GT, Haro, Redline, Mongoose, DYNO and Diamonback were the bikes to have when I was a kid. They were pricey though. I had a Huffy. lol. I always wanted a Redline, though. I"m 44 now. 30 to 35 years ago, that was all we did; ride around on our bikes everwhere and build ramps that sometimes caused broken bones. Bike parts were traded like currency. Good times. I sometimes miss those days.
@@samholdsworth420 And we would spend hours sifting through catalogs of parts that we talked about ordering, that we knew we were never gonna order cause they were so damn much money. lol
Yes my early 90s GT Pro Series was so light. It was really fast because it had a larger crank on there but was very comfortable to ride. I wish I never sold it. The guy I sold it to broke the frame and think the bikes became heavy sometime during the mid nineties.
*Correction: As of the 1st of this year, GT is no longer selling to Dick's sporting goods, so anything dick's has left is dead stock. They were a part of Cycling Sports Group, which is also Cannondale... PON has split GT off of that group into it's own subsidiary. Apparently they are re-focusing the brand and coming out with some nice new fresh stuff. There is a good article published a couple weeks ago on Bicycle Retailer & Industry News (BRAIN)
Dont be fooled, they are still owned by Pon and they are tricking dealers into thinking that they support them amd that they are a new separate "old school" GT. Its not and the moment it dossnt work out Pon will screw dealers over to look out for their own self interest. Look into what Pon really is. Look who's left of the companies they bought. Most of thoe people that meant anything are gone.
My first mountain bike was GT Avalanche. Not up there with proper mountain bikes, but I rode it a lot and even where I shouldn't have. Btw, no mention of Hans No Way Ray when talking about GT? He's been ambassador for the brand for almost 40 years and one of best selling riders for them... Made them really popular
I tried to keep the video short and sweet and just about Gary and Richard so it was hard to leave out Hans. I'd love to do a more in depth video on specifically the GT team
In ‘91 I bought a Tequesta with money from my first job. I wrecked the frame and changed it to an Avalanche. Last year it was resto’d to a ‘93 Zaskar. None of the original parts remain, but I ride it regularly. It’s rugged and precise in all the right places.
Changed my job recently and have a much shorter commute. With the longer days coming in, I've started using my 1997 GT Ricochet to go back and forward to work and leave the car at home. Still going strong after almost 30 years.
I have a GT Tequesta that I bought in 91. It was luv at 1st sight. Upgraded and replaced all of the heavy steel components. Still has the original Rock Shock. It's been well cared for and is still rollin smooth and fast on Maxxis DTH 26x2.215 tires. Lighter than alot of new mountain bikes. I still ride it at least once a week. Lots of miles on it. Get lots of compliments. Glad that I never sold it.
My brother bought pro performer electric blue in 86 he still has it now, skyway hot seat on laid back gt seat post Grey skyway with coaster rear brake Haro freestyle handle bars he nicked off me mx quick release front brake pink gt tires the bike is in almost brand new condition and in his house in Switzerland now
I’m 55 and collect old school bmx, yes I have gt freestyle beautiful, I have also had the pleasure of meeting Gary & Craig here in the uk 🇬🇧, they are 100% genuine nice people, I love the GT old school brand and now Craig is building wow
Nice video. On point. For me it was the 1987-1990 GT PFT especially the Dayglow pink bikes….oh yeah. Let’s hope the new GT is back to its roots. We need a 20” new school style 1987 double bend frame bike.
Redline, GT, Diamondback, Hutch, Mongoose, Haro, PK Ripper, Race Inc, Torker, Skyway, CW, Kuwahara, were all brands seen in the Midwest in the 80s. Great stuff!
Pretty spot on video. Never the same after Richard died. Gary leaving was the final blow. There is a book coming out about Richard Long that gives all the details. Good video!
My first MTB that i built up myself was a GT Karakoram about 1994-1995 or so. I got the frame for $75 and used a British manual to put the bike together using spare parts i had been saving. The first thing i did was tried to screw in the bottom bracket from the wrong side.. After they got it installed correctly for me it went fine I lived in a town in the midwest area in the early 70's to 1991 and had never heard of GT before. We had Scwinn and later on my dad had a few too many beers and bought me a Murray x24 BMX bike for my birthday It was freaking huge and i was the smallest kid in my class. I never learned how to pop a wheelie on that monster bike but i remember riding over someone that wiped out in front of me during a bike-a-thon.
I still have my original 1981 GT pro I bought brand new back in '81. In the late '80s it got stolen and then all I got back out of that was the frame forks and I rebuilt it years later.
I've got a prototype full suspension DS/4X frame that GT had developed the year they folded. Most folks don't remember, they were going to put Brian Lopes *and* Eric Carter on the same team. Got it as part of a 'mystery box' sold out of the old warehouse shut down when Doral bought GT.
I worked there in the late 90's. Gary Turner built the first bikes but it was Richard Long who built the brand. He was a force of nature. The company lost its way when he died in a 1996 motorcycle accident. Some successes but it was never the same company. The buyout by Pon Holdings and merging of administrative space with Cervelo here in Socal could be a rebirth.
