You're kidding right? GT held on to U-brakes because of their triple triangle frame. Your heel would have hit canti's due to the much lower chainstays. U-Brakes were ok, but not even in the same universe as a set of Vee's.

My contribution below...

You'rre kidding right? Gt used U-brakes in the rear because it was the best brake for the rear end of a bike at the time, especially when mounted up top. Some think it still is. When weight became an issue and lower profile canti's became available they switched. Originally Shimano didn't make canti's in more than one size. Then the v's came along.

My contribution below...

 

You'rre kidding right? Gt used U-brakes in the rear because it was the best brake for the rear end of a bike at the time, especially when mounted up top. Some think it still is.

U Brake is the OTB = One True Brake. OTB is probably also why they weren't mounted upfront either.
My U brake on the Avalanche may not be the trimmest piece of braking hardware made but it always had plenty of braking mumbo on hand compared to many poorly adjusted canti's that were out there :thumbsup:

 

.....

 

lots of nice Karakorams out there!

I got a Karakorum in the mid '90s. Put a bomber z3 on it, raceface cranks, WTB rims... Best fitting and one of the best riding bikes I'd ever been on. I got it because I thought it was a tough-ass bike that would last me forever. In Thunder Bay there ware always about 10 old ones I would see from time to time that were destined for a third decade of heavy use. SURPRISE!!! Mine broke at the chainstay about two-and-a-half years later. GT had then discontinued the Karakorum and I wound up with an ill-fitting backwoods frame.

Take care of that baby. And if its too big, send it to me. I still miss my baby

You need to check craigslist and ebay often. There's lots of nice Karakorams out there. Even some NOS frames. What size do you need?

 

You need to check craigslist and ebay often. There's lots of nice Karakorams out there. Even some NOS frames. What size do you need?

I've been watching ebay for years looking for one of those red Karakorams like Go Kart's. Actually, I've been looking prety much since I sold mine in 92. Dumb move...
I'd buy a 16" if I found one. Would also grab the 91 Avalanche with the "Daktari white" finish. That was the bike I wanted but couldn't afford, so I got the Karakoram instead.

 

I've been watching ebay for years looking for one of those red Karakorams like Go Kart's. Actually, I've been looking prety much since I sold mine in 92. Dumb move...
I'd buy a 16" if I found one. Would also grab the 91 Avalanche with the "Daktari white" finish. That was the bike I wanted but couldn't afford, so I got the Karakoram instead.

Isn't that black reynolds Karakoram frame in the mtbr classifieds a 16" it's only like $69 NOS

 

Found some pics of past GT's ..............now sadly long gone

GT karakoram elite..............

GT karakoram.............

And one frame I just got, and might keep, GT zaskar LE Red annodized........

 

I'm not sure how old this one is but I'm thinking about 1987/88,all Suntour XCE. I found this one in a pile of bikes on the side of the street,dumped there by a home owner cleaning out his backyard.
I cleaned it up and pumped the tires and she was ready to go.But during a recent ride the bottom bracket started to make really loud grinding noises sounding like a mountain lion in heat. It just happened to be at the same trail where a mountain lion was spotted a week earlier. I'm pretty sure the trail users weren't amused.

Based on components and the purple pearl, I am pretty sure it is an 89 or 90. IIRC the 88, which was the first year of production of Mtn bikes for GT, had Deore on it. Plus the 88 had either a red or black/white crackled paint finish.

I had the first GT Avalanche sold in Atlanta. Actually, we were one of the first GT Mtn bike dealers in that area and we sold the snot out of them. I'll scan a picture of it later and post it up. By the time I took the picture it had lost its GT cranks in favor of 185mm Bullseyes and featured a few other tastie pieces from that era. I actually wish I still owned it, but it went away so I could get a first generation Skunk Works M2. Big disappointment.

 

Isn't that black reynolds Karakoram frame in the mtbr classifieds a 16" it's only like $69 NOS

I don't see that ad. Is it still listed?

 

Why did GT hold on to the U-brake thing for so long? Its my least favorite part of my team avalanche....

BTW - My first mountain bike was a 1988 GT Tequesta with Suntour XCE

I'm with DeeEight. One of my favorite things about the earlier GTs were that they stuck with the u-brake stud (making the swap to a rollercam possible). I'm still watching for an early 16" Xizang with the u-brake studs. To each their own I guess...

 

How were you all able to run rollercams on the rear? I ran a set on the front on my '88 Avalanche, but there wasn't enough room to properly route the cable for roller cams on the rear. And that was on a 20" frame mind you.

 

Found some pics of past GT's ..............now sadly long gone

GT karakoram elite..............

GT karakoram.............

And one frame I just got, and might keep, GT zaskar LE Red annodized........

ugliest lot of bikes ever............to each his own is right...............yuck!!

no offense to you all

Will

 

How were you all able to run rollercams on the rear? I ran a set on the front on my '88 Avalanche, but there wasn't enough room to properly route the cable for roller cams on the rear. And that was on a 20" frame mind you.

You had to run a cable on each side of the cam to keep it from pulling to the side, but it worked great. XCD-6000s in particular worked great.

 

Hmm, that's what I figured you did. I tried it and didn't really like the way the cable loop clamped onto the cam so I gave up and stuck with U brakes on the rear.

 

Hmm, that's what I figured you did. I tried it and didn't really like the way the cable loop clamped onto the cam so I gave up and stuck with U brakes on the rear.

A toggle cam would be the answer here. A roller cam would be a mess on a GT.

I dont think U brakes have more power than a properly set up canti either. U brakes have less leverage as is seen by the large amounts of pad clearance.

Heres a pic of the toggle cam. It works well being pulled from off center. The toggle cam is by far the best rim brake Ive ever experienced bar none.

http://homepage.mac.com/halaburt/.Pictures/Photo Album Pictures/2003-11-22 08.41.43 -

 

I don't remember where I stole theese pictures, but it's a pretty Xizang anyway

 

Check out this dandy 1994 Zaskar.

See the rest of the bike here.

 

I have a buddy with a 1994 Karakoram with probably less than 1000 miles on it. Rigid forks, LX hardware. Beautiful white bike.

 

My "old" GT. 2000 STS1000 DS. Sold it a few years ago.

Nice bike but you are mistaking it for a year 2000'. When it is actually a 1997 or 1998'. The years 1999'-2000' were I-Drives.

 

I hadn't seen a GT mountain bike in years until this past week, when I had 2 Zaskars and a LTS all hanging in the shop at the same time for tune-ups , and now this thread. Never could stand them myself, but they looked cool (sorta).

 

My two GT's.

A Zaskar and a Backwoods. The zaskar still is the main race bike. That is why it has some new school stuff on it. The Backwoods is set up as SS and brings me to my work!
There is a xzizang at the lbs that I'd like to have...

 

ugliest lot of bikes ever............to each his own is right...............yuck!!

no offense to you all

Will

Non taken, just an individuals taste I suppose ! Yuck !!............bless his little cotton socks

 

An old photo of my first mountain bike, a '93 Team Scream painted Bravado LE (chro-moly). It was too small for me, and I wound up getting rid of it for a larger Fat Chance Yo Eddy, but I would still like to have this bike again. If anyone knows of where to find this frame in an 18", I'd be all over it...

 

93 Avalanche AL

 

hmmm.. 90 gt karakoram. my 1st serious bike. suntour xcd, painted blue. beautifull. and the fit was the best i ever had in a bike.. what is it that GTs give such a good fit? they are kind of ritchey like in numbers aren't they? btw.. that karakoram weighed a ton.

 

here's my babe.... still riding here today. solid bit of kit!