In the market for a beginner bike, looking used around $500 range. Lots of good options.
I think this GT bike is “lower end” but these upgrades SEEM pretty legit. Thoughts on this bike with these upgrades at this price as a first bike? Upgrades in second pic.
– expion fork
– single front oval gear
– SRAM hydraulic brakes
– dropper seat post
by gringoraymundo
2 Comments
I’m not big on the 26″ wheel size, IME, 27.5 and 29 both just roll over things better and I can ride a good bit faster on them. As to value, I’d consider it a decent value. I’ve upgraded my kids’ bikes to that shock, air adjust with a lockout (theirs are remote, no clue with this one), its proven very reliable and was a solid weight savings over the stock shocks on their cannondales. Took almost 2lbs off vs the Suntour on my middle kid’s Cannondale trail 5 and just over a lb on the oldest’s worn out Judy.
Brakes will be a great improvement over the factory brakes, hope they did the rotors at the same time but those can be replaced if they wear early. Tires are a wear item so always a less impressive point to me, but nice they put something better on there.
It is a beginner bike, from seeing them at Dick’s the frames are solid, and a bit heavy, but has had some solid upgrades and the rest of the parts are trail worthy. Wheels might be a shorter term goal depending on how much or how hard you ride, you won’t be able to change the size but lighter and more durable are readily available very affordably on ebay last I looked. You won’t go wrong with it for the money spent and should be able to get your money’s worth out of it.
You couldn’t build that bike for that much easily. If it fits your needs, it’s a decent deal.