|
|
NEW PRODUCTS: GT STEPS IT UP FOR 2009
Brad Roe
June 25, 2008
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
GT chose the picturesque mountain town of Livigno, Italy to unveil their new road offerings for 2009. Two new bike designs were on display for riding and testing in the mountains around the GT Camp which include famous Giro d’Italia passes, like Gavia and Stelvio. The theme of the week here was that as a company, GT decided to invest time and energy into revamping the GTR line for 2009 and as George Parry, Senior Designer at GT says, “What we were trying to do was make a very respectable bike and get GT back on the map in the road world.”
Known mostly for their mountain bikes as of late, don’t forget that the same man, Forest Yelverton, GT’s VP of Engineering and designer of the GTR, was the brains behind many of GT heralded road projects like Project 96, Saturn Team frames and GT/Lotto frames. GT and Forest are not new to the road game and their two new bikes display a focus that shows they are looking to get back into the road world in a larger way in upcoming years.
THE 2009 GTR
With feedback from Team Jelly Belly and their test force, GT set out to design and manufacture a 1500-gram complete bike that was stiffer and more compliant for 2009. They accomplished two out of three goals. The GTR Team version weighs in at just about 1700 grams with 2009 Shimano Dura-Ace. The frame features increased stiffness, GT’s Force Optimized Construction, a mix of TR30 and TR50 carbon, and the two higher end models, GTR Team and Pro feature an integrated seat mast with a Ritchey Seat Post Topper. Carbon dropouts and fork, 86 millimeter bottom bracket shell, bolt on front derailleur, innovative cable routing in the head tube and swoopy tube design, give the GTR a solid and innovative persona. The good news, the GTR frame comes in four versions ranging from $5499 for the GTR Team (Dura-Ace), $3499 for the Pro (Ultegra SL), $2299 for the Sport (105). The frames are basically the same, minus the integrated seatpost for the Sport, which comes with an aero post. The GTR’s come in XS-XL sizes.
THE 2009 GUTTERBALL
Inspired by the growing fixie and singlespeed movement (and seeing their GTB’s-Generic Track Bikes- on Ebay selling for $500-600), GT decided to put together the triple-triangle Gutterball. Simple, elegant, and affordable $749, the Gutterball comes in XXS-XL sizing, features track style pedals with steel toe clips a front break (that may deter a purist but not 90-percent of the public), GT Mohawk sealed bearing hubs, Syncros 20-millimeter riser bar and standard track geometry. This bike has some style and will surely be a popular around town bike.
WELL, HOW DID IT RIDE? OUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE 2009 GTR PRO
Our first impressions of the GTR Pro were very positive. It climbed well, it was stiff and so responded well to quick bursts of speed and it descended as well or better than many bikes out there. Being stiffer than last years model, there was some concern that the bike would be uncomfortable but it’s a long way from uncomfortable. The design and function of the monocoque construction, the carbon choices and the spec (we like the Ritchey bars a lot) made for a surprisingly fun ride. For now, know that GT has stepped it up for 2009 and we were impressed that you could buy this GTR Road Sport (we rode the Pro) for right around $2200. That’s an impressive feat. Stay tuned for a complete test in the next issue of Road Bike Action. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|