Additional to Tuesday’s submit I’ve now finished a correct trip on the repaired GT XCR 1000 from Traditional Cycle:
By “correct trip” I imply I rode to and from the path as a substitute of simply throwing the bike on the automobile:
And no, I don’t imply a trip that you simply drive to isn’t “correct.” I simply imply this gave me ample time not solely to verify the rear shock is working correctly and all that stuff, nevertheless it additionally allowed me to expertise the bike not simply on mountain bike trails but additionally on pavement and all that different stuff.
This bike follows the AMP Analysis B3, which I lastly returned to Traditional Cycle over the winter:
Together with the Plimpton Bike, which isn’t related right here (or, arguably, anyplace):
I actually loved the AMP. It’s a very gentle bicycle, and it feels very quick, even on the stretches of pavement I’d trip to and from the path. There’s entrance and rear suspension, however not lots of it, making it a straightforward transition for a inflexible (each within the literal sense and the sense of being uptight) rider like me. I additionally like the way in which it seems, and the thumb shifters enchantment to the retrogrouch in me:
The GT is just 5 years youthful than the AMP, however the suspension is significantly extra plush. Principally that’s factor, and it nonetheless manages to really feel moderately quick on pavement, regardless of being each heavier and extra squishy, perhaps due to the i-Drive or one thing, what do I do know? However extra and higher suspension will not be fully factor, as a result of by 1999 bike corporations had discovered methods to make excellent suspension parts, however they hadn’t up to date the geometry to go along with it–they have been simply making the identical bikes they all the time had, solely with higher suspension. So I might see entering into hassle on the GT, significantly when descending, since though the suspension actually eats the whole lot up and also you’re tempted to go lots quicker than you in any other case would, you in all probability shouldn’t as a result of it’s nonetheless liable to place you over the bars in the event you’re not cautious.
That’s definitely to not say it’s scary to trip or something like that. I imply I’m used to it. This was what I rode for years:
[That’s a photo of a photo in my book.]
Additionally, luckily the big body measurement coupled with the riser stem and bars Paul was considerate sufficient to equip the GT with all mitigate this impact significantly. Nonetheless, you do want to remember when using it that though you’re floating over roots and rocks you’re nonetheless on a motorbike with a steep entrance finish, small wheels, and slender tires.
As for the bike’s look, it’s…you already know, a fin de siècle mountain bike, and I don’t suppose anybody would argue that these are in any means elegant. I’m tempted to say I might have thought the bike was actually cool-looking again in 1999 when it was new, however the fact is I wouldn’t have, and didn’t, as a result of the truth is I discovered mountain bikes fairly aesthetically objectionable on the time. However now that it’s principally a museum piece I can respect it extra, and in a means it’s sort of the bicycle equal of Mötley Crüe. After I was in highschool they represented the whole lot I used to be in opposition to, however after I hear them now I feel, “You understand, that’s not a nasty riff…” All of which is to say to this point I’m having a lot of responsible pleasure-type enjoyable on the Mötley Crüe bike.
And talking of cool, clearly you may’t beat these Suntour thumbies in that division, however 8-speed XT shifters are fairly rattling good:
I’m sufficiently old that these nonetheless appear totally fashionable to me, however now that we’re nicely into the digital period they’re a lot nearer to these thumbies than to what persons are utilizing right this moment.
Talking of being previous, as an erstwhile BMX child the title GT has nice significance for me, and whereas I by no means owned a Performer:
[From here]
Or a Mach One:
[From here]
I nonetheless keep in mind them intimately from poring over magazines, and I did have numerous GT parts, together with the tires, which had the letters GT within the tread, and which I color-coordinated with my GT brakes.
I did ultimately get a GT, although I used to be (technically) an grownup by then, and the bike was a GTB:
[Photo from here]
These bikes at the moment are extremely coveted by the fixerati, however on the time they have been wholly unremarkable other than being just about the one full off-the-shelf monitor bike you could possibly purchase, and I purchased it as a result of I used to be a motorbike racer and on the time there was nonetheless this concept it is best to practice on a fixed-gear bicycle throughout the winter to enhance your spin or one thing. (Now you’re simply speculated to plug your bike into a pc and trip inside except the climate is completely excellent.) I do want I saved it, not as a result of it was significantly gratifying to trip (whilst a younger racer I discovered it extraordinarily harsh), however solely as a result of it’s one of many only a few bicycles which has appreciated in worth through the years, which is ironic as a result of, as I say, there’s completely nothing exceptional about them besides the “triple triangle.”
So yeah, I don’t miss it…although even I’m not resistant to the attract of the triple triangle:
[Via Classic Cycle]
Now that’s a cool bike.
Alas, now GT is simply one other defunct model owned by PON Holdings, although their web site continues to be there, and you’ll browse their generic bikes with their unhappy vestigial triple triangles:
Oh nicely, that they had run.
