[PurpleMtnSlayer]

Awe snap!

 

[jokermtb]

That blue paint is terrific looking

 

[stevegoodie]

I'd like to get some thoughts on increasing the travel of the fork. I've got the 2019 Sensor carbon pro and I've settled on getting the new Pike in 140mm travel. I feel like going up to 150mm would be a bit too much and raise the BB even further, as well as put it more in the category of the Force. The stock Pike has 51mm offset. Should I order the 42mm offset Pike to get a bit more trail or stay with the stock offset of 51? Thanks!

 

[Trail Features]

I'd like to get some thoughts on increasing the travel of the fork. I've got the 2019 Sensor carbon pro and I've settled on getting the new Pike in 140mm travel. I feel like going up to 150mm would be a bit too much and raise the BB even further, as well as put it more in the category of the Force. The stock Pike has 51mm offset. Should I order the 42mm offset Pike to get a bit more trail or stay with the stock offset of 51? Thanks!

140 will be no issue at all, I've ridden on a 140 and it felt great. I agree that 150 would tilt it back a bit too far and make that short top tube even more noticeable on longer rides.

As far as 51 vs 42? That's a bit more tricky as it could be personal preference. The new 2020 models got updated with 140mm 42 forks but the frames are the same, so if you're lucky enough to spot one in the wild you could try it out.

If you think the bike feels fine with 130/51 then you'll likely be happy with 140/51. Besides, ~25% - 30% of that 10mm is going to be eaten up in sag so really you're only adding ~7.5 - 7mm to the fork in practice. If you feel like the wheel is already a bit floppy in tight or awkward turns then maybe switch to 42 offset when you upgrade.

On the flip side... If you're ordering a new fork anyway, and if the cost is the same, order the 42mm offset and report back on your findings!

 

[Trail Features]

I have a few rides in now on my Sensor Elite. First thing I noticed is that its a big, stiff, burly frame. My rig is right around 34.5 pounds with a Fox 36 and carbon wheels so its no light weight at all. The second thing is that the rear end is not plush at all! Hardly any low speed absorption. But what is more annoying is the wonky shock size. Its darn near impossible to find a shock size in trunnion 180x50. There are no coil trunnion shocks in that size at all!!! The most logical thing is find a 185 coil and have Avalanche do their magic.
Its a fast bike that feels better going fast. The taller bb hasnt been an issue for me yet.

Are you 100% sure its a 180x50? GT must have decided to change the shock size or there is a major typo because I swear they came with a 185x50 at launch. I have the stock shock in my hand next to a 185x50 super deluxe I bought and they line up perfectly side-by-side. :skep:

 

[PurpleMtnSlayer]

I don't think 180 mm length metric shocks are a thing.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[wildh]

Resurrection of this thread. I'm considering a longer travel bike for fun days on bike park flow trails, trips to AZ and UT, and slower riders with the family.

I come from a solid XC background and have good handling skills. I ride a Pivot Mach 4SL and just want a second bike that is a bit more relaxed and capable. (road the 4SL down there WE trail last weekend and just felt a bit blasted by the end).

I don't have experience with this newer crop of mid travel bikes, but the Force and Sensor caught my attention largely as a result of the value.

Has anyone ridden both and can comment?

 

[jokermtb]

GT Sensor on our local pump track - it's a hoot.

I test rode a 2019 Pivot 429'er before purchasing my 2019 GT Sensor Comp. Pivot had a trail demo at my local trail, so it was a good test on a familiar trail. While the Pivot was a fantastic ride, I can honestly say, it was not better riding/handling than the infinitely less spendy Sensor Comp (aluminum frame) bike I ended up on. Sure, the Carbon Pivot had the GT in the weight department, but when rolling you'd never know the difference. The GT actually handles better than the 429, even with the discount parts spec.....I don't know how GT did it, but they really have created quite a trail blaster bike with the new Sensor. You can spend a lot more money, and still have just as fun a bike.....GT should have called this bike the 'revelation'...!

 

[wildh]

Good feedback! Thanks. I have a Mach 4 SL and it's a great XC machine, but want a more rowdy bike for fun days at the park and trips. Ultimately I'm going with the Force but this is quite helpful. My only real concern was how the bike pedaled vs the DW Link.

I do agree that the 2020 models are very well specd and the prices are excellent vs other bikes out there. On the Expert Carbon line, the only thing that could use an upgrade is the rear hub.

