2003 GT Avalanche 1.0

Don B

Picked up this 2003 Avalanche 1.0 for a relative bargain last month to get me back into cycling. Looks like it's never been riden off road, and there's barely a mark on it. Getting back out has been so much fun, and getting used to my old SPD pedals has been interesting.

The bike is pretty much stock, but more than adequate for my needs. The only things I notice that need attention at this point are the saddle, which I've changed for a Specialized BG one, and the fork. It's a Rockshox Judy TT, and as far as I can see doesn't really do anything. It has a stated 80mm travel, but it bottoms out at 65mm. How's that work! Feels very front heavy too, so the the fork must weigh a tonne!

Any suggestions for a budget fork that would be an upgrade from the Rockshox one would be appreciated

reevie25

Hi, That's a nice bike to get started on!

Your a bit restricted for forks, having v-brakes, here's a few I've found:

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Frame++Forks/Forks++Shocks/Rockshox+Suspension+Forks/Rockshox+Tora+SL+Forks+-+Disc++V-Brake_RS-TORA-SL.htm


http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Frame++Forks/Forks++Shocks/Rockshox+Suspension+Forks/Rockshox+Dart+3+-++Poploc_2228.htm

Depends on your budget really.

Don B

Thanks for reply. Yep, really enjoying the bike.

Getting back into the sport, not really starting. Used to have American made Trek's and I remember one year, 1994 maybe, getting a brand new gold/silver colour Marzocchi fork with the drilled lower legs for one of my steel Trek bikes. So, I go way back.

Is this fork any use? Rockshox Dart 3. That's pretty much my budget there tbh. I only paid a little more than that for the whole bike, so don't want to go overboard on a Fork.

reevie25

Yeah, that would probably be ok although it's not going much of an improvement or much lighter I don't think, but then it depends how bad the Judy's are.

Don B

Reevie25 wrote:

Yeah, that would probably be ok although it's not going much of an improvement or much lighter I don't think, but then it depends how bad the Judy's are.

I think pretty much anything would be an upgrade compared to the Judy.

Decisions decisions

Would love to have the budget for some of the bikes here, some amazing looking machines.

Don B

Searching around, looks like the DART 3 isn't a great fork.

Would a Tora 302 with 130mm travel be too long for this?

alexj2233

It might change the feel of it very slightly, but should be alright to run. (I had 150mm on my old avalanche frame for a bit )

The toras will be much better than the judy forks though.

Don B

alexj2233 wrote:

It might change the feel of it very slightly, but should be alright to run. (I had 150mm on my old avalanche frame for a bit )

The toras will be much better than the judy forks though.

Thanks Alex. You're right about the Judys, they're strange. They don't absorb little
bumps, and they bottom out on big ones. Not much use.

Hopefully will have a new set sorted for my next outing. 8)

jakeeeeeee

STEP AWAY FROM THE DART'S !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if i were you i'd get the toras because i've got a pair of darts on my giant xtc 4.5 2007 aned they've about given up.the lockout is BROKEN the rebound is BROKEN the preload is BROKEN !!!!!!
get the tora's !!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 6633_n.jpg

Kiwi John

Hi how did you get on, was trying to find some tech specs on my 2003 Avalanche 1.0 and stumbled upon your post. I am in the process of upgrading my GT so i can fit disk brakes, it's gonna cost a bit but I love the frame and look of my bike so dont want to get rid yet, gonna get it stripped and sand coated too. Maybe at christmas I will get a new fork for it, I was thinking of a Rockshox Sektor 150mm but don't know yet if it will fit. Cheers, John.

thegiantbiker

Kiwi John wrote:

Hi how did you get on, was trying to find some tech specs on my 2003 Avalanche 1.0 and stumbled upon your post. I am in the process of upgrading my GT so i can fit disk brakes, it's gonna cost a bit but I love the frame and look of my bike so dont want to get rid yet, gonna get it stripped and sand coated too. Maybe at christmas I will get a new fork for it, I was thinking of a Rockshox Sektor 150mm but don't know yet if it will fit. Cheers, John.

If the stock travel is 85mm, the bike will likely handle horribly with a 150mm fork and you might even damage the frame riding with that much travel.