Price Paid:  $1299.00 at Performance Bicycle

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Capitol Crescent Trail

Bike Setup:
Stock except for Specialized toupe saddle, my saddle of choice.

Summary:
Bike is actually a 2008 model, and a fantastic bike for the money. Rides incredibly well for an all aluminum frame, including the ability to soak up trail imperfections without too much vibration and roughness. I was very surprised by the frame, it accelerates with aplomb with a nice stiff BB and chainstays. This frame is proof that there is life left in aluminum, as I tried a couple of cross bikes with carbon stays and one with the same wheels and the GT feels as good in terms of vertical compliance.

Components are very high quality for a bike of this price, Aside from truvativ cranks and tektro brakes the drivetrain is all SRAM Rival. The shifting is crisp and accurate and the gearing well selected for cross. The cockpit parts are all easton EA70 and are very nice, if a little bit heavy. The stock SDG saddle was not to my liking but few stock saddles are. The Easton Vista SL wheelset was a big selling point for me, I like these wheels and consider them to be great road training wheels and pretty light for cross use. They have been bombproof so far.

Strengths:
Wheelset, components, fork... Ride quality is phenomenal for all aluminum frame.

Weaknesses:
Tektro brakes lack stopping power, but I am relatively sure it is the stock pads, not the brakes themselves... This would be the only area of the bike that seems less than ideal.

Similar Products Used:
Fuji Cross Pro (Owned), Jamis Supernova (Demo'ed)
Trek X0 (Demo'ed)