GT I-Drive XCR 5 20" Review

LostJimXC

Hi guys

I considering buying the GT I-Drive XCR 5 20" full suss rig. I notice its only sold in Halfords?
I am wondering if you guys have tested the bike, or could provide any information regarding the weight, build quality, and the ride. I think for œ899, the spec is top wack, XT, rock shox 130mm adjust etc. Any thoughts? Anyone out there who have this bike, tested it? I would love to hear from you before i shell out.
Doing a 100mile south downs soon, and need a new rig.
Cheers!
Jim

Wolf

From what I've heard it is a nice bike for the money. Simple but proven single pivot shock, nice kit and good value. It should be basically the same kind of bike to any other GT I-drive 5 series, so have a look for review of those too. Decathlon have a nice full-susser for similar money too.
For the south downs, do you need 5.5" travel? What kind of riding do you do?

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07

LostJimXC

Hi

Thanks for getting back to me.
Regarding the 5.5" front travel, yeah they are beefy forks, but whats nice is that on these forks, you can adjust them it down to 3" (100mm) which is handy.
I will be using it for mainly long days of XC, fast descents taking some knocks and long climbs i.e. snowdon.
Was considering a HTail, but for this price, full sus seems too good to miss.
Cheers

Wolf

3" = 80mm [;)]

I would tell you to have a look at 4" or 5" full sussers for your intended riding, but the price of the GT makes it a very good bike indeed...

Hardtail vs. full sus is a personal thing, really... I spent a bit more than that on a hardtail, but that is only because it is what I wanted. A FS might be better for all day epics and obviously downhills.

For your money, look at the Trek Fuel Ex-5 or Scott reflex FX-35 as examples of œ900 4" travel bikes from the big manufacturers. A bit better for the climbs than the GT, but clearly worse specced... Just giving you options, as it is a lot of money to spend [;)]

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07

Unknown

The bike one the test in WMB IIRC. Its not light, but fantastically specced and a great performer over harder terrain. However wouldnt like to pedal it 100miles...

As fir the Idrive system, it needs to be tested, its a unique feel. The floating bottom bracket tries to minimise chain feedback.

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Marky Mark.

Good for you but are you looking at doing the SDW in a single day? If so you might want to hold off unless you get some decent time on the new bike as it's a lot of hills with a fair bit of weight, of course this depends on what you're riding at the moment and what you're used to.

I've no idea what you're capable of so please don't take this the wrong way as it's not a criticism just trying to be helpful.[:)]

The Family


Damn you Sonic, beat me to it [:)}

guilliano

For œ900 you could get a nice light steel hardtail with decent spec and a fantastic ride feel, which in my opinion, would be a better option unless you intend to take the bike to more testing trail centres with shorter distance trails. Steel will soak up some of the smaller bumps that an alloy HT frame would transmit to your bum, allowing you a decent all day ride, or a better trails HT.

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dsmiff

I've had the i-drive xcr from Halfords since February.

Really pleased, it's my first full sus, so I have nothing to compare it to. Makes light work of rocky climbs and I've not noticed anything whilst pedalling, the suspension seems unobtrusive.

A bit weighty, but could easily be fixed with some lighter tyres (blue dragons on it are about 900g) however I find it easier at climbing round Llandegla than the avalanche 2.0 I used to ride - I would not go back to a Hardtail.

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LostJimXC

yeah doing the SDW in one day as per BHF charity ride.
sure its gonna be tough, but this bike is right spec and price IMO.

The weight of all these bikes is whats stopped me buying anything. Cannot afford more than the XCR though.
Ive always been after the Kona Caldera, hard tail, but its a tad heavier i think than the XCR, and spec is much worse, same on kikapu deluxe. thix XCR i found to be best of both worlds, not too heavy, specced up and cheap..ish

ive never had a superlight bike, so kinda used to some weight, but of course nothing too much. anyone have a actual weight value? I did snowden on kona firemountain many yrs back.

Any hardtails you guys can recommend around this price, with XT minimum mechs and a good fork? as HT always reduces weight.

Thanks so much for your input. helping alot!!!

Unknown

GT Zaskar Pro 2006. 24 lbs!

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Wolf

Focus Killer Bee from wiggle. Excellent kit for the money at œ850 with Rebas and full XT.

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07

guilliano

Either of the above are gonna be great bikes

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dsmiff

Will weigh mine again tonight - I'll take the pedals off for comparison.

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LostJimXC

yeah those two HTs are awesome niceone thanks!
Might go for the focus as its well slick. fully!
dsmiff, cheers for weighing yours, that'll help big time.
closing in on the choice now fella's!

Cheers! Big Time.

guilliano

On the focus you may want to buy different bars as it comes with flat ones which not everyone gets on with. Try them first though. You can return the bike within 7 days as long as it is in "as new" condition.

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LostJimXC

yeah noticed that, my mate in office has trek 9.8 2005/6 with flat bars, he rates them. ive always had curved ones. an easy option to upgrade i suppose. the slick bike is worth it.
where i put my cash...

dsmiff

On my "highly accurate" bathroom scales the xcr weighs 33.9 lbs, according to Whatmtb the 18" is 33.7 lbs.

As I said earlier you could save almost 2 lb's from the tyres. You also could loose a few lb's in the bars as they are massive (27")!!!


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LostJimXC

Thanks mate for that

Now i have some comparison! Yeah, shaving of the lbs from bars and wheels would be good option.

Thanks again!