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GT Zaskar Carbon Hardtail Bike Review

GT Zaskar Carbon hardtail mtn bikes have won all racing competitions (from DH to XC) so if you are looking for a competitive edge or just looking for a durable, light weight hardtail to get you through the toughest terrain, the GT Zaskar Carbon bikes are our top, overall, hardtail mountain bike choice.

Of course, one bike does not fit all riders but if you are looking for a high end, carbon hardtail with no limitations, the GT Carbon Zaskar bikes are an excellent selection.

GT builds some of the best BMX and mountain bikes in the world and the Zaskar Carbon line is their high end, Race XC bikes. For 2010, the Carbon Zascar series includes the Team XX, Team, Pro and Expert.

GT Zaskar Carbon Features at a Glance: All GT Zaskar Carbon bikes have GT design, force optimized, full monocoque carbon frames with replaceable der hanger, 26"x 2.0 (and 2.1 rear) Kenda Karma 120 TPI tires with kevlar bead and FSA Integrated, sealed angular contact bearing headset. Other components are dependent on the specific model.

Note: As of 8/1/2010 the 2010 GT Zaskar Carbon Pro is on sale and selling for $1,999 (new) at Performance Bike with free shipping options. See 2010 GT Zaskar Carbon Pro for the latest price and customer reviews.  

GT Zaskar Carbon Model Comparisons:

The 2010 GT Carbon Zaskar series has 4 price/frame/component levels. The 4 levels are based on frame materials and components and include the Team XX, Team at the high end followed by the Pro and then the Expert.

Note: This includes the Carbon models only. The aluminum frame series include the Pro, Expert, GTw Expert (women's model), Elite, 9r PRO and 9r Expert.

There are quite a few differences in the specific models but the biggest differences are between the Team XX and the others. The Team XX model uses SRAM derailers and many SRAM components while the other models use various Shimano components.

See the Performance Bike links (above) for their automated comparison feature to see the specific details.

About-Bicycles Review:

The GT Zaskar series bikes come with monocoque carbon and Kinesis 7005 superlight aluminum frames which gives you quite a few choices. Although the aluminum frame models have been referenced here, this review is for the carbon frame models.

GT mountain bikes, in general, are some of the best mountain bikes on the market and the Zaskar Carbon series are, IMO, the best hardtail mountain bikes that GT offers.

It's not hard to recommend GT bikes at any level but with the GT Zaskar Carbon being their high end "Race/XC" bike I can easily recommend the GT Zaskar Carbon as the best hardtail in its price range.

Customer Reviews:

There are plenty of reviews of the GT Zaskar bikes to be found online. Most customers have rated all of the GT Zaskar Carbon models very highly (4 stars or higher out of 5). At the time of this review there plenty of GT Zaskar reviews but most reviews were for earlier model years.

Most Relevant Customer Review Comments included...

Below are some of the comments relative to 2009 and 2010 GT Zaskar models (carbon where available).

GT Zaskar Pro: Strengths: "Strengths are weight, lightning fast acceleration and it climbs like a billy goat." Weaknesses: "The standard spec is pretty stinking to be honest and the tyres are plain silly. Umpteen pinch punctures... " - From april 2010, mtbr.com.

GT Zaskar Expert (2009): "Great bike, I use it to commute everyday as well as mountain biking in the bay area mountains on WE. Good for everything, and fast enough for me."
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend - from PerformanceBike.com

See GT Zaskar Bikes at PerformanceBike for more information and additional customer reviews...

GT Zaskar Carbon Pro Features:

• Front Derailleur: Shimano XT
  
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT Shadow
  
• Shifters: Shimano XT Nine speed
  
• Chain: Shimano Nine Speed
  
• Rims: Mavic CrossTrail Disc for Centerlock, with welded Maxtal ISM rim, QRM sealed bearing hubs, 24 holes front and rear
  
• Front Hub: Mavic CrossTrail Disc for Centerlock
  
• Rear Hub: Mavic CrossTrail Disc for Centerlock
  
• Cog set: Shimano XT Nine speed index cassette 11-32
  
• Spokes: Mavic, straight pull bladed spokes
  
• Nipples: Mavic M7 alloy
  
• Tires: Front: 26"x 2.0 Kenda Karma 120 TPI with kevlar bead, Rear: same only 2.1
  
• Front Brake: Shimano XT Hydraulic
  
• Rear Brake: Shimano XT Hydraulic
  
• Brake Levers: Shimano XT Hydraulic
  
• Handlebar: Ritchey Pro butted 2014 alum, Flat, 31.8 mm clamp, 680 mm width,
  
• Stem: Ritchey Pro cold forged stem, with 6 degree rise, and 4 bolt face plate
  
• Headset: FSA Integrated, sealed angular contact bearing
  
• Grips: GT 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 Zaskar 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.