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Submitted by
Jason Curodeau
a Weekend Warrior
from San Bernardino
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | outback and beyond moab | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | gregs greenlake cycl | | Strengths: | I love this bike. I bought it on sale in 96' I upgraded to front suspension for a moab trip in 97' and over the years went to v-brakes and carbon handlebars. I use it to play and commute. I have beat this bike senseless and cannot destroy it. | | Weaknesses: | It's a bit on the heavy side but indestructable. I cannot bring myself to part with it. | | Bottom Line: | I have ridden this bike in 15 states on all kinds of trails and city conditions it has served me well over the last 12 years. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Detroit, Michigan
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Pontiac Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | Scarlett's Schwinn, Pontiac MI | | Strengths: | Triple triangle. | | Bike Setup: | Frankensteined the drivetrain - mostly Shimano XT but also some LX and some stock replacement. Kore pedals. Answer Manitou FS Titanium suspension. | | Bottom Line: | Never thought that the first mountain bike I bought in high-school would still be carrying me down single-track 12 years later. I've made some upgrades to the components here and there, but all-in-all, this bike has taken everything I've thrown at it, and to be candid, I do not take good care of my things. A wee bit heavy, but overall a very solid bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Shannon
a Weekend Warrior
from Reno, Nv.
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | tahoe flume trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$565.00 | | Purchased At: | great basin cycles | | Strengths: | My '92 karakoram has been a great bike, i'm a big guy and this bike has, except for a few replacements, stood up to time and i haven't really broken it. | | Weaknesses: | The pedals that came on it broke shortly after my first ride, but the dealers upgraded them free of charge, and i've had no trouble since, the only other troubles have been that the paint faded alot ( I live in Nevada, everything fades) and i broke the rear derailuer in a crash. | | Similar Products Used: | I had a few lesser bikes before this and broke all of them. | | Bike Setup: | Standard from the store, I did have mr. tuffy's put in because of the goatheads here, and well worth it. Deore l.x. rapid fire's still work great. and the megabites that came on it lasted forever. | | Bottom Line: | Has proven to be a good, solid bike. even with no suspension, it has taken a lot of pounding and torque on the cranks and drive train, and has stood up to my abuse since '92. If you pay the extra for the mid to high end models, you should have few troubles.
I thought it was a little pricey when I bought it, But it has proven to be worth what I paid. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Shannon
a Weekend Warrior
from Reno, Nv.
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | tahoe flume trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$565.00 | | Purchased At: | great basin cycles | | Strengths: | My '92 karakoram has been a great bike, i'm a big guy and this bike has, except for a few replacements, stood up to time and i haven't really broken it. | | Weaknesses: | The pedals that came on it broke shortly after my first ride, but the dealers upgraded them free of charge, and i've had no trouble since, the only other troubles have been that the paint faded alot ( I live in Nevada, everything fades) and i broke the rear derailuer in a crash. | | Similar Products Used: | I had a few lesser bikes before this and broke all of them. | | Bike Setup: | Standard from the store, I did have mr. tuffy's put in because of the goatheads here, and well worth it. Deore l.x. rapid fire's still work great. and the megabites that came on it lasted forever. | | Bottom Line: | Has proven to be a good, solid bike. even with no suspension, it has taken a lot of pounding and torque on the cranks and drive train, and has stood up to my abuse since '92. If you pay the extra for the mid to high end models, you should have few troubles.