I have a GT Outpost Trail I’m putting some love into. I got the bike for $50. I’m really digging it. I used to have old school GF and Specialized mtb’s in the 90’s and I can say this bike is just as good. I like its distinctive “triple triangle” and the top tube has an interesting taper towards the back plus it’s all 4130 cro-mo…good ol steel! It’s also got eyelets everywhere for mounting racks and fenders. This is going to be my adventure/touring bike, after I’m done with it.
My first MTB was a 1992 Zaskar on aluminum finish, I love that bike, it was sturdy strong and very responsive drive. Ever since, I have GTs bikes. To me that company is innovative and quality. I'm thinking to buy a full suspension GT Force soon. Thanks for the video, it answered a long time question
I have a few GT mtb’s from 96/97, a Zaskar, LTS 1, LTS, Avalanche… I loved the brand when I was coming up in the mtb world in the 90’s, and always love finding one to fix up now.
I aquired a nice GT BMX from a younger friend in England who was going to scrap it. It was mint, so I took it. I used to ride it to work. I'm 51. Didn't have a BMX as a kid, so I'm making up for it now.
I purchased a 2018 Pro Performer when I noticed the online shops were selling them. Since it was clearly scantily clad, I went to swapping out parts to get it looking like what we'd be drooling over when passing a reputable bike shop as kids. The bike gets plenty compliments when I'm out and about, plus people have been asking if its for sale.
Videos like this bring back a lot of memories, GT, dyno, mongoose, diamondbacks, next, were definitely the bikes to own but bike riding came and went that was the same as getting a new phone, game system, tablet, or new pair of sneakers back in the day love this video
I still have my '96 Zaskar. Love it, still ride it occasionally, I'll never sell it. When I was a kid, this was the bike to have. Really sorry GT don't make a high end bike anymore. If they ever make it back to what they were, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.
Gt fury 2015 27.5 inch is pretty amazing a single pivot with kinda a high pivot with pivot bearing on the bottom brack you even can adjust the bearing speed that was unbelievable. Then they make sanctiom wich is a small version of that fury i would love to have it one day
I have a Gt Sanction Pro 2016, fully modified, Rockshox Pike, NukeProof pedals, Sram Gx, carbon wheels, soon i ll get a rockshox dhx3 or a Fox Van Rc, great bike, rides so smooth . In my country, they re so underrated. Everybody has a Yt or a specialized/Santa Cruz or A canyon sender. I love my GT so much. For 2000$ you cant get much better. Btw , mine is almost new. Few minor scratches
I still have my GT I-Drive XCR 3000 from 1999. The front and rear suspension has been upgraded to air fork and shock and a few parts upgraded as well. Such a great full suspension bike. Only bad thing is there was no way to properly upgrade the rear to disc brakes without some iffy adapter so it still has decent V-Brakes. That I-Drive system was the first and best version GT ever made. That was innovation.
I had a neon pink pro freestyle tour team with white tires and accessories. I worked almost a year busing tables to pay for it. .i wish I never got rid of that bike. They are worth a crap ton of money now….
My 9 year old loves his GT Slammer not a bad started bike for the parks and tracks. Looking for a PK Ripper but hard to find. I use to race a ELF and the GT Box series was a great bike.
Gary is definitely a legend! I grew up with his family and always admired Gary's engineering knowledge. A brand you should cover is Alliant, it was a short lived masterpiece collaboration of Gary, Scot B Sr, and Mike Devitt.
I had a GT Ricochet mtn bike in 1993 that I got personally signed by Hans “No Way” Rey when he was putting on a trials show with his GT bike. Hans led a group ride through the local trails after the show. It was great!! Gave the signed bike to my son last year, and he still has it.
Back in the late 60's we had stingray-style bicycles with banana seats. I was a heavy kid and I broke the rear axle mounts regularly. The local welding shop treated me as a regular customer. What I remember most was the absolute freedom to go anywhere in town. My mom didn't have drive me anywhere. LOL!
Just got into cycling and bought a GT Treveo w/o knowing a thing about the brand. It's my first REAL bike, not a Walmart or Target $75 dollar piece of trash, and I love it. It's fast compared to what I used to ride. Now I own a FELT aero which completely demolishes the GT but I still love my 1st real one. If they do make a serious comeback, I'll check em out!
I used to race cruiser class back in the day, loved my 26" frames from GT. Always thought they did some of the tidiest welds in the business. Still like their older mountain bikes and have a few in the collection.
i had a Titan. It was good. Strong slick looking. I was happy with it. Miss those days. Ate it when my 3 piece crank broke landing off a huge jump. The cranks were always the weakest part of the bike, not the frame
i remember dumpster diving at the GT factory back in the mid '80s for blemished frames. they were always chopped in half but could be welded back together for various projects like sidehacks
I'm REALLY wanting to do more downhill mountain biking. I was a BMX kid in the 80s and 90s, riding Mongoose Expert and GT Performers, but I don't really know anything current about bikes. I've been considering getting one of GT's downhill mountain bikes. I don't know how good the are or whatever, but I'm going to guess that as a beginner I won't really notice a difference either way. This video has sort of convinced me to go for it, giving GT my money and "vote" for them. We'll see how that goes :)
When I was a kid I dreamt about getting a GT, Redline or Mongoose but instead I got a Huffy Pro Thunder 4. It was heavy as hell but it was a tank. Put it through hell and it never broke. Still wish I had gotten a GT.
