PressCamp: 2013 GT Bicycles

GT Bicycles always has new things to see (and ride) at PressCamp. This year they wheeled out some neat new titanium, some Hans Rey signature bikes and some decent entry level things.

Distortion 2.0

This was one of our test bikes here at Park City. With 140mm travel up front and 115mm out back, it’s a mis-matched fun machine. The UK importers were initially a bit hesitant to bring it in when it came out, but good old public outcry and enthusiasm made them change their minds.

The Xizang is back! GT’s iconic titanium hardtail has reappeared in a 29er version.  It’s now unapologetically made in Taiwan rather than Colorado, but it still features lots of classic touches, like the Triple Triangle, only updated to include modern bits like a tapered head tube and disc mounts. It features the same geometry as the 29er Zaskar.

 

 

 

 

 

Moving to the other end of the scale, we have the revamped Timberline. Budget cycle path kind of machine with nicely matching suspension forks

 

 

Another classic name given a breath of fresh air is the Zaskar LE. Not to be confused with the slightly burlier Zaskar, the LE is a hardtail race machine. It has a new, lighter (1500g) fully hydroformed alloy frame and will come in several versions, including this ready-to-race XTR and carbon crank whizz-bang spec.

 

The venerable Hans Rey has been riding for GT Bicycles for 25 years now. GT reckons that this is a record for a single rider to have the same single sponsor for so long. And we don’t doubt it. To commemorate this, GT is making three different Hans Rey signature models, with components picked by Hans, a neat paint job and with a portion of the proceeds going to Hans’ great Wheels for Life charity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Launched last year, but missing from the Press Camp lineup was the Zaskar 100. It’s full carbon with 29in wheels and 100/100mm travel, a 142mm rear axle and four different spec levels. This is the bike you’ll usually see Hans Rey riding when he gets the chance.k

 

And finally, a bit of perving for the road riders. As well as relaunching the Xizang in titanium, GT has brought back the road-only Edge Ti, again reworked to take some modern kit, like tapered forks. This top-end spec includes ENVE wheels and Dura Ace components.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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