Bicycles

On test: GT Force Carbon Expert 2011

Details

Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: GT

Published on Monday, 15 November 2010 06:49

Written by Luca Salvatelli

An excellent all-mountain bike, easy, fun and proposal at a fair price

Go to Photo Gallery

Go to Video Gallery

Go to Report Card

GT has completely renovated in 2011, much of its range of bikes. The new Carbon Force range, has received updates for the frame, but also a complete overhaul of the assembly, with new components that characterize the most all-mountain destination. The monocoque frame Force Carbon remains a light and rigid, the headset 1 inch and 1/8, while the suspension is confirmed GT Independent Drivetrain (ID), which serve to overcome the interference between the movements of the suspension strut and the action of pedaling. The frame is available in 4 sizes (S, M, L, XL), and in the Expert version, only in Bright Blue color that you see in the picture. Carbon Force Sport version is instead given in Bright Green and Force Carbon Pro version in Neon Yellow. How many are told the news at the assembly. The 2011 version of the GT Force Carbon Expert, adopts the new SRAM X9 2x10 with double crankset and 39/26 rings. Always X9, controls, front and rear derailleur. The Shimano XT 11-36 cassette sprockets is, as is the Shimano chain. The brakes are the new Formula R1X, while the disks, also Formula, have a diameter of 180 mm. The wheels are assembled with DT Swiss 350 hubs and DT Swiss rims E540. The front wheel axle by 15 millimeters, while the rear by 12 mm. The tires are Maxxis Advantage 26x2.4 front and 26x2.25 far back. The FSA is the headset, while the stem is Syncros, model AM-V2, 3D forged alloy. The handlebar is Crank Brothers Crank Brothers Cobalt and always is the telescopic seatpost Joplin 4. Still Crank Brothers Candy pedals 1, which are standard. The Silverado Race saddle. The fork is a Fox 32 Float RLC, with 150 mm of travel, the wheel axle to 15 mm, fully adjustable (preload, compression and rebound), fitted with a lockout. The shock is always Fox Float RP23BV with Boostvalve, adjustable preload and rebound. Thus assembled the bike, in size M, has a weight of 13 kg net, without pedals, as occurred with our instrumentation.

The road test

The new GT Force Carbon Expert is well maintained and finished, like all the GT. There is a lack of finish typical of other niche products, but there is much substance. The paint is stretched, the assembly is cured, and there are guards to prevent contact between chain and frame. Good the internal cable and technically perfect realization of the Independent Drivetrain. Always good for the adoption of the Sram X9, which in some parts is replaced with components as good if not better, as the Formula brake R1X. Excellent suspension, a major upgrade from previous versions and reliable wheels. Crank Brothers always reliable components and the adoption of positive series of pedals. In general, therefore, a well assembled bike, with some mix and not compromising the quality, especially in view of the final price of the bike. More than good, therefore, weight, relatively low for the category. In the saddle you find a structure devoted to maximum control and excellent ergonomics of the controls. The brake levers are adjustable in distance from the handlebars and controls the travel of the X9 is kept low. The group X9 is perfect for its reliability, even slightly noisy, but fast and accurate in the passages of the report. Excellent smoothness of the crank and good development of the metric 2x10. During transfers you find the perfect functioning of the Independent Drivetrain, it was found that one of the best ways to Separate the influence of the damper pedal on the job and vice versa. Excellent smoothness of the wheels to secure the action of the braking system. Beyond any doubt, ride comfort, really good. Once well tuned suspension, high sensitivity to their regulations and their overall effectiveness, we can begin to tackle the toughest trails. Immediately follows from the excellent frame rigidity, which delivers excellent performance and precision driving in all conditions, combined with a perfect job of the rear suspension. This is one of the most successful elements of this frame because it ensures a more perfect traction in all types of skiing, both uphill and downhill, well absorbing the blows that come from even higher jumps. The Independent Drivetrain is excellent in its feature, and if the suspension is well tuned, you use a fraction of the block of the shock: the suspension work better, providing excellent traction even in the most difficult climbs, where the trajectory remains perfect. More than 14% grade is hard, but it remains a competitive bike, especially in its category. Downhill expresses all the best with a steering fast cornering, but not fast, but which ensures a perfect steering precision and always safe even at high speeds. Own safety at speed is another point in favor of this bike, the suspension works well and are well coaudiuvate the rigid frame and geometry guessed. In the closest and most difficult trails continues to be fast, precise steering and soprattotto thanks to the work of the suspension, allowing perfect control of the trajectories, easily guessing the "track" better. Other inputs could have a bike in the corners faster, but on a course like the choice of the GT Force Carbon is a winner because it allows a perfect control of the vehicle and easily reach the limit. Excellent brakes, both for power and for scalability. With this background it is easy to push their limits and beyond, always having the perfect feeling to have the situation under control, so in the end it is very fast, while not have the impression that he has risked nothing. Excellent also the Maxxis tires that provide good traction on mud and moved, along with a sincere behavior in turn, suffer just a little 'compact funds, where they are sliding, but you can not have it all. Still useful, then, the telescopic seat post that allows you to change the attitude in the saddle, perhaps with greater psychological safety to overcome the most difficult points, good saddle and pedals. Missing bottle cage, as on all the bike category, but it is not a problem. Even better control and balance of the bike jumps, which compete with ease and safety. In short a great all-mountain bike, with a very good frame like assembly. It allows great things and practice of mountain biking without limits. Uphill will be slower than many mountain bikes with less travel, but then we have fun, and very, downhill and technical trails and steeper. A bike that well-focused strengths and limitations, is of great satisfaction and one of the best proposals, the high average range of 2011 to the All Mountain.

Price

The objective of the test model, Force Carbon Expert, is priced at around 3,999 euros, whereas the technical equipment and the effectiveness rate is proportional to the product quality. The Carbon Pro model costs 5499 Euro and Euro 3290 Carbon Sport model. Considering the model in the test equipment is the best compromise between price, functionality and technical capabilities.

Positive aspects

Build Quality

Comfort

Versatility of use

Braking

Suspensions

Features Independent Drivetrain

Driving Skills

Stability and security

Negative aspects

None

The report card

Quality 8 (considering the price of everything is good)

Stiffness 9 (we are at the top of the category or almost)

Comfort 10 (can not do better)

Stability 9.5 (the steering remains stable even at high speeds)

Manageability 8.5 (is not very fast to fit into tight corners)

Braking 8.5 (a good compromise between power and modulation)

Weight 8.5 (for a full 150 mm of travel weight is good)

Price 9 (costs what it's worth, a rare case)

Read more:

GT Bicycles

Website: www.gtbicycles.com