! Basically I tore everything off of this bike and rebuilt it from the frame up. | | Weaknesses: | Cheap components that need to be replaced. | | Similar Products Used: | None that compared to this bike. | | Bike Setup: | Gt backoods frame, Manitou SX-TI front fork, XT hollowtech crankset, xt components all around, mavic 517 wheelset, GT backwoods is where its at!! | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the junk!!! I've owned a few other mountain bikes, and never have experienced one like this. Why spend tons of money for a bike that has better components that still aren't exactly what you want?!?! Buy the bike or the frame and build it up the way you want it with this awesome(in my mind top of the line in quality and weight)frame. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
justin repath
a Racer
from norman, ok, USA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | nudraper | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | buchanan bicycles | | Strengths: | Lightweight, well specced, responsive, tough, agile, and pretty. All around it makes a great starter-bike | | Weaknesses: | seat-tube size problem resulting in an annoying, yet easily remedied creak. | | Similar Products Used: | saddleback, zaskar | | Bike Setup: | STX-RC pods, brakes, and deralliuers, parralax hubs, mavic rims, velociraptor tires, azonic stem with titec handlebars all put together with love at Buchanans | | Bottom Line: | THIS BIKE IS FANTASTIC! I've raced it 10 times, ridden it peacefully through the country roads of Holland, freerode it through fast, fun singletrack, climbed, descended, crashed repeatedly and assaulted the urban fabric of the town I call home.
This bike is well built and specced for the money paid. It takes the harshest of abuse and begs for more. This bike is good for anyone who wants to get started on a mountainbike but doesn't want to commit their soul to thousands of dollars in a bike. I broke my arm on it and it was unaffected. This bike is love on the run. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vater
a Weekend Warrior
from Wales, UK (trials rider)
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | street | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | halfords | | Strengths: | Solid frame, very light, triple triangle works well, I started trials riding fine on it, its light and strong which makes it a good starting bike - upgrade the components to good stuff like XT setup or whatever you like and you've got a really good all round bike | | Weaknesses: | standard components not top notch | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | backwoods, fsa powerpro cranks + XT chainring (22T) + dmr ring thing, intense comp 70 tyres 2.25, weinmann 420 rims, syncros handlebars, Magura HS33 Tomacs, | | Bottom Line: | wicked all round bike - well worth the money. You can buy it as an all rounder or serious XC bike, If you want to do a bit of trials and go on an XC trail then this is the bike for you!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
robert ruitenberg
a Cross Country Rider
from sparta nj
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | mahlon dickerson | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | takes alot of abuse, but is also very agile. i've used it in downhills and technical X-country. has taken it spills along with me and keeps on chuggin. the design of the frame is very strong and has good craftmanship
| | Weaknesses: | it doesn't come with the best components, but its a good frame to build on. | | Bike Setup: | judy xc rockshock, still have the original components after 4 years, but they are getting tired. | | Bottom Line: | strong all around bike. you wont win any downhills, but you'll have alot of fun. its a great frame even though its a hard-tail. honestly i would rather ride this bike in a technical x-country than soft-tail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Cutri
a Cross Country Rider
from Beaver, PA
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Brady's Run | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Incredible frame. Love the Geometry. I realy like the stock handlebars, they are very comfortable. | | Weaknesses: | haven't found any | | Similar Products Used: | GT Outpost(the original, before they screwed it up) | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z.2 Atom Bomb, XT crank, XT BB, XT front deraileur, velociraptor tires, everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. I have ridden it hard for 6 years and my only problem was i wore out the alivio front drivetrain, but that was after 5 years, so thats acceptable. It is even better with the upgrades. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Edward Grove
a Weekend Warrior
from Auburn N.Y. US of A
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | death vally at the y field | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | It has amazzzzing handling and is light weight yet strong. | | Weaknesses: | it has no weaknesses except the gears don't shift as rapidly as i would like but thats me.I had to replace the headset bearings | | Similar Products Used: | mt. shasta and the gt rebound. | | Bike Setup: | rockshot indy s, avid 1.0 brakes, rapid fire shifters, Aluminum fram, and nashbar clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | i like it its fast handles well and can eat up the trails with wild abandon. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Antony Powell
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | One awsome bike with very few falts. The frame is invinsible and takes anything thrown at it.
Example:
15mph on road, hit drain badly, some huge air, me and the bike seperate, and so on.
This bike is good and the tyre i fitted make a huge difference (continnetals cross-country 2.1)
| | Weaknesses: | The gears could be stonger. The stx-rc (1998 modle)
have been replaced after 13 months and im on my second seat post after failure. All cables failed after about 4 months, on my 4th rear derialire and 2nd hanger. | | Similar Products Used: | GT tequestar
GT timberline
scott tampico | | Bike Setup: | as standard with new tires, replaced the verlosiraptors, lasted less than 3 months.
