2022 GT

Sensor Carbon Expert

The latest GT Sensor Comp promises a fun, short travel trail bike at an enticing price, but does the ride deliver?

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So it’s been three decades since GT Bicycles was THE mountain bike suspension brand of choice, with its RTS, LTS and STS designs ridden to countless race and championship wins by a star studded XC and DH roster. The new GT Sensor trail bike aims to capture some of that heritage and win a new audience.  Check out our buyer’s guide if you’re looking for a rundown on the best mountain bikes on the market Need to know 29er trail bike with a carbon front end and seat stays at alloy pricing LE version gets top-tier 150/140mm travel RockShox suspension components  Mix of SRAM X01 and GX mechanical drivetrain give great shifting Maxxis tyres and SRAM G2 RSC brakes enhance traction and control Only available in four frame size: S to XL While the brand has had race success and some interesting designs since its heyday, the spotlight has definitely been shining elsewhere. Joining the PON bike family alongside Santa Cruz, Focus, Cannondale, Cervelo, Juliana, Reserve and others means new investment for GT and new bikes. That includes fresh versions of the Sensor 29er trail bike in 120mm and 140mm travel options. I’ve been riding the top spec 140mm LE version to find out if it’s a return to the glory days for the SoCal BMX born brand.  New frame goes on a diet The new carbon Sensor looks a lot like the old one, with flowing triangulated lines, and a classic Horst link four-bar rear end. The rocker linkage still drives a vertically mounted shock and the seat stays are now carbon not alloy. This combined with other tweaks shaves approximately 600g off the old (medium sized) frame.  Both travel options use the same frame where an extra 5mm of stroke on the trunnion mounted RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock boosts rear travel to 140mm on the Sensor LE. That’s teamed with a 150mm travel RockShox Lyrik Ultimate fork to give the Sensor LE more suspension muscle and slightly slacker geometry than the short travel bike,  Limited size range The frame also has extensive rubber armouring, internally routed cables that go through the frame, not the headset, and room for a full size bottle too. What’s missing then are XS or XXL sizes, internal frame storage and geometry adjustment. Yes, with only four sizes, and reach measurements spanning 430mm to 515mm, this creates big gaps between each size, but at least the short seat tubes open up the potential to add length and still keep a generous seat post drop. And while fettlers will miss the chance to tweak the geometry, for most riders the Sensor will be spot on as is.  With fewer sizes and a less complex frame design to contend with, that means more money for componentry. As such, you get top-tier RockShox suspension matched to cable operated SRAM X01/GX Eagle gears and premium SRAM G2 RSC brakes. GT’s choice of rubber is the increasingly – and welcome – Maxxis Minion DHF/Dissector combo. Yes, the WTB …Continue reading »

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Trail bike geometry doesn't seem to be undergoing as many dramatic changes compared to a few years ago, a point that's illustrated by looking at the geometry charts of the GT Sensor, Vitus Mythique, and Marin Rift Zone that were on hand for this test.

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