The GT Force Expert is an all-mountain bike that is eager to pop off whatever you point it at. With 27.5" wheels and 150mm of rear travel, this all-carbon, aggressive trail bike retails for $4,000.
We check out a Singletracks reader's customized bike. This Scott Contessa is decked out in pink and ready to race.
Pietra Ligure: Come for the beach, and stay for the mountain bike trails! Plus, an epic report from a surprisingly snowy enduro race.
We check out Pearl iZUMi's 2019 mountain bike line up, including rain jackets, bib liners, shorts, and jerseys.
Riders know the obvious dangers of mountain biking, but the woods harbor insects that carry all kinds of diseases. One bite from the lone star tick can cause the victim to develop an allergy to meat.
Matt takes a brief test ride on the Santa Cruz Megatower on the singletrack mountain bike trails just outside Santa Cruz headquarters.
Sea Otter recap: The mountain bikes we tested, the new and wacky products we found, and what Sea Otter means for mountain bike culture.
Jill Kintner shares her outlook on how mountain bike races are won, gives cornering tips, and dishes on her favorite places to ride.
The Axis hip pack from Mission Workshop is a simple, sturdy pack designed to carry just the right amount of trail gear.
The first two races of the 2019 NAES series visit Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and Revelstoke, Canada, leaving all of the celebratory duties to the final event at Snow Summit, California.
This was the weirdest looking new product at Sea Otter. We had to take it for a ride to see what this front end linkage mountain bike is all about.
Brands like Rotor and e*thirteen are finding new and innovative ways to add more range to one-by mountain bike drivetrains.
A stand up mountain bike, full suspension gravel bike, vintage telescoping fork, race day tire sealant, and more from Sea Otter 2019. Or maybe it's 3019?
Remot Bikes are igniting their brand new fire with a carbon trail bike for under $4,000 that looks ready to party.
CushCore has new product with wider applications, and some science they say backs up their claims.
The Raleigh Tokul 3 hardtail mountain bike ticks most of the right boxes on the spec chart and looks great too.
The MRP Ramp Control PRO gives riders even more adjustability than the MRP Ramp Control. We also check out the new Raven mountain bike fork.
We round up 6 notable and interesting hardtail mountain bikes from Sea Otter 2019, ranging from steel to carbon and titanium. Every one of them sports at least 120mm of front travel.
A few new items around Sea Otter including shoes with impact-resistant soles, waterless bike wash, and lights by Knog.
Giant launches a brand new flat pedal mountain bike shoe, the Shuttle Flat. Here's what we know so far after wearing them for a couple days.
Go big or small on your mountain bike rides with these bags from Ortlieb and Evoc.
Walmart's Viathon M.1 mountain bike is a racy, XC bike being marketed as fun, comfortable, and practical which begs a few questions.
US distributor Cycle Monkey brings German Brands Nicolai and Tout Terrain to the states with Gates Carbon Drive and Pinion gear boxes.
In this episode of the Singletracks podcast we talk about what enduro is, and why it matters to the sport of mountain biking. From athletes and races to bikes and gear, enduro is a reflection of how many of us approach riding.
This multi-sport GPS watch has a ton of features, but it misses the mark in a couple key areas.
We test out Patagonia's 2019 mountain bike line which includes the Dirt Roamer short, Nine Trails jersey, and Endless Ride bib liner.
Hutchison's pro mountain bikers asked for a faster gravity tire, and worked alongside company engineers to create just that.
The Urge Archi-Enduro RR full face mountain bike helmet was designed by the most qualified enduro experts in the business.
Oak trees are native to six of the seven continents on earth, so chances are you have mountain biked among them. Learn more about this magnificent tree species.
Updated Norco Revolver XC bike comes with 100mm or 120mm of rear travel. Plus, there are new forks from Cane Creek and Marzocchi, moto-inspired MTB rims from Zipp, and tall tires for wet and loose conditions from WTB.
The Vee Flow Snap is an enduro mountain bike tire from the Thai company. It's a little on the heavy side, but seems to be a great aggressive trail tire.
The Mountainsmith Cycle Cube is a bike-specific duffel bag meant to manage lots of awkward and stinky bike gear.
