The GT Dhi 2007!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW
Discussion
Well, it finally arrived at the weekend and spent Sunday afternoon putting it together - it really is a masterpiece in design. As with all things new and shiny there always seem to be something that doesn't quite fit right or is missing from the box. Lo and behold, it was all there but the small bracket that fixes the rear derailleur (Sram X0) to the sub frame was bent due to a shipping knock. No big stress and my mate (ex chief CAS Honda MotoX mechanic) straightened it up and it was good to go. I set up the sag front and rear and played around with rebound, compression, pro pedal etc. There are so many adjustments (all external) that it is going to take some time to learn the best settings.
I rode it last night after work for the first time and it is unreal. The lifts here aren't open yet for the summer so I hauled it up the local hill (500m vertical climb) to test it out. To my amazement it goes uphill very well - the fork (Boxxer World Cup) can be locked out, as can the rear shock (Fox DHK 5.0). The hills here are very technical, fast and flowing but not crazy steep, so it was a good place to just to get to know the bike a bit and bed in the brakes (Avid Juicy 7s).
I got to the top in good time, caught my breath, changed the suspension settings and then clipped in for the first descent...it is very, very rapid and so smooth. I had a bit too much rebound on the rear for the first run, so it was skipping a bit at the back. I had to take it a little easy as the brakes were clearly not performing how they should. Half way down the descent I met a friend coming up the other way on the single track, went to adjust the rebound on the front fork and noticed the dial had come off. AAAAaaarrrrgggghhhhh. There was no way I was going to find it but I turned around and went back up with my mate for a second run. On the way up I somehow saw the dial in amongst the stones and couldn't believe my luck - popped it in the rucksack for safe keeping.
Second descent I increased the damping on the rear and this time it tracked like it was on rails. Very smooth, fast and controlable - the brakes also started to work, which was helpful. By the time I reached the bottom they were gripping like a vice yet very progressive. The Sram shifter is unreal, very fast and precise when pedalling hard.
I wasn't sure whether to go clipless on the DH rig but I ride XC with spds and I want to learn DH with them. The bike feels so controllable and fluid that spds are the way to go for me. I may change my mind when I get to the very steep rock gardens, drop offs and doubles though.
No pics as the camera ran out of batteries but I'll get some this weekend. I have to fly to the UK for work this evening otherwise I'd be up there again!
If anyone has any questions about the bike or the parts then let me know and I'll try and help.
Cheers
I rode it last night after work for the first time and it is unreal. The lifts here aren't open yet for the summer so I hauled it up the local hill (500m vertical climb) to test it out. To my amazement it goes uphill very well - the fork (Boxxer World Cup) can be locked out, as can the rear shock (Fox DHK 5.0). The hills here are very technical, fast and flowing but not crazy steep, so it was a good place to just to get to know the bike a bit and bed in the brakes (Avid Juicy 7s).
I got to the top in good time, caught my breath, changed the suspension settings and then clipped in for the first descent...it is very, very rapid and so smooth. I had a bit too much rebound on the rear for the first run, so it was skipping a bit at the back. I had to take it a little easy as the brakes were clearly not performing how they should. Half way down the descent I met a friend coming up the other way on the single track, went to adjust the rebound on the front fork and noticed the dial had come off. AAAAaaarrrrgggghhhhh. There was no way I was going to find it but I turned around and went back up with my mate for a second run. On the way up I somehow saw the dial in amongst the stones and couldn't believe my luck - popped it in the rucksack for safe keeping.
Second descent I increased the damping on the rear and this time it tracked like it was on rails. Very smooth, fast and controlable - the brakes also started to work, which was helpful. By the time I reached the bottom they were gripping like a vice yet very progressive. The Sram shifter is unreal, very fast and precise when pedalling hard.
I wasn't sure whether to go clipless on the DH rig but I ride XC with spds and I want to learn DH with them. The bike feels so controllable and fluid that spds are the way to go for me. I may change my mind when I get to the very steep rock gardens, drop offs and doubles though.
No pics as the camera ran out of batteries but I'll get some this weekend. I have to fly to the UK for work this evening otherwise I'd be up there again!
If anyone has any questions about the bike or the parts then let me know and I'll try and help.
Cheers
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