6-14-07 // Online Exclusive: GT Unveils 2008 Bikes

Although the new frame is made completely of carbon, GT didn’t forget its roots and the Zaskar retains the company’s distinctive triple triangle design.

Celebrating its twentieth anniversary, the Zaskar receives a new, all-carbon frame. This hardtail tips the scales at just 20.8 pounds, yet remains incredibly stiff. In addition to the carbon frame, the bike also receives a longer fork this year—100 millimeters compared to 80—and wider, 2.0-inch tires. A full LX bike costs $2,300, while the XTR Team model retails for about $4,000.

By going to an carbon rear triangle, GT shaved more than 150 grams from the 4-inch-travel Marathon. The new rear end can be retrofitted to last year’s bikes.

Another new model, replacing the iD-4 Carbon, is the Marathon 4-inch-travel XC rig. For 2008, the bike will have a carbon fiber swing arm, which replaces the aluminum rear triangle of the iD-4. The bike weighs 24.8 pounds and is being ridden on the World Cup by GT’s top racers, including Todd Wells.

“Not every downhiller can afford a $5,000 bike,” said GT’s Mark Peterman. To please gravity racers on a budget, GT developed the DHi-Pro model. The bike shares the same frame as the team model but costs just $3,349.

Finally, the company made a few tweaks to its DHi downhill bike. Changes include a reinforced swingarm and headtube, as well as a redesigned carbon seatmast that has a few weight-saving cutouts. GT will also offer a lower-cost version this year, the DH1-Pro Model, which runs about $3,349 and weighs 44 pounds. “It uses the same frame as our team model, but is built for the downhill racer that doesn’t have $5,500 to spend on a bike,” said GT’s Mark Peterman.

Four days is barely enough time to get to know a bike, but some of the models—like the Marathon—immediately felt spot on. And while the town of Engelberg is still developing a mountain bike culture, the trails here—all originally built for hikers—offered a prime proving ground. With relentlessly steep terrain, a half dozen gondolas strung throughout the valleys and an active, mountain bike friendly population, watch for Engelberg to continue to grow as a mountain bike playground. And watch for further reviews of GT’s latest bikes in Bike magazine and on bikemag.com.