mattleegee

I have been looking at the GT grade since i got back into riding back in May this year, i love the way they look and wanting a cyclocross bike this is awesome, almost pulled the trigger the other week but now the 2016 are posted! And im glad i waited since there is a SRAM option this year

Anyone excited like me?

Most everything looks the same except the Alloy X has SRAM instead of 105 there still is a Alloy 105, and all the paint jobs now are black with different striping except the Womans Grades (GTw) are white and the Alloy X mustang blue
Also have the Grade FB which has the same grade frame with flat bar which still look nice but i like having drops


2016 Pavement Collection

GT Grade Carbon


GT Grade alloy X


GT Grade Alloy GTw (womans)


GT grade FB

mattleegee

no one? rats...

MileHighMark

I'd like to know if the alloy-framed model has provisions for fenders or a rack. It seems like many manufacturers are only offering pseudo race bikes.

NormanF

They're NOT cyclocross bikes... which now mainly cater to hardcore enthusiasts.

The GT Grade is more of an adventure bike... first popularized by the Salsa Vaya, then Surly Straggler and now every manufacturer seems to offer one.

They're built for true all-around riding.

catonec 

Ive always liked GT. I had an rts heavy and bouncy but fun.

these are interesting but the chain stays look weird as do the forks, straight leg but the axle mount is offset forward?

RocThrower

I really like the Carbon Ultegra model, but I'm not sure I like the look of the new Shimano ST-RS505 levers on the 105 Carbon version. I know it's not related to the bike, but it's the first time I've seen these levers, other than the mockups that went out earlier in the year.

RJ80

Huh. So the alloy 105 goes away entirely and only the Alloy X is left with Rival. Interesting move. That Alloy 105 was sort of a sweet spot in pricing @ $1300 (exactly half the cost of the $2600 Carbon 105).

So basically, you can't get an 11-speed Grade for much under $2000 anymore unless pricing moves downwards on the Alloy X (it was around $2k for 2015).

I really wanted a Grade this past month, but ended up buying a Felt V85 instead for a few reasons. I couldn't find a GT dealer within 30 miles of Los Angeles that stocked the Grade (most of the dealers listed on GT's website no longer sell GT bikes or only special order them). That meant no test ride and I won't buy a bike without riding it first again -- been there, done that.

Also the Felt had full 105 including compact crankset (GT has FSA Vero semi-compact) and was purchased on sale locally for under $1200 out-the-door during a sale. Cheapest Grade Alloy 105 out-the-door price I found was $1380 w/shipping and no sales tax at Competitive Cyclist, which would have meant no test ride first and paying return shipping if it didn't work out. The only major advantage the GT had was its HY/RD brakes (vs Spyre on the Felt) but for the money I saved, I can swap to the HY/RD system.

Plus, I know it's just cosmetics but I just couldn't get over the tan/camo paint scheme on the '15 Grade Alloy 105. Yuck. Not sure I like the new blue on the '16 Alloy X any better.

Henry III

GT bikes after they were bought by Pacific (Doral) just don't do anything for me. Not to mention I don't think I've ever seen a dealer for them. The shop I worked at was a Cannondale dealer but we also stocked some Schwinn models. Though I got to look around in the GT catalogs that were also sent with. They just don't do it for me anymore. Our rep could pull a few strings and get us a bike if someone really wanted something but no one ever did.

The droopy chainstay and toptube just look odd to me and was never a fan of the triple triangle.

exime

No.. they still have the alloy 105 in 2016.. the OP just didnt post it.

• [h=4]GRADE CARBON ULTEGRA[/h]
• [h=4]GRADE CARBON 105[/h]
• [h=4]GRADE ALLOY X[/h]
• [h=4]GRADE ALLOY 105[/h]
• [h=4]GRADE ALLOY TIAGRA[/h]
• [h=4]GRADE ALLOY SORA[/h]
• [h=4]GRADE ALLOY SORA GTw[/h]
• [h=4]GRADE ALLOY CLARIS[/h]
• [h=4]GRADE ALLOY CLARIS GTw[/h]

exime

I really want to buy one of these in a few months. I'd either try and get a 2015 model on sale or the 2016. Im asking for some help regarding the changes:

The 2016 Grade Carbon Ultegra is mostly the same while the 2016 Grade Carbon 105 changed from R685 to R785 brakes.

Also, the 2016 Grade Carbon 105 changed from R685 brake levers to RS505 brake levers.

Are these 2 changes downgrades, upgrades, or sidegrades? Or really not much difference at all in real world application?

NormanF

Why wait? Right now the 2015 model is an unbeatable value.

NormanF

Gravel road bikes will be used by most people for fun, for commuting and for touring. They're not designed to ride fast. They borrow from the endurance road bike geometry and mate it with the sure-footedness of the MTB to create a true-all around road bike.

Let's face it: few people want to wear spandex and lycra and hammer the roads in the pursuit of the Tour de France. They just want to go out to ride for fresh air and get to to explore what's out there. That is where the gravel road bike/adventure bike has all but taken over the road bike market.

The demand for a do-it-all bike is why GT is offering more models in its Grade lineup and than in its endurance and traditional race road bike categories.

NormanF

Doral is the conglomerate that also owns Schwinn which is now a mass market brand.

The big box store Schwinns haven't exactly refurbished the Schwinn legacy but its few IBD bike models made with its proprietary N'Lightened alloy tubing is top-notch.

My Schwinn is lightweight, capable and bombproof.

NormanF

Both the alloy and carbon models offer the same frame, ride feel and the famed GT design with different component upgrades. You'll get a good ride no matter your budget.

MileHighMark

Trust me, I'm well aware of what a true gravel/adventure bike should be. IMO, unless it's being marketed as a competition-only rig, it better accommodate racks and fenders w/o the use of duct tape, p-clamps, etc.

A lot of manufacturers simply don't get it. They're marketing bikes that are closer to 'cross race bikes than gravel/adventure bikes. Going all-out for 45-60 minutes requires a different bike that riding "B" roads for 8-10 hours.

IcySmooth52

I really like GT's return to the real market, and they're doing a great job with what they're doing: Off road, but the off road 90% of us bike with the budget we can afford.

mattleegee

Has there been a price drop? PB still show the same prices on 2015 as have been the last couple months, even though they are running 20% back for members this weekend

Also a SRAM grouppo is not available in the 2015 line up, but not is available with the 2016 Alloy X, i have considered buying the cheapest alloy model and then purchasing a gruppo of my liking but unsure if wasting extra money over waiting for 2016 models

youngbull

Manufacturers dont issue price drops

mattleegee

Didn't know Performance Bike manufactured GT bikes

mattleegee

2 of the flat bar models and the claris 2016 models are on PB website now!

NormanF

I went with the Eightball - marketing aside, I liked an IGH bike and the ability to mount wide multi-use tires, something the GT Grade doesn't seem to offer.

mattleegee

Those are nice, i think on the grades you can get x35 on there, i forgot what the 8ball comes with

NormanF

It comes with Schwalbe Kojak 700 X 35 slicks. Nice tires. I'm considering something more multi-use and I'm waiting to hear from my LBS as to what is the widest tire I could fit.

IcySmooth52

I'd be sure it'll fit 40c. Question would be, will it fit 700x40 with fenders?

But what tires are you thinking of running on the Grade?

NormanF

If the Eightball can fit 40c, I have a couple of choices. Schwalbe Little Ben, Surly Knard, WTB Freedom Ryder, Continental Cyclocross Ride.