GT Bicycles releases an all-carbon fiber downhill race bike called the Fury
Previewed: GT Fury Downhill Race Bike
Text and photo: Alan Davis
The single biggest news from the GT Bicycles 2009 product release, currently underway in Livigno, Italy, is the new Fury downhill bike. Kept under wraps until its unveiling yesterday, the new all-carbon fiber monocoque-framed machine will replace the DHi model currently being sold by GT.
The most important point about the frame that GT engineers stressed was that the Fury was designed out of carbon fiber for strength purposes and not for lightweight purposes. Many carbon fiber frames have been designed in the past to be lightweight, and when they are designed to be light, they can fail easily if improperly used, leading to the misconception that carbon fiber is a weak material. The fact is that carbon fiber has a strength-to-weight ratio over ten times that of aluminum. So it should be possible to design a much stronger frame from carbon fiber, at a similar weight as an aluminum one.
The Fury uses a complete monocoque frame design, meaning its front triangle is all one piece, as is its rear triangle. By making it from one piece the design avoids lugs or welds that could form stress risers. The design has optimized tube construction and tube shape using FEA analysis as well as a proprietary blend of fiber types. The engineers have gone so far in their testing of the fury frame they have even, albeit not so scientifically, banged on it to failure with a ball peen hammer—and it did not fail quickly. This frame was designed to be tough, the engineers assured us that rock impacts should not be an issue.
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The new Fury features an increased top tube length compared to the DHi, a 1.5-inch integrated headset, a 64-degree head angle and 8.3-inches of rear wheel travel. The frame uses a standard-sized shock for compatibility and a 2.8:1 leverage ratio. The lone model shown here was functional, but we were not allowed to ride it unfortunately. Team GT downhiller Bryn Atkinson has been hanging out with us in Livigno at the product release and he hasn't even ridden it yet, but is slated to race the Fury in the future. The Fury has a claimed weight comparable to the existing DHi, or around 38 pounds. It will be sold in two models and one frameset at retail prices of $5999 and $3999. The frame-only price is still to be determined.
What do you think of the new Fury? Leave a comment below.
Reader Comments
Posted Tue Jun24, 2008, 8:18 PM — By Kevin
Quite unattractive in my opinion. And why not using the '09 Saint cranks?
Posted Tue Jun24, 2008, 8:43 PM — By Reid
Looks awesome. One of the cooler looking DH bikes I've seen. Can't wait to hear how it rides. Have to admit that I've been pretty impressed with GT's bikes of late.
Posted Wed Jun25, 2008, 1:25 AM — By webitor
Actually, the '09 Saint cranks will be used, they are just hard to get right now, even for GT. Sorry about not pointing that out.
Posted Wed Jun25, 2008, 9:58 AM — By butch
why the turd of an air shock on an elite level DH bike? DHX 5.0's hard to come by too? : )
Posted Wed Jun25, 2008, 10:57 AM — By mc
why buy the carbon if the ibs is about the same as the aluminum??
its not like we are braking the aluminum:) i would not buy it!
Posted Wed Jun25, 2008, 11:20 AM — By Brendan
The DHX air more than likely to show that the bike is going for a lightweight build. Looks like a boxxer wc as well. Even Coil shocks with Ti springs are still marginally heavier than an air shock. you could also say "why juicy sevens and not the new saint/xt/codes/formula/insert brand here." But hey, rear shocks and brakes aside, the bike looks great. beats the HELL out of the DHi any day.
Props.
Posted Wed Jun25, 2008, 11:26 AM — By Brooce
Now Lopes may regret leaving GT...
Posted Wed Jun25, 2008, 11:49 AM — By Austin Perkins
I would really like to see GT test the frame against a allimium Fury to see if there statements are really true. But it is a sick looking bike.
Posted Wed Jun25, 2008, 1:43 PM — By liqwid
Lopes left GT? From what I understood they just dropped his sponsorship.
Posted Wed Jun25, 2008, 2:20 PM — By Bubba
I rode Gt for many years i am glad there starting to put out nice stuff again.I loved my Carbon STS but the internal cable routing sucks to put on new cables. Carbon in my opion is the next level in bicycle design stronger than aluminum but also kills the vibrations from rough trails and a more flexible material from a design standpoint. Should be an interesting frame
Posted Wed Jun25, 2008, 2:50 PM — By max Russo
One crash on a rock section on this bike and your done. NO MORE BIKE. GO ALUMINUM for Downhill.
Posted Wed Jun25, 2008, 5:11 PM — By AB
Max Russo, try telling that to the FI driver who hit the wall @ 180MPH. The only thing left of his car was the 100% carbon fiber cage that he sat in. GO CARBON! Its awesome to see GT inovating again. I want a Fury.
Posted Wed Jun25, 2008, 6:13 PM — By jamie maller
i think its great they are trying to create a much stronger frame as i have the gt dhi for racing downhill and have just cracked it, so if carbon fibre is going to benfit it strengh then its a good thing. Are the engineeres 100% sure that a rock would not damage apon impact, as im sure an aluminium frame would put up a better fight.
