Bicycles

On test: GT Zaskar Carbon Expert

Details

Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: GT

Published on Monday, 23 November 2009 07:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Well implemented and has assembled a very stiff and responsive frame that allows remarkable performance, the fast requires experience, excellent rapport quality/price/performance

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Company

GT are the initials of Gary Turner, the founder of the Company. In 1973, the son of Gary trained in BMX; Gary thought the bike heavier and realization of the child for him a new BMX lighter, this was the first real bike GT. In 1974, with the help of Richard Long, Gary manages to base GT and concentrate in the production of frames for BMX. The 80 marked the emergence of GT in the world of BMX, but also the beginning of the adventure bike, where he soon becomes the protagonist GT. The greatest champions of BMX and mountain biking, bike use GT. In 1996, Richard Long died in an accident, but this does not stop the activity of GT. In fact, the Company specializes in growing and Mtb Dh, where important innovations come from a technical standpoint and most prestigious results from the sporting point of view, the range of bikes, then expands to the road sector. In 2008 becomes Burry Stander XC World Champion Under 23, while other important results also come from BMX and DH. Today, GT is part of the industrial giant Dorel Industries.

GT range

GT, as tradition, has a very wide range of BMX bikes and mountain bikes for different disciplines. More content for variety of models in the presence subnet Urban / City bike and racing bike. Mtb in the field, each discipline is well represented by a series of models that differ in the type of frame, carbon fiber or aluminum hydroformed, and for assemblies. There is no industry who remains uncovered, as well as proposals that depart from the simplest configuration and cost up to half a specialized replica of that used by the GT team that competed in the various specialties. In DH, the famous and award winning Fury is the frame, a true icon of this company, while the frames are equally good Force (All Mountain) and Marathon. In the range far we GTR model, in its various assemblies. The range of bikes from XC sees the Carbon Zaskar frame to its summit in the various assemblies and then the range with the aluminum frame that reflects the geometry and shape of the model Zaskar Carbon and range of bikes Mtb no obligation.

The range GT Zaskar Carbon

From Zaskar Carbon frame for all three models come XC high level. At the top we have the Team XX model, the group assembled a 10-speed Sram XX, then we have the Pro model, assembled with Shimano XT group, then the model Expert assembled Shimano SLX. In all cases the groups are adopted in full. The carbon frame is the same and it is a monocoque carbon frame with GT believes that to achieve the best values of weight/rigidity. The particularity of this frame and the structure called a "triple triangle", which also appears on models with an aluminum frame. The tubes tall wagon back in the triple triangle, do not connect to the horizontal pipe in the area of the tube, but are lower, wrap around the tube and then connecting the top tube, about 20 centimeters after the tube. Thus GT was able to obtain a rear more compact, lightweight and rigid. Furthermore, the third triangle is formed (after the frame and wagon) helps to make the frame more rigid, without sacrificing the weight (the third triangle is formed by the vertical pipe, horizontal pipe and the highest in the long rear). The series of steering and speed integrated. The headstock is short and has a wide area which joins the top tube and bars. The latter has a generous section at the junction with the headstock and reduces towards the central movement, however, of generous size. The hosts seatpost from classic tube diameter 31.6 mm, and in the end, it has the classic reinforcement, for GT, which joins the top tube. The wagon is very compact, with the generous pipe section, as said the two blades come together over the top tube with the tube horizontal. The bearings of the series of steering are 1 inch and 1/8 both above and below. Standard on all models, the aluminum plate that protects the carbon from a possible exit from the chain and the transparent cover on the top tube of the wagon, side chain, again to protect from accidental impact with the carbon chain.

The model GT Zaskar Carbon Expert on test

The model is based on the Expert Zaskar Carbon frame, available only in red version you see in pictures is proposed in sizes S, M, L and X. The bike is then assembled with the group Shimano SLX, with change, derailleur, disc brakes, controls, 22/32/44 crankset, chain and sprockets 11/32. The fork is RockShox, model Recon Race, devoid of Lock Out The wheels are Mavic Crossride Disc Kenda Karma tires, and take the measure 26x2.0. Stem, handlebar and seatpost Ritchey models Pro aluminum, while the saddle is the Fi'zi:k Gobi XM. Pedals are Shimano PDM 540. So assembled, in M, the bike has a weight detected with our instrumentation, 10.8 kg.

