Upgrading a GT Avalanche

simonj1234

This is my first post here and I'm not sure as to whether I should give an intro or not, so I'll just get straight into my first question!

Basically I've been riding a 2008 GT Avalanche 1.0 since January and have found it to be an excellent bike and a pleasure to ride. I'm doing 3 or 4 two hour rides a week, mainly X Country with a few steep downhill sections and it's basically perfectly adequate for both the terrain and my ability.

However, I'm finding that on occasions on the downhills I'm cooking the brakes to the point where they squeal like mad and pushing the forks to what I perceive as their limits (I'm probably wrong and the bike is far more capable than I am!! ).

Anyway, my questions is whether people would consider the 2008 Avalanche as a bike that is worth upgrading? I would be looking to upgrade the brakes and the forks and spend in the region of 150 for the brakes and 200 for the forks. Is it worth spending this much upgrading a 500 pound bike or should I sell the bike and pick up another hardtail for around 700 pounds? The current brakes are Tektro Aurigas and the forks are SR Suntour XCR100s.

I'd be grateful for any ideas! Thanks.

supersonic

The frame is a good one, but I wouldn't go too overboard upgrading it.

The GT Aggressor XCR is worth looking at - for 700 or so it comes with a Recon 351 fork, Avid discs, but also upgraded components elsewhere, so taking this route will probably work out better value (the frame is last years Avalanche Expert).

dhxcme

The base bike is good but the componenty could be better 350 for brakes and forks will get you something nice.

Some hayes stroker.
Front
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Kits.aspx?ModelID=23433
Rear
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Kits.aspx?ModelID=23434

RS tora 130 coil.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=13114 or
RS tora 100 air.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=8720

All that and you would get some change to go on servicing or more upgrades[/url]

simonj1234

Thanks for your swift replies. I figured that if I bought a new bike I would try and get a 2007 model at a reduced price rather than pay full whack for a 2008 model. If I went about the new bike route, would I not end up with a bike with only marginally better brakes and suspension (albeit with marginally better componentry throughout) as opposed to upgrading my current bike with what would be greatly improved brakes and suspension - the two areas that I'm finding to be lacking?

BlackSpur

Buy Stroker Trails (next model up) for less!

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1230

They get reach adjust, plus better pads/pistons. Read the reviews here

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/disc-brake-systems/product/stroker-trail-7in-30788
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/disc-brake-systems/product/stroker-trail-v7--31074

These forks would be ideal if you think you need something a little stronger then the Suntours.

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/id35028.html

supersonic

Depends what parts it comes with - hence I mentioned the Aggressor as it comes with a notibly better fork that you usually find for 200 quid. Brakes possibly better than what you have, but not as good as say the ones DHX mentions, but you do get a better drivetrain, frame and wheels too.

700 in the sales will get you even more.

The custom upgrade route will get you what you want, but can often work out poorer value

gkf9

simonj1234 wrote:

Thanks for your swift replies. I figured that if I bought a new bike I would try and get a 2007 model at a reduced price rather than pay full whack for a 2008 model. If I went about the new bike route, would I not end up with a bike with only marginally better brakes and suspension (albeit with marginally better componentry throughout) as opposed to upgrading my current bike with what would be greatly improved brakes and suspension - the two areas that I'm finding to be lacking?[/quote

I have a Ava 1.0 started to upgrade it...Put a Xt H2 crankset on..just ordered Xt Rear and front mech...will be trying to fit this week if all goes well? (not fit mi self before) I think the Tektro brakes are quite good....but am going from 160mm rotors to 180mm rotors so
hoping for a slight improvement.

