Mountain Biking - '01 GT I Drive 5.0

I'm looking for a good bike to carry me through the woods or pretty much wherever I feel like riding without spending a fortune. I've been out of the market for awhile, so I seek enlightenment. Here are the specs:

Head angle: 70.5º
Seat angle: 73.5º
Top tube length: 23.4"
Standover A: 31"
Chainstay length: 17"
BB height: 13"
Brakes: ProMax Linear Pull
Cassette: SR Powerflow 9-spd
Crank Set: Suntour MD-252
Grips: GT Camshaft Dual Density
Handlebar: Alloy 20mm riser
Headset: WTB Momentum Comp
Hubs: Alloy
Fork: RockShox Judy TT
Frame: GT I-Drive
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Pedals: ATB Resin w/Clips & Straps
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Rear Shocks: RST 22 Coil Over
Rims: WTB Speedmaster
Seat: SDG Comp
Seatpost: Alloy Micro Adjust
Shifters: Shimano Deore
Stem: GT MTB Welded
Tires: WTB Velociraptor

I am also looking at a '01 K2 Zed 5.0 with the following specs:

Head angle: 71º
Seat angle: 73º
Top tube length: 22.9"
Standover A: 29.5"
Seat Tube (c-t-c): 18.5"
Chainstay length: 16.7"
BB height: 11.8"
Wheelbase: 42.6"
Brakes: Avid Single Digit 3 Linear Pull
Cassette: Deore
Crank Set: Truvativ Firex SX
Grips: ATI Jackson 2-Ply
Handlebar: 6061 Butted Alloy
Headset: WTB Momentum Comp
Hubs: WTB Speed FX
Fork: Noleen Mega Air
Frame: K2 7005 Butted Aluminum
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Pedals: K2 "M9" Clipless
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
Rims: WTB Speedmaster
Seat: WTB SST.X3 w/Kevlar
Seatpost: K2 3D Forged Alloy w/Micro Adjust
Shifters: Shimano Deore
Stem: TIG-welded Aluminum
Tires: WTB Nanoraptor Kevlar

GT I drives are cool bikes. The only problem is that GT went under with Schwinn, and they are now owned by Pacific. Pacific is only honoring one year of the original life time warranties on GT bikes. So, it's kind of dangerous to buy a GT, it might be an awesome bike, or it could be a bomb and you won't be able to get it fixed by the compnay. With the K2 Zed 5.0 there were some problems with the seat tube/top tube weld cracking on bigger riders. Mainly because the large frame wasn't large enough for the riders who buy large frames. So if you are not super tall I would get the K2 Zed 5.0.

GT's are normally nice bikes (in general) it's ashame that they went under, but it depends on what you are going to be doing on your bike, if you plan on doing easy trails or only minor off roading then a cracking frame probably won't be an issue. if you are going to ride it like a bmx doing drop offs jumps and stunts, then you might want to go k2 since they will probably replace/repair the frame. I guess it also comes to personal preference, (have you tested both bikes?).

hope this helps ;)

I vote for the GT!! I own 3 of them, 1 i-drive, 1 alum. hardtail, 1 steel rigid. Awesome quality, I don't worry about the warranty issues. My i-drive has seen about 2000 miles of hard trail/bike path/free rides with no problems yet. I am not a little fellow either 6' 200 lbs. Unless you plan on just totally abusing it, I think it will hold up ok for you. I ride with a group from a LBS that is a GT dealer and they mostly all ride GT's. Of course they swear by them, but it says something when your in the woods with 15 other riders all on GT's. I also am building a Schwinn Homegrown...obviously warranty doesn't bother me to much. I figure if it breaks, hang it up on the wall and build a new one.

I am no expert, but that's my opinion

Buddy o' mine stores his I-drive 5.0 in my garage, and I've had it out a few times while my waranty frame came in. He paid a little over 1100 for it when it was new. You can get 2.0's for about that now through bike closeout houses like supergo with SID forks and lx/xt as opposed to the bottom of the line TT and Deore. I wouldn't pay (honestly) more than 500 clams for one right now.

Theres nothing wrong with the components on the i-drive (unless youre a weight weenie), but make sure the price fits. How much are the prices on the bikes listed?

For the record, the bike made a good all-day trail bike despite its weight, limited travel, and towering height. Once you got used to being 2-3 inches higher than normal, you couldnt tell the difference. If you have ridden the bike and like it, go with it.

FYI,
heres you buike at supergo for $480: http://www.supergo.com/itemdisplay.asp?compflag=1&parentid=19060&company=GT&secid=7559&subid=7

Check this out... For what my buddy paid for his i-drive 5.0 new at a shop, he could now get this:
http://www.supergo.com/itemdisplay.asp?compflag=1&parentid=17314&company=GT&secid=7559&subid=7

I actually just got a Fuji Suncrest. I'll let you know how it is on the dirt and such. I'll include some mud caked pics (if I can find some mud in the Stuttgart area.);)




:crash: