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GT Avalanche 3.0
December 22nd, 2004 by Tim GrahlThe GT Avalanche 3.0 was my first real mountain bike. I was able to pick it up locally on sale for $200 and it has been worth every penny. You do get what you pay for in having parts that give out over time, but with well over a year and a half of solid riding, I have to say this bike has been very good to me.
The feel of the bike is very comfortable and strong. While on other bikes I feel like I am pitched way over the handle bars, the Avalanche provides a comfortable balance. The stock seat is very comfortable also. Although you could shed a bit of weight by getting a less cushy seat, I am riding loose while my buddies are complaining about going numb after a long ride.
The frame is as sturdy as they come. I have smacked into trees, fallen off drops, sunk it in creeks and done more endos than I care to admit. Each time putting a lot of pressure on the frame and it never gives way. While most low-end bikes lack in both weight and quality, this frame, while not light, goes all the way in strength and performance.
The handlebars, stem, seat post and grips are all off-brand products that have held up but are nothing to get excited about. The components are mid to low range Shimano and while they hold up okay, you are not going to get completely smooth shifting and pedaling. Even straight off the shelf, the gears have a hard time shifting while stroking up a hill.
The biggest downfall this bike has is the stock rims. They bend very easily. I have had to replace two wheels since I bought this bike. The first one fell under the warranty while the second one I replaced myself. Other than that, the only other thing to break on this bike was the derailleur hanger, which also fell under warranty.
RST forks come stock on this model. While these aren’t the greatest set, they do pretty well. However, you may want to take better care of yours than I have. The coils in my shocks have rusted out and I am now basically riding rigid.
While I could find plenty to complain about this bike, once you line up the $200 price tag and the great warranty, this bike has been great. I have beaten the ever loving crap out of it and it is still reliable for those all day rides. If cash is in short supply or you are just trying to get your buddy into the sport, the GT Avalanche is the way to go. This is a solid bike that will last and comes at a great price.
This is a one super duper site
my gt well as u said never problem with the fram but plenty of distroid rar wheels doge gears deraler hanger got distroid bike sat in bike shop for 5 weeks wating for parts forks are broken but im not shor dus yours hae play when you apply the front bakes
I have a GT Palomar thats basically the same bike as the Avalanche. I love my bike, i’ve ridden quite a few trails since i bought it, and its held up great. But Tim is right about the shifters and the rim bending, same problem here, but other than that, i don’t have much to complain about.
I have an avalanche 3.0 also and I also have a problem with the gear shifter trigger,the rear derailer,and the rims bending quite easily.
What kind of wheels have you all used when you replaced the stock avalanche wheels. I too am searching for new wheels for an avalanche. Suggestions appreciated. Please email jaw2001@erols.com
Hi! I cracked my frame one day ago. But i’v been jumping it and stuff, pullin it upp in 90cm Bunnyhops.. So it’s not so weard. But it stills sucks.
Hello,
I just read your article and was wondering, how does one get or “cash in” the GT Warranty? The place I bought it from went out of business. And GT doesn’t deal direct with warranty issues.
Any info would be well appreciated.
Thanks for your time,
Jeffrey.
I’m wondering the same thing as Jeff. I purchased my bike at Copeland’s Sports, but they went out of business a couple months after I got my bike.
i just bought a GT avalanche 3.0 2008 few weeks ago, and it feels great riding it…
i have no problme with the shimano alivio gearshift what so ever, and it comes with trigger on each handle bar for u to switch up n down…i must say is a breeze to shift
although the frame is not light, but it aint heavy also..n is very strong. i must say is a value for money
Just ordered a Avalanche 3.0 from ChainReactionCycles last night - I’ve had the 1.0 for about a year and when the missus wanted an upgrade I did the decent thing and offered to sell her Bike and let her have mine..
the 1.0 sure is a great bike for light riding - but I can’t WAIT to get my filthy mittens on the 3.0 version. Althought I’ve paid about 520usd for the bike (they’re dearer in Europe than in the states) I get the feeling I’ll still be chuffed to bits.