Hi,
In the interest of people needing road and MTB styles for different
terrain...
I bought this bike because it was just a good deal. October inventory
sale kind of thing. Anyway, there are advantages that no one has mentioned
in the quests for cross bikes, or two types in your arsenal. The GT
Avalanche 2 (MTB) has front suspension only but this can with a push of a
button while riding even turn into just plain no suspension. I added narrow
1.25 100 psi pansela kevlar belted to the 26" wheels for the road riding
that I do but it is nice to use the suspension in trails and jumping curbs.
I also use tuffys too since the kevlar belt was not bad enough for Surrey
streets. Bullet proof now.
The left dial on the suspension gives you quick way to tighten it. My
Trek 4100 did not have that. As I said I was not out to buy any one brand.
I needed a new drive train that would cost $150 so I thought why not just
get a new well priced bike. As it turns out that was the average price
anyway. Shucks. Oh and it had disc brakes which I love. I put on an Axiom
rack for discs, well they did I mean. Do not try that at home. You are
better off getting that than a normal rack which bike stores were trying to
tell me was just as good. They have ironed out the problems with disc racks
by now and mine will hold 88 pounds but I will not need that ever.
One more detail. It is lighter than my Trek so I would spin out at top
gear and in exchange I could only get a sprocket with two extra teeth. The
rear was already teensy weensy. So I could do nothing about it. I have
since taken that in stride. I will just have to carry more or longer Ha ha
Hope that helps. Take care of the bike and it will take care of you.
SN