 

[jokermtb]

Wildh - You'll only notice the difference between the LTS and the DW link bikes in a parking lot at the trailhead. Once underway, there's really not any negative feedback feel at the pedals on either design. I will say the DW did take a little bit of minding to get it to bunny hop or pre-jump trail obstacles - the LTS behaves like a traditional rear end where you merely think about popping over something and it does it. These are small nit-picks, but it's not a dealbreaker for either bike. Very similar rear suspension feel to both though.

That said, after looking at the tech spec blow up diagrams, it appears the Force and Sensor frames are almost identical (same pivot bearings/hardware) - but I suspect the Force has maybe some extra frame material due to the longer travel? So hard to tell, but GT is all-in with this design for both Sensor and Force - you really cannot go wrong with either.

 

[wildh]

Thanks for the info. I ended up going with the Force Carbon Expert 2020. I was only able to get one easy ride in before snow flew, but I was very happy with pedaling efficiency. It’s always fun to hop on a 160mm/150mm travel machine after getting used to a XC bike. Everything just seems so.....squishy. .

The only thing I noticed right away was pedal strike when leaning into turns. I’m sure this is because of 27.5, low BB, and being in the low flip chip setting. Not a big deal, but it was noticeable in comparison to my Mach 4 SL. Overall, I’m really happy with the bike given the build kit and am looking forward to more riding when it warms up again.

 

[tpick]

I measured the sensor bb at 341 mm with 2.5 dhf and 2.4 dhr2 on 32mm internal rims. I agree the fit is a bit odd stock. And I believe it's due to the flat bar and low stack. I fitted a 38 mm riser bar for the second ride and the fit felt awesome. The geo is perfect.

Is that pretty much max tyre size on the sensor?

 

[OlavMe]

Gotta say, thanks to this thread, I've ended up with my dream bike! Being a tall rider, finding a long enough full suspension bike, at a "reasonable" price was close to impossible. Managed to get the Carbon Elite (2019-mod), at about 2200usd, sold the the fork, added another 300 usd to get a demo-used mrp ribbon in 140mm, and sold the SRAM brakes, to the same price as i got new magura mt-5´s. Together with Spank hirise bar and 50mm stem. - Its the best bike I've ever ridden, -the value is exceptional! just fitted new tyres today;-)

 

[aenema]

What a deal on that MRP. It is my current favorite trail fork and slow clap that purchase. I had issue with the stock tire's durability so maybe in the future, that would be another avenue to increase your positive experiences.

 

[OlavMe]

What a deal on that MRP. It is my current favorite trail fork and slow clap that purchase.

I agree, it is an awesome fork! However, i did pay 450usd, but i got 150usd for the old fork, so the upgrade costed me like 300 usd;-)

Another question to all sensor owners, isn't this a bargain upgrade of our shocks?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2019-RockShox-Super-Deluxe-RC3-DebonAir-Black-Trunnion-Rear-Air-Shock-185-x-50mm/382959171690?hash=item592a25386a:g:9HcAAOSwGGBc3xx3

RS Superdeluxe RC3 2019, less than 130usd..

 

[trekninja]

waiting for my 2020 sensor carbon frame to show up. spent about 2 weeks researching trail bikes and i landed on the sensor. basically a no budget type of build, aiming for 26-27lb with pedals ready to ride. hopefully all the parts will be in within the next week or two and ill be able to get it together and snap some pics. super stoked!

 

[wildh]

Awesome. Post some pics and details on your build when you can. Interested to see where it comes in at.

 

[trekninja]

So far I have e13 carbon wheels, carbon cranks and carbon bar with stem, magura trail sl brakes, ks lev carbon dropper, fox 34 kashima fork and dps kashima shock, 9-46 e13 cassette, xtr shifter and derailleur, either a riddler vigilante or butcher slaughter combo. Just got to grab a few odds and ends and wait for everything to show up!

 

[SergMTB]

Been riding the Sensor Elite 2020 for the last two days. Anybody experience any long term issues with reach? The low and wide bars take some getting used to. I as wondering if anyone has changed the bars for something more raised?

The bike is plenty fun. Anybody shaved the weight with other components?

 

[trekninja]

Been riding the Sensor Elite 2020 for the last two days. Anybody experience any long term issues with reach? The low and wide bars take some getting used to. I as wondering if anyone has changed the bars for something more raised?

The bike is plenty fun. Anybody shaved the weight with other components?

what type of long term issues would you run into? how wide are your bars? you can always go to a shorter them and cut the bars down a little which will help make the reach a hair shorter if you feel its too long