I thought it was a little pricey when I bought it, But it has proven to be worth what I paid. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Ong
a Cross Country Rider
from Spring TX
Date Reviewed: December 30, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | pawn shop | | Strengths: | Unbeatable frame - no flex or play at all. | | Weaknesses: | Not much tire clearance in the rear, shoddy paint quality. | | Bike Setup: | Fox F80X, full Deore LX plus XT V-brakes, Easton flatboy pedals, suspension seatpost, WTB saddle, Kore steam/bar | | Bottom Line: | I found this bike at a pawn shop for $225, already equipped with new SPDs, a suspension seatpost (the expensive kind), and full Deore LX. The guy owned a bike shop as well and was trying to get rid of some "old bikes." His loss. Anyhow, that was maybe 5 years ago and this bike is absolutely unstoppable. Over the years I've had the opportunity to sample the ~$1000 hardtails from Cannondale, Trek, and Specialized, but I always ended up selling them and keeping the Karakoram. It's a steel frame but surprisingly lightweight (mine now weighs 24lb) and for that reason I've never been able to part with it. I've spent well over $1000 in parts for it (it had a Manitou SX-Ti 60mm but I swapped it out for a Terralogic Fox F80X) and I must say I don't regret a single penny. This frame family is a piece of GT history, it's a shame they no longer make a chromoly as strong and lightweight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony Reidsma
a Cross Country Rider
from Holland, MI
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Cannonsburg SGA | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Bought the frame on ebay in 2003. It was never assembled so it was brand new. Very tight frame, responsive and solid. Due to the triple triangle (I think). | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. If you're a weekend rider you better get ready to suck it up. This frame is heavy, but it's worth it... | | Bike Setup: | Manitou fork, LX comps. | | Bottom Line: | True classic. Noth'n beats chro-mo. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
randy
a Weekend Warrior
from tillamook
Date Reviewed: October 31, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | single track | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | Bombproof frame. The GT frame is very distinctive and cool looking, solid and dependable | | Weaknesses: | If you do anything like cyclo cross it gets heavy to shoulder and pack uphill, but so does about anything | | Bike Setup: | LX rear derailer, upgraded front derailer to XT. Replaced the breaks to V style and added a Judy sl front shock | | Bottom Line: | Im glad to stumble onto this forum. I bought my GT 01-04-1996 at Costco, great buy. Costco just wanted to get rid of them fast to make the GT dealers happy, anyway, I have ridden this bike for the last 9 yrs and have put many off road and road miles on it. It has been a great bike and very dependable and still looks good after a bath.
Sometimes I think Id like a new bike, jescuz. I have ridden full suspension bikes my friend owns and still like the hard tail for the climbing and handeling abiltiies. It can be wrestled around switchbacks and over roots and rocks and ready for more. The only thing Id like to change at this point is having disk breaks.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ray ward
a Cross Country Rider
from barnsley, england
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | petit balcon circuit, chamonix valley | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Purchased At: | harry hall manchester, england | | Strengths: | craftsmanship,tracking, steering, handling ability, stifness, acceleration, climbing and descending, predictability even jumping | | Weaknesses: | a little weighty,not the most durable paint job in the world | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale f1000 | | Bike Setup: | was K2 model therefore was full lx groupset with ritchey vantage rims and z max tyres | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike in 1989 and took it to the chamonix valley in december of that year where it and I stayed for 6 years, this machine was the most dependable piece of kit i had it was the most awesome ride on the single track that fills cham valley and was a hoot on the big descents ( didn't even have front suspension!!!) I put rock shox on in '92 and they were a pile of crap was better off as a hardtail/front. I rode this in a grundig world cup event in the early 90's when the tour came to the valley coming in in the late 30's. I have not been able to replicate the ride and feel of this bike, like a fool I gave the frame away in 1998. it was one of the first frames with if i recall correctly japanese tange tubing handbuilt in the USA (maybe that was why it rode so well, you guys build the best handling frames in the world; Canadians come a close second)i know ride an orange sub 5 due to back problems but can still fell that steel steed between my thighs!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alfred Rinas
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton, Alberta