You still can. I'm 50 and still have a GT Proline I'm changing to a 24". IN Cali, many oldheads have SE 29ers, but the GT is a good big BMX option too. Not a Dicks bike, nor whT this guy talks about, bigger now than 10 yrs ago. Kids here have SE, GT, or Rad Power bikes
I have a vintage GT road bike that I don't think most people know ever existed. It is a GT Forte and it has a high quality titanium frame> Have never seen another one for sale. I was lucky enough to buy it as a used bike back around 2007 from a guy who I think used to work in a bike shop. He took really nice care of it and I am lucky to still own it even though it is a little big for me.
I like to say like back in the mid-80s when I was in junior high. My parents were able to get me a laser fast times model. I had it modified it was lavender. And it did justice I was able to do my freestyling on the ground and the ramp. I feel like this bike was underrated. Can you please do a bio or summary on this particular model or company that made this bike. Thanks
In 1985 I saved my paper route and lawn mowing money to buy a PINK Dyno Compe for around $200+, a lot of $$ at the time. It was a head-turner and rarely was I mocked for having a pink ride, everyone thought it was really cool. Coolest forks around with the forward bend. I loved it and rode it hard. Hit by a car in '86 which taco'd the frame so I upgraded to a blue Dyno Compe II, it felt like a Cadillac compared to the Compe. Loved the original Dynos and was disheartened to see them transform into a cheap department store brand.
GT has been putting out 26 inch retro 89 style freestyle bikes for a few years now. I actually just got a 24 inch Dyno Voelker edition that I made a video for. So far its been a cool cruiser.
what happened? they are all over. they sell them at our local bike shop. i race a new 2020 gt speed series pro xl and i have shown that bike in many of my videos. they are still there
When I was a kid , only rich kids had GT Bicycles . I get my first “brand “ bicycle when I was in 7th grade . I traded a DOD DESTORTION for a Torker 280 air frame and fork . Built the rest of it dumpster diving at the old International bike shop in Boca Raton , Fl . Got my first GT a couple of years ago . A performer 26 cruiser. It only took over 30 years to final get one .
I grew up with the GT brand and still have my 1986 GT properformer. I have owned up to 10 GT’s at one time. I also have a 2015 GT Helion. I hope they become a huge staple again in mtbing.
Rode GT mountain bikes from 93 to 99 a little heavier than others but could take a pounding.Just found a 95 aluminum pantera all original even tires and a rigid fork but had to put a period correct manitou front shock on it!
I had a baby blue GT performer with pink and white graphics... with white and blue 150 spoke wheels.i loved that bike... just sucks that it was a pretty heavy bike in comparison to my buddys chrome Dyno VFR. But even though i had a GT, I REALLY wanted a peregrine ultra light. That was my holy grail that i never got to touch.
Hay I’m just curious if you’ve heard of a BMX bike called a G-BOY ? I remember these bikes in the mid 70’s as 1 of the most and expensive sought after bike frames, they were so light that once in a while the frame might or would brake and u could sent it back and they would weld it and put a gusit in ? Have heard of ?
My friend is a dealer with GT. He sells a wide range of brands including cannondale, evil, bianchi, to name a few. Seems like the shop guys and everyone bought into the Grade and a few higher models for their own rigs this year. Seems like their bikes are selling better than most.
I've always looked at GT with a curious view . I never had the opportunity to ride BMX so I could only ride road bikes . I was at MAMMOTH MTN that day when Julie Furtado won that Mtn Bike race on that triangle frame (1991)....
I have a Robinson? Scott Clark model 79-80 with the European small bottom bracket. Chuck Robinson handed to me in 1979 at the van nuys ca teen center. I was racing 15 nov on a mongoose at the time.. I still have it . I’m 58
Triple triangle "Zaskars" are among some the lightest aluminum framed mtbs from the 90's.....I have a few of them including an ultra rare "acid green " colored model....Im totally hooked on collecting mtbs I could only dream about owning in the early 90's when I got into mtbing
I still have an old gt MTB. And yes a budget one of today the gt aggressor pro. I even got it free. Now u[dating it as people do. I am looking for the fork for my old gt. But seem they are toast. Now searching for a new one but that measurement is old so used is where I find them
It's kind of funny because I just read that Haro is on the move also and going to branch out into many more bicycle types and models. So could we see GT and Haro battling it out again? I guess we will have to see...😊
Owned a shop in Boston broke two pro series frames within two months of buying them and they would not warranty anything for my shop and there were a lot of angry customers
I have a GT avalanche 2.0 that I never got rid of...My bud had one with newer suspension and we got back in the game 5 years ago to just get active . We went out and to the local "riding areas" we used to go 40lbs heaveir then in our prime....To be honest we had people come up to us with WAY better stuff come up to us and say "I had that bike!!!! And tell stories about their life in those times. Those guys that pushed those GT's back in the day could do WAY more than we could, and ever will....GT's will with that triangle frame and those Color coded Tires will always be my style. GT! Im fat, and past my prime but if you make a nice bike I can swing into on a workers pay I'll buy it, simply cause I rolled with you for soo long.
