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Submitted by
MTB Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Monte Carlo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Strengths: | Great Ride. Light weight compare to other full susp bikes. Very strong frame. | | Weaknesses: | Hard to find replacement parts... | | Similar Products Used: |
| | Bike Setup: | GT LTS-2, XT-XTR upgrade. Rock Shox | | Bottom Line: | This is my real first mountain bike. Bought if off a hardcore rider and fixed it up. He wanted it back once we were done rebuilding it. I tested many bike and my GT felt smoother than many high priced bikes. I like my ride better with every ride we take. These reviews helped me understand what a good deal I got, Thanks!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Forrest
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison, Wi, USA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Undecided | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | That includes the up | | Strengths: | Incredibly plush and LIGHT, great climber. | | Weaknesses: | It's old, and parts are impossible to find. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized rockhopper (old school), Treck fuel 7 (my bro bought it this winter) | | Bike Setup: | Original XT components all around. Manitou mars super (soon to be Marzocchi x-fly) Crappy old wheels and hubs. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is incredible, unbelievable climber for a FS w/out lockout. This bike is faster than new bikes that cost 1,500 or even more, so until i've spent that much or more on maintenance and upgrades, I will never give up this frame. The adjustable travel is a unique feature on a cross country bike and allows for free-riding this light-weight frame, especially because of its durability. I'm moreOf course, that is excepting the pivot bushings, all of which I will replace at some point. BETD bearings are horribly over-priced, especially with the exchange rate the way it is these days. So everyone, please read Adam's post from Oct '06, I spoke with him over email and he is still serious about ressurecting the famous GT LTS rear triangle (now with DISC mounts), as well as other parts that BETD doesn't make (like the main pivot bearing) so please email him with your support so he can put his plans into action. Otherwise we will all be forced to spend way more money on a bike that is heavier and crappier than our trusted old GT LTS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nessus
a Cross Country Rider
from Wollongong, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sparrow Hill | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Strengths: | Absolutely bulletproof responsive frame | | Weaknesses: | Unfortunately, lack of factory spares, but with BETD not longer an issue | | Similar Products Used: | GT Xizang Ti | | Bike Setup: | 2006 Rock Shox WC SIDS, Rock Shox SID rear, 2006 XTR all over (disc front, V brake rear), Mavic rims, Kore Stem, Chris King headset | | Bottom Line: | Without a doubt the best frame (bar my Xizang) I've ever ridden. I use it for 24 hr enduros and and it has never skipped a beat. Original oil/coil RS Deluxe shock failed last year but I replaced that with a RS SID and the plushness has increased. This bike is a head turner everywhere and people are always impressed. A true engineering marvel.
Currently looking to convert to a rear disc set up but its not absolutely necessary. Lucky enough to just score a small STS frame complete with a factory rear disc mount for my son for USD$700. You just can't go wrong with these old GT frames | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Grummett
a Weekend Warrior
from Littlehampton west sussex England
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Southdowns way | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | swapped with a mate with my kona kikapu | | Strengths: | The frame is bomb proof you feel planted and want to push the bike to its limit and i no it can do it with ease | | Weaknesses: | the rear pivot bushes start to squik and need alot of looking after ive now changed mine and it seems fine. | | Similar Products Used: | scott genius mc10 which i had for 18 months and think there crap
kona kikapu i had and swapped with a good friend for the gt lts THE BEST THING IVE EVER DONE i love it | | Bike Setup: | fox vanilla shocks xt rear mech hope mini front brake magura hs33 rear brake race face chainset easton ea50 seat post stem and bars kenda tyres lx shifters deore front mech | | Bottom Line: | The best bike ever great ride looks good and i get kids keep asking me nice bike mate can i by it off you i just laugh and say never ive got the bike just the way i want and maybe i might buy another frame and build another one some day
GT WELL DONE FOR MAKING A GREAT BIKE THE LTS IS BRILLINT BUT PLEASE KEEP MAKING SPARES FOR THEM. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike A
a
