What is going on with the alloy Marathon line-up? What happened to the top of the line "Ultra" aluminum models with XT/XTR and other top of the range components? Is GT anticipating more buyers looking for higher end models to go with the Carbon models?
The highest end alloy model is the Marathon Elite that picks up where the 08' Marathon 2.0 left off (albeit with some lower spec components and a higher price tag), and from there you have three carbon fiber models (Note: There is no 2009 successor for the 2008 Marathon 1.0 XT spec bike).
The Marathon Carbon Expert is a carbon fiber version of the alloy Elite, basically a mid range SLX bike. The Marathon Pro serves as a higher end XT spec model, with the Marathon Team range topper as the XTR model.
My hypothesis is that industry wide price hikes and product segmentation is partly responsible. Look at the 2008 Marathon 2.0 and the 2009 Marathon Elite. Both have similar level components, even though the Elite has some lower end stuff like Deore hubs over Deore LX (or what could have been SLX hubs) and a Recon 335 fork over the previous choice of the 351 that has Motion Control, unlike the 335. The Marathon 2.0 was $1800, and the new Elite is now over $2300 (from what I saw from the prices before they were pulled from the GT website).
Imagine what would have happened with the Marathon 1.0 if GT chose to carry it over into 2009. It would have been more expensive (probably closer to $3000). At that price level, you have the new Marathon Carbon Expert that is in the low $3000 range, and it's a safe bet that most people would choose the Carbon Expert over the closely priced alloy Marathon model, even with the Carbon expert sporting some lower end components. I'm also going to add that GT needs to break even on all the investing they have made on carbon fiber construction, so they need sell these bikes in higher volumes in order to do that. I'm thinking that's why GT now has eight kick ass carbon mt. bikes in production, with each new model getting more affordable.
Going from a $2300 Marathon Elite to the $3000+ Marathon Carbon Expert may be somewhat steep, but seeing how you would pay thousands more for a similar bike from Trek or Specialized, the Carbon Expert almost looks like a steal. That may explain the expansion of the Marathon Carbon line-up, and the neglect of the alloy Marathon line-up. From this, I'm willing to bet that in the next 2-3 years, another Marathon Carbon model will trickle down the line up and fill the $2000-$2500 left absent by the "Ultra" alloy Marathon/i-Drive model. We'll just have to wait and see.
Does anyone know if they are going to make a 26" peace? I really like the look of the new peace's but not so much the 29", before they were one of the very few manufacturers to make a rigid singlespeed 26" bike.
When did GT post their new prices last year? was it after interbike. im wondering how much the price of the force increased from 2008, and how much the new force carbon expert will be, it looks pretty, sweet.
Does anyone have any experience with the ID, does it work well, ive read mixed reviews on it, and im not realy sure i know how it works. anyone familiar with the ID
Most of my full sussers have been I-Drives. I like them because even though they are very responsive to pedaling, they are very very comfortable. The rear wheel sticks uphill to bumps, roots, and everything you can throw at it. I've had a Jamis, I've ridden a Giant NRS, and a Trek Fuel and I still like the I-drive better. The jamis seemed to bob alot, the NRS is kinda stiff in the rear end and because it locked out the suspension when you pedaled, you kinda lose grip in rocky uphills. The Fuel worked well but it seemed alot of stuff to finangle with if you ever had to maintain it.
I have both the old I-drive Team frame and a new Force 2.0. Two totally different rides but they both feel quite similar.
What's the price for the 2009 Zaksar Carbon Expert FRAME ?
Also where can i get the 2008 Team GT jersey , I entered Champion System website then i checked their shopping cart and they don't have it for sale. I only need one.
So the HT angle on the Sanction was slackened a bit and now it's a freeride bike, not all-mountain.
I'll be waiting to hear reviews to see if it still climbs well This sumer I may be getting it or a Force (can the Force hold up to light DH/FR or would that be stupid)?
Is it just me, or do the alloy Marathon bikes lack the visual impact of the Sanction/Force/Carbon fiber bikes? They look too plain next to these other bikes. I hope GT will update them for 2010 with some nice hydroformed tubing, similar to the Sanction/Force models.
2009 Trek FuelEX 8: Rocking out XT/XTR components, Xyclone Disc wheels, and Fox Suspension.
Why does the Rear shock look so dinky. comparitive to the bike, it looks like
its gonna have to work its ass off to keep up with the rest of the bike.
what does everyone else think, it may seem different in person.
where can I buy 2009 GT frames online?. the local distro's being an as* and want to keep GT in the low-mid end segment of the market by only bringing in GT avalanches.
Is it just me, or do the alloy Marathon bikes lack the visual impact of the Sanction/Force/Carbon fiber bikes? They look too plain next to these other bikes. I hope GT will update them for 2010 with some nice hydroformed tubing, similar to the Sanction/Force models.
No it´s not just you!
I was looking at the force 2.0 today and really love the way it looks, but Im a bit afraid it will be too muchy to ride where I currently ride my GT Lightning hardtail. Loots of steep uphills, something like the marathon model but with the looks of the force/sanction is what I want!
I am going to ask the same question as a few others before me..... Where can I buy the 2009 or 2008 GT carbon frames online? I live in Australia, and the GT distributors don't sell frames here in Aust.
I wasn't aware that GT sells frames individually at all. But i would also like to know, how does one go about acquiring just the frame, i'm particularly after the Force 1.0 frame.
I been riding a GT Carbon Force Pro for almost a year now and it's been incredible. I have a 2010 Fox 36 VAN on it (the best fork ever IMO) and it raked the head angle from 69 to 68 degrees so it has a real nice compromise between snappy XC handling and a little rake for the steeps. Do a comparison to the Ibis Mojo's geometry and you'll see they are almost identical. On the back, I have a 2010 Fox RP23 with their new boost valve and it works perfectly. 8" Juicy 7's with Dangerboy levers reel things in. The GT not only descends with confidence, it climbs like a dream. If you have the legs, it'll track the terrain with no pedal feedback. It would be nice to have adjustable travel on the fork for long fireroad climbs, but otherwise I don't really miss it. The performance benefit of the VAN is far worth it and I find myself cleaning more steeps because the suspension is so good.
The only minor issue I had with the GT was they didn't apply enough grease during assembly the some creaks developed. But after taking it apart and re-lubing everything with motorcycle anti-seize grease, it's been quiet ever since. One place to be sure to lube is the interface between the dropouts and frame. Most people overlook that.
Oh, yeah... the bike weighs about 31 lbs and it's worth every ounce. I believe frame weight with RP23 is 6.5 lbs for a large.
Overall, a ripping good bike and very versatile for all-mountain riding.
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Originally Posted by iMacDaddy
