[Closed] GT Bikes - does anyone still buy them?

I want a Distortion if that counts?

I bought one last year. An XC3 just to do the coast to coast on as I needed a bike desperately. I've since canibalised it for parts for my full sus. As I'm slowly replacing those parts with better stuff I can build my GT back up, but what on earth I'm gonna do with it I don't know.

I ride a 3-year old iDrive XCR and yes it is a touch on the tubby side but the iDrive system seems to work well - no noticeable pedal bob even when properly cranking up a climb. Handles well, climbs well, descends well (my balls run out way before the bikes does....although that's not saying much.....). I'm happy with it!

I get the impression that they have lost focus in the UK but in the states they seem to still be respected. They seem to be going after the DH / big bike market.

I rated my avalanche when i had one but they have done nothing with it or the Zasker in recent years.

Yes have a Chucker as a winter hack and for messing about on. Built up entirely from cast-off OE parts from other bikes it runs and runs and runs.

A bike on the trails is worth two in the shed.

bought one last week for £20 Bargain!!

I've got a three year old ID5, it still rides well and its never had anything done under warranty. My mates also got 1 and thrashes his and never ever gets it serviced.

If I remember rightly the ID5 won what mountain bikes bike of the year in 2007.

I see a bloke riding to work on a GT of some sort each morning, looks like a decent modern one too, a Zaskar or Avalanche.

I still reckon they are pretty decent for the money and have been more tempted recently than I have ever been in the past.

The triple triangle is a classic.

I like the look of the force . . .

£1800 for this last years full carbon jobbie

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I was wondering this myself. My first "proper" mtb was a silver rigid timberline from about 1994. I loved that bike.

I can't remember the last time I saw one out.

GT, a new niche?

my mate rides an Avalanche disc and loves it, bought it new last year after his Kona was stolen. looks a nice bike and he says it rides much better than the Kona did.

07 avalache has done me proud over the last 4 years 🙂

Yes, I was talking to a chap at the weekend who had bought a carbon Zaskar frame.

Brother's got an Avalanche 3(?) hard tail.

Rides well, solid. Climbs really well. Feels like your sat on top if it (as opposed to feeling part of it) for the faster downhill stuff but yeah good climbing bike.

my girlfriend rides a 3 or 4 years old avalanche 2 wsd. i replace bits as they fall off or wear out, and i think the only standard things left are:
1. frame
2. watercage bolts
3. rear qr
4. stem

really wish i had got her something with slx level bits on in the first place.

i've got a gt trials bike, hence the moniker. I never really see GT bikes UK side anymore. I always liked the look of the sanction and force bikes, and the new 26'' bmx-style bikes look pretty rad.

i think it may be worth switching to another FS setup, which is more readily accepted by the biking community. See dw link, etc

We sell loads of GT bikes, as do many dealers, not many above £500 though.

Mostly budget hardtails and a few hybrids and the occasional BMX.

I for one am glad that Halfords no longer sell them, just caused too much confusion for the consumer.

The Distortion is top of my wanted bike list ATM for sure.

Incidently, the Korakoram is the only 29er I've seen that looks tempting:

http://www.gtbicycles.com/gbr/bikes/mountain/endurance/2011-karakoram-1-0-green

The Sanction is a lovely bike...

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I think the I-drive system is thought of as being a bit old and outdated, it hasn't changed much at all since it's first inception - seem to recall it's great climbing, but not as sorted as more up-to-date systems generally.

There were quite a lot of GT Hardtails at MM, my first mountain bike was a GT hardtail - now my brothers!

I've had a GT Avalanche 1.0 which was a really good bike and only changed as my riding style did to something more heavy duty and capable of running longer forks, an Evil Sovereign. GT's are well known for their strength but also carry a weight penalty because of it. You don't here many people complaining of a broke GT frame and the weight isn't that much more than a top end bike which the Carbon Zasker competes with very well.
I have a GT Force 1.0 which after month of test riding various others was chosen on value and past experience of GT quality. The others that were in the running that compared to the handling of the GT Force were a Nomad (alloy) and Pace 506 (glad I didn't got for that one with Pace build quality). As my name suggests I'm not small and the bike suspension handles my weight well and hasn't broken. The iDrive has increased my climbing ability despite the bike been a lot heavier than my previous hardtail.
GT's problem is lack of advertising (which effects magazine reviews), crap website and the usual blinkered well the magazines say attitude. Try one and make your own mind up.

I'd love a modern carbon Zaskar, if I could afford it.

Be nice to see an Easton alloy version too, reckon they'd sell loads.

Those steel singlespeed/29ers from a couple of years ago were stunning, anyone got one?

Mark Beaumont seems to do OK on his...

