GT Bicycles, Inc. GTR Series 1.0-5.0

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at Performance in Albuq

Model Year:
2007

Bike Setup:
stock 105 components. I may be going with stan's notube here pretty soon.

Summary:
This is my first road bike. I have the Series 2 model, and I commuted on it 31 miles a day last year. It's got 1600 miles in one year. Then, last fall I did the Enchanted Circle Century Tour in northern NM. The bike is great. I haven't had any problems with any part it. I'm seriously considering doing the Stan's NoTubes conversion for this years century to cut down on rotational weight. It's a great bike, and I love the "goofy" geometery. I tested out a ton of bikes, and this one fit just right.

Strengths:
Reliable, very responsive, great components

Weaknesses:
It may be nice to have a carbon handle bar and stem to trim off a little more weight. Not an elite racing bike, but its great for a regular guy or gal.

Price Paid:  $430.00 at Performance Bikes

Favorite Ride:
GTw Series Four

Summary:
This is my first road bike. I got it right before Christmas for my participation with the AIDS LifeCycle in May 31, 2009. It is a bike ride 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 7 days. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on the bike and I needed a bike that would get me there without that extra weight.
I love that it's light. All components work good. I notice that I go faster in downhills compared to other cyclist without pedaling.

Strengths:
I love everything about it.

Weaknesses:
The Shimano Sora works well although my brake levers are not easily adjustable to my reach when I am on the down bar. Too bad for women with short fingers (like me). I can't reach the brakes from there.

Price Paid:  $1000.00 at ebay

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Davis Mountains in TX

Bike Setup:
Carbon frame, Reynolds Ouzo Comp carbon fork, FSA Gossamer compact crankset, MEGA XO BB, Ultegra FD,RD and shifters, 105 brakes, Alex 320 wheelset, Specialized BG Rival 130 seat

Summary:
Purchased the bike on ebay just before the HHH 100 in Wichita Falls. Brother in-law delivered the bike Friday night at 10:30 before the Saturday morning ride. Installed the pedals and adjusted the seat, went to bed and got up and rode 100k on my new bike. Couldn't think of a better way to break one in and find out what I think of it. Bike rode great. Components functioned flawlessly and the carbon frame soaked up the rough sections of road with ease. Finished the ride feeling great about the bike and little disappointed in my training. I also enjoyed not seeing another bike like mine in a ride with almost 12,000 riders.

Strengths:
Good components and full carbon at a very reasonable price. Under 19lbs with pedals, cages and bag.

Weaknesses:
None noted yet.

Similar Products Used:
Centurion Accordo, Colnago CT-1, Trek 5200, Giant OCR1

Price Paid:  $2400.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Local hill climb

Bike Setup:
ITM carbon bars and stem, Rolf Elan wheels, Dura-Ace

Summary:
Outstanding performance machine! First carbon frame I've owned, ridden aluminum and steel previously. By comparison, this frame is just as stiff and powerful as any other and the handling is responsive and predictable-builds confidence especially on fast crits and descents. It climbs extremely well, transfers power where you need it and feels very light. Nice entry into the carbon frame market for GT, and it's much more affordable than most in it's performance and spec range. Although I believe the newer '08 models cost a bit more.

Strengths:
Light, fast, powerful. Solid frame construction.

Weaknesses:
None that I've noticed

Similar Products Used:
Giant TCR, Trek 5200

Price Paid:  $700.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
GT GTR Series 2

Bike Setup:
stock except, tube guards, road tool kit, bottle cages, lights, computer, and fenders.

Summary:
Been commuting with the bike enough to say it is very good. Light bike overall. Very good tires, but the tubes could have been better. Add tube guards if you ride in debris areas. I would have picked a shimano crank instead of a fsa grosammer, it makes strange noises ( although not happened to me, many people complain that it can get loose fairly easy).

Strengths:
Great choice of components, ultegra, alex, vittoria, and fsa brands (check GT website for setup). very little vibration. carbon fork a ++.

Weaknesses:
tubes, need tube guards, crank should have been a shimano ultegra, to match drivetrain.

Similar Products Used:
cannondale. rod a a trek