great video, i didnt know cannondales history. i grew up riding haro master's, pro performer by my cherished couple bikes were my lavender and candy apple trickstar's. i live in Baltimore and was lucky enough to go to the factory and get a small tour where they also had my c.a. red trickstar w/white skyways until i switched to z-rims. i remeber eddie fiola and seeing what he could do on a BMX bike i went right out and got one. they were high quality bikes back then in later years i had and still have a GT MTB. the quality was what you expect from a cheap bike gussied up with mid level components from the top brands. it was sad to see because i picked a a gary fisher inbetween those and was spoiled riding something in the higher end of intermediate bikes but i had a trek 9000 in the 90's that was shit and I was pissed I didn't get a Cannondale. so it was interesting to hear the story about them again great video!! cheers
The current story that I was told is that they will become a shop/retail brand and no longer a department store brand. I own a small shop, so I hope that it does work out in that direction. With the current economy, we'll all have to be patient to see if that can happen... but don't be surprised if it does. My current GT is a 2016 Zaskar, so I'm hoping to add to that fleet here in the future...
My brother had a beautiful Blue metallic/chrome GT Vertigo. So nice it was stolen twice recovered both times in a little worse shape. When my brother and i were in college. My grandparents had a yard sale at my parents house (why?). They sold it for $5.00. They were excited they sold that old "kids bike" for us.
I’ve had a GT endurance road bike for several years now, very pretty. 🚴🏻♂️😍 It’s a decent rig that came at a budget-friendly price and as usual with a mix of good, OKish, and rock bottom components. 🤨 There’s room for improvement but I don’t regret acquiring it.
GT, Haro, Redline, Mongoose, DYNO and Diamonback were the bikes to have when I was a kid. They were pricey though. I had a Huffy. lol. I always wanted a Redline, though. I"m 44 now. 30 to 35 years ago, that was all we did; ride around on our bikes everwhere and build ramps that sometimes caused broken bones. Bike parts were traded like currency. Good times. I sometimes miss those days.
Dyno was GT. 😂
@@samholdsworth420 It's been a long time. I forget a lot of things. lol
@@ditherdather 🤪
@@samholdsworth420 I vaguely recall that aluminum frames and 3 piece sprockets were all the rage. Pegs were also pretty popular.
@@samholdsworth420 And we would spend hours sifting through catalogs of parts that we talked about ordering, that we knew we were never gonna order cause they were so damn much money. lol
My first GT was an 89 Interceptor. Worked all summer as a 13 year old kid to buy all the upgraded parts when i started racing. Still have it today🤘🏻
Same here, I broke my Interceptor frame and got a warranty replacement frame that turned out to be a Mach 1. Wish I still had it.
Very cool
I'm 42, I grew up on GT and Dyno bikes! I'm a bmx guy! I would love to see GT get back to the level it use to be!
Yes my early 90s GT Pro Series was so light. It was really fast because it had a larger crank on there but was very comfortable to ride. I wish I never sold it. The guy I sold it to broke the frame and think the bikes became heavy sometime during the mid nineties.
They have a couple good bmx riders on their pro team. Tate rosskelly is one of the dopest riders out there
The bike parts are being made in China now they unfortunately never will
*Correction: As of the 1st of this year, GT is no longer selling to Dick's sporting goods, so anything dick's has left is dead stock. They were a part of Cycling Sports Group, which is also Cannondale... PON has split GT off of that group into it's own subsidiary. Apparently they are re-focusing the brand and coming out with some nice new fresh stuff. There is a good article published a couple weeks ago on Bicycle Retailer & Industry News (BRAIN)
Dont be fooled, they are still owned by Pon and they are tricking dealers into thinking that they support them amd that they are a new separate "old school" GT. Its not and the moment it dossnt work out Pon will screw dealers over to look out for their own self interest. Look into what Pon really is. Look who's left of the companies they bought. Most of thoe people that meant anything are gone.
Hope they bring back some of their vintage bmx bikes
Being an Orange Y local in the 80’s and 90’s I’ve seen Mr. GT’s custom work up close. He’s not a fabricator, he’s an artist.
Cover Prodyne
That track was dope🔥
That was a great track!
I had a 92’ light blue anodized GT ZASKAR, put 15,000 miles on it. Beautiful machine
I had purple Karakoram
'92
I have a original Gt from the 90's. I was looking on Ebay and they sell for thousands. I'm glad I've kept it this long.
just saw one online for 5800 dollars!!
My first mountain bike was GT Avalanche. Not up there with proper mountain bikes, but I rode it a lot and even where I shouldn't have. Btw, no mention of Hans No Way Ray when talking about GT? He's been ambassador for the brand for almost 40 years and one of best selling riders for them... Made them really popular
I tried to keep the video short and sweet and just about Gary and Richard so it was hard to leave out Hans. I'd love to do a more in depth video on specifically the GT team
In ‘91 I bought a Tequesta with money from my first job. I wrecked the frame and changed it to an Avalanche. Last year it was resto’d to a ‘93 Zaskar. None of the original parts remain, but I ride it regularly. It’s rugged and precise in all the right places.
