2009 bikes?

GibboGT

When are they out?

My gt was stolen a few weeks ago, and i'm buying the replacement a gt avalanche expert on the cycle to work scheme, the thing is its going to take at least a couple more weeks for the paperwork to go through.

Obviously i'm happy to pay the money for the bike, and i'm happy with the spec, but I don't want to pay full price etc for the bike if 4 weeks later they are going to release a newer version with a better spec?

When do companies reveal next seasons bike specs?

I think the main thing is i'm annoyed about waiting around and missing being able to go out on my bike at the moment.

supersonic

Vary from manufacturer to manufacturer - anytime now, right upto Christmas! GT are fairly late if I remember rightly.

Have you looked at the GT Aggressor XCR at Halfords? It is a very similar bike (and price) to the expert, but better specced. And often reduced with the 10% off thing they do.

GibboGT

Cheers, hadn't seen the Aggressor actually, not featured anywhere other than the halfords site. Unfortunately that seems to be down at the moment.

Will try to get a look at spec somewhere.

Its not even on the GT site?

supersonic

Its a Halfords only Special, from an old deal they had with GT - GT supply the frame (an Avalanche, last years I think) then Halfords spec it. Rather than a Tora, you get the Recon 351 with motion control, a nice upgrade.

Yep, Halfords site is down!

GibboGT

Cheers,

just been reading the bikeradar review of it, sounds ok.

Think I prefer the sound of the expert though, it comes in at about 2 lbs lighter, and I really like the SRAM gears, its one of the reasons I chose it over the trek 6700 I also looked at. plus I love the paint job on the expert.

I'm just bored of not having a bike, and evans are dragging their feet over the ride2work paperwork, didn't want to get the bike early July if the new spec was out in august.

Plus i'm annoyed that there is a chav out there somewhere riding my bike around!

Cheers again for all your advice on this forum supersonic

supersonic

Not sure where that extra tonnage comes from - maybe the tyres.

GibboGT

The avalanche expert has a slightly modified frame to the standard avalanche, tidier welds and some strengthening in places, and it seems to narrow in places where the others don't.

Was in evans on monday, had a discussion about the frame with one of the staff, so we stood the expert up against the 1.0.

Although the 1.0 (29.5 lbs) has suntours, the expert (28 lbs) tora's, and the aggressor (30 lbs) recon's. Must be a big saving somewhere as the tora's are heavier than the recon's.

supersonic

Yep, the Expert is a better frame - more hydroforming too. I think overall the Expert frame comes in lighter than the 1.0, and with the Agressor it is the components that add in the weight.

1.0 a cracking buy though, get loads for you cash! I think for some buying one of these, selling the fork and putting a Revelation on would be a nice move.

GibboGT

I did consider this as i'm sure evans would give me an exchange on the forks (they are exchanging the pedals on the expert for me). But then I saw the expert, love the colour and the sram gears.

supersonic

A SRAM man eh?! Shimano for me lol.

beski

I was looking at the Agressors in Halfords yesterday, I've got an 06 Avalanche Expert, and the Aggressor frame looked chunkier to me
My vote goes for SRAM

supersonic

08 apparently uses the 07 Avalanche frame, which was different anyway.

GibboGT

Never tried SRAM before monday, the shifter look much better imo, and I just prefer the slightly clunky but fast gear change. gonna take getting used to though as they are all thumb, and reverse on the right hand side.

beski

Regarding SRAM, I like the fact that you can have a finger on the brakes & shift either way at the same time 8)

supersonic

You can do the same with Shimano dual release - and get the extra option of a finger trigger ;-)

GibboGT

Not thought of that. Can't wait to get it!!!

Beski where's good to ride around these parts? i'm in brighton.

beski

Never tried those :oops:

beski

Anywhere on the South Downs. I got a good book recently on the SDW, shows the whole route and local loops for walkers cyclists etc.
Friston Forest (near Exceat on the A259) is quite good aswell, got specific cycle routes, the purple route has been featured in some of the mags

GibboGT

Cheers, I live just on the outskirts so can cycle up on to the downs in no time at all.
Got a title of that book?

will have to have a look at Friston.

beski

Yea, I'm at work at the mo :twisted: , will post it later tonight or tomorrow

GibboGT

Cheers.

Going to eastbourne this weekend, shame I don't have a bike to stop in at Friston Forest to have a look around.

beski

This is it...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/South-Downs-National-Trail-Guides/dp/1845133110/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213802274&sr=8-2

You can tell I'm busy!
OS Explorer maps are good aswell

GibboGT

Me too.

Cheers

clarkson

supersonic wrote:

You can do the same with Shimano dual release - and get the extra option of a finger trigger ;-)

and shimnano feel nicer. and with the instant release are quicker than sram.

id go for the expert. better frame so better upgrade potential.