The company that manufactures GT Mountain bikes was set up in 1979 by Gary Turner. Gary was a welding expert and used his skills to come up with the distinctive three-triangle frame design that has come to be synonymous with GT. The company has had its ups and downs over the last thirty years and has at various times been owned by cycle giant Schwinn, as well as being on the brink of liquidation. Things are better now and for 2009 GT are offering some unique and impressive bikes.
The GT mountain bike range breaks down into three ranges - DH Freeride, Adventure and All Mountain with a choice of full, rear suspension or hardtail. As with all the leading manufactures, GT has also introduced a range of women’s bikes with a taller lead tube, steeper seat tube angle and short reach brake levers. All these innovations have been developed with the female physique in mind and allow for a more comfortable, responsive and satisfying ride. This means that women no longer have to put up with a bike that was designed for someone else.
One of the highlights of the 2009 range is the Carbon Force Pro which is a state of the art machine designed and built for the serious end of the mountain bike market. Previously only available in aluminium, the new carbon composite frame has reduced the weight by 1 pound. The overall bike weight is now only 26.5 pounds resulting in a machine that’s all about a lively climb followed by an exhilarating descent.
At the other end of the range, one of GT’s most popular and affordable models is the Avalanche, which starts at around £369 and includes a disc brake option. This is a great looking bike and with a decent level of kit specification. If you’re looking for a ride that is tight and strong and won’t need too much looking after then this could be the model for you.
I’ve personally been riding GT mountain bikes for over 10 year and have covered over 5000km on my current bike. If I’m honest, I was initially attracted by GT’s cool styling and slightly flashy looks, but I’ve learnt that these bikes offer a stimulating ride, reliability and great value for money. I’m about to retire the current machine as I’ve worn out all the components to the point where it’s no longer worth repairing. I’m tempted to dig deep into my pockets and invest in the Carbon Force Pro, but to be fair there are three or four picks in the range that would get my juices running. Whatever I do, I think I’ll be sticking with GT Mountain Bikes!