Changed my job recently and have a much shorter commute. With the longer days coming in, I've started using my 1997 GT Ricochet to go back and forward to work and leave the car at home. Still going strong after almost 30 years.
I have a GT Tequesta that I bought in 91. It was luv at 1st sight. Upgraded and replaced all of the heavy steel components. Still has the original Rock Shock. It's been well cared for and is still rollin smooth and fast on Maxxis DTH 26x2.215 tires. Lighter than alot of new mountain bikes. I still ride it at least once a week. Lots of miles on it. Get lots of compliments. Glad that I never sold it.
Thanks for watching and the support! GT has a much deeper history than I went into in this 10 minute video. What brand should I dive into next?
Turner, Maverick, or Felt.
diamondback, mongoose, Raleigh, redline
PK Ripper, Mongoose, Haro, Redline.
Doug Bradbury, Manitou, and Marin
Try finding the story on Torker. I believe the were located in El Cajon, CA but not sure due to that was 40yrs ago and I forget details at times.
Still got my GT pro performer to this day.
I always wanted one and now that I'm 38 I just picked up a 2005 gt performer all original for $50 today.
My brother bought pro performer electric blue in 86 he still has it now, skyway hot seat on laid back gt seat post Grey skyway with coaster rear brake Haro freestyle handle bars he nicked off me mx quick release front brake pink gt tires the bike is in almost brand new condition and in his house in Switzerland now
Mine is my connection to the '80s I don't think I'll ever get rid of it.
I’m 55 and collect old school bmx, yes I have gt freestyle beautiful, I have also had the pleasure of meeting Gary & Craig here in the uk 🇬🇧, they are 100% genuine nice people, I love the GT old school brand and now Craig is building wow
Nice video. On point. For me it was the 1987-1990 GT PFT especially the Dayglow pink bikes….oh yeah. Let’s hope the new GT is back to its roots.
We need a 20” new school style 1987 double bend frame bike.
That dayglo pink was mind blowing 😂!
Redline, GT, Diamondback, Hutch, Mongoose, Haro, PK Ripper, Race Inc, Torker, Skyway, CW, Kuwahara, were all brands seen in the Midwest in the 80s. Great stuff!
Pretty spot on video. Never the same after Richard died. Gary leaving was the final blow. There is a book coming out about Richard Long that gives all the details. Good video!
A video on Redline would be interesting. Also Hutch would be a good one as well. Cheers!
My first MTB that i built up myself was a GT Karakoram about 1994-1995 or so. I got the frame for $75 and used a British manual to put the bike together using spare parts i had been saving.
The first thing i did was tried to screw in the bottom bracket from the wrong side..
After they got it installed correctly for me it went fine
I lived in a town in the midwest area in the early 70's to 1991 and had never heard of GT before.
We had Scwinn and later on my dad had a few too many beers and bought me a Murray x24 BMX bike for my birthday
It was freaking huge and i was the smallest kid in my class. I never learned how to pop a wheelie on that monster bike but i remember riding over someone that wiped out in front of me during a bike-a-thon.
I still have my original 1981 GT pro I bought brand new back in '81. In the late '80s it got stolen and then all I got back out of that was the frame forks and I rebuilt it years later.
I've got a prototype full suspension DS/4X frame that GT had developed the year they folded. Most folks don't remember, they were going to put Brian Lopes *and* Eric Carter on the same team. Got it as part of a 'mystery box' sold out of the old warehouse shut down when Doral bought GT.
I worked there in the late 90's. Gary Turner built the first bikes but it was Richard Long who built the brand. He was a force of nature. The company lost its way when he died in a 1996 motorcycle accident. Some successes but it was never the same company. The buyout by Pon Holdings and merging of administrative space with Cervelo here in Socal could be a rebirth.
I have a GT Outpost Trail I’m putting some love into. I got the bike for $50. I’m really digging it. I used to have old school GF and Specialized mtb’s in the 90’s and I can say this bike is just as good. I like its distinctive “triple triangle” and the top tube has an interesting taper towards the back plus it’s all 4130 cro-mo…good ol steel! It’s also got eyelets everywhere for mounting racks and fenders. This is going to be my adventure/touring bike, after I’m done with it.
I still got my box series 1 24 cruiser. I'm never going to get rid of it.
These BMX bikes remind me of my 1984 Schwinn Predator, which I bought for $125. That was my favorite bike when I was little
Predator was my first real bmx bike. Loved that thing
I still have my 2000 schwinn predator trail frame. It's hanging up in my dad's garage since I cracked the frame when I was 14
My first MTB was a 1992 Zaskar on aluminum finish, I love that bike, it was sturdy strong and very responsive drive. Ever since, I have GTs bikes. To me that company is innovative and quality. I'm thinking to buy a full suspension GT Force soon.
