GT Bicycles, Inc. 2001 Passage

Price Paid:  $419.00 at F.I.C. Cycles in Ott

Favorite Ride:
GT Passage hybrid

Bike Setup:
All available accessories!

Summary:
This is truly an excellent value for the money. The components are decent and the bike is well built. Too bad GT has decided to focus solely on BMX and MTBs in recent years. They made a great hybrid if you ask me!

Strengths:
Lighter than many in this price range.

Weaknesses:
Wheels warp easily and need to be trued on an annual basis with daily use on city streets (be careful of potholes, etc.).

Similar Products Used:
Raleigh and Schwinn hybrids.

Price Paid:  $425.00 at Ottawa -F.I.C. Le ch

Favorite Ride:
GT Passage hybrid

Bike Setup:
Semi-slick road tires, rear rack, saddlebags, handle bar bag, Cateye tach, headlight, taillight, bell and whistle (of course!).

Summary:
This bike impressed me from Day 1! When the shop owner said: "Try this, but no jumping over curbs!". He was right. What a smooth ride. The rear wheel bearings were absolutely silent and the gear shifting was seamless. The geometry of this bike makes it very comfortable to ride on the street and on trails.

Strengths:
Excellent price/quality ratio. The components were mid-range Shimano and have been great for my purposes.

Weaknesses:
The shop owner was right: no curb jumping with this baby! The aluminum wheels, although light, do not take well to abuse. Jumping curbs too often will keep you in the bike shop for spoke replacements and wheel tensioning.

Similar Products Used:
Schwinn and Velo Sport hybrid bikes.