I would love a Zaskar at some point, I kind of feel I should have owned one by now, problem is that particular style of bike (pointy fast XC hardtail) is a little low down my list of priorities at the moment, after I get a good tourer and up-pimp the racer and CX bike a bit...

Not lookers are they?

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I've got an 08 sanction - it's great. Well made, good geometry and a lot of fun to ride. Before the GT I had a Reign and in my opinion the i-drive system is just as good to ride as giant's maestro, although obviously different. It's essentially a high single pivot so feels very direct - a lot like a single pivot bike will. The difference is that the bb and cranks can move relative to the swing arm to reduce the effects of pedalling inherent in single pivot designs. Seems to work well - good over small bumps and large impacts plus it's all easily serviceable at home. It can creak a bit if you don't get the servicing right though, which can be a pita.

I reckon the real issue is more to do with marketing, distribution and rebuilding the brand image after the original company failed and the new incarnation got tied up with Halfords. As a result they aren't that popular with the mags and people think that the design doesn't work well without actually riding one to see. The sensor has had some ok reviews though and sticking with the same suspension design for years hasn't done other manufacturer's any harm.

Anyway, it meant I picked mine up at a decent price and I never have to worry about it going out of fashion...

[url= http://www.gtracinguk.com/ ]These[/url] guys seem to get on pretty well with their GTs. I suspect they don't buy them though.

The last (only) new GT i bought was a 2005 ZUM 4 - i bought it mainly cos i liked the colour - but still have it, ride it and love it.
The last GT i bought was a '93 Timberline last month, ace as a runaround.
I was out riding on tuesday with a lad on a very recent carbon Zas - i don't know if he bought it though - dodgy lookin geezer, he might have stolen it 😆

Rusty Spanned- those singlepeed GT's of a few years ago were the GT Peace. I should have bought one when Evans were selling them off for peanuts. Had an eccentric bb if I recall too. Great bikes.

I had a 09 Aggressor XCR which was a great bike and I used the components for my second hand On One frame. I think a lot of the old skool makes are rarely seen on the trails these days . Kona and Cannondale dont seem as popular as they used to be and your more likely to see a Santa Cruz or a Cotic bike these days. I cant make up my mind if there deal with Halfords was good or bad as on one hand they sold loads of sub £500 Aggressors but probably didn't do there image much good with the Bike snob type. Still if Hans Rey rides them they cant be bad.

As a kid I wanted a GT Performer BMX (although I seem to think there was a Pro Performer?)

I recently saw an article, where GT have unveiled their 2012 bikes and they are launching a 26" Performer with 80's Retro styling. I'm quite taken by it, but would I use it enough to justify? And it there any point in having a 26" BMX? I guess it would get used as the pub/pop to the shops bike. Lets hope I change my mind before they are launched!

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Still using my 96 Zaskar daily, spent some pennies on it since this pic with new (but heavily discounted...)Rebas, SLX discs and wheels. Bit of a Triggers Broom now.
[url= http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5603230759_19e857b6d4.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5603230759_19e857b6d4.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricpic1964/5603230759/ ]First Bluebells[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/ricpic1964/ ]ricpic1964[/url], on Flickr

Recently managed to kill my 12 year old Avalanche after mucho, pero mucho uso.
If they can make them now like what they used to, we wouldn't be having threads like this. AWESOME bike.

My very first mtb was a GT Tequesta, in 1992/93. Saved up my paper round earnings to buy it and felt like the baws jaws when it arrived. Lusted after a Zaskar for years, and finally got one after getting my first proper job in 2000. Probably one my favourite bikes ever. Have since had an i-drive 5 from 06 to 10. Loved them all. I never found myself able to agree with any of the stuff written about the i-drive in the mags. It wasn't the most svelte bike ever, but it climbed very well, and was extremely strong and supple on the downhill. So I still hold them in quite high regard. Agree they could do with a bit of a.design overhaul to bring give them a bit more appeal, butt I wouldn't hesitate to buy another!

been riding a GT force 1 for the past 18 months quality piece of kit.......

Love the sanction in the neon paintjob, my gf has an avalanche she bought a few of years back on cycle to work, its been converted back to mtb duty since she changed jobs and stopped riding it in due to lack of safe access.

I had an Idrive 5 XCR, it was a bit of an odd beast- like a gigantic XC bike. Heavy, and more travel than it really knew what to do with but when it worked by god did it work. Showed promise.

GTs were good seller til they got dropped by Halfords, and rightly so as they were good, well specced, well priced bikes. But now they seem to be in the doldrums.

PS, want:

http://www.farnhamcycles.co.uk/Shop/p/821-gt-distortion-1-0-2011-mountain-bike/

ive got a 09 gt force 2 and find it excellent.

I luvs my '09 Avalanche 1.0. I think it looks good, I haven't broke it yet, came fairly well equipped (apart from the Suntour forks) and only cost £400 new. What's not to like?