Thanks for the video, it answered a long time question
Loved all my GT’s wish I had them now. My entire childhood revolved around the freedom it gave me. Thanks Gary
I have a few GT mtb’s from 96/97, a Zaskar, LTS 1, LTS, Avalanche… I loved the brand when I was coming up in the mtb world in the 90’s, and always love finding one to fix up now.
I have a GT bmx stem on my 1x7 mountain/street bike (Reynolds 853 frame) - love the retro look 🤙🏼
I had no idea Gary Turner started GT, and the name was just his initials. Dude was really into putting his name on bike companies!
I am not aware of any other bike companies that Gary Turner put his name on.
@@thesilversender I must've mashed Gary Fischer and Turner together in my head
@@blurglide wow your an idiot
I aquired a nice GT BMX from a younger friend in England who was going to scrap it. It was mint, so I took it. I used to ride it to work. I'm 51. Didn't have a BMX as a kid, so I'm making up for it now.
I purchased a 2018 Pro Performer when I noticed the online shops were selling them. Since it was clearly scantily clad, I went to swapping out parts to get it looking like what we'd be drooling over when passing a reputable bike shop as kids. The bike gets plenty compliments when I'm out and about, plus people have been asking if its for sale.
Videos like this bring back a lot of memories, GT, dyno, mongoose, diamondbacks, next, were definitely the bikes to own but bike riding came and went that was the same as getting a new phone, game system, tablet, or new pair of sneakers back in the day love this video
I still have my '96 Zaskar. Love it, still ride it occasionally, I'll never sell it. When I was a kid, this was the bike to have. Really sorry GT don't make a high end bike anymore. If they ever make it back to what they were, I'd buy another in a heartbeat.
My first mountain bike was a GT Karakorum triptri. Thing was so heavy! Got aTrek OCLV next and loooooved going light
Gt fury 2015 27.5 inch is pretty amazing a single pivot with kinda a high pivot with pivot bearing on the bottom brack you even can adjust the bearing speed that was unbelievable. Then they make sanctiom wich is a small version of that fury i would love to have it one day
I have a Gt Sanction Pro 2016, fully modified, Rockshox Pike, NukeProof pedals, Sram Gx, carbon wheels, soon i ll get a rockshox dhx3 or a Fox Van Rc, great bike, rides so smooth . In my country, they re so underrated. Everybody has a Yt or a specialized/Santa Cruz or A canyon sender. I love my GT so much. For 2000$ you cant get much better. Btw , mine is almost new. Few minor scratches
I still have my GT I-Drive XCR 3000 from 1999. The front and rear suspension has been upgraded to air fork and shock and a few parts upgraded as well. Such a great full suspension bike. Only bad thing is there was no way to properly upgrade the rear to disc brakes without some iffy adapter so it still has decent V-Brakes. That I-Drive system was the first and best version GT ever made. That was innovation.
I loved the early GT innovations!
The first iteration of i-Drive was the best and most sophisticated, then cost cutting happened 😅
Ur the only person I ever heard to LIKE I drive.
I had a neon pink pro freestyle tour team with white tires and accessories. I worked almost a year busing tables to pay for it.
.i wish I never got rid of that bike. They are worth a crap ton of money now….
My 9 year old loves his GT Slammer not a bad started bike for the parks and tracks. Looking for a PK Ripper but hard to find. I use to race a ELF and the GT Box series was a great bike.
Ty 4 the video! Eye opening experience! ❤
Glad you enjoyed it!
Watching Skills with Phil you’d never guess GT is a dormant company.
I had a maroon gt interceptor and 96 pro series,i currently own a 24 inch 2018 mach one !
How's the mach one?? I'm about to buy a bmx race bike and I've been looking at the gt pro bmx race line up
Just found this channel. It’s like a time warp to my youth!
Love it!
Gary is definitely a legend! I grew up with his family and always admired Gary's engineering knowledge. A brand you should cover is Alliant, it was a short lived masterpiece collaboration of Gary, Scot B Sr, and Mike Devitt.
I had a GT Ricochet mtn bike in 1993 that I got personally signed by Hans “No Way” Rey when he was putting on a trials show with his GT bike. Hans led a group ride through the local trails after the show. It was great!! Gave the signed bike to my son last year, and he still has it.
Back in the late 60's we had stingray-style bicycles with banana seats. I was a heavy kid and I broke the rear axle mounts regularly. The local welding shop treated me as a regular customer. What I remember most was the absolute freedom to go anywhere in town. My mom didn't have drive me anywhere. LOL!
Just got into cycling and bought a GT Treveo w/o knowing a thing about the brand. It's my first REAL bike, not a Walmart or Target $75 dollar piece of trash, and I love it. It's fast compared to what I used to ride. Now I own a FELT aero which completely demolishes the GT but I still love my 1st real one. If they do make a serious comeback, I'll check em out!