from Miami, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oleta, Amelia | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Tech | | Strengths: | The FRAME, what else can be said about this T A N K (Totally Awesome Neverending Knarly) ;-) . This frame is truly one of the best designed frames ever. | | Weaknesses: | The bushings, but thanks to BETD UK that's been resolved and no disc brake available. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | BETD UK bushing kit, Marz EXR Race fork, Mavic CrossMax UST, Panaracer Fire XC Tubeless, Selle Italia SLR, All XTR Drivetrain, Thomsom SP and Stem, Monkey Lite XC CNT bars, CK headset. | | Bottom Line: | This frame is AMAZING, I said it before and will again even ten years later still rivals and beats most new, entry and mid level FS bikes out there. The lack of disc does make it outdated on wet rides, but Mavic ceramic with XTR ceramic pads does pretty good most of the time. For my current weekend warrior riding this bike will be with me another 10 years. If you can find one on Ebay or such get, set it up and RIDE the hell out of it. This is a true gem of a frame. American craftmanship at it finest, a work of art. Try finding welds like this on frames now, no way! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
erick ilo
a Weekend Warrior
from manila, philippines
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | any mountan range in the philippines | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | san pedro, california | | Strengths: | no rust, stiff, less maintenance work, beautiful, very durable!!! | | Weaknesses: | i can't see any ^_^ or maybe being durable, and i cant find reasons to sell my GT-LTS1 ^_^ | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | all stock (when purchased) replaced the shifters and derailleurs with SRAM 9.0 (carbon) set and the brakes with Avid Arch Rival 5.0 brake set. | | Bottom Line: | i was once a crew member at a cruise liner at san pedro ca, and bought my lts-1 lay-away ^_^ i crashed it sometimes, lend to my friends here in the philippines. the pivots are all still working perfectly and haven't serviced them except re-lubrication. replaced the brake pads and the tires. i really got my money's worth or maybe even more ^_^ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david tindall
a Weekend Warrior
from asheville, nc, usa
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything in pisgah nf | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | shop across from piedmont pk atlanta | | Strengths: | frame, setup, innovative. | | Weaknesses: | travel linkage pin used to break a lot until i had a steel one fabricated. chain suck. "poly-shock" on rear | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS-4 1995, purchased new. | | Bike Setup: | stock. upgraded to bomber on front after a wreck | | Bottom Line: | i love this bike. it is now on year 12 and thanks to these reviews i found a replacement "shock" at ben's cycles. i m gonna try to source a REAL shock to replace the original (original is basically a really big skateboard trucks setup). bizarre idea, but aside from minor powerloss on big climbs, the downhills are so sweet. i will make this bike last another 12 years. just put the parts from my '05 ironhorse warrior (road traffic accident) on it and THEY ALL FIT. now i have disc front, stock rear. Wish i had bought farther up the line from the model 4 but that's all the $ i had in hand in 1995. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
elias grieve
a Racer
from North Albion Park Rail Airport
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | four corners | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | off of me mate | | Strengths: | light frame. magic carpet ride, nude aluminium finish, hot welding, horst link rear suspension is marvel of engineering. longer wheelbase. | | Weaknesses: | no new bushes for horst link. requires large amounts of maintinence which gets easier after the tenth time. | | Similar Products Used: | nothing comes close | | Bike Setup: | magura hydraulic v brakes. rock shock judy on front end. rock shock super delux on rear. rear shock sheared. | | Bottom Line: | this bike is old but its outstanding american construction gives it much more life than newer MTB's in the same category. the frame inspires loyalty and the squeaking bushes at the back are simply indicators of maintinence. i find that carefully applied pfte tape cuts this noise out the best and protects the bushes and pins from sideways movement. you cant buy em anymore so sucked in. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JOhn Boyd
a Weekend Warrior
from Thonotosassa Fl, USA
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Carter Road park too. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | private seller | | Strengths: | Best bike no one remembers ever. | | Weaknesses: | Very few. | | Similar Products Used: | see below | | Bike Setup: | Mavic Crossland wheels and hubs, Panaracer Fire FR 2.4 tires, Tru Vativ Fire X crankset. Titec Hellbent 3" riser bars, Thompson elite seat post, XT shifters and v-brakes. | | Bottom Line: | This is to supplement the post I left below, I just wrote GT an email, begging them to re-release this outstanding ride. It wont help if I am the only one, if you love this bike like I do, and by reading most of these, I believe you do, send GT an email, flood their servers, and who knows our endangered species may get saved from extinction. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Boyd
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Santos trail head | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | From a fellow rider | | Strengths: | Bullet proof, excellent efficiency, plush ride inspires confidence.. | | Weaknesses: | Squeaky bushings on the front of the horst link..