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mayfair Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Velo City Edmonton, Alberta | | Strengths: | Large frame (22 inch frame for my 6"4 body) Also, the LX package. The bike handles very well and it has a nice stiff ride. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | TREK & Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | 22 inch frame with full LX package. Mavic Rims with Panaracer 26 x 1.95 kevlar tires. (No suspension) | | Bottom Line: | I purchased the GT Karakoram Bike in 1995. I purchased it after I took it for a test-drive. The bike's frame was large enough for my 6"4 frame. Furthermore, the shifting on the bike was precise and the ride was sweet. I have ridden the bike for 9 years and the frame is still stiff and responsive. Although I sometimes think about purchasing a suspension bike, my Karakoram still rides as good as the day I purchased it. Other than a few broken spokes and a few punctures, my GT Karakoram has been a very reliable friend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rodrigo
a Weekend Warrior
from Santiago, Chile
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Santiago | | Strengths: | es un marco de fiar... indestructible a mi parecer. la geometria de gt le da un aspecto deportivo al igual que el loop de la barra horizontal. El material (Cromo) permite tratarla duro en cualquier camino. | | Weaknesses: | El peso es una de sus grandes debilidades, he visto pocos cuadros (por no decir ninguno) de GT que sea de Fuji o Cromo superlight. Aunque las vainas traseras son de cromo, permiten cierta elongacion cuendo se les instala unos frenos como XT, haciendo que pierdan potencia en el frenado (aunque solucionable) | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 930 | | Bike Setup: | Marco Karakoram 16", horquillas rock shox quadra 21R, Frenos XT, Manillas frenos LX, manillar STX RC, pata trasera XTR, pata delantera XT, direccion K2, tubo manillar azonic. | | Bottom Line: | Es una excelente bicicleta, que se puede tratar duro, tanto para viajes como para cross, la dureza del marco te da la seguridad necesaria en este aspecto. De la mano de la dureza va el peso lo que podria mejorarse un poco, sin embargo es esta sensacion la que permite sentir una bicicleta totalmente rigida, capas de ser tratada duramente. Respecto a la suspencion, podria tener mayor recorrido, sin embargo (en algunos casos) aumentaria el peso de la bici inecesariamente. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lincoln
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Craigiburn Traverse | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | R&R Dunedin | | Strengths: | Indestructible, Handles good, Climbs like goat, Zingy steel ride, Replacable derailleur hanger, Groove tube cable routing | | Weaknesses: | A bit of a porker by todays standards | | Similar Products Used: | You name it | | Bike Setup: | Original DX with XT shifters/levers, original rigid forks, Shimano U brake, Araya rims, Smoke/Dart, 525SPDs etc | | Bottom Line: |
Thought I'd get a new bike when the old Karakoram died. I got sick of waiting and bought a Ti Xizang a few years back as the Karakoram wouldn't quit. Since then the Karakoram has done thousands more kms and is still a hoot to ride. Have replaced a number of chains, sprockets, tyres, a BB, a rear rim, bars, seat etc as they've worn out but still the frame lives on. It's currently battery-ed up as my night riding sted. It's a trusty old horse and has given 13 years of trouble free riding pleasure. It really is one of the best things I've ever spent money on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Racer
from San Jose
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anywhere with lots of dirt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Bird Ave.next to lots of discarded shrubs | | Strengths: | GT all terra Karakorum K2.Triple triangle frame is stiff.Frame is light,without the wheelset but you can always change them.80s splatter paint still looks great. | | Weaknesses: | Not a lot of side clearance for tires over 1.95 at the rear. | | Similar Products Used: | Nope,first GT for me.I have lots of other bikes tho. | | Bike Setup: | 1987 or 1988 so it's an oldie.All stock. Suntour Accushift 9000 & 9010 derailluers,Dia-Compe cantilevers up front,Dia-Compe U-brake rear hooked up to real trick Dia-Compe levers.
Sakae FX SLP,172mm cranks with huge 48t chainring.Araya RX-7 wheelset with HG Cassette.I have some plans for this bike tho. | | Bottom Line: | While driving I found this bike next to a pile of discarded shrubs and old bikes,dumped by the owners on the sidewalk for anyone to pick-up.Sign says'Free!'.Lucky find!Wife just shook her head.
I cleaned up the bike,replaced the rotted tires(sidewall rot but treads good with nubs still) and cables,threw out the rotten seat and it was ready to ride.Obviously a garage queen and not ridden much and spent the years under a tree outside after the owner lost interest.What a shame.Purple,black and blue Splatter paint still bright,no fade and typical storage blemishes.
I can see why the GTs are so popular with many riders.This bike sprints and it doesn't flex.It's a 20" frame,I ride 18" but this is cool.
