Are GT Bikes Good? (Helpful Tips)
GT is a very well-known bike brand, that makes a full range of bikes and has a rich history. However, for a short while, they fell out of popularity.
In recent years, their reputation has improved vastly. Their World Cup downhill team has featured some of the best riders in the world, including the Athertons, which has led to podium finishes, and the perception of the brand has changed markedly.
How has this affected them today? Are GT bikes seen as a good brand?
Here’s How Good GT Bikes Are:
GT Bicycles manufacture a range of bikes for different styles of riding. They employ a range of modern technologies and innovative designs to make some excellent bikes.
It does not matter if you are a novice rider or a seasoned veteran, GT will more than likely make a bike that will ride well and more than likely put a big smile on your face! To emphasize how capable their bikes are, it’s important to note that their bikes have achieved podiums in the World cup downhill, EWS, XC, and BMX.
- Here’s How Good GT Bikes Are:
- A Brief History Of GT
- How Reliable Are GT Bikes?
- What Types Of Bikes Does GT Make?
- How Expensive Are GT Bikes?
- How Durable Are GT Bikes?
- What About Older GT Bikes?
- Do They Still Make Parts For Older Models?
- What Are Typical Problems With GT Bikes?
- How Long Do GT Bikes Last Compared To Similar Brands?
- Do GT Bikes Hold Their Value?
- Are GT Bikes Still Being Made?
- What Does 'GT' Stand for In Gt Bikes?
- Who Make Gt Bikes?
- Is GT a Good Bike Brand for A Entry Level Hardtail?
- Final Thoughts (Are Gt Bikes Good?)
A Brief History Of GT
GT Bicycles started life in 1972 in Fullerton, California. Professional drag racer and experienced welder Gary Turner made a bike frame for his son Craig so that he could race at the local BMX track.
One problem with BMX bikes at the time was that they were heavy and broke easily. Turner brought his drag racing knowledge into play as he began using 4130 chrome-moly tubing – the same that was used in drag car chassis – to make lighter and stronger bikes.
The other riders at the local BMX track sat up and took notice, and soon Turner was manufacturing bikes for them as well.
In 1976 things started to really take off. Turner began making frames for Pedals Ready, a bike shop based at the Western Sports-A-Rama BMX track in Orange County, California. These bikes were marketed as Pedals Ready/GT bikes.
A year later, Richard Long from Anaheim California asked Turner to supply his shop. These bikes were branded as “Gary Turner” on the frames, but this is widely accepted as the start of GT Bicycles.
Wanting to increase production, Turner and Long invested in a manufacturing warehouse in 1979. GT Bicycles was born.
In 1980, the company released the first bike under the GT Bicycles brand, the GT Pro, and began sponsoring BMX riders.
By 1985, the company had grown so much that they were able to buy Dyno, an accessories and apparel company. This was the start of a series of acquisitions that followed, namely Robinson Racing, Auburn Cycles, and Powerlite.
Things changed in the 1990s, however, as the public lost interest in BMX racing. Turner and Long were forced to sell a controlling interest to Bain Capital in 1993, and they took the company public in 1995.
In 1998, Bain Capital sold its controlling stake to Questor Partners, which also owned Schwinn. Questor filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and was acquired by Pacific Cycle, which was then acquired by Dorel Industries in 2004.
How Reliable Are GT Bikes?
GT Bicycles is a brand that is well known for reliability. With over forty years in the industry, building racing bikes and freestyle bikes, designed to be thrown around, they have worked tirelessly over the years to keep their bikes as reliable as possible.
What Types Of Bikes Does GT Make?
GT started out as a manufacturer of BMX bikes but has since diversified.
As well as their wide range of BMX bikes, they now also make a number of different mountain bikes for all disciplines, both full suspension, and hardtail as well as dirt jump bikes.
They also manufacture road bikes but these are more geared toward gravel riding and fitness, rather than full-on road race bikes.
They also have a number of cruiser bikes, women’s bikes, kids’ bikes, and E-bikes.
Check out GT’s latest range of bikes here.
How Expensive Are GT Bikes?
Compared to some of the more premium brands, GT bikes are surprisingly affordable.
The Fury downhill bike costs £3,750, while their enduro bikes go from £2,800 to £5,500. £5,500 for a carbon, full-suspension mountain bike is excellent value for money.
Their cheapest BMX bike costs £320, while their top-end BMX race bike is £850.
Their full-suspension E-bike, the Force Current, costs £3,800.
How Durable Are GT Bikes?
GT bikes are hard-wearing and durable. The BMX bikes are built to be ridden hard either on the streets, in the park, or on the racetrack. The mountain bikes are built to take a beating out on the trail.
Some of their bikes, such as the Fury, might not be as light as some bikes from other brands, but their durability is excellent.
What About Older GT Bikes?
Perhaps as a result of changing ownership, GT Bikes went through a period where their bikes were not of the best quality. The fact that they were also making cheaper bikes for sporting-goods stores meant that they were not seen as high quality.
However, for at least the past decade the bikes have been much higher quality.
Do They Still Make Parts For Older Models?
It is still easy enough to find parts for bikes from the last decade, but for older parts, it might be necessary to search on E-bay.
What Are Typical Problems With GT Bikes?
GT has a team of testers who regularly update on any potential problems. GT then updates its website with ongoing safety issues.
There are no major ongoing issues with the company’s bikes.
Riders looking for the latest technology might want to look elsewhere. GT bikes are heavier than some of the cutting-edge bikes on the market, but for the price, it’s hard to find better.
How Long Do GT Bikes Last Compared To Similar Brands?
With robust, hard-wearing materials and components, as well as simple, effective, designs, GT bikes are long-lasting.
Do GT Bikes Hold Their Value?
Second-hand GT bikes are not particularly expensive. They are not a highly sought-after second-hand brand, but as they are not especially expensive, to begin with, buyers will not take a huge loss when selling their bikes.
Are GT Bikes Still Being Made?
GT bikes are still being made. In fact, they have just added some new riders to their mountain bike team as the company continues to grow and look to the future.
What Does ‘GT’ Stand for In Gt Bikes?
The name comes from the initials of the founder of the GT bicycle company ‘Gary Turner’.
Who Make Gt Bikes?
Dorel Industries own and manufacture GT bikes. Dorel Industries also own Schwinn, Cannondale, Mongoose, DYNO, IronHorse, and RoadMaster bicycle brands. All of Dorel industry’s bikes are manufactured in Asia.
Is GT a Good Bike Brand for A Entry Level Hardtail?
Yes, GT produces an entry-level hardtail called ‘GT Avalanche’, which is a very well-made and capable bike.
Final Thoughts (Are Gt Bikes Good?)
GT bikes arguably make some of the most capable bikes on the market, which come in a full range of sizes, provide a reliable warranty, and are found internationally making spares easy to come by.