thats about it. | | Similar Products Used: | 02' GT I-drive, 96' Fisher | | Bike Setup: | I have a RockShox Psylo XC fork, and a Rissie racing rear shock, they make an outstanding replacement rear shock. Titec hell bent 3" riser bars, TruVativ FireX ISIS crankset, and Mavic Crossland wheels, with Panaracer fire FR 2.4 tires. The tires barely fit, but grip everything like velcro, IMO the most under rated tire ever. | | Bottom Line: | This was my first real mountain bike, I was riding Wal-mart junk and I met a guy at the trailhead riding it around I asked what he wanted and he said $500, I was stoked, but broke at the moment, so I got his number and then forgot about it. 3 months later I had some extra cash so just as a joke I called the guy and miraculously he still had the bike, and would now take $300 for it, I snatched it up. The fork and shock was blown and so old, not worth rebuilding, and it needed tires, and soon it needed wheels, I replaced all of that, but now with proper suspension this bike is amazing, I have ridden many newer bikes that just dont compare to the ride quality I get out my trusty LTS. I have tried replacing it, and it just seems to come back, it has out lasted three newer bikes and now I am back riding it, and again, its just wont die.
Anyone who knew Skip from Ellijay Ga. knew he was die-hard about his LTS's now I know why. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Calhoun
a Cross Country Rider
from Peachtree City, Georgia USA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Long uphill grinds and screaming downhills | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | New in December 1996 | | Strengths: | Heavy Duty frame for reliability and durability under hardcore riding conditions and circumstances. OUTSTANDINGLY smooth high speed downhill performance for the weight. (Modern downhill bikes are smoother but they weigh a ton!) | | Weaknesses: | The bushings do squeak unless you disassemble and clean them regularly. My LTS-1 is not rear disc brake compatible. Disc brake compatible models are RARE!
(SEE BELOW) Spare parts are non-existent (SEE BELOW)
| | Similar Products Used: | Specialized EPIC - Fun bike but WAY more flexy. | | Bike Setup: | XTR, Hayes front disc, manitou(not a great fork), Chris King Headset and Hubs, Easton Monkeylite riser bar, Thomson stem | | Bottom Line: | *** ALL LTS OWNERS NEED TO READ THIS ***
This bike has stood the test of time and continues to satisfy. Replacement parts are almost non-existent for these bikes. BETD in England produces a few great items for the LTS. I have some of their stuff on my bike right now. I am considering producing disc brake compatible rear triangles for 1997 and later LTS models. These are the models with the aluminum rear shock link that use the trunnion style shock. My rear triangle would be very similiar to the RARE factory disc brake compatible GT piece and would work with the factory GT chainstay piece as well as the factory aluminum shock link. Reverse engineering this piece will be a big project and is only worth doing if there is enough interest. It will require (and receive) the same quality CNC machine work and welding that top-of-the-line GT bicycles received. If there is enough interest from GT owners and enthusiasts, I will set up a website to further discuss the project. Please email me if you are interested in this.
anc_is_me@yahoo.com
THE BOTTOM LINE
Of all the wacky full suspension designs of the 1990's, the GT LTS (horst link) has remained virtually unchanged in design. Others have come and gone but the LTS is still rockin up and down the trails. Unfortunately, the company that produced these wonderful machines fell upon hard times and is no more. They took with them any hope of getting spare parts for these awesome bikes. The GT bicycle company of today is not the same company but rather a bike brand from yesteryear. I intend to do something about this. I want to determine the demand for spare parts and start producing them. I need your input so write me and tell me that you are interested.