Road test

GT Zaskar Expert shows aesthetic particularly aggressive and determined by the triple triangle frame, which in addition to giving this bike a unique behaviour, as we shall see, it also determines an exclusive appearance. Too bad there is the possibility to choose a range of colours, because every Zaskar Carbon is available in one colour. The Expert model is only red, signals that the model with an aluminum frame Zaskar Pro (triple butted hydroformed aluminum) is also available in sizes XS. The realization of the frame near-perfect aesthetic texture carbon fully stretched, shiny paint and covered with transparent decals protected by transparent guards in areas of possible contact with the chain and perfect guide cables. Although the assembly is cured and precise. At least in the copy test, we made it shorter cables (subjective assessment), but nothing that possibly a good cyclist can not solve the delivery of the bike. The assembly quality is medium/high, very uniform. The Ritchey Pro parts are not very light, but reliable and well made, also wheels Mavic Crossride have a good quality, ideal as training wheels. The Kenda tires are a good complement to the wheels, as well as the saddle Fi'zi:k. Also standard pedals, always Shimano PDM 540 and lacks bottle cage, despite being provided for the housing of two well-water bottle. In practice, the quality of the bike is very high, especially if one takes into account the purchase price. Ride it takes a good position, the knobs are easily challenged and are soft rubber, not tire even after several hours in the saddle. It also stands for good support base and the session supported, allowing for easy transportation of the body but for the more sensitive it is good to take good bottoms to prevent soreness the buttock, especially in the early exits. The seatpost Ritchey Pro has the ability to adjust so infinitesimal tilt of the saddle, so as to make the perfect set-up in the saddle. Even the stem Ritchey Pro 4Axis is short and rigid, like the handlebars, not always light, but reliable and rigid. Shimano SLX commands are used with ease, although the excursion of the levers could be smaller, the rate of change good and excellent precision in passing gear, in any condition. The noise level is low, and becomes noticeable only by the chain pull. The brakes have the levers near the handlebars and the conformation of the same facilities both large and small hands, very good possibility to regulate the distance the lever from the handlebars. The force of the braking system is excellent, as is its scalability, only to exert pressure on the levers might be more restrained, but that facilitates the scalability of the braking system which is one of the strengths. There are, however, problems in obtaining hard braking at a pressure be exerted on the lever that, while may of some competitors, it is affordable for everyone and not noise. The pedals PDM 540 are the only fault to be heavy, otherwise their function remains excellent, as usual, with heavy mud are not the best but it is an entry-level pedal that can not be asked to more. Mavic wheels are sturdy and reliable, run them very well, even in this case is the weight of their negative side which penalizes the acceleration and the photos, as well as the ascent. As said, are great training wheels and who is not interested in competitions, they better find a pair of wheels lighter to use in the race (along with other pedals ever from a lighter weight); on the other hand, at the purchase price of the bike you can not find wheel or pedals more higher level. The Kenda tires are ideal on funds or moderately compact sand in these conditions are at their best, but they fail to land very slow, the scree and muddy, not the tires at 360 degrees, but the place for which they were achieved behave well and, as already said on other occasions, the MTB is impossible to find a truly universal clincher. The fork has shown, on the copy in evidence, they need a break in period to make better, in the first few miles and was running a little insensitive to the settings, but the situation has now improved with the use and after about 200km hard-road vehicles has completely "loose" offering more than good behaviour. Not light, is able to meet most needs, with a good sensitivity to the smoothness settings and a more than excellent. In this case shows, if anything, as the MTB is important to choose a store that offers excellent after sales service. Indeed, in a case such as the range of the test, in which we need a period of rodage first to have good performance, we can further improve the behaviour of the same by running an internal cleaning of the fork and an oil change After the break-in period. In This removes the impurities inside, caused by machining and firsth use components of the fork itself, obtaining a more precise and fluid behaviour. That fluidity and sensitivity to adjustments, there remains the absence of the new lock out the handlebars, while effective and useful the possibility to adjust the compression damping of the fork, which together with the rate of return and preload to allow customization total fork. Other shrewdness that you can use is that, once decided to adjust the compression damping, with a permanent marker to mark the position of the adjustment lever, for it is the same as the lock out and without a reference point, you run the risk not find the correct position as the reopening of the oil, especially in the race. Since the first rides with the great rigidity of this frame, both in general and in particular the rear, also the steering geometry is characterized by great reactivity. This translates into a behaviour that while it penalizes the comfort approaching this frame than aluminum, the other enhances the performance. The smoothness of the crank, the bottom bracket stiffness and rear, as well as the frame in general, coupled with good smoothless the wheels, leading to excellent performance on the funds flowing, with a power transmission clarity, exceptional responsiveness, are the wheels are not penalized by the slight. Changes of pace and accelerations are very effective and competitive at all. The steering remains light, this leads to excellent maneuverability on tight trails and in many guidebooks, where the curve "just think" to run with a speed and disarming naturalness. The steep climbs climbs with ease, thanks to low weight and rigidity to the mentioned chassis and rear, which also offers excellent traction on all types of fund. In these cases, however, must deal with the steering light, because the climb becomes even more responsive and less accurate. In these cases you need to adopt a style of driving forward to find the necessary directionality, which does not affect the traction of the posterior wheel, always excellent, even with the limits that we reported in the behaviour of the tires. Because of the high rigidity and responsiveness of the tire casing, especially the rear, can be inflated to a minimum, without being penalized line performance clearly and finding grip on funds more uncongenial to these tires. On the fast behaviour always maintains a very competitive, with excellent performance, but in the downhill at high speed is better to move ahead more weight to load the front and find a better stability and directionality. Again with the technique of proper guidance it manages to be fast, keeping the rhythms lowest there are no problems whatsoever. It is easy to carry a bike, even for the neophyte, but until the average pace, as well begins to be passed must be known and committed itself in its characteristics and reactions is a bike that you must give the "you" in the early exits. It should be known gradually learning the secrets and peculiarities of a chassis that can be called "Border Line". A rigid frame and very effective, but which responds particularly on rough on the fast changing nature and behaviour according to the calibration of the range, the used tires and their pressure. It is not one of those frames that runs on a track, always, on the contrary it should be known and we must learn to make it run on the track: we who must not bring him to lead us. The fork, for example, be adjusted so as to make sliding over small bumps, so as not to blow up the bike a lot, but also rules in order to withstand the blows harder and with a return and a controlled compression to allow a few transfers load to the steering. Even the tires are carefully chosen, the important thing is the front, which should ensure a good grip when cornering and good directionality, possibly leaving the minimum inflation pressure. The latter creates fewer problems if you do not have needs for comfort, you can leave well inflated, to improve the already excellent reactivity of the wagon. Associated with the selection and location fit our needs driving the right settings we find ourselves in hand "total weapon, committed itself to take to the limit, it is true, but very effective in all conditions: reactive, fast and stable on tight enough the fast, balanced and jump in the more technical routes. In these conditions it is competitive in absolute terms with the best competition in the sector and in many respects even greater. Newcomers and the more relaxed, however, will not have problems, because up to average speeds behaviour is predictable and safe. Businesses can find only a very light steering and responsive to commands, and only some difficulty, without proper technical guidance, in the hills with steeper slopes, where the steering is getting very light, even if control of the trajectory does not enter never in crisis. The novice hiker or do well to leave the tires inflated to the minimum, to find comfort and directionality, and a calibration soft fork, to improve the feeling with the front and driving comfort.