I used to race cruiser class back in the day, loved my 26" frames from GT. Always thought they did some of the tidiest welds in the business. Still like their older mountain bikes and have a few in the collection.
i had a Titan. It was good. Strong slick looking. I was happy with it. Miss those days. Ate it when my 3 piece crank broke landing off a huge jump. The cranks were always the weakest part of the bike, not the frame
i remember dumpster diving at the GT factory back in the mid '80s for blemished frames. they were always chopped in half but could be welded back together for various projects like sidehacks
I'm REALLY wanting to do more downhill mountain biking. I was a BMX kid in the 80s and 90s, riding Mongoose Expert and GT Performers, but I don't really know anything current about bikes. I've been considering getting one of GT's downhill mountain bikes. I don't know how good the are or whatever, but I'm going to guess that as a beginner I won't really notice a difference either way. This video has sort of convinced me to go for it, giving GT my money and "vote" for them. We'll see how that goes :)
I had a 94 Pro series xl. The wheel base was too long for my height. I was topsy turvy in the air.
When I was a kid I dreamt about getting a GT, Redline or Mongoose but instead I got a Huffy Pro Thunder 4. It was heavy as hell but it was a tank. Put it through hell and it never broke. Still wish I had gotten a GT.
You still can. I'm 50 and still have a GT Proline I'm changing to a 24". IN Cali, many oldheads have SE 29ers, but the GT is a good big BMX option too. Not a Dicks bike, nor whT this guy talks about, bigger now than 10 yrs ago. Kids here have SE, GT, or Rad Power bikes
I have a vintage GT road bike that I don't think most people know ever existed. It is a GT Forte and it has a high quality titanium frame> Have never seen another one for sale. I was lucky enough to buy it as a used bike back around 2007 from a guy who I think used to work in a bike shop. He took really nice care of it and I am lucky to still own it even though it is a little big for me.
My Pro Performer was my favorite bike back in the day. Now I’m riding a Gt 29in bmx bike and couldn’t be happier.
Still got my one of the first dyno slammer bmx with GT tuffs and odyssey flying wedge handlebars.
I rode skyway, Hutch, Red line. Good time to be young. Still have the 24” redline.
how about Pete’s Precision Products (P3)...what happened to them?
Hey, I also want to know what happen to Mongoose too. They were doing great back in the day but nothing now.
I like to say like back in the mid-80s when I was in junior high. My parents were able to get me a laser fast times model. I had it modified it was lavender. And it did justice I was able to do my freestyling on the ground and the ramp. I feel like this bike was underrated. Can you please do a bio or summary on this particular model or company that made this bike. Thanks
Have you done a history of Yeti Cycles?
If not, I’d love to see a video.
In 1985 I saved my paper route and lawn mowing money to buy a PINK Dyno Compe for around $200+, a lot of $$ at the time. It was a head-turner and rarely was I mocked for having a pink ride, everyone thought it was really cool. Coolest forks around with the forward bend. I loved it and rode it hard. Hit by a car in '86 which taco'd the frame so I upgraded to a blue Dyno Compe II, it felt like a Cadillac compared to the Compe. Loved the original Dynos and was disheartened to see them transform into a cheap department store brand.
GT has been putting out 26 inch retro 89 style freestyle bikes for a few years now. I actually just got a 24 inch Dyno Voelker edition that I made a video for. So far its been a cool cruiser.
I still have my mongoose expert pro with profile 3pc cranks and answer pro forks suspension forks. Things sick. Can still do flat 3s on it at 40y/o
what happened? they are all over. they sell them at our local bike shop. i race a new 2020 gt speed series pro xl and i have shown that bike in many of my videos. they are still there
When I was a kid , only rich kids had GT Bicycles . I get my first “brand “ bicycle when I was in 7th grade . I traded a DOD DESTORTION for a Torker 280 air frame and fork . Built the rest of it dumpster diving at the old International bike shop in Boca Raton , Fl . Got my first GT a couple of years ago . A performer 26 cruiser. It only took over 30 years to final get one .
I had a Blue Dyno NSX and I was so pumped. I still miss that bike
I’d prefer the Honda but still a cool NSX to own.
I grew up with the GT brand and still have my 1986 GT properformer. I have owned up to 10 GT’s at one time. I also have a 2015 GT Helion. I hope they become a huge staple again in mtbing.
Rode GT mountain bikes from 93 to 99 a little heavier than others but could take a pounding.Just found a 95 aluminum pantera all original even tires and a rigid fork but had to put a period correct manitou front shock on it!
I had a baby blue GT performer with pink and white graphics... with white and blue 150 spoke wheels.i loved that bike... just sucks that it was a pretty heavy bike in comparison to my buddys chrome Dyno VFR. But even though i had a GT, I REALLY wanted a peregrine ultra light. That was my holy grail that i never got to touch.
East coast here, I was always a Hutch fan. I hope GT finds there way home, I miss the 80's!
Hay I’m just curious if you’ve heard of a BMX bike called a G-BOY ? I remember these bikes in the mid 70’s as 1 of the most and expensive sought after bike frames, they were so light that once in a while the frame might or would brake and u could sent it back and they would weld it and put a gusit in ? Have heard of ?
I had a GT Robinson with powerlight handlebars, a 3 piece crank and all the goodies. Someone stole it some years back, man do I miss that bike.
I still have the GT Pantera I bought back in... '96? That thing is a classic and I'm never getting rid of it!