I always wanted a GT and now I got one without paying a penny.Up to date trail review coming up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Jackson
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin,Tx
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Buck's Bikes | | Strengths: | All great frame to ride can't get from the thing...! | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale caad2 frame,Jamis Diablo,91GT Karakoram.. | | Bike Setup: | 94GT Karakoram,Cook Brothers cranks(old schoool)Race Face b.b.xt groupo,Thhomson stem bontregar crow bars,Cane Creek head set,Titec seat post,Marzocchi z.2 Bomber Fly light,Mavic 517 rear wheel,Bontregar corvair front wheel,cliplees pedals,Avid Brakes 5.0s,8 spd. | | Bottom Line: | I've built and ridden other bikes as can be seen.But by far the Big K is my most favorate of them all.I bought my fist karakoram in 91 and it got stolen and it had the inferno orange paint job(killer paint job).Then i bought my second GT in 94 and have built a cannondale alum frame and ditched it 2 months later.I went back to the Gt and have loved the frame ever since.The bike is solid,forgiving,and most of all won't break no matter what gets thrown at it .I agree with the other guy Damnit they quit making the big K frame!!In my opinion this frame can't be beat it handle so well that one of my riding buddies wants me to slow down at times.GT shuold start making this frame again.The geometry on this bike is classic.It climbs so well that it still wants me to try and give it more and more the behavior through switch back and single tracks and drops is majorly predictable and goes were you point it.Long Live the steel frame bike!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Racer
from Lewisville, TX
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Don's Bikes | | Strengths: | My dream hardtail from the git-go. It was the bike I had been searching for and contemplating building. I love the weight and rigidity of the steel. Mine came with LX and XT components and a nice RockShox Indy XC front shock. I have read complaints of weight but mine is under 20 lbs complete. I love it! | | Weaknesses: | The solid non-replaceable rear derailleur hanger. That is the only thing that has kept me from doing the most recent repairs. | | Similar Products Used: | many different hardtails, aluminum and steel | | Bike Setup: | Shimano LX crank, 8 spd shifters, V-brakes and levers.
Shimano XT front and rear derailleurs, hubs, and bottom bracket
Mavic Wheels with WTB Velociraptor tires.
Rock Shox Indy XC front shock
custom factory paint (much different from other Karakorams I have seen) | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike and was very sad when I destroyed the derailleur hanger. This time it is unrepairable. This is not only an awesome starter bike for the serious beginner, but I have run it in many races and been very pleased with it's performance. I would recommend (and have) this bike to any off road rider who likes a nice hardtail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PLonz
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | Strong frame and very "controlled" feel. After 14 years, Mountain LX groupo and splatter gray paint have held up wonderfully. This bike has seen quite a bit of racing, single track and wrecks over that span. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. Front and rear tire sidewall clearance is awful (I'm sure this is changed on newer models). Cannot put anything wider than a 2.0 on the back and some of those even rub. For technical trail riding, the geometry is too relaxed with long wheelbase. Original Araya rims didn't last long. Shimano's BioPace chain rings were a failed experiment. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fischer ?model (lighter, probably too light)
1990 Raleigh Technium (aluminum and much more nimble)
1980 Mongoose Supergoose (like the Karakoram, the stretched-limo of BMX) | | Bike Setup: | -Original: Frame, LX groupo, neck, bars and seatpost.
-On it's 2nd set of rims. New Mavics do greatly enhance the bike.
-Changed the solid fork with a Specialized hydraulic.
