GT Bicycles, Inc. 1999 Force

Price Paid:  $400.00 at eBay

Bike Setup:
Mavic rims, Conti tires, SDG seat, Sigma computer, the rest is original stock.

Summary:
Original 1995 Aluminum frame with intact paint and decals. This bike is not for the weight weenies but will get you where you need to go.

Strengths:
Quality frame that is ready for upgrades. Triple triangle design still looks great!

Weaknesses:
RSX components function but need to be upgraded to 105 / Ultegra. Change out the 7-speed to a 9-speed and it's good to go.

Price Paid:  $610.00 at Racine Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
country roads

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105 rear cluster and chain.(rear cluster was dropped from 25 to 23 tooth. 25 teeth are not needed wanted more mid range gearing especially with the triple up front. Also Cateye cordless computer and Shimano SPD.

Summary:
For a recreational rider a good bike that offers everything you need and has potential for future upgrades as needed. One of the only bikes that offers a steel frame in this class of bike.

Strengths:
Steel frame(strong),nice paint job, entry level components(good starter setup).

Weaknesses:
Rear cluster& chain should be upgraded, RSX components are ok though will need to be upgraded over time. Tires should be replaced after a few rides "VERY" cheap!

Price Paid:  $640.00 at Racine Cyclery

Bike Setup:
Shimano 535 pedals(interchange with mountain bike shoes),Shimano 105 cluster 13-23 gears, Shimano 10

Summary:
Good bike for the money probably the best bang for your buck in this class. Compared to other bikes in its class was one of the few that was steel.

Strengths:
Steel frame a "MAJOR" plus, strong frame, nimble handling nice starting point for new roadie. Nice paint job!

Weaknesses:
components are fair but considering the price of what you get its reasonable. Seat is hard and peddles are worthless.

Similar Products Used:
first road bike

Price Paid:  $400.00 at from a friend lightly used

Favorite Ride:
road

Bike Setup:
gt force frame, gt fork, volocity deep-v rims with dt swiss spokes (front radial lace, rear 3x drive side, radial non-drive) rsx gearing, 24speed

Summary:
steel is real. good first effort on a road bike.

Strengths:
strong steel frame, stx shifting, 24 speed gearing

Weaknesses:
some parts upgrades maybe needed - comes with RSX, 105 would have been better.

Similar Products Used:
schwinn circut

Price Paid:  $649.00

Favorite Ride:
Hilly country weekend roads

Bike Setup:
Only upgrade has been to clipless pedals and kevlar belted tires

Summary:
I was looking for a entry level cro-moly bike for less than $700. This fit the bill. Put 1000 miles on in first year. Easy to handle on both 25 mile weekend rides in the country and as 20-mile round trip communter with a rack and panniers. The frame absorbs bumps nicely. But after a year and half, I'm ready to move up to better components.

Strengths:
Price, great entry level road & recreational bike.

Weaknesses:
Components. RSX functions, but 105 would be a substantial improvement.

Similar Products Used:
None