The STSs were GT's full suspension XC line before the i-drives took over.bghtn said:
99 GT STS Should I buy?
I have a chance to purchase a 99 GT STS Carbon Fiber, full XTR bike for $500.00
I ride mostly XC.
I looked in classifieds and on ebay and could not find much on this bike. Does anyone know primarily what kind of bike it is and if this is a good deal? Thanks.
I ride mostly XC.
I looked in classifieds and on ebay and could not find much on this bike. Does anyone know primarily what kind of bike it is and if this is a good deal? Thanks.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
An STS is the carbon-fiber version of the LTS...
No warranty, although any full XTR bike for $500 isn't a bad investment if the parts are all in excellent condition. What wheelset, fork, etc. is on the bike? Condition?
Replacement parts for any LTS/STS will be very hard to come by.
Tommy
...GT's previous suspension design, before I-Drive. Look at the reviews for any high-end GT LTS (link-tuned suspension), the suspension system is the same as the STS (single-tube system).bghtn said:I have a chance to purchase a 99 GT STS Carbon Fiber, full XTR bike for $500.00
I ride mostly XC.
I looked in classifieds and on ebay and could not find much on this bike. Does anyone know primarily what kind of bike it is and if this is a good deal? Thanks.
No warranty, although any full XTR bike for $500 isn't a bad investment if the parts are all in excellent condition. What wheelset, fork, etc. is on the bike? Condition?
Replacement parts for any LTS/STS will be very hard to come by.
Tommy
Condition is "good" (I will actually see the bike tomorrow) The fork is a Judy (SL I think I get the judy's mixed up but it is supposed to be the top) Rock shox rear..not sure which. Hayes front disc, regular brakes in back. I will know the wheelset when I see the bike tomorrow. Also..it is a 24 speed...does this diminish the value of the xtr parts?tommyrod74 said:...GT's previous suspension design, before I-Drive. Look at the reviews for any high-end GT LTS (link-tuned suspension), the suspension system is the same as the STS (single-tube system).
No warranty, although any full XTR bike for $500 isn't a bad investment if the parts are all in excellent condition. What wheelset, fork, etc. is on the bike? Condition?
Replacement parts for any LTS/STS will be very hard to come by.
Tommy
If it's in good condition I'd buy it.bghtn said:Condition is "good" (I will actually see the bike tomorrow) The fork is a Judy (SL I think I get the judy's mixed up but it is supposed to be the top) Rock shox rear..not sure which. Hayes front disc, regular brakes in back. I will know the wheelset when I see the bike tomorrow. Also..it is a 24 speed...does this diminish the value of the xtr parts?
However, many (all?) LTS frames failed near suspension pivots and STS were bit fragile too. Judy SL was top fork but that was years ago... the shock had some problems too and might be difficult to replace.
If you buy it get new cassette (SRAM 5.0) and chain, change the fork to something more robust (maybe Marzocchi MX, probably on sale on mail order shops) and go riding. You'll probably get year or two out of it - then get new bike....
I actually prefer 24 speed setups-
The above poster is right- sell the fork for whatever you can get, buy a current model from Marzocchi, Fox, or Manitou (maybe a used fork?) and ride the heck out of it.
I'd offer a little less than $500, see if he bites.
Tommy
usually referred to as "8-speed" due to the 8 gears found on the rear cassette- they tend to be more reliable and easier to keep adjusted. There is good resale value for 8-speed XTR stuff in good condition on eBay.bghtn said:Condition is "good" (I will actually see the bike tomorrow) The fork is a Judy (SL I think I get the judy's mixed up but it is supposed to be the top) Rock shox rear..not sure which. Hayes front disc, regular brakes in back. I will know the wheelset when I see the bike tomorrow. Also..it is a 24 speed...does this diminish the value of the xtr parts?
The above poster is right- sell the fork for whatever you can get, buy a current model from Marzocchi, Fox, or Manitou (maybe a used fork?) and ride the heck out of it.
I'd offer a little less than $500, see if he bites.
