GT had a new full suspension rig at the Outdoor Demo and Grannygear got the call to head out on it. Here are his thoughts on this new steed from GT Bicycles.
GT Sensor 29er: It is not often that I come into a bike test with no preconceptions. In a world with Tweets, FaceBook, Blogs, and Forums, word travels fast, but here was the Sensor, a 2010 5” travel 29er that I had never even heard of. The iD (Independent Drivetrain, the refinement of the iDrive set up) has always intrigued me but that was about all I knew. Kinda’ cool actually, to just go ride something and be surprised. Was I? Yeah, actually. The iD system really is effective.
I turned ProPedal on, even though later I was told it is not necessary…oops…well, I thought it was. It was a pretty heavy bike, probably the heaviest bike of the weekend and I could feel that when I stood to pedal. And, I was getting tired. So, I sat down and pedaled instead. Ahah! Now the sorta’ heavy but really well balanced 5” trail bike came alive in that I could ride up nearly anything I could keep pedaling up. Traction was always there, it was supple, but never sunk into its travel and wallowed. It was dead simple to loft the front end and even…gasp…wheelie the 29er like a circus bike. Well, OK.
On the bobsled runs of Bootleg it was a smile inducing ride but I noticed something in the rear of the bike that felt like flex. Then the rear tire was starting to rub the inside of the left chain stay. Turns out the rear QR was loose…real loose, and it was letting the rear wheel walk around. It did point out the lack of tire clearance at the BB junction. The Nevegal was real close to the metal down there and I understand that will be addressed by GT. As it was, I really came to like this bike. In mud, forget it for now till there is more room down there for goo, but besides that, the 120mm of travel was all good and, if it was lighter, I would have been even happier. I have to wonder if a 4” version with a 100mm fork and lighter components would not be a killer entry besides the Epic Marathon and the like. iD is OK in my book.
Noooooo! Don’t tell a mfgr with the cojones to make a 5 inch bike to reduce the travel!!! We’ve spent four years trying to get them to build us 5inch bikes! There are plenty of 100mm bikes. This thing looks awesome just the way it is – I want to ride one!
Glad you liked it though.
@chris Sorry! My bad.
I did like it, although I did not get any kind of set-up help from GT at all. Basically they handed me the bike and said, “here ya go.” OK then. Still it was a good experience overall, despite the QR issue.
Despite the big tent and banners on display, GT/Cannondale seemed to be kinda numb compared to some much smaller guys who took the time to set the bike up and talk to you about it. I had to go hunting for someone to tell me about the bike after the ride.
grannygear
If this bike is sluggish, it will be another target to spread venom from about 29ers as general by kiddie wheel lovers.
@DavidCopperfiled
Whether they like it or not, 29ers are here to stay. I’d love to remind naysayers that roadies loathed mountain bikers back in the day but it didn’t stop the trend. To be honest I think the biggest negative opinion that makes the 29er a bit more difficult to get for the consumer is the retrogrouch bikeshop owner. You know- The guy that doesn’t want to have to contend with ANOTHER frame, fork, rim, tire, etc. However, I can tell you those guys are LOSING money by not enthusiastically offering their customers more options…
Any news on this bike? Still no sign of it on the GT website. I am curious on the geometry and also whether it has a standard shock length/stroke. If standard, it would be a good candidate for a coil shock.
I work @Performance bike. I was looking thru new bikes coming in shortly , We’re going to carry this bike, whether it will be the same component setup I’m not sure . I do know its going to sell for reg.$3000, Our price $2000 , The color is call Platinum, so perhaps it will be similar to the Force 3.0 silver color?