Bright yellow and with a rather unconventional frame design, the GT Force polarises like no other bike in this test field - not least thanks to GT's own I-Drive rear suspension system, in which the pivoting bottom bracket attached to the rear triangle is only connected to the main frame by the so-called bone. This makes it possible to raise the pivot point of the swingarm to an extremely high position without any disruptive drive influences. The high pivot point is the reason why the Force's rear triangle responds more sensitively than almost any other. Keyword wheel lift curve: the steep, gravel-covered uphill section of our test lap is ironed out by the bike as if it were tarmac. Only the RockShox Revelation fork, which unfortunately cannot be lowered (but has a lockout), and the tyres with their subjectively high rolling resistance prevent even higher scores in the uphill classification. The GT also benefits from a full 155 millimetres of rear travel and balanced geometry on the descents. With a character that is more composed than manoeuvrable, you can really step on the gas with the stiff chassis. The tyres also play to their strengths on downhill trails, always offering good traction even on damp, rocky ground. One downside of our test bike is the defective Crank Brothers dropper post.
Conclusion: A successful all-mountain bike for difficult terrain with good kinematics, exceptional looks and sensible equipment.
+ Sensitive rear triangle
+ Very smooth running
+ Unusual look
- No bottle cage possible
Web: www.gtbicycles.com