Thanks, Adam Calhoun
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike A
a Weekend Warrior
from Hialeah Gardens, FL
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Teach | | Strengths: | Where can I begin... Looks, durability, strength, ride, style, weight. | | Weaknesses: | Requires more maintenance than some newer designs | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar and various friends DS rides. | | Bike Setup: | Thomson SP and stem, RockShox Psylo XC, BETD bearing kit, Mavic CrossMax UST, Panaracer XC Pro, XTR drivetrain and brakes (yeah still rim brakes!), Selle Italia SLR, M959 Pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Can you say S..W..E..E..T.. My bike is better than ever! This frame never stops amazing me. Just rode Razorback and Santos in Ocala. The rider was trashed but the bike..good as new. Thanks to a buddy got the Psylo fork on it. Has been great so far and really balances bike out, the Duke 80mm just didn't cut it. The CrossMax are so awesome the bike just "rolls" so much better. This frame has got to be one of the best XC designs ever made. It is stronger than a tank and much lighter than most DS bikes out there. Just installed a new rear shock with 650 spring, way better for my 160lb weight. For parts check out Ebay, BETD UK, currently ICYCLES.com is selling 1998 Coupe Deluxe rear shock for 40 bucks!! If you find one BUY IT, build it up and LOVE IT. There are several options for installing disc brakes if you so choose, check Brake Therapy or BETD UK for kits. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | looks good, rides smooth | | Weaknesses: | the rear suspension squeaks, but it can be fixed | | Bike Setup: | GT LTS-2 | | Bottom Line: | i highly recomend this bike. it is well made and rides really well over anything. definantly one of the fastest bikes out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nik Williams
a Cross Country Rider
from North Wales
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Marin trail Betws-Y-Coed | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | From a friend | | Strengths: | Smooth as a sheeet of ice that's been polished with silk. Plush suspension absorbs everything I can throw at it. Rides very well on flat, downhill and on fair uphill slopes. | | Weaknesses: | Front end seems very light and on steep uphill slopes constantly wants to wheelie. The lack of a rear disc until I got an engineering firm to weld a mount on. | | Similar Products Used: | GT RTS which was a great bike but just didn't quite have what the LTS has. | | Bike Setup: | Junior Ts. XT mechs, shifters, hubs, crankset and bb. Rockshox Super Deluxe rear shock. Hope Mono Mini disc brakes front and back | | Bottom Line: | This was the bike I always wanted but could never afford until a friend was selling the frame with a load of knackered bits hanging off it, but I saw the potential for greatness and rebuilt it with love (and a hefty credit card bill). She is one of the best bikes I've ever ridden, and I've had a few. I will never get rid of her now that I have her. If you ever have the chance of owning one of these bikes go for it, but upgrade the bushings. Buy this bike if you like a comfy xc ride or want to do some weekend downhilling. A great allrounder. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jon stoodley
a Weekend Warrior
from Whitehaven, Cumbria, England
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Unbelievebly smooth action to the suspension. Has Rock Shox Super Deluxe rear and Marzocchi Bomber Z1's.
I have uprated the bushings to BETD bearings. VERY GOOD INDEED !!! Now I know what all the fuss is about. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe the availability of parts. | | Similar Products Used: | No need. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano LX/XT, Mavic rims, V brakes, BETD full bearing kit, Race Face stem & Bar. | | Bottom Line: | I've tried other (much newer) bikes recently and to be quite honest, they are not better than this bike. I bought this one on eBay for a few hundred pounds, spents a couple of hundred on it and it is a seriously great bike.
It is so smooth in it's action. Absolute bargain if you can get hold of one. real head turner. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gordon Simmons
a Weekend Warrior
from Airlie Beach
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bwindi impenertratable | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$4000.00 | | Purchased At: | Entibes France | | Strengths: | Strength, Good looks, it has the force. I have only owned two MTBs a cheap hardtail then I bought "Deadly"
It has conquered the gorilla parks of uganda game parks of kenya, Rainforests in Antigua, volcanoes in the caribe, streets of the US, Crashed , smashed, bashed. | | Weaknesses: | Ha. squeeking bushes | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Its being refitted for Brazil trip. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from mississauga
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Erindale Park, Kelso Ontario | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Store went under a few years ago Ramseys. | | Strengths: | Strength is its overall juicy goodness. | | Weaknesses: | Probably the climb, in which case you need to adjust the rear, if you do you lose absorbing power going back down | | Similar Products Used: | GT Avalanche | | Bottom Line: | This was the overall bike to get back in 97-98. I think that as old as the bikes are, few bikes hit this particular segment of the market well, and i can see this bike being very competative even though it does have a weight disadvantage.
The style and the rear shock are asthetically good looking.
