I've had this bike for a couple of months, purchased after a period of research. For the price bracket (circa £400) this is about the best bike you can purchase. Great gear set up, good seat and bars/headset, it even comes with SPDs!.
Only cheap bits are the wheels/tyres. The brakes are good, but suffer in the mud (as do all V-brakes). It's not the lightest bike I've picked up, but the frame is sturdy and well built.
I'm 6ft 4 and own a Large version (L), which is the right size for good control and agility. The 'reach' on the XL version is a bit too long for comfort, but if you're not sure go try out any of the other GT frames in a local bike shop (Halfords, Evans cycles).
If you are looking for a decent 'above-entry-level' bike then this is definitely worth a purchase, as it has some well thought design features (cable routing, frame/forks are disc-break ready so you can fit them at a later date) and is a good robust bike.
Finally, the photo is a bit misleading, the colour is actually a light/shiny matt-silver. I can't seem to get it grubby enough to remove the shiny 'I have a new bike' look!
This bike is awesome!! I have had it now for 4 months and use it for everything from long distance road riding to downhill. (As I am too tight to buy 2 bikes) Have a great set of slicks for the road and have changed the standard wheels as they don't quite make the grade but other than that this has to be the best purchase I have ever made! You would be a fool to miss this bargain!
Just bought this model but from a diferent shop, it's light well specced with the LX and has GT's usual spot on geometry, no need to start swapping stems etc. The only problem is the hubs haven't got disc mounts so if you ever want to upgrade to discs a new set of wheels will be needed. Overall very impressed for the price. The frame looks quality unlike some other brands I've had recently (kona) and hopefully will last as well as other gt's I've had.