-Finally changed out the BioPace chain rings. | | Bottom Line: | Do I have the oldest? Vintage 1989/90 Karakoram bought in spring of '90. Splatter gray paint with Mountain LX (pre-Deore?) components. Only owner, it's now been relegated to nature trail cruising. Bike was always a bit too heavy and relaxed for serious single track. Hard to even bunny-hop a log with this tank. The limited rear tire clearance caused issues in muddy races as well. As a cruiser it's quite comfortable, steady and very dependable. And I shouldn't discount the fact that it is still a cool looking bike that stands out from the crowd. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Ketchikan, AK
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | I had forgotten how nice a solid cro-mo frame felt, this this is better than anything new I've tried, and anything I'm aware of on the current hardtail market | | Weaknesses: | They stopped making them dammit | | Similar Products Used: | '01 GT i-drive | | Bike Setup: | got frame off ebay, brand new 1997 model in 2003, score, built up with mostly 8-speed LX, also off ebay | | Bottom Line: | I got so fed up with the current stuff I went back to the stuff that works. I had a bike just like this that was stolen a few years back. I got the i-drive and learned about mega 9, 3 XT drive trains later, a frame exactly like my old one, only brand new, pops up on ebay (I looked for one every day for two years). I'm glad I found it, I'm sick and tired of fixing/adjusting/replacing mega 9 stuff, the 24 speed isn't as durable as some older stuff (21 speed, etc.), but its got twice the life span of the new stuff (more if you take care of it right). As an engineer I'll let you in on what they teach in material science classes, steel work hardens and can be designed for infinite fatigue life, aluminum is brittle and cannot be designed for infinite fatigue life (though it can last a long time if designed right, but the smallest crack and its over). Could this explain the sudden change to almost exclusive manufacture of aluminum frames??? I'll let whoever reads this judge, but I'm very happy with my cro-mo, and it is a fact that eventually all aluminum frames that are used as intended will break. Read up on the DeHavilland Comet aircraft if you don't believe me, specifically look into the window shape. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh White
a Downhiller
from Greensboro, NC
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | crazy ridge trail in Bristol, TN | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | a shop in Joshua Tree, CA | | Strengths: | To start with, I've rode this bike since Jan. '96. Bombproof frame. I've done it all on this bike. 80mi treks in the desert, fast fire roads, as much downhill as you can do on a hardtail, 5 ft drops, and now about to go somewhat freeride with it. Velociraptors are great everywhere. I just broke the original seatpost and BB this week. I was hit by a car on this bike in late '96. This bike loves to be pointed down a good hill, hit the big ring and go. It handles great at speed. On this stupid piece of blacktop between 29 Palms and Palm Springs, CA, I had the bike up to 65mph without worry. | | Weaknesses: | Original bars and grips. Vetta trishock was great when I was skinnier. Wish it had disc mount on the back, but that wasn't really thought of then. The geometry limits it in real tight woods. | | Similar Products Used: | Remember the Mount Shasta? Trek 830, Specialized Hard Rock | | Bike Setup: | Scott AT-4 Bullbars, Specialized Stubby Stem, Oddessy Black Widow pedals, Specialized Body Geometry saddle, Velociraptor kevlars | | Bottom Line: | I know I ride quirky parts. I keep saying when I break the frame, I'll get an aluminum bike. I'm 250lbs and don't have a frame creak. It it'll last through the fall, I'll rebuild it this winter with Saint stuff and a Dirt Jumper fork and ride it for another 7 years. My paint is in good shape for what it's been through. I got the black one with the ghost blue flames. At this point, I can't see dropping the money for a new bike. Geometry is super stable at speed. This will be my "all-mountain" bike until I get my Santa Cruz Heckler for the dumb stuff I'm too old for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sven Tvaellen
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sella Ronda | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | local store | | Strengths: | Very stiff. Excellent feeling. Undestroyable. I have this bike since 1993 and i have never regret to buy it. | | Weaknesses: | the stem was too long (140cm), so i changed it
The original handlebar was a bit uncomfortable, so i changed it too.
