GT at Interbike

GT has quite an impressive and complete bike lineup for 2004. Most noticeable was their line of new generation I-Drive Full Suspension frames, the ID XC series.
The ID XC is similar to the original I-Drive, which we are used to seeing, but is lighter and much easier to service. Still made to counteract the effects of bio-pacing (jerking motion that occurs throughout the chain while the suspension is active) the ID XC gives you 4” of rear wheel travel and the main pivots, which are Chris King bearings, are serviceable with a standard bottom bracket tool & 5mm Allen wrench. After personally owning many I-Drive’s, it was nice to see that GT finally move away from the exposed eccentric mechanism!


The frame weight in at about 5.5lbs with the rear shock, which is not proprietary, it is a simple off the shelve shock. Not only has the cable routing been improved on the ID XC, but so has the suspension!! Original I-Drive systems required you to adjust the preload until a mark on the eccentric aligned perfectly with a mark on the frame, this to achieve perfect pedaling efficiency. With the new system you don’t need to worry about that anymore. Therefore you can run your suspension soft or stiff, doesn’t matter, you always get the smoothest ride!

There are two versions for the ID XC available for 2004. The ID XC 1.0 and ID XC 2.0. Both models have a 6061 aluminum chassis with integrated headsets and main pivot bearings. The ID XC 1.0 comes with a Shimano XT gruppo and goes for $2,499, while the XC ID 2.0 comes with a Shimano LX gruppo and goes for $1,999.

We forgot to ask, but lets hope the DHi inherits the new generation I-Drive for 2005.

Chucker 2.0

The Chucker 2.0 is a great bike for the entry-level dirt jumper. Made of 7005 aluminum, the frame has oversized formed downtube, semi-integrated headset, rectangular chainstays & disc mounts. SRAM 8-Speed drivetrain, Twist Shifter, 175mm alloy crankset , 36T chainwheel & double roller chain guide, RST Gila G4 Fork. This bike has it all for the rider who wants to get into, and for a mere $425.


Moto

The Moto is the Chucker’s big brother! At $759, The 2004 Moto is priced the same as last year, but comes with a beefier fork and more tire clearance thanks to a newly redesigned yoke. Made of design 6061 Aluminum, the Moto comes with disc dropouts & cable guides, semi-integrated head Tube, machined chainstay yoke & rectangular stays. Marzocchi Z.1, Shimano Deore 8spd drivetrain, Alivio Shifter, Truvativ Hussefelt cranks, 38t Alloy Ring & Truvativ Hussefelt box roller chain guide. Shimano mechanical disc brakes, Syncros Big Box double wall rims, Shimano disc hubs, Truvativ Hussefelt riser bar, stem & XR DC post; WTB MutanoRaptor 2.4” Tires.


DHi

Downhill race ready bike, right out of the box! The proven DHi hasn’t changed for 2004, other than a new colorful paint job. $3,999 gets you pretty much the same awesome package as last year. But this year they switched the Boxxer for an 8” Marzocchi 888R. Other components are rear Hadley rear 12mm hub, Custom-Valved Fox Vanilla RC Spring Shock , Shimano XTR 9-Spd Drivetrain, Shimano XTR 5-Arm Cranks w/ DHi Custom MRP Chainguide, Hayes hydraulic brakes, WTB Laser Disc hoops, Syncros 2014 AL 31.8mm Bar & 2014 AL Post, WTB Timberwolf DH 2.5 Tires.


Ruckus

The Ruckus 2.0 hatdtail model is still a solid part of the Ruckus lineup, and for $799 it comes with a Marzocchi MZ Race fork, Shimano Deore 8-speed shifters and derailleur, Shimano mechanical disc brakes, Truvativ Husselfelt cranks and a Syncros handlebar, stem and rims. The frame is 6061 aluminum w/ CNC Machined Disc Dropout & Disc Cable Guides and, like many of the 2004 GTs, it has the cool new "skully" graphic.


The Ruckus I-Drive lines of long travel FS bikes are back in force. This year GT has introduced a new addition to their lineup, the Flowta. At 32lb with 6” of wheel travel and a full Saint kit, the Flowta is the lighter-weight Ruckus of their linup. The Flowta comes with a Fox AVA Float R air shock and 6” Marzocchi Z 150 FR fork. The Flowta comes with an awesome build kit, with brand name goods going from WTB, Syncros and Ritchey as well as Shimano's new Saint components (cranks, hubs, brakes and rear derailleur). The Flowta shares the same 6061 aluminum frame as the other full-suspension Ruckus models and the whole bike sells for $2,999.


For $2,000, the Ruckus i-Drive 2.0 has the new Avid Juicy 7 hydraulic disc brakes and coil-sprung suspension from a Fox Vanilla 125R fork and Vanilla R shock. Truvativ, Syncros, WTB and FSA components are mated with Shimano Deore shifters, derailleurs and hubs to make for a dependable and affordable Ruckus. The frame comes in gray with the “skully” graphic.


Click here to play GT’s 2004 Interbike Audio Interview.

For more info about GT Bicycles, visit their web site at www.gtbikes.com