Although the thermoplastics had a few problems with soft spots i would jump on the occasion to grab a STS or LTS frame like that, its been a long time since so much visible engineering was put into a bike. Full suspension bikes tend to be hulkers these days, only bikes that fall into the same category to me are perhaps some konas and specialized bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glen Morgan
a Cross Country Rider
from Westboro, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | anything steep | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Dime welds, reputation, looks, performance | | Weaknesses: | chainsuck | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS-4 | | Bike Setup: | Rockshox judy, new XT deore cranks and BB, xt derailleurs, parallax hubs | | Bottom Line: | Well folks, for those of you who knows what this is, its one of the greatest bikes you can get. The frame, although its a tad heavy, will rival anything on the market today. If you can pick up one of these for cheap, do it. The drawback may be finding parts (Email me if you need help). The only two places in the world, yes WORLD, that you can get them is from Ben's Cycles in Wisconsin (www.bencycles.net) or from BETD in UK (www.betd.co.uk). Once you have the parts you can assemble your monster. Although this bike is dated in age, its performance rivals the I-drives GT/Pacific is putting out today. This bike assembled retailed for $4300 and while its not worth that today in dollars, it definitely is in peformance. This is still a world class frame and if you can find one you can have a world class bike at a fraction of the cost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith Rees
a Weekend Warrior
from England
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | hamstely forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$449.00 | | Purchased At: | bike sport darlington | | Strengths: | my bike is really great at taking big blows as it has a bullet proof bottom bracket as it is a specualized P1 | | Weaknesses: | the weakness is the forks as they are only dirt jam pro | | Similar Products Used: | a simular product is a GT moto as accept the p1 is alot better in strenth | | Bike Setup: | the bike is slim and looks really good check it out at www.evanscycles.com i woould recomend it to a starter!!! | | Bottom Line: | the bottom line is that i would not change it for the world the people who should by this bike is some one who likes to jump and have a lot of fun!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ashley Shelley
a Weekend Warrior
from Elgin, Scotland
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | WolfTrax Scotland | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | UK Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Bomb Proof, light enough for X-country, strong enough for downhill. adjustable frame geometry | | Weaknesses: | limited to only a few rear shocks that you can use, no rear disc mount | | Similar Products Used: | Kona stab | | Bike Setup: | Bike is the LTS 2000 (98) Mixture of kit over the years mainly high end kit, used to have Z1 bomber's but now has 04 Z1 Drop Off 1's. (better to mach rear travel) | | Bottom Line: | I wouldn't change this bike in a million years, it's good strong dependable, and light, the rear suspension get's on with it's business, without complaint, and when I get the bearing/bushing kit from BETD, it'll be even better recently took it down a hardcore black run at Laggen in Scotland, and managed it better than my friends Kona Stab, as it was light enough to go easily up hill, and down mental rocky drop off's, extra inch of travel front and back would complete this package into the ultimate take anywhere, do anything bike! but as is, does the Job just fine. now I just need to find a way of putting disc's on the rear! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike A
a Weekend Warrior
from Hialeah, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oleta State Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Tech | | Strengths: | The frame, the frame, the frame GET IT, THE FRAME. It just will not break. Built like an M1 tank, looks like a Ferrari. | | Weaknesses: | Was.... the bushings but BETD bearing kit solve that problem. These guys are amazing, true craftsman. If you have a LTS get the BETD bearing kit. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar... Hey never needed to try anything else!!!! | | Bike Setup: | All XTR (finally), Thompson SP, Easton EA70 stem, Chris King HS, Duke SL forks, Mavic Rims. | | Bottom Line: | This is like my fourth or fifth post. Can this bike be any better? The frame is AMAZING. What other bike last for 7 years of thrashing and just keeps on going? I have had countless spills, nasty ones! bent brake levers, busted derailleurs, bent handlebars, yet the frame just keeps on goin'. Finally busted my XT shift/brake lever, finally made jump to XTR. So my work horse is ALL XTR now, as good as any new bike out there (maybe better)!! Another truly great product "XTR" sure it's pricey but well worth it! Yeah sure, people look at it like "what the hell is that" but hey, anyone that knows, shows respect for a finely crafted machine. I will make another post in late 2006. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Provo, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | sundance | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | taylors bike shop | | Strengths: | bought it new in 98 and I've thrashed the thing, but its just not breaking apart! still looks gorgeous as ever and nobody's seen any other full suspension frame like it! she still rocks! | | Weaknesses: | gone through a couple rims (low tire pressure and downhill will do that to ya, so its my fault) | | Bottom Line: | I've had the thing 7 years and its still taking my beatings! this thing is pretty much the best bike ever made. I wish they still made em, I love it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave (wrecker) Wright