Also why do gt stick with the i-drive on there suspension frames as ive ridden varius i drive and they dont feel like they are doing anythink. Dont get me rong tho i think it does stop the chain from tighting as the suspension moves. Talking of the i-drive have they made any king of seals this time as my dhi has to be taken apart after about 5-10 hour rideing as it starts to creek and feel gritty.
looking forward to seeing more details and the geometry angle of everythink compared to there current dhi 08
Posted Thu Jun26, 2008, 4:10 AM — By FreeRide Pete
"one rock and no more bike" carbon fiber is one of the strongest man made materials. The reason that it is used in used in lighter weight, by comparison, weaker road bikes is that it is very very strong and you can get away with using less of it. If you add more you will end up with something much like an F1 cars carbon bathtub, indestructible. And before you make a claim like its going to destroy your bike, compare it to something, there are no other production carbon DH bikes, so SHUT IT. I am much more worried about the integrated headset than the carbon, Chris King doesn't make a integrated headset for a reason. As for the choice to remain with I-Drive, I fully agree, lets just hope they sealed the bearings better though.
Posted Thu Jun26, 2008, 6:14 PM — By snorrE Setrom
oh, its one of the finest bikes i ever seen.
but why aren't there juicy carbon on it?
Posted Thu Jun26, 2008, 10:12 PM — By Joell
Does it come with the three rocks bike stand? Are they Carbon F too?! :P - Those surfaces and chamfers really create a unique character to the bike. Beautiful.
Posted Sun Jun29, 2008, 8:38 PM — By evs
why the bb have to be branch away from the frame? dont like the design of the bb, design engr of this frame should think it over again......
Posted Tue Jul 1, 2008, 10:03 PM — By carpo
They have the bottom bracket hanging off like that becaus if they brought it up into the frame, you would be standing much to high and the centre of gravity would be very tall.
I thought the same thing at first, but the bb looks high enough not to clip anything, and if you made it any higher it would be awkward.
Excellent looking bike - looking forward to its release date - does anyone know when that is?
-carpo-
Posted Wed Jul 2, 2008, 12:07 AM — By Dude
The reason the bottom bracket hangs is because it is still and i drive bike, that is their suspension design. It keeps the susp from interfering with the pedaling, however it does absolutely nothing to help with the issue of brake jack.
Posted Thu Jul 3, 2008, 7:44 AM — By more info and pics
if you want more pics and info come to my blog i have a full review and pics bikerider96.blogspot.com
Posted Fri Jul 4, 2008, 5:12 PM — By Jason king
When is this frame available to by and were will I get one? I have had GT's from the 80's from BMX to DH, don't knock Gary Turner he has not made nothing bad to date that's in the elite section, not ever.
Posted Wed Jul 9, 2008, 1:15 AM — By jamie
I wouldnt touch it with a ten foot pole
Posted Fri Jul11, 2008, 10:42 AM — By Kathy
I like it!
Posted Fri Jul11, 2008, 11:00 PM — By JuNgLer
I think some of you should read the whole article before shooting your mouths off. "tis a nice looking machine for a DHiller. A flash bike wont compensate for being a crap rider .. or having a big mouth. The fastest rider in my club rides a 4 year old Iron horse ... Go figure? Save your bucks, go to the gym more and practice harder and forget about corporate enticements to continually upgrade .. save your money for a trip to Whistler ..
Posted Thu Jul31, 2008, 7:22 PM — By mcrammerstein
i think this violates the DW link patents.
Posted Wed Aug13, 2008, 1:10 AM — By cody
well since they dont have the dw link anymore they shud be fine andim sure the things like juicy carbons will come on the complete
Posted Wed Aug13, 2008, 7:50 PM — By jerome
Listen to the kid who thinks that he knows bikes, you need to stop drinking chain lube and pay attention, you child. We here at the bike village think that you smell like doookie, WORD
Posted Thu Aug21, 2008, 12:57 AM — By Tyler
sick as GT mates i wish i had 1 but to much for a 12 year old and for my mum or dad to buy i wish i won tatsloto lol omfg its so cool som1 buy me it please send a mesage to me
Posted Thu Aug21, 2008, 1:10 AM — By Tyler
yeah mates who rides downhill here i was going to but i ended up not going to do it my brother rides a giant glory dh1 what kinds of bikes we all got i had a kona stinky 2006 where trying to sell it any wont it send a message to me if u r intrested i ride a BMX bike now lol a forgotten siren 2008 $700 not as much as your bikes
Posted Mon Sep 1, 2008, 1:16 PM — By luke
any idea to when i would be able to put my name down to buy this bike or to enqiure about it.. it looks awsome!!!
Posted Thu Sep11, 2008, 7:58 AM — By Ryan
AWESOME THING! TOTALLY THE BEST BIKE I HAVE EVA SEEN! GO GT! i recommend this to anyone out in this large world.
Posted Sun Sep14, 2008, 9:53 PM — By GODFRIED
Is it made in Taiwan?
Posted Mon Sep15, 2008, 5:19 PM — By Connor
Why do they use an air shock rather than a coil shock?
Posted Mon Sep29, 2008, 2:12 PM — By Tom
looks niice wonder how much it is?
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