GT Bicycles, Inc. 2000 ZR-4000

Price Paid:  $250.00 at From friend

Favorite Ride:
Any ride with friends

Bike Setup:
Bike is stock except for the Gary Fisher seat and the Cateye comp. Using Shimano 505 pedals. Putting the Speedplay's back on when I get new shoes.

Summary:
Bought this bike from a friend and love it. It has been great so far. No issues. I am 6-1, 240lbs and it's holding up well.

Strengths:
Seems to have a strong frame. Has good speed and balance.

Weaknesses:
I would like to replace the forks with a carbon to absorb more road shock.

Similar Products Used:
Older model Univega Sport donated to me from a friend.

Price Paid:  $600.00 at The Bicycle Shoppe

Favorite Ride:
Bridge to Bridge

Bike Setup:
Have upgraded the seat, rear and front derailuers, replaced cassette with a Ultegra 12-27 for climbing.

Summary:
I have put 8000 miles on my GT and it has served me well. Tiagra shifters and 105 derailuers came on the bike and I upgraded to Ultegra about 3000 miles ago. I have had problems with the rear wheel's spoke clearance-- spokes hitting the rear derailuer. Otherwise has been very dependable.

Strengths:
Very good value. Great bike for getting started riding. Frame has held up very well with minimal maintenance.

Weaknesses:
Aluminum frame and chromoly fork is tough on rough roads. The seat! A little on the heavy side compared to other bikes today.

Similar Products Used:
GT is my first road bike.

Price Paid:  $465.00 at Pervormance/carlsbad

Favorite Ride:
hwy 101 oceanside to delmar

Bike Setup:
Just stock except for the seat and stem.

Summary:
Rode it stock for short time - changed the seat to a more padded one, put on TIME pedels, softride flex stem, computer. Rides well. quick. whippy.

Strengths:
gotta love it for the money. 2000 model bought on sale in 2002. Light, durable. I am an old guy, age 63, 210 lbs. so far, perfect for me!

Weaknesses:
didn't like the seat. changed it out right away. Had to mess with the angle of the handle bars until the brakes felt comfortable. Put an extra layer of tape on em.

Similar Products Used:
Shoot!...where to begin? 1957 Ideor Asso, Legnano, allegro, Brooks (from england) Bianchi, Specalilzed sport for touring, Bike E ( sucked )

Price Paid:  $700.00 at ebay

Favorite Ride:
South Jersey backroads

Bike Setup:
Rolf Vector Wheelset, TFI Liberator seat,
105 rear, tiagra front & shifters, no-name
crank & brake

Summary:
From what I can tell, most of GT's road line uses the same frame with
better component sets as you move up in price. This bike has a great
frame, with marginal components. The seat's terrible & needs replaced
immediately. I broke spokes on the low end mavics & replaced them
with a rolf vector wheelset. That done, it's a great bike for my 30 mile
daily commute & other recreational riding. I'm replacing the drive train
to all shimano 105 double crankset this winter (triple is a waste here in
New Jersey - it's so flat). About the only thing I could wish for after that
is a carbon fork. Bottom line - great frame, easily upgradeable to be
a great bike without spending too much at once

Strengths:
Frame

Weaknesses:
seat, wheelset

Similar Products Used:
GT ZR-3000, Trek 2000, Austro-Daimler SLE

Price Paid:  $799.00 at American River Bike

Bike Setup:
105 rear, tiagra front- changed out brake pads, went with carbon fiber fork, profile stem, slightly wider bars, mavic
wheels.

Summary:
Love the Bike - was fortunate to purchase it. Has been a joy to ride - it scoots. Upgradeable frame that for a few extra dollars over a year add-ons you can have a cool
road bike and not break the bank for 2000 or 3000 $$$.

Strengths:
Do 80 to 100 mi. a week. No major problems.
Very reliable- durable.

Weaknesses:
Changed out original seat to specialized comp.
Blew a spoke so had bottom line mavics built w/
slightly heavier spokes. Have been trying to dump weight - presently at 23 lbs. W/ hollow core cranks may be able to drop another pound.

Similar Products Used:
None