GT Sensor ST Carbon Pro: First Ride Review

The GT Sensor ST Carbon Pro is a reminder of how capable modern trail bikes are, especially if you get the geometry at such perfect balance.

• Brand: GT
• Product: Sensor ST Carbon Pro
• Price: £4,000
• From: GT Bicycles
• Review by: Amanda Wishart for 2 weeks

Three things I loved:

• The angles are all spot on. Not too high at the front, not too low in the middle, not too long at the back… I can’t find anything I dislike about the numbers
• Geometry feels aggressive for the descent, yet it skips up technical climbs. Super efficient pedalling
• It’s really predictable without feeling dull. Playfully reliable? Enjoyably consistent?

Three things I’d change:

• I think I can feel the rocker when pedalling, it’s kind of chunky
• The colour options are boring, logo is REALLY boring
• The swimming pool under the shock is quite annoying

I have been testing the ‘Gloss Indigo and Wet Cement Grey with Wet Cement’ GT Sensor ST Pro. The blue paint is beautiful, it’s such a shame they added a grey fade and a really boring logo.

And that’s pretty much where my complaining ends with this bike, so far.

The tyres that come as standard aren’t too inspiring on paper (or at least the Rekon on the rear isn’t), but in reality they’re a great combo for the bike and what I’ve found it capable of riding. I seem to have plenty of traction even in the wet.

My weight is perfectly centred to keep the front end down whilst not having the back skipping out on corners. It has a really short and playful feel, yet there’s no clumsiness to the ride. I can choose a line and know how it’s about to ride, I know where I’ll end up and there’s never any corrections needed.

One of the biggest changes in my riding since getting this bike has been the commitment to line choices – I always want to take the high line through long rutted sections of trail but I’m not always convinced I can hold it (result being cross-rutting and bruising), but I can on this bike.

It goes exactly where I want it to and remains stable and smooth.

I’ve never been too excited to see SRAM G2 brakes on a bike, yet they seem to suit the ride. I don’t ever feel out of control or on my limit at speed because it’s so responsive and nippy. I don’t have that need to emergency brake, something I never feel confident with on G2s. 

The GT Sensor ST Pro has a perfect balance of components to make it a competitive price without ruining the ride quality. 

Overall

The GT Sensor ST Carbon Pro is a great reminder of how capable modern trail bikes are, especially if you get the geometry at such perfect balance. Comfortable and efficient pedalling, agile on technical terrain and aggressive on descents. I can’t help but wonder if the shorter travel is what makes this bike so much fun. It’s very consistent and predictable, and I think that could translate to being rather dull with more travel in the frame.

GTspeak:

DOWN FOR WHEREVER

Their all-new Sensor ST is a purpose-built pedal machine that knows how to have fun. 120mm of travel paired with progressive geometry makes this a bike perfect for the all-day adventurer or anyone looking for a playful and responsive ride.

Rear wheel travel

Sensor ST’s 120mm of rear wheel travel provides a few key benefits: Efficiency, Responsiveness, and Agility.

Linkage Tuned Suspension

Featuring our signature Linkage Tuned Suspension that has been remixed with a pedal pushing mentality.

All around

Equipped with a lightweight carbon frame, trail tuned geometry and kinematic, tube in tube cable routing, and integrated frame protection.

GT Sensor ST Pro Spec

• FRAME // Sensor ST Carbon 29” Frame, 120mm Travel, BSA 73mm, LockR Pivots, Tapered
• Head Tube, Boost 12×148 Thru-Axle, UDH, 185×47.5mm Trunnion Shock Mount, ISCG05
• FORK // RockShox Pike Select + RC2, 140mm, Charger 3, Debonair +, 44mm Offset
• SHOCK // RockShox Deluxe Select + RT, 185 x 47.5mm, 2-Pos Adjust
• RIMS // WTB KOM Trail i27, 32h, Tubeless Ready
• FRONT HUB // Formula, 15x110mm
• REAR HUB // Formula 12x148mm, HG Freehub Body
• FRONT TYRE // Maxxis Dissector, 29 x 2.4”, 3C Maxx Terra, EXO
• REAR TYRE // Maxxis Rekon, 29 x 2.4”, 3C Maxx Terra, EXO
• CRANKSET // Truvativ Stylo 6K, Dub, 32T
• CHAIN // SRAM NX Eagle, 12-Speed
• CASSETTE // SRAM PG-1230, 11-50T
• DERAILLEUR // SRAM GX Eagle
• SHIFTERS // SRAM NX Eagle, 12-Speed
• HANDLEBAR // GT Alloy Riser Bar, 20mm Rise, 780mm Wide, 5° Rise, 8° Back
• GRIPS // GT Mushroom LockOn
• STEM // GT Alloy, 45mm
• HEADSET // FSA No.42
• BRAKES // SRAM G2 RSC Hydro Disc, 180/180mm Centerline Rotors
• SADDLE // WTB Silverado
• SEATPOST // GT DropKick, 31.6mm, (S – 125mm, M – 150mm, L/XL – 170mm)
• SIZES // SM, MD, LG, XL
• PRICE // £4,000.00

GT Sensor ST Carbon Elite, £3,350

Spec highlights: Marzocchi Bomber Z2 140mm fork, Fox DPS Performance rear shock, SRAM NX Eagle Drivetrain.

Review Info

Amanda Wishart

Art Director

Amanda is our resident pedaller, who loves the climbs as much as the descents. No genre of biking is turned down, though she is happiest when at the top of a mountain with a wild descent ahead of her. If you ever want a chat about concussion recovery, dealing with a Womb of Doom or how best to fuel an endurance XC race, she's the one to email.

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