GT Avalanche 1.0 vs GT Avalanche Expert

aba2005

Is the GT Avalanche Expert worth the extra £200 over the GT Avalanche 1.0? Are there better bikes for the price of the GT Avalanche Expert (£699.99)?

Is the fork on the GT Avalanche 1.0 good. I had the 06 model and the fork (Rockshox Judy 3) seemed a bit heavy especially after the drivetrain was upgraded to XT, has this changed in the 08 model.

Thanks for your help.

supersonic

The 08 gets a SR x100 fork: recently the bike was reviewed by WhatMTB and won the test. The Expert is better, buts thats what you pay for - both represent good value.

aba2005

Thanks. I read the review on the Avalanche 1.0 on the website. I also read the review of the Aggressor XCR, which I believe is the Halfords version of the Expert. They had some concerns about the geometry of the bike, and I was wondering if the same concerns would apply to the Expert.

aba2005

What are the GT Avalanche sizes (S, M, L, XL) in numbers?

supersonic

16, 18, 20.5, 21.5 believe. Wise to test first though. The geo was revised slightly.

aba2005

I had a large in the 1.0 06 and that was a good fit. I was just wondering whether I could get away with medium though. I probably can't though since i'm 6'2 with an inside leg of about 36, and I had to have the seat quite high. The only thing is whether the Expert will fit the same as the 1.0 since the Expert is the bike i'm likely to go for.

aba2005

oh yeah, it has to be online since its through my insurance for my old bike which was stolen.

aba2005

How much do you have to spend on a fork or a bike to get a good light fork? The fork on the Expert weights 5lbs!

supersonic

Aye, but it is a tough bike and a very tough fork.

If you want to go more XC, then you are looking at a Recon air fork or a Reba. Forks tend to weigh a little more nowadays, but they perform 10x as good.

aba2005

Ok, Thanks.

supersonic

If we take a bike form about 10 years ago for this money, it most likely would have had a basic alu frame, V brakes, a RockShox Indy, 8spd (light at 3.4lbs, but 25mm legs and 76mm of travel!) and a few light weight bits. Lighter than one from today maybe, but the performance not as good for the majority of us. Discs and damped, stiff fork have bumped up the weight.

chilled rider

I have the GT Avalanche 1.0 v brake version.

Its quite light and agile, the GT website its described as an all mountain hardtail!!

Forks are SR x 100 has hydraulic damping, lockout pre load magnesium lowers plus 32 mm stanchions. These seem to perform no worse to me than my 2003 bombers 105mm and my last pair of 80mm lockout bombers also!!

I dont know if the £200 is worth the extra but mine is kinda ok

Its horses for courses really, mine is kitted with all deore parts , rear lx gears, avid barkes

Its up to you really i think mine is good for what it is.

aba2005

Well i'm assuming the fork and all round kit on the Expert is better. The Expert fork is a U-turn fork so the travel can be changed which I think is a good thing.

Also I should only have to pay £200 for it since i'm getting it through my insurance. I should get the Avalanche 1.0 for free as this is the bike I had 06 before it was stolen.