Getting front hope hydralic disc and judy sl's | | Bottom Line: | This is one great bike for a first bike. Im 15 and not too impressed. The parts lasted poorly and i need somthing with tough parts. The blast around town and to school do kill wheels and break pads. The frame is great and the handling is amazing but cheap flexible wheels do not help. I would change the wheels, forks, breaks but this bike can not be beaten by anything if your racing on road to Newbury | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MetaliTool
a Weekend Warrior
from New England
Date Reviewed: November 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Very Strong frame, a Steal at $450 | | Weaknesses: |
Some components are not as good as they could be
The tires (Tioga Psycho K) are terrible, and the frame scratches gets scratched easily. | | Similar Products Used: |
Gary Fisher, Trek, Univega | | Bike Setup: |
Upgrades include Rock Shox Indy S with Speed Springs, Wellgo Clipless Pedals, Dia-Compe V-Brakes, Panaracer Fire XC PRO 2.1 Kevlar | | Bottom Line: | This bike is extremely durable and has great handling. The frame geometry works well on downhill and uphill sections. The only thing that needs to be improved is the weight. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Poland, Ohio
Date Reviewed: July 10, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Brady's Run | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Solid frame at an introductory price. | | Weaknesses: |
Bar ends dent the top tube during crashes. | | Similar Products Used: |
First real bike | | Bike Setup: |
I have swapped out just about everything except for the stock handle bars. Get rid of the Alivio crap and replace it with XT stuff. I have replaced the derailleurs (F&R), V-Brakes, shifters and levers, crank (LX), and wheels (Mavic 517 CD Ceramics w/ XT Hubs). I replaced the fork with a Manitou FS Ti (Palmer). | | Bottom Line: | This bike runs very well and is extremely durable. I beat the crap out of it. I weigh 225 lbs and the frame has held up beautifully. The only complaint is that the frame geometry with the FS Ti shock raises the front end slightly. Thos makes it a little difficult to keep the front end planted on the ground when cimbing hills. I love the bike with the upgrades I've made. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross-Country Rider
from MD
Date Reviewed: May 9, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
This bike is the best bike i have ever owned! It is light and has a strong frame.
I am 14 and i biked the entire C&O canal with my boyscout toop. It took 4 trips to do it and on the last trip i had gotten my GT Backwoods. The last trip was the longest. It was 64 miles of the C&O canal in 2 days and i beat everyone else that in the troop by at least 20 min. which included the grown ups. Also i have reached a top speed of 35 mph cause this is a bike that will speed over any terain. | | Weaknesses: |
The only things that seem to bother me are that it gets scratched esaliy and when i am in the 7th gear the jain seems to rub up against the front derailer but it hast caused any problems so far. | | Bike Setup: |
It came with a Rock Shox Indy C and it is good for me now but when i get enough money i am going to get a Rock Shox Sid fork. | | Bottom Line: | GET THIS BIKE if u have the dough and u like to bike. If i could i would give it 7 hot tamales. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zaphod
a Cross-Country Rider
from iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Date Reviewed: March 15, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
yes | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
very good | | Weaknesses: |
not bad | | Similar Products Used: |
trek 930 | | Bike Setup: |
Marzocchi z3 98 | | Bottom Line: | Well, it's probably the (only) best bike i've ever used.And the z3 fork rocks. hehe... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross-Country Rider
from Stockton CA
Date Reviewed: March 15, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
This bike is so killer! I have never owned a bike of this calaber and I am so impressed with it! It looks like a Mud Demon ready to tear up the earth! I havn't put it through hell yet.. but soon it will. This bike is so fast too! The bike feels like it wants to fly!Bottom Line:This is the best bike I have ever owned! Get this bike if you got the dough, it's worth it. | | Weaknesses: |
Absolutley Positivley
NONE! | | Similar Products Used: |
None of it's kind. What a firdt impression! | | Bike Setup: |
Jett XC Shock, The bike is still stock. | | Bottom Line: | Get the bike! you won't be dissapointed at all! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FearMe
a cross-country rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: February 22, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased the '98 backwoods early last year and it has been nothing but great for the longest time. throughout the year i have replaced just about everything except the frame itself, with xtr shimano stuff, and this thing was the best rider i have ridden on. Only problem i had was last month i broke the frame. a pretty large crack on the top tube close to the headset. I weigh 145 pounds, so it isn't from my weight. my friends say i ride pretty hard, that may be it, but it isn't this indestructable thing that everyone says it is. I broke it in a little over a year. good bike would have 5 stars if it didn't break. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Yung
a weekend warrior
from Arcata,Ca.USA
Date Reviewed: February 4, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Got my Gt for over a year now. Good solid frame to upgrade on. However, The find the polish alu frame is supsceptive to scratches and dent easily. I love the solid feel of the frame and mated with a suspesion seatpost, it is a pleasure to ride.
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Submitted by
Travis
a weekend warrior
from Lawrence, KS
Date Reviewed: January 21, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Just got the '99 Backwoods and...wow! Very cool bike at a very cool price ($650). You can't go wrong with this bike because you're off to a good start with a superb aluminum frame. The rest can be upgraded in time. Huge improvement over '98s and previous models. The RockShox Jett XC's are definitely better than Indy. This GT's made in the USA, too. Can't wait to get clipless pedals and warm weather! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glen
a racer
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: October 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
god i looove this bike. I bought mine in early 1998 for $1499NZ and managed to talk the guy into upgrading most of the LX componentry to XT and XTR gear. It came with Rock Shox Indy C's which i quickly upgraded to Judy XC's. As for value for money, nobody does it better than GT.5 burnin hot chili's for this one! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ronald Whyte
a
from Dublin, Ireland
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got my Backwoods in September '97. It cost me 500 pounds cash with a trade in allowance on a Raleigh Max. I got Yellow RST shocks to match the bike colour co-ordination. The silver shine is hard to keep for a long time so good chrome polish like Auto Glym brings the metal up well. Had no problems so far and I love it!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Russell
a weekend warrior
from Birmingham AL
Date Reviewed: October 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just bought a 1999 Backwoods I'm pretty new at the game, but I'm pretty impressed so far I think for the price, And the quality of most of the components it's hard to beat.I've only ridden the single track at Oak Moutain State Park on this bike twice so far, but I'm very satisfied with my choice. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Crawford
a cross-country rider
from CA.
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Belive it or not....I've been riding a backwoods since 94......broke off all the leave-it-at-home (A.K.A. Alivio) crap the first year.....everything is XT now.....Put on the XT V-Brakes/Shifters earlier this year. I've g |
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$ 650.00
