GT Bicycles has been around a looonnnnggggg time – 1972 is where the idea was first sparked in the brain of Gary Turner.
GT – Gary Turner was a bit fed up with the BMX frames of the era, so he created one for his lad to use in the Southern California BMX circuit.
1974 – 1980, GT Bicycles was officially born – and immediately had a cult following in the BMX race circuit.
1987 – 1994 and GT Bicycles made in-roads into the word of mountain bikes, with their iconic GT Triple Triangle® design.
Present Day GT – GT Bicycles brings the Triple Triangle® design to the world of gravel cycling – the Enduroad range. I (JOM) had a chance to examine these tasty bikes in person at the recent 2015 Interbike show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
From GT’s website – “When you want to head off the beaten path, take the road less traveled, or avoid cliches altogether, the Grade Carbon is the bike of choice for the route of your dreams. With a glass fiber and carbon frame and GT’s patented Triple Triangle design, you have the ultimate in control and fatigue reduction for those long day exploring the roads to nowhere.”
Available in six sizes (51, 53, 55, 56, 58 and 60), the GT Grade Carbon features highlights such as:
- Carbon frame and fork, disc brake specific triple triangle with tapered head tube, support for PF BB30 bottom bracket, and removable fender bridge.
- GT Carbon fork with tapered 1 1/8-1 1/4 threadless carbon steerer, disc specific, 15mm thru axle.
- Shimano Ultegra 11 speed built kit with R685 shifters – full hydraulic braking.
- No Tubes Grail wheelset with DT Swiss centerlock hubs.
- Praxis Works PF30 BB adapter.
- Tire clearance of 40mm.
Priced at $US 3,800.00.
From GT’s website – “Setting out on your bike is never just about getting to your destination, it’s about the journey you take every time your wheels hit the ground. Loaded up on features that make long days in the saddle feel easy, like a low bottom bracket for added stability and extra tire clearance for knobbier rubber, the Grade Alloy will get you there, but prefers the long way around.”
Available in eight sizes (48, 50, 51, 53, 55, 56, 58 and 60), the GT Grade Alloy X features highlights such as:
- Grade alloy frame with smooth welds, hydroformed top tube and down tube, tapered head tube, standard English thread 68mm bottom bracket, and the classic GT Triple Triangle.
- GT Carbon fork with tapered 1 1/8-1 1/4 threadless carbon steerer, disc specific, 15mm thru axle.
- SRAM Rival 1 x 11 drivetrain, with SRAM Rival hydraulic brakes.
- Tire clearance of 40mm.
Priced at $US 1,840.00, the Grade Alloy X looks to be a well-equipped and capable mid-tier machine that won’t break the bank. The Gravel Cyclist crew is expecting to obtain a sample of the Grade Alloy X for review purposes. Watch this space!