Will put new shocks on at a later date, Im really happy with the bike so think its well worth the
upgrade in my opinion.
Plus hopefully i'll learn how to fit parts my self!!

simonj1234

gkf9 wrote:

simonj1234 wrote:

Thanks for your swift replies. I figured that if I bought a new bike I would try and get a 2007 model at a reduced price rather than pay full whack for a 2008 model. If I went about the new bike route, would I not end up with a bike with only marginally better brakes and suspension (albeit with marginally better componentry throughout) as opposed to upgrading my current bike with what would be greatly improved brakes and suspension - the two areas that I'm finding to be lacking?[/quote

I have a Ava 1.0 started to upgrade it...Put a Xt H2 crankset on..just ordered Xt Rear and front mech...will be trying to fit this week if all goes well? (not fit mi self before) I think the Tektro brakes are quite good....but am going from 160mm rotors to 180mm rotors so
hoping for a slight improvement.

Will put new shocks on at a later date, Im really happy with the bike so think its well worth the
upgrade in my opinion.
Plus hopefully i'll learn how to fit parts my self!!

Good to hear from another happy Avalanche owner! I think the brakes are fine and pretty sharp in normal use, but it's just recently that I've started to push my limits a bit and they're just not coping with the extra heat. There's probably an element of me wanting to upgrade for no real reason as well though!! However, I don't want to be one of those 'all the gear, no idea' types, so maybe upgrading this bike with new brakes is the way to go! I've already over-run into a tree on this bike so maybe being able to stop quicker is actually justifiable!!

I'd already been looking at Hayes Stroker Carbons at merlincycles.co.uk, does anyone know if they're any good or worth the extra over the Trails?

BlackSpur

They're the same brake, 'cept they're lighter as they have carbon levers. It really comes down to which colour you prefer - white/black or grey/carbon? Personally I live the white of the Trails, but a bit of carbon bling is always nice!

Ed 81

I have an avalanche 1.0 '07 and thought it was a good bike.

I already had rockshox revelations which I put on when the bike was new. I up graded the brakes for shimanoe xt's as I found the tektro's kept losing fluid and although this was probably quite easy to sort, I wanted to 'upgrade for no real reason'

After riding and neglecting over the winter I replaced the BB and chain set as bearings were knackerd as were teeth on chain rings. Also eneded up with my rear deraliure going through my rear wheel taking several spokes with it. Solution: Mavic crossrides.

If I had all the money i've spent on it when I bought a bike I cant help wondering wether I could have bought something much much better? but as it is it rides sweet, and ifeel the upgrades well worthy.

The frame is top notch for the money and rescent mag reviews also state its worth upgrading.

Ed 81

My Upgraded Avalanche




http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2083122/[/img]

gkf9

Ed 81 wrote:

My Upgraded Avalanche

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2083122/[url][/url]

Looks good......Just fitted another upgrade to mine today...a Xt rear shadow mech..Just
front mech to fit next....then might start to look into some new front folks?

What folks you got on there Ed?

Ed 81

Rockshox Revelations.

simonj1234

Ed 81 wrote:

My Upgraded Avalanche




http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2083122/[/img]

That looks nice!! I like it a lot in black and prefer it to my silver version. What travel are those forks? Did you find there was a reduction in weight with your upgrades? (Not that weight is really an issue as I ride mainly for fitness anyway!! )

Ed 81

Yeah it feels lighter but haven't weighed it. Forks ar 115mm.
The whole feel of the bike is slicker then when I bought it. The wheels being the most noticeable difference, there only budget mavics but they roll nice, with the help of some fast tires.

Ed 81

Just fitted another upgrade to mine today...a Xt rear shadow mech..Just
front mech to fit next

Use XT cables

simonj1234

Ed 81 wrote:

Yeah it feels lighter but haven't weighed it. Forks ar 115mm.
The whole feel of the bike is slicker then when I bought it. The wheels being the most noticeable difference, there only budget mavics but they roll nice, with the help of some fast tires.

One final question.... .....How has the longer fork affected geometry? I like a high front end, so does it work well and is it noticeable?

Ed 81

Couldn't say for sure as never riden with the original fork but yes it works.