GT Avalanche 3.0 - should I keep it?
#1
Steel Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 1,480
Bikes: N + 1
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
GT Avalanche 3.0 - should I keep it?
I picked up this fairly recent GT the other day with the idea I would sell the frame & use some of the other parts on a few projects that I needed stuff for (and it didn't need to particularly high end stuff....just decent for urban ATB riding...and, trust me, the questionable economics of the idea did work out in this case). I know the GT frames have a loving following, so I figured the real item of value in the bike is the frame So, my question is whether this is a frame worth building with good components. I have a '95 GT Zaskar LE that is going to be my re-entry into MTBing, but I figured that sooner than later I would be itching for some slightly more modern technology...and, for some strange reason I feel like I'd like to keep my Zaskar in its original spec & enjoy it for what it is...so, if that's the case, would I be wise to keep this Avalanche frame to build with a modern fork, disc brakes, etc. or is it pretty "pedestrian" in terms of a modern hard tail MTB frame? For reference, here's the Avalanche (sorry for the lousy picture):
(and before anyone asks what the heck was I thinking wanting parts other than the frame from this bike, just "it was a bargain")
(and before anyone asks what the heck was I thinking wanting parts other than the frame from this bike, just "it was a bargain")
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 9
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock Comp A1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great project. I just picked up the GT Avalanche below for a mere 50 bucks with Deore LX/XT. Only thing I have to replace is the shifters, cables and fork. Picked up a Specialized Hardrock Comp A1 last month for 50 bucks and just replaced the cables seat and cranks. Reviving them is almost as fun as riding them for me. Anyway, howdy.
#3
bikes are sexy
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sheboygan area, WI
Posts: 599
Bikes: [2008 specialized allez tripple], [2006 Specialized hardrock sport], [1998 Robinson Rebel], [1980's vintage schwinn ministing], [2008 specialized epic comp] - [2009 origin8 scout 29er], [2005 KHS DJ200]
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i've always wanted a GT frame, ever since i was a little kid riding GT bmx bikes, dreaming of the day that i'd be tall enough to ride one. they day i got my first mtb GT's were being sold at questionable sporting good stores so i passed, i didnt know they still made good bikes till a year or so ago.
if i didnt already have 3 mountain bikes i'd grab a GT
if i didnt already have 3 mountain bikes i'd grab a GT
#4
Steel Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 1,480
Bikes: N + 1
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
This Avalanche may have a good frame (assuming an early 2000 vintage GT frame is still tough as nails like the old ones), but component-wise it's entry-level or below in terms of really being put through the paces for tough riding....for an urban cruiser/adventurer, i'd say it'd be fine. I'm using the bars, brakes, levers shifters (maybe), rear derailleur (looks to be replaced with earlier Exage X?), and wheels on a variety of other bikes (where their performance & expected duty-level will be better matched).....but I suppose I could start putting my ear to the ground for bargains on some disc brakes, driveline components, a fork & wheels & end up building this into a nice bike. I hate the paint, but probably won't strip it unless I'm building it.
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a 1.0 and I couldnt be happier.. the components are amazing, 27 sp and disc brakes.. it's really light too!
I know the frame is the same from the 2.0 to the 1.0, but not sure about the 3.0? Good Luck!
I know the frame is the same from the 2.0 to the 1.0, but not sure about the 3.0? Good Luck!
#6
Steel Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 1,480
Bikes: N + 1
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
how light is "light" in this case? if my luggage scale is correct, my '95 Zaskar weighs 24lbs in it's original (Deore XT, 8-speed, cantilever brakes, elastomer dampened fork) form...which is as light as some of my older steel road bikes & SO much lighter than my steel GT Karakoram from the late '80s...but in today's terms, i don't know what I should expect.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Dacula,Ga
Posts: 402
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I myself have never owned one, but a few friends do, and they love those bikes. You can drop a GT off a cliff and it will keep going. I myself will one day build up a late 90's model, just need to either make room or get rid of a bike or two first.
kg4kpg-- That bike you posted looks sweet!! Is that chrome? If so thats what i will start looking for myself.
kg4kpg-- That bike you posted looks sweet!! Is that chrome? If so thats what i will start looking for myself.
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 9
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock Comp A1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
kg4kpg-- That bike you posted looks sweet!! Is that chrome? If so thats what i will start looking for myself.
~Chris
#9
Steel Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 1,480
Bikes: N + 1
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
here's my Zaskar...also bare aluminum (lots of fine steel wool rubbing)....i'm weighing out hunting down NOS elastomers for my fork vs. a new fork or retrofitting mine. I want to keep the Zaskar in it's circa-1995 simplicity as much as possible....
#10
Parrot Heads unite!
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oak Lawn, IL or as close as you can get to the Southside and not live under King Richard's rule.
Posts: 74
Bikes: 1985 Raleigh Elkhorn converted to single speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nice Zaskar fiataccompli.
Here is my '97 Zaskar. A few upgrades here and there. I am going to be putting a SID Team takeoff on it as well as a Thomson stem. Everything else is pretty much stock XT with the exception of an XTR cassette. Kicking around the idea of upgrading to 27 speed but I do not know if I want to drop the money into it right now. I do know I will never get rid of it though!
Here is my '97 Zaskar. A few upgrades here and there. I am going to be putting a SID Team takeoff on it as well as a Thomson stem. Everything else is pretty much stock XT with the exception of an XTR cassette. Kicking around the idea of upgrading to 27 speed but I do not know if I want to drop the money into it right now. I do know I will never get rid of it though!
#11
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 9
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock Comp A1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Couple awesome Zaskers. The Spin wheels look awesome under the red. Im not sure what year my Avalance is but the frame construction looks a lot like that on fiataccompli's Zasker.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Dacula,Ga
Posts: 402
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have the same fork on my 95 Gary Fisher HKEK. There is a guy on ebay that sells the elastomers for that fork, and has them for 3 different weight classes. If i wasn't so tired at the moment I would hunt the link down for you,but im sure if you search it, it can be found. He sells them for $35. per set.
#13
Parrot Heads unite!
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oak Lawn, IL or as close as you can get to the Southside and not live under King Richard's rule.
Posts: 74
Bikes: 1985 Raleigh Elkhorn converted to single speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Scott
#14
Steel Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 1,480
Bikes: N + 1
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Thanks. I'm going to look out for the elastomer seller. Nice to see that others like these bikes enough to hang onto them too!