It's the latest addition to the GT family, the new incarnation of true high-travel suspension design. The GT Force Carbon PRO LE 2022 sends its predecessor to a well-deserved retirement.
The 2022 GT Force Carbon PRO LE is one of two high-travel bikes in the 2022 enduro segment. As the Cannondale Jekyll, it uses a pulley to counter the high levels of pedal bounce typical of high-pivot suspension designs. Despite the tensioner with integrated chain guide, the chain tends to detach several times, mainly due to insufficient tension. Although most of the cables run inside the frame, the cable routing on the GT Force is rather messy. The cables are not properly tightened at the ports causing a loud rattling noise over rough terrain. In addition, the cables rub against each other and the frame, leaving visible traces after only a few turns. Unfortunately, GT did not specify UDH mechanical hangers or tool strap mounts. However, you can attach a conventional tool strap to the spacer between the seat and the top tube.
While the GTs are among the cheapest bikes in the 2022 enduro segment at €6. This is the flagship model of the Force line and also one of the few bikes with high-end RockShox suspension. GT combines a ZEB Ultimate fork and a Super Deluxe Ultimate shock, controlling 099/170mm of travel front and rear. The fork and shock are easy to install and can be adjusted intuitively to suit your preferences and riding style. Still, we recommend using a digital shock pump to set up the fork. SRAM CODE RSC four-piston brakes with a massive 160mm rotor up front and 220mm disc in the rear provide strong, reliable deceleration and have proven to be the strongest brakes as well. For the drivetrain, GT combines a SRAM X200 rear derailleur with a cheaper GX shifter with matching cassette and chain. While the fancy rear derailleur might look great in the workshop, it weighs only slightly less than its cheaper GX counterpart and provides no real performance benefit on the trail. The Force PRO LE tips the scales at 01 kg, making it one of the heaviest bikes with the Canyon Torque. The 800mm, 30mm-tall GT brand bars sport a rather extreme back-and-upsweep and it takes some getting used to. The TransX JD dropper post features an impressive 200mm of travel and can be inserted compslightly in frame. In addition, the maximum rod extension can be reduced by up to 30 mm – brilliant! GT's seatpost remote, which is the same one found on the Cannondale Jekyll, isn't as great. It's spongy, has a lot of play and poor ergonomics. We recommend upgrading to a higher quality remote as soon as you get your ATV.
Unfortunately, the MAXXIS tires come in a puncture-prone EXO+ casing, making them unsuitable for the Force's intended use. GT pairs a 2,5" Minion DHF in the front with a 2" Minion DHR2,4 in the rear, both in the compdared of harder MaxxTerra rubber. We recommend upgrading to a sturdier tire casing like (MAXXIS DoubleDown) and upgrading to a compsofter rubber at the front. The tires are mounted on WTB KOM i30 alloy rims. The construction of the wheel does not seem robust enough to withstand the shocks and stresses of enduro.
The new GT Force is available in four sizes, from S to XL. A flip bolt in the dropouts allows you to swap the chainstay length between 435mm and 445mm to suit your riding style and preference - very cool! With a stack height of 645 mm in size L, the highest front GT in the class. However, at 480mm, the Force's reach is right in the middle of the category. In size L, the 445 mm seat tube ensures great freedom of movement. That being said, this does not apply to all frame sizes, as the seat tube length changes proportionally, making it difficult to choose a frame size based on your desired reach.
Select | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube | 380 mm | 410 mm | 445 mm | 500 mm |
Upper tube | 563 mm | 590 mm | 617 mm | 654 mm |
steering tube | 110 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm | 140 mm |
head angle | 63,5° | 63,5° | 63,5° | 63,5° |
Seat angle | 78,0° | 78,0° | 78,0° | 78,0° |
Base | 435/445 mm | 435/445 mm | 435/445 mm | 435/445 mm |
BB drop | 30 mm | 30 mm | 30 mm | 30 mm |
Wheelbase | 1/211mm | 1/240mm | 1/270mm | 1/309mm |
reach | 430 mm | 455 mm | 480 mm | 515 mm |
Stack | 627 mm | 636 mm | 645 mm | 654 mm |
Uphill, the GT Force Carbon LT falls to the back of the pack and is one of the softest climbers in the 2022 segment. Although it generates good traction on technical climbs, the active rear suspension takes a lot of effort physical. To make matters worse, the idler pulley squeals with every turn of the crank, just like the other high-travel bike, the Cannondale Jekyll.
Downhill, the GT Force Carbon PRO LE is unconvincing. Regardless of the nature of the course, it is the most demanding bike on the entire proving ground and the one requiring the most physical effort. Unlike the Cannondale, the GT goes through its stroke quickly, constantly shifting your balance between front wheel and rear wheel. This is primarily because with high travel suspension designs the chainstay length increases or decreases as the suspension stiffens. comprhymes or lengthens. Unfortunately, with the GT, this leads to a significant imbalance between the front and rear suspension, resulting in blurry and unpredictable handling forcing you to constantly readjust your line rather than take advantage of it. Despite its similar rear suspension design, the Cannondale Jekyll is much more predictable. Though the Force’s high-travel suspension can swallow bigger hits. The latter certainly lets you know that it has reached the end of the race. On top of that, the Force vibrates noticeably under braking, losing traction at the worst possible moment and increasing required stopping distances, leaving you squeezing on the brakes much sooner than other bikes. As a result, the GT Force lags far behind the competition.
The GT Force appears clearly behind the 2022 enduro novelties. Stripped down to its origins, GT's new high-travel enduro bike requires a very careful riding style. The suspension has little progression and reaches its limits quickly and abruptly while a significant lack of flexibility and strong brake jerks spoil the pleasure on the track. In addition, GT still needs to improve the specifications and several details of the frame.
Source: Enduro MTP
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