GT was one of the hottest bike brands in the early 90s. The US company with the famous Zaskar hardtail in the Triple Triangle design never enjoyed the cult status of Yeti or Klein. However, the brand's shadowy existence came to an end at the latest when Hans Rey started performing his death-defying stunts on GT bikes. The Americans were also able to prove themselves in racing: first with the Athertons in the Downhill World Cup, now with Martin Maes - mostly - in the enduro sector.
But time doesn't stand still, and a new star has been shining brighter and brighter in the bike sky for some time now. Time for GT to take e-bikes seriously too. With the Enduro Force GT-E and the hardtail Pantera GT-E, the Americans are presenting two sophisticated pedelec MTBs that are both functional and yet not overly expensive. The Pantera GT-E hardtail with 29-inch wheels and 120 millimetres of travel at the front is aimed more at touring riders, while the Force GT-E openly copies Martin Maes' enduro race bike from the EWS (Enduro World Series). Only with a motor. A bike for all those who want to let it rip off-road on a regular basis.
Pantera GT-E: A hardtail for relaxed tours
The minimum price for GT's entry into the E-MTB segment is between 2399 and 3199 euros. For this price, the Americans provide customers with the Pantera GT-E, a good-natured and versatile hardtail with a Shimano Steps drive and balanced geometry that is up to date and should feel at home on relaxed tours as well as lighter off-road use. The capacity of the batteries integrated in the frame is 504 watt hours across all variants, otherwise the bike's equipment is highly dependent on the model.
The entry-level model Pantera Dash (2399 euros) is easy on the wallet with very affordable components and a Steps E-5000 drive. The top model Pantera Bolt (€ 3199) offers solid equipment with a Rockshox-Judy fork, SX-Eagle drivetrain, good tyres and Shimano Steps E-8000 motor, which also makes touring in difficult terrain fun. In between is the Pantera Current (2699 euros) with the Steps E-7000 motor and favourable parts.
Force GT-E: 150 millimetre suspension travel, 29 inch
Compared to the Pantera, the Force GT-E is in a completely different league. Heavy and long, plenty of suspension travel plus large wheels, the Force is ready for any off-road challenge. The steering angle is a slack 65 degrees, the seat angle is 76 degrees and the reach is 475 millimetres in frame size L. In combination with the 455 millimetre chainstays, the Force could reward fast riders with a smooth ride and willingly climb difficult passages without the front becoming too light too quickly. Until the ride test, however, this remains speculation.
Unlike the more budget-orientated Pantera, the Force GT-E only comes in two equipment variants: The top-of-the-range AMP model (4499 euros) and the Current model (3799 euros). The cheapest model, the Dash, has been omitted. However, an equipment variant below the already economically equipped Current would no longer have made sense for tough off-road use - and that is what the Force is built for after all. The AMP is somewhat more luxurious than the Current, with its E-8000 drivetrain, Rockshox suspension (35 Gold, Deluxe Select R), Shimano's new MT420 four-piston stoppers, Sram SX Eagle drivetrain and Maxxis downhill tyres, it is also equipped for tough trails.
All further information on the new GT e-bikes can be found on the Website of the manufacturer.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
