Sanji Halfords stock GT if you want a look at one they will usually get one from another store for you just watch which year it is, i was in our local halfords yesterday and they had a 2002 Idrive marked up as 2005 stock! (gt changed fundamental shape and size of the Idrive frame pivots recently so its easy to tell old form new)The 0.0 frame in the 2005 is a better alloy IIRC (Kinesis tubing)

I've just bought a Trek 6700. It's an excellent bike and knocks the socks off a Spesh Rockhopper. Rockhopper just felt like a shopping bike with bars hitting the clouds!! My Trek has XT rear mech and LX front....Can't argue at all amd the SLR frame is an upgrader's dream. Any Spesh purchasers should check out Trek first before parting with their hard earned cash. I'm 110% happy with my purchase!!!!

What are the sizings like like on the avalanche frame.really want to get one but not sure which size to get.i'm 6ft and ride a 19 inch frame just now but would maybe like something a bit smaller.I know GT do a S,M,L,XL??

Trek 6500 Sani with pretty much all changed already LOL

Ross 'L' should be fine,

large is equiv to 19 i think

if it's only 18, run a layback post

Mate runs the 'L' I'm 6foot 1 with short legs it's fine for me.

He's 5 10 with long legs, fine for him to.

As regards sizing on the Avalanche,I found this slightly tricky,I'm just over 5'10 with long legs and went for a medium which seems ok,the medium works out at 18 and a half inches,I have an old Kona cinder cone which is a 19 and they are about the same overall, the Kona with an inch longer top tube,the large size Avalanche comes out at 20 and a half,slightly to big,Just remember they have a 100mm fork so they 'sit' quite high compared to old school hardtails running 80mm forks.I bought mine from Sunset in Cardiff who gave me the sizing advice,shame GT dont size them like Kona or Spesh so you can get the size spot on.Important thing is to have a good two or three inches between your top tube and yer nether regions !

Yep GT's are bigger, I ride a "S" Ruckus FS which fits perfectly and a 19.5 Trek still had to put a longer stem on the trek to get the same length.

Just a follow up from the question from Ross,I would say at 6ft either a medium or large would suffice,the triple triangle design makes them look a tad smaller than they actually are(just my opinion),GT dont seem to give a size guide on there website unlike Kona,Orange etc.The only small quibble i have is that the triple triangle makes them trickier to fit to a rear mounted car rack,something to consider if your getting the smaller framed Avalanche.

cheers for the info guys, I'm still unsure whether to go for the Avalanche or the Giant Terrago,any ideas? GT looks better but I really want to get the best frame for my money so I can upgrade other bits in the future.thinking Medium GT if I go that way as it will all be offroad riding I'll be doing(xc,single track mainly)is thissensible? cheers for all the advice

1

I think out of the two I would plump for GT everytime due to the frame but I suppose I'm a bit biased,however I read the Giant is a good solid bike in tests but the GT comes up trumps because it seems to have a definite edge on ride quality over all other hardtails in this bracket which for me at least is very important on a all day ride,my 0.5 is perfectly set up out of the box for xc,great angles not to aggressive,medium should do for Ross but I would strongly advise sitting on one first,if you have no local GT dealer most Halfords stock the Aggressor range which have similar sizings to the much better Avalanche range,can only add I'm pleased with mine,good fork and brakes and as comfy and as good on singletrack as my old steel Kona and thats saying something !

i was faced by a similar problem

i got the gt, and didn't regret it, i only regretted not spending enough on a lock

just a note to thank everyone for the advice, I am now the proud owner or a GT Avalanche 1.0 (medium) and it rides like a dream. cheers guys

Well done 0n the 1.0 Avalanche,good choice and value.