[panzer103]

My Sensor

 

[PurpleMtnSlayer]

Nice build! This bike totally deserves the Fox 36 and quad piston brakes. I like the carbon horizon riser bar too, especially for the price! What’s the travel on that fork?

 

[panzer103]

Thanks! Its a fantastic bar and the price makes it even better. I have no reason to get the 35mm stuff. There is Nothing wrong with it but the old stuff is good enough for me. I went from a 120mm suspension bike with the 36 on that so when I switched it over I thought I should put it at 140 for something different. I do need to lower the lowers to see why its so harsh, so when I do that Ill probably put it to 130mm.

 

[muggomagic]

Currently own and ride a 2018 YT Capra 27AL. I love the bike and it works for most of my riding, but have plans to do some long distance trail rides this year which I think will be a bit much on the 170mm Capra.
The Sensor has caught my eye as it's geo is not that far off the capra, it has 29er wheels which appeals and if I get the Alloy Sport model it leaves me enough to buy a 150mm dropper, bars and tyres straight away. Then in future I can look to upgrade wheels and forks.
So just wondering what owners make of the Sensor, and specifically the alloy sport. Is it a good all day trail bike?

 

[Switchback Bikes]

2019 Sensor For Sale in the Classifieds

I just posted my Sensor for sale in the Classifieds....I love it, but have accepted the fact that it is overkill for 99% of the riding I do.

It's in excellent condition.
https://classifieds.mtbr.com/showproduct.php?product=116931

 

[aenema]

I wanted to chime in my ownership report since there are very few real reviews out there on this bike. When the bike was released, I was really intrigued based on geo and pricing but could not really get an idea of its performances from the little material out there. I found a deal on a complete Expert and picked it up new to try it out. I have about 200 miles on my Sensor now and feel pretty confident about its capabilities. I've ridden it from slow speed, chunky tech up and down to fast and flowy, 35+mph single track. I'm a top 10% descender and about 30-40% climber. I value the downs and will climb whatever to get to the top of whatever the most fun descent I feel like doing on any given day.

Climbing - Body position with seat angle is very comfortable for all day rides. Front never wanders and making those tight switch backs is a breeze. Bike is a very neutral pedaler. It is one of the best slow speed, tech climbers I have owned as the rear wheel seems to have limitless traction and you are just so comfortably placed to maneuver and keep the pedals turning. On the smoother trails, you do want to flip the climb switch as there does not feel to be that sprint feeling that bikes with more anti squat can give you. It rewards that smooth cadence spin more than the hammer out the power.

Downhill - Bike is very comfortable and confident. Rear end out does the front fork (revelation on the Expert) handily and feels pretty smooth and progressive. That climbing traction leads to a super supple, bump erasing feel you would expect from a bike with 160~ travel but bike will change direction and respond to input like you'd want from a 130 rear end. I found it relatively easy to get the front end up over obstacles and bunny hop. Bike just feels nimble and capable.

Bike is proper stiff laterally. It rivals DH bikes in this category and holds lines through corners very well. I put some soft side velcro on the upper of the chainstay to protect from slap and this bike is one the the quietest I've ridden, which really lends to that solid feel of it. Very planted and easily placed bike.

I've owned Canfield Riot, GG Smash most recently. GG Smash felt like a plow bike that wanted to hug the ground. Riot was a super playful and maneuverable bike but lacked in that robust feel as it was pretty flexy. Sensor stiffer even that Smash and offers back some of that playful feel but still not quite as easy to manual and flick around as Riot (riot had 16.3 chainstays and just loved to play around). I've demo'd a Mondraker 150 and Offering and of them all, I like Offering best including Sensor. Mondraker pedaled great but was chattery and long enough you had to really ride aggressively to have fun but not always the most fun bike. Offering is a little snappier off the pedals than Sensor and a little easier to transition from corner to corner with the BB in lowest setting. Offering jumps better than most bikes I've been on.

I actually plan to pick up an Offering frame to build up with parts I have from Smash build back in day and do long term back to back with Sensor. I like Offering a lot and think I prefer it but the Sensor is really good and I'm not sure I'm ready to sell it yet. Both bikes rip and I want to travel around and get a long term personality idea before offloading anything. But really, if pricing is at all a consideration, go with the Sensor as it really does rip and I picked up mine for not much more than an Offering costs frame only. I think a Sensor with 140 fork would be a pretty bomber trail bike setup.

 

[PurpleMtnSlayer]

I agree with everything Aenema said. Except I do like the revelation with the charger rc damper that comes on the expert build. Adding a 140 air shaft would definitely help raise the stack, which this bike needs and maybe help the front and rear performance match a little better. Only issue is the BB is already a smidge high. If the hta and sta don’t get too slack, a 27 rear wheel and 140 fork might make this bike ULT.

 

[random canuck]

I'm looking to buy a sensor, but my LBS doesn't have any to try. I don't know if I should get a medium or a large because I'm kind of in between at 5ft 11. I've never rode a 29er before but heard you the sizing runs a little large. Any recommendations for sizing on the sensor?

 

[PurpleMtnSlayer]

You’re at the perfect height to ride either a medium or a large. I’m also 5’11” and owned a large. I really liked the fit with the steep sta and 470 reach. But after switching back to a bike with shorter 452 reach, I realized its easier to maintain front wheel traction with shorter front center. I like the more forward weight balance as you don’t have to put as much weight through your arms to keep the front wheel gripping. It means there’s more margin of error and less fatigue. I think the trendy long reach bikes have an advantage in steep and chunky terrain, but not for cornering.

