Strengths: Erm, the frame handles and feels nice. That's it.
Weaknesses: Goes through bottom brackets like Vanessa Feltz through chocolate. Headset difficult to replace - contact 5 dealers (3 local plus Halfords and Wiggle), GT UK office and e-mailed GT USA and no-one knew what headset fits this. Rear hanger bends easily. Rock Shox Judys lose their lockout function (due to lack of oil pressure - leak maybe?) and need servicing every year. (Shocks worth £160 SHOULDN'T require £70 servicing every year - that's unjustifiable unless you race EVERY weekend). Paint chips if it is struck by anything, even air. Quango hub on front - who the h*ll are Quango? Unidentifiable shimano rear hub.
Overall: Wish I'd never bought this bike. From day one, nothing but trouble. My wife and I sat and worked out that for every 15 miles I've ridden, I have need to do a basic service (strip, clean, tighten and re-align brakes and gears). That is a massively disproportionate amount of maintenance. I doubt Lance Armstrong has a mileage to maintencance ratio that low. Admiteddly, it's down to the parts on the bike that aren't GT, but still, they sell the bike, it's not a custom built one so the parts should be of a similar quality to the frame. Several friends bought Giant XTCs at the same time and price range, none of them have had problems. In my opinion, avoid this like the plague. This may be an old review, but in case somone is thinking of buying old stock or second hand.
'AVOID IF YOU GO NEAR THORNS OR WEIGH MORE THAN 12 STONE'
Strengths: Grippy, Fast accelerator.
Weaknesses: Easily punctured by anything like thorns, flints, hard twigs, grass, dust, pollent or air particles. If you weigh more than 12 stone then they need pumping up with so much pressure that riding becomes painful. Habit of side bouncing off rocks and tree roots due to high pressures. Bead is VERY tight to rim, broken several tyre levers.
Overall: These were recommended to me by a much more expert rider who swore by them. However, I consider them utter pants with regard to durability and ease of fitting.