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern England
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Anywhere in the Lake District | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Leisure Lakes | | Strengths: | Just awesume. The frame is just plain bomb proof! Still running with its original rock shox delux. Unbelieveable really when I think about the abuse its suffered over the years. Teamed up with original Z1 Bombers and some Mavic 121 rims the old faithful has never let me down! | | Weaknesses: | Just starting to sweak on the rear linkages! sounds like some kind of dodgy bed springs.....Adds character though! | | Similar Products Used: | Scott FX2. Less said about that the better! | | Bike Setup: | Z1 Mazzochi Bombers, Mavic 121 Rims Hope hubs, Middleburn Crank set, XT Rapid Fire Gearing | | Bottom Line: | Gods gift to all mountain bikers who ride hard!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Forrester
a Weekend Warrior
from United Kingdom
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2190.00 | | Purchased At: | cyclo sport | | Strengths: | Nice design, Bomb Proof Construcion, Still Better than most bike out today, still turns people heads | | Weaknesses: | no rear disc mount | | Similar Products Used: | santa cruz heckler | | Bike Setup: | full shimano, xt fox fork 36 R FORKS, Still have original super delux rock shock on rear, magura 33 ltd edition hydralic brakes | | Bottom Line: | ive had this bike since it came out in 97 and the only way i will be parted with this bike is if i go to my grave or its stolen, if you get the chance to own one grab it with both arms and run this is one of the best bikes today still around | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Squeaky Pivot
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Ox Falls | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Bought a 97 LTS frame in CA in 98 and built it up to a decent level over the years. Frame build; stylish good looks! The no paint finish; BETD bearing kit; new rear shock after 5 years on the old one (avoid rutted roads for extended periods!) | | Weaknesses: | Squeaky pivots finally got to me after using a couple of tricks to keep them quiet (boat bearing grease and well applied silicon to keep the rain out) | | Similar Products Used: | Ridden a few friends all mountain numbers | | Bike Setup: | 97 LTS frame, XT all round (last of the XT pre-disc and dual control 2003?), 2001 SID 100s, Egg Beaters ... | | Bottom Line: | Longevity. Frame has been a complete legend over the years. And although it was recently called a ‘vintage’ bike at a 24hr race, it still put the wind up my team mates who were mostly on new ‘all mountain’ 2005 jobbies. In its eighth year with a bunch of miles and races behind it, it has been a legend and maybe is just about ready for pasture assuming the mortage and kids allow it ! Or maybe it'll just have to make it to its tenth year. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler Pace
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Green Valley/Stucka Springs Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Friend back in 1997 | | Strengths: | Back in the day, it was the best bike you could find. The component set-up was excellent and it was bomb-proof. | | Weaknesses: | It's horrible at climbing. GT, and the entire bike world, had to learn how to not lose traction and power while climbing...this bike never got it right. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 9000 | | Bike Setup: | Full XT, Rock Shox Judy DH, Mavic 517's, Syncros. | | Bottom Line: | The bike was good when it came out, but as soon as the I-Drive came out in 1998 the LTS was forever inferior. It's all about the ability to climb (atleast to me), and the LTS was always a loser. Although it was an amazingly smooth bike, as well as bomb-proof, the design was forever-flawed. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie
a Cross Country Rider
from London UK
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | EBAY! | | Bike Setup: | New Disc adaptor, at last!!! | | Bottom Line: | I totally agree with the dude on the last thread (Mike A)
THe GT LTS rocks, especially the 1997 LTS-1 . THe BETD kit is awesome and everyone MUST buy one to get the most from their frame......but...i just found the holy grail, i got an official GT rear end (chain stay) with Disc mounts welded on. It taken me agaes to find one as ive only ever seen 2 of them and they were both in Germany. I can now upgrade the old girl to full discs and finally get the Risse shock for the rear (£175 from CVI) and i will put any modern bike to shame on the technical stuff..... I wish they still made em like this | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike A
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Oleta State River Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Build quality | | Weaknesses: | WAS... the pivots bushing system. Since BETD kit installed, the shock is a weak point. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar | | Bike Setup: | All XTR, Duke SL, Thompson seat post, Easton EA-70 stem, Mavic rims | | Bottom Line: | This is maybe my fourth posting. This thing just keeps on going. Bless the guys at BETD in the U.K. they kick ass. The bearing kit they make has made this into a real work of art. The welds and the build quality are amazing even compared to todays stuff and I bought it in '98. Try findong a hand made USA biult frame today. The shock I hear is a problem with heavier riders. I had mine replaced under warranty in '99 been working ever since, I'm only 155lbd though. I LOVE MY GT LTS!! Hell, lasted longer than my wife did... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie
a Cross Country Rider
from England
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | |
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$ 4295.00
