i-drives? They bothered resurrecting GT just so they could bring us i-drives? Oh dear.

Hmm, don't know what about it, it is, but that freeride i-drive reminds me of a saracen raw. Hmmm

The best bike i ever had was an i-drive so if the new ones good then how can you moan about it. Give them a chance as at least its another make for next year to choose and gives competition to the rest.

At last! An I-Drive that can take abuse but isn't restricted to DH use. Doesn't look as 'glamarous' as the original I-Drive's though. I'd consider getting one.

Jon webb have you ever used an i-drive and what exactly do you ride that makes you able to slag of GT. No-ones even ridden one yet and its getting slagged.

Ryan, they're comparing them to the last bunch of I-drives, which from what I've read, were utter shite in the reliability and durability departments.

I had a go on one and it felt like riding a normal hardtail until you needed the suspension.However, I can't really comment on its durability though.

the advert (full page) in mbuk last month didn't show the bikes, just said "GT 2003 range coming soon" and the colour scheme of the advert reminded me of that kids cartoon Jamie and the Magic Torch, hehehe!

I've always liked GT's (had 3 - still ride one to work) and wouldn't mind trying some of the new stuff when it comes out.

At least they tried to be innovative with the I-drive.

I don't think they were trying to be innovative. I think they just wanted to avoid the specialized sticker on their bikes so designed something that didn't fall within the boundaries of Spesh's Horst link patent.

For the record, having ridden my mate's I-drive a few times, I reckon it rides ok - felt very stiff but I didn't like the 'squat under power' aspect of it. Unfortunately, the biggest problem was that it's an inherently over complex solution and as such is heavy. I know that GT had some I-drives that the pro-racers used that were apparently lightweight but I don't think they ever saw the light of day and I suspect that durability would have been sacrificed...

Hmmm, I have had limited experience with GT, one of the first full sussers i rode was a RTS 3, loved it at the time. Rode a demo I drive first time they came out, and found it pretty good. can't comment on durability, but it's an accusation you could throw at any full susser that's not a single pivot design. As for weight, i don't think they're hugely worse than most other mainstream Full suss bikes.

IMHO, the more makers of bikes there are, the better for all of us. Competition, price reduction, etc,etc.

Anyway, they always made pretty good hardtail bikes. Comments about Zaskars being overrated, notwithstanding.

If you didn't want/couldn't afford a Zaskar you could always buy an Avalanche - exactly the same frame but made in the far east not the good ol' USofA.

I had a Zaskar as well - very impressed with it.

Sorry Si, wasn't having a go,

personally, i've always liked the Zasker.
But there generally seems to be an "anti Zasker" thing going on at the mo. i've read a few comments on the forum about it and overheard a couple of conversations in different LBS giving them a hard time. Having never ridden a Zasker i was just acknowledging more informed opinion than my own

Liked the ride of the i drive but I had two in total all warranty replacemantdue to the yep,you
guessed it the weld on the seat stay cracking in the same spot both times.
Don,t want another gt thankyou happy with two santa cruz.
Hope you guys out there have better luck than me the net is full of the same story.
Many months without biking thanks to gt.
And many pounds lost due to shipping costs sendind the frames back.
Thanks for everything GT

whoops
SENDING

You can ride my zaskar then Nick, although Alex refers to it as a Mongrel. I've had it for years, lovely bike.

Nick, I realise that you weren't having a go. I've heard anti Zaskar comments as well, mostly from people who have never ridden one and comment on how expensive they are - hence my comment about the Avalanche.

I was lucky, I managed to get one cheap. I don't have it any more though, I was getting too many bikes and one had to go (the frame did anyway).

If I need another hard tail I'd certainly consider another one though.

I bought my frame in 1997 for £300 still going strong now.

Also have a GT Pantera "polished" kicking around as well. Just cant get rid of them :)

Zaskars are brilliant bikes, probably the best all rounders (except maybe the Santa Cruz Chamelion?) I nearly brought a second hand one for £150 but then I saw my dear old Scott....

I sold my Zaskar frame after sits last year and bought a superlight. I've just sold the superlight and bought my old Zaskar back. Fitted a RS sus seatpost and it's now perfect, super quick (unlike me) and IMO riding better than the superlight did.

I also have a Timberline (from when they were goodish frames). I-drives on the other hand tarnish the good name of GT IMO. The BB thingy was just never designed with the UK in mind, the decent ones are/were overpriced and heavy comapred to the competition. Which is a shame really.