GT Grade Flatbar Expert
 

The GT Flatbar Expert for the coming year replaces GT's urban lineup that included the Eightball, Meatball and Speedball models :


http://media.gtbicycles.com/media/ca...206M_BLK_1.png


As described by GT:

Get out and explore

With the geometry of a bike that is built for long days on the road and the soul of a brand that lives for the mountains, the GT Grade FB is ready for adventures near and far. Ideal for both fun and fitness, it’s stable on any terrain, with a hydroformed alloy frame that is lightweight and responsive when you need to go fast.


Its based off the drop bar GT Grade and is just as versatile - for those who seek a comfortable do it all, go anywhere flat bar bike.

Where are the valves? photoshopped?

I like it. :thumb: Something tells me that GT is heavily invested in the Grade frame R&D and wants to capitalize on it. Also, if they can consolidate their product lines a bit they can be more competitive.

The bike is a blend of the traditional fitness pavement flat bar road bike and the dual sport pavement/off-road hybrid bike.

GT wants to take the best of both and make them work in a new bike.

Hopefully, their expansion of their GT Grade product line is going to pay off for them.

Probably with the pedals :)

anyone ridden one.
 

wanted one but no GT dealers in my area to demo and size fit. interested in size 53cm but geometry shows stand over height too high for 29 1/2 inseam, looking at 51cm frame which can give me more clearance. how's the handling on pavement and gravel/light trail compared to the drop bar version?

You don't say what your height is - I'm 5'7 with a 30 inseam and I ride a 54 cm GT Eightball. My take is the difference between that and the new flat bar GT Grade make them ride quite similar, that its not worth worrying about. The trail with 45 mm fork rake is neutral and the bike will have a stable feel on pavement and gravel/light trail. The difference is the type of bars the bike comes with, not the trail. I should add my bike has a 43 mm fork rake and feels stable on pavement, hardpack and gravel. I'm pointing out the difference in the trail is so slight, its not really worth writing home about.

If you're looking for a bike that can hold a line, steer predictably and corner well, the GT Grade flat bar bike certainly has a lot to offer.

It would be nice to see these come with Tiagra and 105. Hopefully, they'll sell well and GT will do that.

Thanks for your respond. I'm 5'9" and very comfortable with my Sirrus 51cm and XTC 17", lots of stand over clearance and top tube comfort. In my experience, a one size smaller frame is easy to maneuver. However I felt more tight on my new Defy size M with 30.5 in stand over height. Still deciding on either GT Grade 51 or 53 will give me a better fit and handling on off road rides. The GT Grade 53 has a stand over height of 776 (30.6") which seems to high for my legs.

I like the way it looks! I prefer the somewhat longer wheelbase of the Traffic, and that is why I own one.

It will ride and feel like a flat bar road bike. Rule of thumb - go with your usual size as on a traditional road bike; if you're between sizes, go with the smaller size. Hope this helps.