you can`t use it with a suspension fork, because geometry is made for rigid fork | | Similar Products Used: | several hardtails | | Bike Setup: | Complete LX Equipment, 21 speed, canti brake, mavic rims, rigid fork. | | Bottom Line: | A real classic bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy
a Weekend Warrior
from Homeless and happy
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | somewhere in boulder,co | | Strengths: | The fit. i'm 6'5" and had the 25" frame. This bike's geometry was perfect. I felt like a million bucks on that bike. best damn bike ever for a tall rider. | | Weaknesses: | The crank arm was bent upon purchacing it used. The crown (aluminum thingy that clamps the shocks) eventually fractured and left me in a difficult spot. | | Similar Products Used: | none. | | Bike Setup: | I replaced the outer chainring with a road ring to give me more torque on downhill and city action. split saddle for my boys. A shopping basket for my gear lashed to the rear rack. stock mag21 rock shocks, mavic rims, large road outer chain ring, tons of stickers to hide the hideous paint job. | | Bottom Line: | It was my first serious mtn. bike and i didnt know what i had till it was gone. it was stolen at the Ft.Lauderdale Public library last year (even with my antitheft sticker prominently displayed). At the time the aluminum crown had fractured and the only stable shock was shot from bearing all the weight. When the thief hit his first drop off from any curb he bottomed out and flipped over the bars, like i did twice earlier that day. I've looked in every bike shop and have never found a frame that fit so well, a year later I'm buying another one off ebay for a bit more. But I'm damn happy about it. I had it setup for crosscountry touring and bought a road bike (67cm fuji) after the GT was stolen. The fuji can't compare with the GT. Even though its a mtn. bike, I'm gonna modify the new one for road/mtn. touring and sell the fuji. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a
from Riverside, CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Santa Ana River Trails | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$750.00 | | Strengths: | Balance of strength, light weight & resiliance...looks great. Double-butted frame. A superb climber | | Weaknesses: | Not the lightest steel frame around | | Bike Setup: | Added over ~$1,000 of light weight upgrades everywhere...a great 24# hardtail | | Bottom Line: | GT's best effort in a steel hardtail...would choose a quality steel resilient frame ride like this over aluminum. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Tempe
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Strengths: | near indestructable, very well ballanced, I clipped the pedals on the pavement over level groud a few times. | | Weaknesses: | wore out the cassette at 2200 miles, but thats double the lifespan of the new mega nine BS, and I didn't know at the time that you were to replace the chain at 1000 miles. Plastic head set seal cracked. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-Drive 5.0, blah | | Bike Setup: | stock with a replacement seat | | Bottom Line: | I looked so good after 2 years that someone stole it, D'oh. By far the best bike I've ever ridden if I ever catch the guy..... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Potty
a Cross Country Rider
from Hepburn, SK, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Cal Cycle - Linden, AB | | Strengths: | it's sweet. i like the frame, it doesn't give out, and on my model, i got Judy XC's on it, and i really like those. there not too soft, but just good for me. | | Weaknesses: | well nothing so far | | Similar Products Used: | i dunno
| | Bike Setup: | i got judy XC's on it, all factory except i got new pedals, cuz it came with crappy plastic ones and they sucked. | | Bottom Line: | a dang good bike. not to expensive (i'm a student, so i'm poor) sweet for doing pretty hard cross country, done a wee bit o' downhilling with it. can survive jumping. i really love this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blockhead
a Weekend Warrior
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Pinkney, Michigan | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike shop | | Strengths: | This bike is indestructable. Completely, undeniably, indefrigginstructable. I have had to replace a lot of cables but mainly because I tend to crank pretty hard on things and and the frame won't budge. I love this bike. | | Weaknesses: | Just the fact that it won't die and give me the excuse I need to get a new bike! | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale, Trek, a tricycle when I was 4 | | Bike Setup: | Deore LX front/rear, no suspension, slicks on the road. Still pretty much the original setup | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. Plain and simple. No frills, just a great ride and a vessel that won't let you down. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: October 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Strengths: | Solid - handles great, climbs like a goat | | Weaknesses: | Broke the first frame - and the replacement frame - both rear stays - funny because I rarely so much as go over a curb...both broke while barreling down flat paved road | | Similar Products Used: | cannondale road bike | | Bottom Line: | great bike but rear stay must have had some defect...otherwise fine | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colin Quinn
a Downhiller
from Tysons Corner, Va
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Secret 12 mile loop in Virginia | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Used from a friend moving to Florida | | Strengths: | Great Chromo frame, very forgiving. Awesome bike for anyone looking for something decent. I use it for CC rides and training. The paint just wont chip( dont know what to tell the rest of you. I guess I lucked out in that respect. (However I have the bike stripped to the bare frame to be painted. I am sick of the ugly orange and black. I think I want to try blue and Yellow team GT scheme.) | | Weaknesses: | None really, it would be nice if it were newer( mine is pre '95) and had IS disc mount and/or better brake braze-ons. It has a funky "U" shaped rear brake. I dont know WHAT they were thinking. I am contemplating a little fabrication work presently ( since my lifetime warranty no longer exists) to ad the mounts for both an IS disc and the spring holes for v-brakes. | | Similar Products Used: | '01 Team DHI
'02 Azonic Evo DS-1
'95 Avalanche frame that I am using for freeriding. The damn thing wont crack or dent ! | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Mach5 threadless, LX groupo, V-brake in front, goofy-arse U brake in rear, Mythos kevlar 2.1 tires, shimano 747 pedals, generic shorty stem, 1.5 riser bar. | | Bottom Line: | Schwinn flushed GT down the toilet, so much for our lifetime warranty. Thanks guys.