Deborah Meghen and Niall Davie talk about the development of new mountain bike trails all over Ireland.
The Bluegrass Eagle Armour Lite D3O is a lightweight and simple vented spine protector.
A San Diego mountain biker finds a barbed wire trail trap and a rider in Colorado leaves the scene of another trap with several broken bones.
There's a lot of hype about the new WaveCel structure in new Bontrager helmets. Competitor responses came just as quickly, and it's hard to recognize who's right in the end.
We check out mountain bike multi-tools from top brands like Pro, SIlca, Pedro's, Topeak and Pro Bike Tool.
New 12-speed hub options, alongside a more affordable 4-piston brake and 203mm rotor option, show Shimano's dedication to entry-level riders.
Link your Singletracks and Wahoo accounts to get free mountain bike trail routes on your GPS.
It's easy to let negative externalities ruin mountain biking's moments. Here are a few tips and philosophies to focus on the now.
Pro mountain bikers like Katy Curd know how to adapt and learn a new game. Katy shares her tips for building skills and managing fear.
We test ride the new Revel Rascal trail bike in Moab.
The Clear Creek 10 is Mountainsmith's first hydration pack marketed for mountain bike. It's fairly simple and affordable.
This week we get news on who's dominating the EWS, new bikes from Diamondback and Bold, and another NICA expansion.
Check out the trails, bikes, skills, and good times from the 2019 Singletracks Ride-N-Rally.
The Leatt DBX 4.0 pants are tailored, tough, and ready for the trail.
A Georgia mountain biker takes on the Huracan bikepacking race for the third time, and find new challenges along the way.
Online retailer Moosejaw is now offering complete mountain bikes for sale from brands including Evil and Niner.
5
![<p>[feature]<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-260313" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GT-FORCE-side--1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /></p>
<p>The designers at GT Bicycles brought their trail and enduro bikes back to basics in 2018, and drew up a simpler suspension design and hung some sturdier parts on the frame. To sum up the Force in one word, I would say it is "spry." From the first ride to the final, this bike has been a joy to bounce around on.</p>
<p>One element of the Force's playful sensation is its suspension and build, and the other is the fact that this is the first 27.5 bike I have ridden for an extended period of time. I rolled directly from racing 29er XC bikes and then bought a 140mm 29er trail bike. I stuck with the wagon wheels because I always had spare wheels and tires hanging around, and didn't want to deal with selling or giving all of them away to ride a new wheel diameter. I have always assumed that a well-built bike's wheel size wouldn't matter much and that I would grow accustomed to whatever bike I was on, as I did when switching from 26" to 29" wheels. In rare form, that assumption has largely been proven true.</p>
<h2>2019 <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-reviews/Full-suspension-bikes/GT-Force_949">GT Force</a> Expert (2019 Discontinued)</h2>
<p>As a mountain bike brand that's been around for a long time, GT took a bit of a different tact with the <a href="https://www.gtbicycles.com/eur_it/force-carbon-expert-1637">Force Expert</a> than many of its heritage-brand competitors are following. There are no carbon-covered $10k bikes to leave owners fretting their monthly bills. The Force is tested and approved by pro-level riders, and available at a price point that a lot of privateers and weekend-warriors can manage.</p>
<ul>
<li>27.5" wheels</li>
<li>160mm fork, 150mm rear travel</li>
<li>Low and high geometry settings, with 65° and 65.5 HTA</li>
<li>4-bar Horst link suspension</li>
<li>Carbon front triangle, alloy rear</li>
<li>SCG05 mounts</li>
<li>Metric Trunnion shock mounts, coil shock compatible</li>
<li>Size run: XS-XL</li>
<li>MSRP: $4,000 - Available at <a href="https://snp.link/660557ae">JensonUSA (on sale for $3100)</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>The frame</h2>
[caption id="attachment_260311" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-260311 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GT-Force-clearance--1170x1000.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="1000" /> With 2.35" Magic Mary's, on 30mm internal width rims, the frame leaves ample space for mud or wider tires.[/caption]
<p>Apart from the traditional Horst-link suspension that gives the frame a clean look and plenty of space for a water bottle, the rear tire clearance was the first thing I noticed about the bike. The grip-it-all Magic Mary tire set that comes on the bike has ample room to pack mud between the stays, or to swap in a wider tire.</p>
<p>I also greatly appreciate the alloy rear end of the bike, as I often manage to slam the swingarm into rocks or get sticks jammed in the rear triangle. With the Force, I wasn't worried about cracking the back half of the frame.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-260314" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GT-stack-height--1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /></p>
