Deep Loam - The GT Force
One of the most respected and well-loved brands in mountain biking history, GT has been creating good times on two wheels since their inception all the way back in 1972! GT mixes incredible performance with serious fun in their lineup of bikes and there is something for everyone across the range. The brand's heritage and ethos are a perfect fit for us here at Stif, because after all, fun is serious business.
The Force is GT’s hard-charging, long travel enduro bike designed for ‘big hitters and gravity hogs’ and perfect for weekends between the tape, smashing out bike park laps or just hitting the roughest, steepest tracks you can find. Rolling on full 29” wheels, 160mm rear travel and a 170mm fork upfront, the latest iteration of the Force was introduced in 2022 and has since gone on to claim some seriously impressive results at the Enduro World Series (now EDR) under their Factory Team riders!
Features
One of the most obvious design features is the high pivot suspension design. High-pivot designs create a more rearward rear wheel-axle path as the bike moves through its travel, which helps the rear wheel to move back, up and over obstacles with more ease than a lower-pivot equivalent. To alleviate any pedal kickback that can occur with high-pivot suspension designs, GT has specced an idler pulley, complete with compact chainguide.
The Force’s rear wheel axle path moves up and backwards by around 10mm behind its starting point. The axle then begins to arc slightly forwards and upwards. This axle path means the rear centre does not grow as much as other high pivot equipped bikes, and as such will feel more familiar if you are new to the suspension design! GT’s high-pivot approach is also unique in that it’s incorporated with four-bar suspension; generally high-pivot is paired with single-link bikes. GT has been experimenting with four-bar, high pivot idler designs for some time on its Fury downhill bike and to great success, this has now trickled down into the Force.
Another clever frame feature is adjustable chainstays. The bike is kitted with a flip-chip in the chainstay, which allows for 10mm of forward or rearward adjustment, essentially lengthening and shortening the bike to your liking. Other finer frame details include an integrated chain guide, custom chainstay and seatstay protection as well as tube-in-tube cable routing, which really helps keep the bike quiet. While there is no frame storage, There's a dedicated spot on the frame to strap on a tube, tool ect. if you wish.
GT has gone all out with the geometry of the latest Force, starting with the super slack 63.5° head angle, which really puts that front wheel out in front for incredible composure when things get steep. The 30mm BB drop integrates you nicely into the cockpit, and the steep 78° seat angle helps to place you in between the wheel axles, delivering a fantastic climbing position. The frame gets a very generous reach, ranging from 430mm on the small, right up to 515mm on the large. There’s also a lower standover and a taller head tube than the previous model, which offers more confidence and control when things get rowdy.
Build Options
The GT Force Carbon is available in three build options, the Carbon Elite, the Carbon Pro and the range topping Carbon Pro LE, with all the range offering an incredible price to spec ratio!
GT Force Carbon Elite
The budget friendly Carbon Elite model comes in at £3,649.00 and features the same high end carbon front triangle as the pricier versions, with a full rockshox suspension package including the workhorse Yari RC fork and Super Deluxe Select shock. Shifting is looked after by Sram's wide range 12 speed SX drivetrain, and TRP Slate T4 brakes which provide fantastic stopping power when you need it.
GT Force Carbon Pro
Next up is the Carbon Pro, probably the best bang for your buck in the range, at £4,699.00 you gain a Rockshox Zeb Select+ fork, Super Deluxe Select+ shock and the impressive SRAM Code R 4-piston brakes, alongside a Sram NX/GX combo drivetrain.
GT Force Carbon Pro LE
The range tops out with the Carbon Pro LE at £5,499.00; his build gets an Ultimate level Zeb and Super Deluxe suspension, top of the line Sram Code RSC brakes and an X01/GX drivetrain. You won't find a spec like this for this sort of money anywhere else and the bike is set up ready to take on the world's toughest enduro stages!
The wheels are taken care of by sturdy WTB tubeless rims and all the bikes come ready to hit the trails out of the box with Maxxis tyres; an Assegai up front with a Minion DHR II at the rear is the rubber combo we would choose if we were speccing an enduro bike with these intentions, so it's great to see these across the range as standard! Rounding out the builds is a GT own brand cockpit, with a 780mm wide alloy riser bar with a 30mm rise and a GT alloy stem.
Ride Feel
All this adds up to a superb riding performance - thanks to the long wheelbase, raked-out head angle, high front end, and 160mm of travel the Force possesses a huge amount of stability that ensures you feel planted and very much in control when things get fast and rough.
The benefits of a high pivot bike really shine with the Force, and the bike is at its very best when gravity is on its side. A big part of this is the impressive square-edge compliance that the high pivot suspension design delivers - the rear wheel really gets out of the way when you’re smashing across rock gardens, both smoothing out the chatter and allowing you to accelerate through it. The way the Force carries momentum through chunky sections is very impressive! The nastier the terrain gets, the more confident you’ll feel because the Force simply flattens really rough sections of trail while managing to find all the traction you could ever want in the process.
When tackling steep, loose, natural trails, the Force enables you to confidently pick a line and stick to it. And even if you do drift a little wayward, the Force is more than forgiving enough to let you get away with it! It’s not a bike that needs finessing down the trail if you’re too tired. Drop your heels, point it where you want it to go and it’ll handle it.
Want to know more about the GT Force, or which model is right for you? Give us a shout on the phone, drop an email to sales@stifmtb.com or to head to either of our stores for a brew and a chat! We have a full showroom plus a range of demo bikes in all sizes for you to ride.