Tommy
NO! Don't buy it. I had a 1998 LTS - 1. First off, it bobs like a sunabeach on climbs - so forget about making it up any extended inclines. Second off, those pivot bushings wear out every three months (and impossible to find now), Third, I busted the rear triangle (which is the same as STS) two times in the same place - right above the rear chainstay pivot. Back then, I weighed about 190lbs and wasn't nearly as rough on bikes as I am now. And....GT didn't have any rear triangles left - even before the Pacific crappers buyout. So now my LTS frame is still sitting in my garage gathering dust. Occasionally, you can find parts on E-bay but they usually go for a good buck. In fact, I'll probably sell my front triangle and the new pivot kit I had on Ebay soon. After that, I bought a Giant NRS, which was way too flexy and now I ride a Santa Cruz Bullit - absolutely love it and it's bombproof!
And don't forget that carbon fibre will have a shorter life then aluminum or steel - there could be stress fractures all over that frame that you can't even see.
So in short, I would look at other alternatives if I were you. Ebay has tons of deals on bikes, here's just one example (that would be WAY better then the STS):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=3688194263&rd=1
Good luck!
MF
And don't forget that carbon fibre will have a shorter life then aluminum or steel - there could be stress fractures all over that frame that you can't even see.
So in short, I would look at other alternatives if I were you. Ebay has tons of deals on bikes, here's just one example (that would be WAY better then the STS):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=27948&item=3688194263&rd=1
Good luck!
MF
What he said!
those frames broke at the head tube gusset a lot. You can't get parts. LTS was without a doubt THE most maintenance intensive bike ever made.
Save the heartache and headache, pass on it.
Unless you like pain and want to deal with GT's new owners for parts, a French Canadian maker of juvenile furniture that bought Pacific (GT/Schwinn) not long ago.
Jim (had 2 LTSs)
those frames broke at the head tube gusset a lot. You can't get parts. LTS was without a doubt THE most maintenance intensive bike ever made.
Save the heartache and headache, pass on it.
Unless you like pain and want to deal with GT's new owners for parts, a French Canadian maker of juvenile furniture that bought Pacific (GT/Schwinn) not long ago.
Jim (had 2 LTSs)
I had a STS1000DS with a Z1 drop-off on the front in 99. It had a very neutral ride that was confidence inspiring and comfortable. It was one of my favorite trail riding frames I had ever owned. The major drawback is the POS rear shock. That Rock Shox Super Deluxe puked all it's nitrogen & oil out every 2 months. The rebound on it was like a pogostick, fast and faster. If you could find another brand of trunion mount rear shock it would make it a much more reliable bike, but like the others have said, replacement parts are virtually non-existant so why drop $$ into a 5 year old frame. Keep looking!bghtn said:I have a chance to purchase a 99 GT STS Carbon Fiber, full XTR bike for $500.00
I ride mostly XC.
I looked in classifieds and on ebay and could not find much on this bike. Does anyone know primarily what kind of bike it is and if this is a good deal? Thanks.
Exactly What He Said!
My GT LTS(Team) handled bad,and the rear end flexed, and the bushings required cleaning and lubing every ride(unless you wanted to use ear plugs). One more thing, it had terrible brake jack. The bike did well on fire roads.JimC. said:those frames broke at the head tube gusset a lot. You can't get parts. LTS was without a doubt THE most maintenance intensive bike ever made.
Save the heartache and headache, pass on it.
Unless you like pain and want to deal with GT's new owners for parts, a French Canadian maker of juvenile furniture that bought Pacific (GT/Schwinn) not long ago.
Jim (had 2 LTSs)
Forgettaboutit.............
I can't even get an easy supply of replacement parts for my 3-year-old I-Drive. GT has changed and screwed up their long standing relationships with LBS's and getting replacement parts is next to impossible, or in the case of the STS, impossible.
Of course, I was dissappointed to learn that my LBS is having trouble getting suspension parts for an early model NRS which is, maybe, 4-years-old. I figured Giant would be a company that backed its older designs but that does not seem to be the case.
I can't even get an easy supply of replacement parts for my 3-year-old I-Drive. GT has changed and screwed up their long standing relationships with LBS's and getting replacement parts is next to impossible, or in the case of the STS, impossible.
Of course, I was dissappointed to learn that my LBS is having trouble getting suspension parts for an early model NRS which is, maybe, 4-years-old. I figured Giant would be a company that backed its older designs but that does not seem to be the case.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
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