<p>The bike's relatively low stack height (599mm, size M), coupled with my newness to 27.5" bikes, left me consistently wanting the bars to be higher. I spoke with GT's suspension specialist in the U.S., who told me that he runs his bars as high as they will go, with a 20mm riser bar, on the Force. This lower front end sensation could be a boon for folks riding faster, flowier trails where having weight further forward and lower can be helpful.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-260307" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cable-rail-GT-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /></p>
<p>GT's Groove Tube cable routing keeps the bike looking primped and clean, without the hassle of internal bike-dentistry. Paired with the 73mm external BSA bottom bracket, the Force is a pleasure for home mechanics to maintain.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-260308" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Force-HiLo-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /></p>
<p>The bike's geometry can easily be altered between the low and high settings. To adjust the geo, simply loosen the lower shock bolt until the chip slides out, then flip the chip over, press it back into the frame, and retighten the bolt. There is no need to completely remove anything, so you don't need to worry about losing parts in the dirt, and the process takes a few minutes once you get the hang of it. I left the bike in the low mode to suit my riding style and trails, but I did test the chip and was surprised by GT's quick and painless design.</p>
<h2>The build</h2>
[caption id="attachment_260312" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-260312 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GT-Force-Saddle.post_-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /> The Fabric Scoop saddle felt great from day one, even though it is a different shape from my usual sitter.[/caption]
<p>The overall build on the Force Expert is well-conceived for the type of riding that the majority of its owners will likely get into. The bars and saddle are comfortable, the cranks are burly, and the tires are ready for hard and fast descending.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-260315 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/guide-R-GT-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /></p>
<p>The 4-piston Guide R brakes were the weak link on the bike, and would be the first thing I would swap out if I owned this model. They felt good for the first few weeks, and slowly deteriorated in power and overall lever feel as I continued to ride the bike. I am far more comfortable with Shimano brakes, and though I have used SRAM brakes that worked well in the past, these did not do it for me.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-260310 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/GT-drop-lever--1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /></p>
<p>The under-bar dropper lever felt intuitive and was easy to use, which is more than I can say for the post at the other end. The 31.6mmx120mm KS Lev Si dropper was slow to return, even after adjusting and reinstalling it. Additionally, if you lift or hang the bike by the saddle when the post is down it will release and slide out to full extension. This proved frustrating when trying to maneuver the bike by hand in tricky situations, like after a crash on steep terrain, as I never knew for certain if I could lift the bike up by the saddle or not.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-260309 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Force-rear-mech-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /></p>
<p>The SRAM 12-speed GX drivetrain performed flawlessly and is a good spec for the build. The bike could really benefit from a chainstay guard, though. It comes equipped with a thin, clear piece of tape that leaves the bike with a clangy and distractingly loud chain on rough descents.</p>
<p>The wheelset is a nice and sturdy build, with 32 spokes lacing a pair of Stan's Flow rims to some generic black Boost hubs. The rear hub's engagement is noticeably poor, allowing nearly a quarter of a pedal stroke to go by before the pawls engage. I tried cleaning and regreasing the pawls to see if they were mired by thick grease, to no avail. For riders who like technical climbing and precise maneuvering, a rear hub upgrade might be necessary for this bike.</p>
<p><img class="wp-image-260316 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Pike-fork-GT-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /></p>
<p>I can appreciate the simplicity of the RockShox Charge damper, but I would go for the stiffer Fox 36 upgrade and more tuneable Float Factory DPX2 shock if I were buying this bike. Both of those squishy bits come stock on the <a href="https://snp.link/c42b9306">Pro</a> build.</p>
<h2>On the trail</h2>
[caption id="attachment_260621" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spengle-air.jpg"><img class="wp-image-260621 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/spengle-air-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /></a> Getting the bike to speed, with some aftermarket wheels.[/caption]