Conclusions

GT Zaskar Expert has identified a bicycle from individual characteristics and, in the right hands, only efficiency. Easy to drive tourism and in walking becomes challenging if you look for the absolute maximum performance, but pays off with an excellent performance in many ways better than other renowned competitors, and we have not tested the model "Top Range" Team XX ... . Made with great care and a good product, with the limit of the range of colours and sizes, but the chassis itself, is really good, stiff and responsive. This approaches the behaviour of many aluminum frames, so those looking for a carbon frame for comfort may be disappointed. But this bike ensures outstanding performance and in the right hands, with the right driving technique, has a dynamic behaviour winner, unbeatable on the close. A bike, so that makes the happiness of the most experienced and those looking for half a competitive race, at this juncture only the wheel, not light, may be a limit. Who's competitive ambitions, however, will take home a bike assembled with care, reliable and great value for money, which, if necessary, can be very fast. One could criticize the pedals and the wheels, heavy, or the lack of bottle cage, but you can not do miracles, and the purchase price takes into account these aspects.

Positive aspects

Particular aesthetic
Build quality
Rigidity and responsiveness of the frame
Handiness
Insertion speed cornering
General performance
Value for Money

Negative aspects

Highly responsive steering for a tourist use
Little comfort in the rear 

Price

The bike has a price of around 2199 Euro. Considering the benefits that emerged was the product quality is very difficult to do better. The other models are always very affordable prices: Carbon XX Team Euro 5499, Euro 2999 Carbon Pro. Ultimately the model Expert, for those who have no ambitions to absolute victory can be considered the best buy within the range Zaskar Carbon, especially for those who Mtb only a hobby.

Is suitable for

Athlete: light, stiff and responsive, a perfect bike for the agonist, in model Expert only the wheels are to be changed, while the Model Team XX is "ready to race" in the middle we find the model Carbon Pro.

Amateur cyclists: a bike with great quality and excellent value for money, is not very comfortable, perfect for those ache of excellent performance.

Women: there are no specific models, while the reduced number of sizes could be a limit, to be analyzed case by case; to change, at least, the saddle.

For further informations:

GT Bicycles
Website: www.gtbicycles.com