How ever: This is a great steel frame that is virtually bullet proof. I only weigh 155#, so you big guys that ride like I do might be able to break it. As far as the LX groupo, I have had NO PROBLEMS with it at all. This bike requires allmost no maintenance. My only complaint is the goofy rear brake, which is probably only on the older models like mine. Other than that...this thing performs great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony Abenes
a Cross Country Rider
from Philippines
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mt. Sto. Tomas and QH-LTB | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Friend | | Strengths: | Roomy Cockpit and Comfortable Uphill/Downhill riding, Soft feeling with front suspension and Cool paintjob. Detachable hanger.
Classic brand. | | Weaknesses: | Weight's more than what i expected (not too much though). | | Similar Products Used: | Diamond Back and Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | XT front/rear derailures, Dee Max Rims, Modified/Improved/Elevated Tange Suspension, Knoby Front tire/Slick rear tire. | | Bottom Line: | I do downhills and i don't seem to feel a "drop" of doubt on my frame whenever i "rush" on the offroads, just let it go down on the dirt road and no worries. Uphill's fine since it's roomy while my arms relax on the bar ends. It's not just a cool and performance reliable frame but heads turn for the paint jobs that's bright yellow on front and red on the rear part. Should I say this is the best GT frame i did have....yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Percy
a Weekend Warrior
from China, Maine, USA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | ANY | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | International Bike & Gift | | Strengths: | Bought in 1993. The "Tequila Sunrise" paint job was really cool. It came stock back in the day with all xt. | | Weaknesses: | Half of the XT was prototype and had huge factory flaws with the shimano cartridge type bottom bracket, the rapid fire shifting, and the prototype GT Cable routing. All were factory defects. | | Similar Products Used: | 2001 - Trek 6500, 1999 - Gary Fisher Kaitai, 1993 Trek 830. | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much all xt with a rigid GT fork. Araya rims on GT hubs. All sealed bearings. | | Bottom Line: | I worked for six months as a high school student to buy the coolest mountain bike. I thought it was awesome. I finally got it and after two weeks of riding the bike went to hell in a handcart. The bike shop said they couldn't do anything about it because it was all factory issues and issues with prototype components.
I called GT and after three weeks of complaining got them to take that freakin' thing back. This was my first mountain bike and after having such a horrible experience, I didn't even ride another on until last year when I bought my Gary Fisher. I would never buy another GT Mountain Bike ever. While GT builds awesome BMX components and wicked rugged racing frames, the Karakoram was the biggest let down of my life. I would not recommend one to anyone. I am 6'2" and weigh only 134lbs. If I can destroy a $900 mountain bike in under a month, do you really think it will hold up to you?
I give them two chilis for taking the thing back. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom mccarty
a Cross Country Rider
from valdez alaska
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | elephant butte, southern arizona | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | local dealer | | Strengths: | stiff, durable, climber | | Weaknesses: | handlebar too wide, cut down 1/2 inch, now manageable | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Eldridge Grade, Diamondback x8 | | Bike Setup: | original setup except trashed the fork for a manitou with speed springs, shimano clipless, and avid brakes. xt rear derailler, xt brakes, all else lx, np | | Bottom Line: | its my wifes bike, but i use it whenever my other bikes are down. you point it in a turn, it goes, no slack/no drift. tad bit heavy but can still jump it np, and the silver paint with orange lettering jumps at you.
I love my diamondback full-suspension, but for climbing, the GT burns!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 780.00
