BMXmuseum.com Forums

Jjcmack wrote:

The early GT stuff(through 84) is awesome!  Everything after is mediocre.

beyond that as well. Early, quality gear. They were awesome bikes.

Out here on the West Coast GT's were everywhere and almost everyone had one. Some BMX guys love the early GT race stuff. I was more into the early freestyle bikes, up to '86.  The later freestyle frames are awesome and the geometry worked well, too.

Love them or hate them,  GT pumped a shit load of money in advertising, tours and demos. Great marketing then has me buying them until this day.

bailhard wrote:

I'm not sure how you spent your youth, but I spent mine on a bike built from other bikes and parts that I would scrounge, steal and trade. I always wished I could just for one day, ride a sweet new GT.

So now that I can sort of afford to put one together, I'm willing to pay. I bet it's guys like myself that keep the demand/prices high.

Like you said, nothing terribly special, but if people keep paying, sellers will keep charging.

And I love GT's

WELL SAID!

GT made a high quality American made bicycle for many years at an affordable price. They hosted ton's of tours and were a huge part of BMX and freestyle. Love them or hate them, GT was king for probably longer than any other company.

I grew up in NW Philly and in my era 81-83 a GT was the best bike you could have. It meant your parents were rich. I think they are very underrated today. They were the best where I was from. I dont particularly like the 84-88 neon years but thats just my preference. Lots of people love them and have a huge following.

I think the 81-83 GTs are the most underrated bikes on the museum from my childhood experience.

I used to think the most underrated were the Schwinn Stings because they were the FIRST elite race bikes and were made waaaaay better then any other bike from 79 to 81. But I think people are coming around, finally. THe frames in the rare colors are fetching $1000. Finally got the respect they deserve. Now maybe we will see a run on the 81 to 83 GTs.

LooseNut wrote:

bailhard wrote:

I'm not sure how you spent your youth, but I spent mine on a bike built from other bikes and parts that I would scrounge, steal and trade. I always wished I could just for one day, ride a sweet new GT.

So now that I can sort of afford to put one together, I'm willing to pay. I bet it's guys like myself that keep the demand/prices high.

Like you said, nothing terribly special, but if people keep paying, sellers will keep charging.

And I love GT's

WELL SAID!

I hear ya, bro!. Same here. The bike in my avatar consists of 100% borrowed parts from friends after I got my Cook Bros. ripped off. It's a borrowed JMC frame w/a borrowed Tange TRX fork, borrowed 1-pc cranks & borrowed Tufs. 100% parts lent to me by my riding buds. It was ugly as sin, but rode like a dream. We called it "The Eyesore."  BTW - most of those lending the parts had GTs. I've ridden their bikes. I'd take my Eye-Sore any day.

Last edited by DiabloCBR (2012-12-17 12:49am)

They ride nice. I have a 98 speed series & 83 Nora cup pro. For the price you can score a 81-83 you can't beat it. I love my 83 and prefer to ride it over my cook. I think my sting took off faster but I feel more solid and comfortable on my 83. The sting always had some flex. Eventually I broke the tube in half an 1" before the dropout on the Sting a few years back. Wish I would of retired it before I broke it though sure was a fast feeling bike.

But anyways to answer your question I think GT isn't overrated but underrated. What other old school frame set can you get with useable chrome and decals for around $200 shipped. That's affordable for most people to start a build.

Last edited by BmxRider420 (2012-12-19 10:28pm)

Pre 1984 gt stuff was super high quality gear. Awesome finish, great geometry, light and fast!

After 1984 the company went to hell! They sold out and started making tall their gear overseas. Brought out models that were just a step above department store bikes, ruined the look of the decals and padsets and, don't get me started on the lame colors that were available after 1984.

I agree, that the 1979 to 1984 "Santa Ana" framesets are probably the most underrated among collectors today. Good for me as I have been able to collect a few really nice examples for less than 300 each.

cru jones 2 wrote:

However I feel the entire sport lost more than can be measured when Richard Long passed and GT was sold.

Couldnt agree more, I think GT would be a very different company than it is today if Richard was still with us and involved with the brand still.

A lot of people don't realize or know that the G.T. bicycle company was the biggest bike company ever in history. They produced more of all types of bikes than any other maker ever. Their marketing team in the late 80's and into the early 90's, during the dark days of bmx, they were responsible for even keeping the sport afloat. That's why a G.T. mid schoolers easier to find than any other midschool.

The way I remember it...  Nobody, and I mean nobody, did a better job marketing their stuff than GT.  GT was the "perceived" bike to have bitd.  I was one of those kids kicking around a cheapie, jonesing for a GT.

I mostly agree with the sentiment of all here.  Personally, I like GTs from 83-86 the most. When they were still made here. The 85-86 Japanese made are just as good as well.  There was quality control then.  To me, nothing looks better than a 84-86 Pro Performer single bend frame.  Classic design.  Great geometry.  Yes they made a TON of bikes which diluted the "exclusivity" a bit.  Doesn't mean they were not great.

Plus, they had the King. Fiola at his best, when GT was at its best.  Iconic and classic.  That cemented their legacy.  Just as Bob Haro and team did for his company. But GT lost their way. After 89 or so, I just think they went to $hit.