<p>Over the past few months, I have ridden the Force on my local trails and traveled around northern Italy with the bike a bit. With a shorter reach, smaller wheels, and less travel than my personal bike, the Force immediately had me wanting to pop off everything along the trail, rather than plow through it. The simple suspension design only took a couple of rides to dial in and was easy to adjust for different conditions. The bike felt like it had ample suspension for most trail riding and some burlier race tracks.</p>
<p>Throughout my tests, the frame's linkage remained quiet and worked flawlessly, despite my numerous attempts to overpack it with mud and tree detritus. The rear end of the Force feels stiff and precise, allowing the rider to place it where they want it.</p>
[caption id="attachment_260356" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-260356 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Noga-stage-2--1170x782.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="782" /> Noga Korem racing the GT Force in Finale Ligure, Italy.[/caption]
<p>The Force has mid-length 435mm chainstays that help the bike feel well balanced, and I had no problem manualing or wheelieing it as much as my skills allow. The 65° head tube angle felt at home on steep descents and added stability to the bike's otherwise shorter party stance. I was surprised how good the Force feels on rougher descents, given its smaller size and reach measurements. It has a solid combination of nimble and composed characteristics that any rider can appreciate.</p>
[caption id="attachment_260354" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-260354 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Martin-on-RG-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780" /> Current EWS series leader <a href="https://www.instagram.com/martin_maes5/">Martin Maes</a> on his GT Force, 2018 EWS Finale.[/caption]
<p>At the intersection of build selection and frame characteristics, the Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.35" tires on the Force feel amazing. Traction was an immediately noticeable strength on the bike, and it stayed good throughout the test. The tires' sticky compound grips better than expected on wet rocks and roots and digs into our local clay mud as few others can. Overall, I found these tires to be confidence inspiring, and was happy to slog them uphill for the repayment they guaranteed.</p>
[caption id="attachment_260357" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="wp-image-260357 size-large" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Maes-stage-2--1170x782.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="782" /> This season Maes is running a 29" wheel up front.[/caption]
<p>Finally, the bike climbs as well as any longer-travel whip I've ridden. I had to run more sag in the rear end than normal (roughly 30%) in order to fully use the rear travel, but the bike felt plenty supported with the Rochshox Deluxe RL switched into climb mode. I wouldn't take this bike to an uphill race, but it gets to the top without feeling heavy or sluggish in the slightest. GT's suspension designer says that they have swapped the rear shock tune on new models, so folks should be able to squish the sag they are accustomed to while taking full advantage of the rear shock.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>At the end of the trail, this is a fantastic bike, properly designed for a wide variety of riding styles and conditions. Folks who want to go out and play with friends on the weekends will be stoked on its playfulness and overall lively character. For riders looking for a more enduro race-ready build, with highly tuneable suspension and better brakes, the <a href="https://snp.link/c42b9306">Force Carbon Pro</a> is worth the $1k price bump.</p>
<p>These days I hoot and holler while riding as fast as I can on rough, natural tracks. If I bought this bike I would order one size larger to boost the reach, swap the brakes for some Shimano Saint 4-pistons that I am familiar with, swap the seat post for one that stays up or down as it is told, and ride it as often as possible. The <a href="https://snp.link/660557ae">Force Expert</a> is a sweet whip, eager to pop off whatever you point it at.</p>
<p>As for this first 27.5" experience, the smaller wheels did require more momentum to clean rougher sections that 29" wheels do, and they occasionally caught on larger holes or obstacles in the trail. But once I was used to these shifts I forgot about the wheel size altogether.<br />[/feature]</p>
<p><em>We would like to thank <a href="https://www.gtbicycles.com/can_en/">GT Bicycles</a> for sending the <a href="https://snp.link/660557ae">Force Expert</a> for review. </em></p>
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<p class="has-very-light-gray-background-color has-background"> ⭐️ Find the GT Force Carbon Expert bike at <a href="https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=pl&ti=2063&pw=9603&mi=11473&pt=3&pri=177774">Jenson USA</a> (on sale now), and <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/mountain-bike/deals.php?q=GT+Force+Carbon+Expert+27.5%22+Bike+%282019%29">other online retailers.</a></p>
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