GT recently came out with a range of bicycles from BMX to race-ready carbon fiber mountain bikes. GT, named after the legendary bike builder Gary Turner, continues to offer entry-level and high-end bikes for your street and off-road pleasure.
The Zaskar is the only cross country racing hardtail durable enough to have won a World Championship in downhill. The all new Zaskar 100 9er Carbon Expert, featuring both hardtails and 100mm travel frames in 26” and 29” variants, proudly continues this legacy. With numerous improvements to the bikes suspension design, carbon layup, and fabrication techniques, the new line-up is both lighter and stiffer than the bikes it replaces. (MSRP: $4,400)
For BMX riders, GT offers the Performer 20”—a chromoly frame with Tektro and GT branded components.GT introduced the Performer over 30 years ago, and launched freestyle riding. The 2012 version continues to spread the BMX gospel to a new generation of riders. (MSRP: $440)
For women who like dirt, GT offers the Laguna, a step-through chromoly frame with a beachy paint job worthy of its name. GT describes it as a “Flat bar bike ready to attack the city streets or the dirt bike path. Great for all around riding when you want an upright riding position, front suspension and 7 speeds.”
Out tester checked out the Laguna 2011 at her local Performance Bicycle shop. The bike performed reasonably well on pavement, although shifting was a problem from the small ring to the middle ring. The test rider had to double click the shifter to get the chain to move, showing that one cannot expect smooth shifting from the low-end front derailleur, the Shimano Tourney.
Fortunately, the 2012 GT Laguna eliminates the front derailleur shifting problem by offering only one chain ring in the front and seven in the back. The 2012 shifters are Shimano EF-51 EZ Fire, 7 Speed.
On the positive side, the Suntour XCC T102 crankset includes an outer chain ring guard which will protect legs and clothing from chain grease. It is the same crankset offered on the 2012 Laguna.
Unfortunately, cheap components disappointed our test rider again when she lifted the front wheel over a curb, like one would over a small obstacle on the trail. The fork “topped out” with a noticeable clunk, showing that designers don’t expect women to lift the front wheel over anything. The SR-Suntour M2025 front fork offers a modest 63mm travel, which provides a smoother ride on bumpy streets. The same fork is used on the 2012 model.
The bike is stylish, has a comfortable seat, and it's easy to mount for women riding in skirts or bell bottoms. It’s suitable for riding around town or on well-maintained gravel or paved bike paths. Because of low-end components, the bike is not suitable for singletrack.
The 2011 Laguna is currently on sale at Performance for $259. But riders cannot expect a bike capable of handling any singletrack, or comfortably going over curbs, at this low price.The 2012 Laguna is available in white or silver, in three sizes for MSRP $385.
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