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Bicycles Online > Mountain Bikes > GT Marathon Carbon Mountain Bike Review
GT Marathon Carbon Mountain Bike Review
If you are looking for a competitive edge or just looking for a durable, light weight mountain machine to get you through the toughest terrain, the GT Marathon Carbon bikes are our top, overall, full suspension mountain bike choice.
Each rider is unique and we all have different needs and requirements in a mountain bike. With that said, our top overall, full suspension mountain bike pick goes to the GT Marathon Carbon, which just happens to fall into the "Trail/Marathon" category.
GT builds some of the best BMX and mountain bikes in the world and the Marathon Carbon line is their high end, Trail/Marathon bikes. For 2010, this series includes the Team, Pro and Expert.
GT Marathon Carbon Features at a Glance: All GT Marathon Carbon bikes have GT I drive 4 monocoque carbon fiber frames, front triangle and rear triangle with 4 inches of travel. Integrated headset, and Tires are Kenda Karma, 26x 2.0 120 TPI with Kevlar bead and DTC compound. Other components are dependent on the specific model.
Note: As of 2/1/2012 the 2010 GT Marathon Carbon Pro is on sale and selling for $3,499 (new) at Performance Bike with free shipping options. See 2010 GT Marathon Carbon Pro for the latest price and customer reviews.
GT Marathon Carbon Model Comparisons:
The 2010 GT Carbon Marathon series has 4 price/frame/component levels. The 4 primary levels are based on frame materials and include the Team and Team SRAM at the high end followed by the Pro and then the Expert at the entry level. 
The Team and Pro forks are FOX 32 F RL with 120mm of travel, rebound adjust and remote lock out and Rear shock is Rear Fox Float RP23 with rebound adjust lock out and adjustable pro pedal
The Expert fork is a Rock Shox RECON RACE Air, 120 mm travel, with aluminum steerer rebound adjust and motion control and Rear shock is Fox Float RP2 Shock with rebound adjust and lock out.
See the Performance Bike links (above) for their automated comparison feature to see the specific details.
GT Marathon Carbon Negative Reviews:
After an extensive search of online reviews, I was not able to find any consistent negative reviews on the Carbon Marathon Bikes. There were a few negative comments, of course (such as "Rear suspension is little bit too bumpy for me...", "I-Drive and headset units require constant cleaning, lubrication, and tightening..." (at mtbr.com)) but I none of these were consistent with any other reviews and the "cons" did not have much of an effect on the customers ratings and satisfaction with the Carbon Marathon bikes.
About-Bicycles Review:
Although the GT Marathon Expert is still an excellent entry level selection, I think that GT would have been more consistent if they had left this one out of the Marathon Carbon bike line up.
GT mountain bikes, in general, are some of the best mountain bikes on the market and the Marathon Carbon series are arguably the best full suspension mountain bikes that GT offers.
It's not hard to recommend GT bikes at any level but with the GT Marathon Carbon being their high end "Trail/Marathon" bike I can easily recommend the GT Marathon Carbon as the best mountain bike in its price range.
Customer Reviews:
There are plenty of reviews of the GT Marathon bikes to be found online. Most customers have rated all of the GT Marathon Carbon models very highly and, as I mentioned above, the few negative comments were inconsistent.
Most Relevant Customer Review Comments included...
GT Marathon Pro: "Lightweight (though not the lightest carbon frame) good spec for money, fast, and really responsive suspension...." "...A really good climber - flies up hills and maintains traction over loose stuff. Good on the down too - I have yet to find the bikes limits. Although carbon its a tough frame - lots of carbon in the right places. " - from mtbr.com
GT Marathon Expert: "first of all this bike has a Red hot killer look overshadowing other high end brands.... "
"...Great price, superior handling because of geometry and the I drive system, great on climbs as well as descents, just watch out for the size, its slightly larger than standard sizes... "
"...Not much of a review on this bike when i did my research, but I guarantee you will be very happy with it for the looks as well as the ride itself truly GT stands by its name.... "
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
- from PerformanceBike.com
See GT Marathon Bikes at Performance Bike for more information and additional customer reviews...
GT Marathon Carbon Pro Features:
- Rear Shock: Fox Float RP23 with rebound adjust lock out and adjustable pro pedal
- Frame: GT I drive 4 monocoque carbon fiber front triangle and rear traingle with 4 inches of travel. Integrated headset and main pivot bearings. Internal cable routing.
- Fork: FOX 32 RL with 120mm of travel, rebound adjust and remote lock out
- Crankset / Chainwheel: Shimano XT, with Hollowtech 2 piece arm and bb,
- Bottom Bracket: Shimano XT out board sealed bearings
- Front Derailleur: Shimano XT
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT "Shadow"
- Shifters: Shimano XTR trigger
- Chain: HG-73 Nine Speed
- Rims: Mavic CrossTrail for Centerlock Disc
- Front Hub: Mavic CrossTrail for Centerlock Disc
- Rear Hub: Mavic CrossTrail for Centerlock Disc
- Cog set: Shimano XT Nine speed index cassette 11-32
- Spokes: Mavic
- Nipples: Mavic
- Tires: Kenda Karma, 26x 2.0 120 TPI with Kevlar bead and DTC compound
- Front Brake: Shimano XT Hydraulic w / 160 mm rotor
- Rear Brake: Shimano XT Hydraulic w / 160 mm rotor
- Brake Levers: XT seperate Hydraulic
- Handlebar: Ritchey Pro Lo Rizer butted 2014 alum, 31.8 mm clamp, 680 mm width 15mm rise, 6/9 deg sweep
- Stem: Ritchey Pro Axis 44 cold forged stem, with 6 degree rise, and 4 bolt face plate
- Headset: FSA Integrated, sealed angular contact bearing
- Grips: GT Alloy Lock Down
- Saddle: FIZIK Gobi XM with Manganese Rails
- Seat Post: Ritchey 31.6mm 3 D forged
- Seat Clamp: GT Alum QR
See the Performance Bike links (above) for specifications on the other GT Marathon Carbon models.
More helpful online bike sales resources:
See Best Buy Bikes Online - for the latest sales and deals on quality brand names bikes for sale online.
Most popular bike brands in US - WIth so many bicycle manufacturers, bicycle types and popular brand names sold in the US, that it can be difficult to find a comprehensive summary of the top 20 bike most popular bike brands.
See Online Bike Stores - for a complete listing of where to purchase the most popular brands for all bike types online.
Recommended Mountain Bike Brands and Online Bike Sites
** REI.com - Mountain Bikes
has a great selection of GT, Ellsworth, Cannondale, Ellsworth, Novara and Raleigh brand mountain bikes that you can buy online. Some REI brand mountain bikes (like Cannondale and Raleigh) must be delivered to an REI store but the brands that can be delivered directly to your home come with only minor assembly required.
* Mountain Bikes at Performance for a nice selection of mountain bikes for sale online including GT, Diamondback, Fuji, Schwinn, Focus and Mongoose brand mountain bikes. Bikes can be delivered to your home or to a Performance store for FREE shipping.
See Bikes at Wal-Mart  for a good selection of mountain bikes at very low prices. Walmart offers Schwinn, Mongoose, and Next (and other inexpensive) brand mountain bikes for sale online.
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