With the large I had the 150mm ks dropper fully inserted and the length was perfect.

The stack is really low so I’d either up the fork travel to 140 or get a riser bar.

 

[random canuck]

Thanks for the advice on the sizing. I found a review here https://nzmountainbiker.com/products-reviews/bikes/gt-sensor-carbon-elite
where the guy rode a medium and he is my height and said he found the bike playful and that he thought the large would be less so because of the longer reach. So I think I'm leaning towards the medium.

I have the choice of the alloy sport or the carbon elite for $1000CAD more. I'm thinking the added dropper, sram components and rockshox upgrades are worth the extra to get the carbon model.

 

[jokermtb]

I just picked up a 2019 GT Sensor Comp....in size Medium. I'm about 5'-11" and after one ride, I became very comfortable on this size. Initially, it felt really weird, like the cockpit was really short, compared to my 2012 GT sensor 29'er. I was a bit fearful that I'd bought too small a size (before actually riding it on a trail). Last night was my first ride on my local trail (michigan tight n' twisty with lots of short grinder uphills), and I discovered that the new geometry really does work great - the wide bar really makes it all come together. Glad I got the Medium! Such a fun bike to ride, the handling is incredible - sticks like glue in the corners.

 

[jokermtb]

I really can't praise this bike highly enuff, after my first ride on my local trails - I was laughing outloud, so much because of how incredible this bike handles - I've never been able to corner so hard before. There's something to the new bike geometry of long/low/slack/steep magic working here - I even have my bike's flip chip in the 'high' position, and it rails like a wizard. Between the thru axles front and rear, stiff lateral frame, big pivots, and responsive handling, I couldn't be happier with this 2019 GT Sensor. IT'S AWESOME!

 

[random canuck]

So I finally received my sensor carbon elite. The bike store made the sizing decision for me since only medium was available for ordering. I haven't taken it on the trails yet, but on pavement, I'm finding the steering really twitchy. It's really hard to keep the front wheel straight at lower speeds. Maybe this is a normal feeling for 29ers? I'm coming from a 26er hard tail with a long reach. The cockpit feels really short.

 

[random canuck]

I was finally able to take the bike for a spin at my local 20km trail, and wow, it was awesome! It's been several years since I had biked a trail, so I felt like a beginner again, but this bike gave me loads of confidence to tackle anything. It rolls over any roots, logs, and rocks with ease. The same obstacles that would have given me problems on my 26er hardtail was handled with ease on this bike. The short cockpit feeling went away instantly as I immediately charged down the trail. The full suspension is a blessing for my old aching back, as it soaked up all the bumps.

With regards to the twitchy steering I had earlier on pavement. I rotated the handlebar so that it was pointed upwards which brought my hands up and out. That seemed to make a big difference, so I'll have to play around with some different stems to find a more comfortable fit. It does seem like the medium will work for me after all. The other thing that sold me on the medium, is my inseam of 31". The stand over height is quite large on this bike and I just fit over the bar. I think a large would be a danger to the family jewels .

 

[aenema]

I think this bike is an underrated gem for sure. The supple traction everywhere, the quiet and crazy stiff frame, smart cable routing and threaded bb. More important, geometry that is, in my opinion, pretty close to perfect for a trail bike. Super comfortable pedaling up and it just flies on the downhills. Its one of those bikes that teases you into doing bigger moves than the suspension can comfortably handle cause it just feels o confident and capable from the very beginning.

 

[jokermtb]

I'm about a 30-32" inseam (depends on what Pants I'm wearing!), and like you, the initial parking lot ride was a bit distressing, for if you're used to 'old style' bikes, this one definitely feels weird "short cockpit" - very different. But, as you discovered, it only takes one ride for your brain to come to realize how great this new riding position really is.

 

[jokermtb]

FYI, Sensor and Force riders - make sure you download GT's "2019 GT Tech Book" & "2019 Force and Sensor Owner's Manual Supplement" - contains ALL the parts, exploded diagrams, maintenance how-to's, and everything else needed to keep on top of things.

https://www.gtbicycles.com/chn_zh/tech-downloads

 

[jokermtb]

I have no idea what a few early Sensor reviewer's were talking about "high bottom bracket" causing handling issues.....handles superbly in my experience, and I can actually pedal out of corners without striking the sides of my platforms or shoes on the dirt.

 

[PurpleMtnSlayer]

I have no idea what a few early Sensor reviewer's were talking about "high bottom bracket" causing handling issues.....handles superbly in my experience, and I can actually pedal out of corners without striking the sides of my platforms or shoes on the dirt.

That manual download is sweet. GTs website is so trash I didn't expect them to have something like that. As far as bb height is concerned the geo chart listing is pretty high compared to the current trend, but IRL I measured the bb 10mm lower than the chart listed. So it's actually really inline with the trend and when I think most people are looking for.

 

[jokermtb]

FYI - my rocker pivot got a little play. I took it apart via the manual instructions, and you need a 1 Nm capable torque tool to tighten it. Most torque wrenches only go down to 2 Nm, but I found a bar type one (0-9 Nm range) that I ordered. These pivot bolt assemblies can be easily damaged from overtightening, so be careful folks!

I asked GT tech support for info on this, and they suggested this pre-set type instead. https://www.amazon.com/1nm-torque-wrench-TorQ-Armour-Overtighten/dp/B07DH11RWT