I just bought a Sensor ST- very much on par with all the major bikes people are riding, hightower, fuel ex, instinct, habit, spectral etc..
I've been riding a GT Force as my downhill bike and park bike last year and then this year and I see tons of GTs still out there.
Bizhouse has the gt tube bender, so my Escalator bars are bent on the same machine as all those stays.
Bizhouse who make flatland products?
My friend is a dealer with GT. He sells a wide range of brands including cannondale, evil, bianchi, to name a few. Seems like the shop guys and everyone bought into the Grade and a few higher models for their own rigs this year. Seems like their bikes are selling better than most.
I miss my GTs. I have a vertigo first and then a Performer. My parents threw them out when I was in the Marines.
Get another one -- trust me!
I road a gt Dyno back in the early 90s today I ride gt globetrotter frame 👌🏼
Had the STS-1 with full XTR. Still the most beautiful carbon fiber, full suspension bike ever.
I've always looked at GT with a curious view . I never had the opportunity to ride BMX so I could only ride road bikes . I was at MAMMOTH MTN that day when Julie Furtado won that Mtn Bike race on that triangle frame (1991)....
Back in 2001 I had a gt dyno mountain bike and it came with a speedometer
I have a Robinson? Scott Clark model 79-80 with the European small bottom bracket. Chuck Robinson handed to me in 1979 at the van nuys ca teen center. I was racing 15 nov on a mongoose at the time.. I still have it . I’m 58
Triple triangle "Zaskars" are among some the lightest aluminum framed mtbs from the 90's.....I have a few of them including an ultra rare "acid green " colored model....Im totally hooked on collecting mtbs I could only dream about owning in the early 90's when I got into mtbing
Great video
GT is making a come back through Divide Brand on the west coast with a modern race frame, will see them at local, state, and nationals throughout 2024
I still have an old gt MTB. And yes a budget one of today the gt aggressor pro. I even got it free. Now u[dating it as people do. I am looking for the fork for my old gt. But seem they are toast. Now searching for a new one but that measurement is old so used is where I find them
It's kind of funny because I just read that Haro is on the move also and going to branch out into many more bicycle types and models.
So could we see GT and Haro battling it out again? I guess we will have to see...😊
So where could you purchase a new GT freestyle bike from and how to contact they 1980 style
Owned a shop in Boston broke two pro series frames within two months of buying them and they would not warranty anything for my shop and there were a lot of angry customers
I have a GT avalanche 2.0 that I never got rid of...My bud had one with newer suspension and we got back in the game 5 years ago to just get active . We went out and to the local "riding areas" we used to go 40lbs heaveir then in our prime....To be honest we had people come up to us with WAY better stuff come up to us and say "I had that bike!!!! And tell stories about their life in those times. Those guys that pushed those GT's back in the day could do WAY more than we could, and ever will....GT's will with that triangle frame and those Color coded Tires will always be my style. GT! Im fat, and past my prime but if you make a nice bike I can swing into on a workers pay I'll buy it, simply cause I rolled with you for soo long.
great video, i didnt know cannondales history. i grew up riding haro master's, pro performer by my cherished couple bikes were my lavender and candy apple trickstar's. i live in Baltimore and was lucky enough to go to the factory and get a small tour where they also had my c.a. red trickstar w/white skyways until i switched to z-rims. i remeber eddie fiola and seeing what he could do on a BMX bike i went right out and got one. they were high quality bikes back then in later years i had and still have a GT MTB. the quality was what you expect from a cheap bike gussied up with mid level components from the top brands. it was sad to see because i picked a a gary fisher inbetween those and was spoiled riding something in the higher end of intermediate bikes but i had a trek 9000 in the 90's that was shit and I was pissed I didn't get a Cannondale. so it was interesting to hear the story about them again great video!! cheers
Have you done Raleigh Burners yet, don’t know how popular in US!
I still have my GT Aggressor 2.O mountain bike from 1999. Still love it.
good stuff!!! love GT but Im a old school DiamondBack guy myself
The current story that I was told is that they will become a shop/retail brand and no longer a department store brand. I own a small shop, so I hope that it does work out in that direction. With the current economy, we'll all have to be patient to see if that can happen... but don't be surprised if it does. My current GT is a 2016 Zaskar, so I'm hoping to add to that fleet here in the future...
I always liked GT. My first freestyle bike was 1984 GT Pro Performer. I currently own 2 USA-made GTs. A 1984 GT Mini and a 1993 GT Pro.
My brother had a beautiful Blue metallic/chrome GT Vertigo. So nice it was stolen twice recovered both times in a little worse shape.
When my brother and i were in college. My grandparents had a yard sale at my parents house (why?).
They sold it for $5.00. They were excited they sold that old "kids bike" for us.
I’ve had a GT endurance road bike for several years now, very pretty. 🚴🏻♂️😍 It’s a decent rig that came at a budget-friendly price and as usual with a mix of good, OKish, and rock bottom components. 🤨 There’s room for improvement but I don’t regret acquiring it.
Our Local Shop... A-1 Cycle and Lock in Westminster CA 🇺🇸...
One of the First to carry GT .. our frames even had a Stamp.. A-1 Cycle and Lock..