|   Considering a GT I-Drive Race.... | pedalinbob
Aug 4, 2002 8:34 AM | | frame from supergo...
i know that the company is baknrupt, but i have been intrigued by the i-drive race for over a year. it has similar geometry to fisher's genesis (which i prefer), and i hear that the i-drive suspension is pretty sweet. (i am still considering a sugar, but with all the alignment issues...)
i have read all the reviews on the gt, and most have been favorable.
anyone have any additional info? i am a light and fairly smooth rider, so i dont think overall durability would be an issue.
thanks in advance,
Bob |
| tempting price for the quality ride | derby
Aug 5, 2002 2:51 PM | | The iDrive does ride very stable and smooth and handles great and feels well balanced.
Maybe look for a used Tracer frame in the Marketplace for not much more $$$. It's just as ugly as the i Drive ;-) but would have even better performance in every respect and a company to back it up if anything ever broke. It's adjustable for shorter travel like the iDrive Team if that's what you want, and you'd have more frame and suspension adjustable options than any other fully in this travel range.
- ray |
| DARN...I just ordered it... | pedalinbob
Aug 5, 2002 5:44 PM | | i tried to get my LBS to give me a discount on a sugar (i worked for them some during the sunmmer--and got discounts then), but they wouldnt.
i have had difficulty finding a fs with genesis like geo for a reasonable price...i have heard the tracer is amazing--i didnt eventhink about looking into a used one...
oh, well. live and learn.
even if i only get a couple of years out of the GT, i will be happy.
but if it breaks right away--yikes!
i doublt my 140lbs can hurt it...
take care,
Bob
Ps does anyone know how to set up the I-drive? there is nothing on the website--and i am not sure if there is literature with the frame... |
| Well, here is my I-Drive experience | Rev Bubba
Aug 6, 2002 6:43 AM | | I have an I-2.0 going on 2 years old now and have not broken the frame. Although I weigh 188 lbs these days, most of my riding was done on it when I was around 240 lbs. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though there have been many reports of broken frames, I have not had a problem.
I think the I-Drive Race would have been a better choice for the xc riding I do. The stretched out frame and less rear suspension would be a plus. I love the ride of the bike but it is no where near the fun of my hardtail which has the geometry (similiar anyway) of the race.
You know the problems you might face up front and if you are willing to take a risk, I say go with it.
Every once in a while I do some research on xcfs bikes and the I-Drive always seems to come out at or near the top. I have no experience with VPP rides so I can't include them but the I-Drive is a heck of a good design as far as I'm concerned.
Good luck. |
| Well, here is my I-Drive experience | Swine
Aug 6, 2002 7:32 AM | | im 190 and have beem doing 5 foot drops and jumps for 1.5 years, ive broken stock BB, busted front shock, cracked front rim, broken the spring on the fox, and broken der hanger(all on an i-drive 4.0). the frame is still going strong! |
| thanks, Rev.... | pedalinbob
Aug 6, 2002 8:18 AM | | though i still love my hardtail (22lb Paragon), i wanted something with similar geometry, that wouldnt kill my wallet.
the way i see it, i want a fs to feel like a fs. i dont want a lot of travel---but i want the travel to be high quality.
my nrs is very nice, but the darn thing is still a bit harsh, doesnt climb as well as my ht (must be the geo--long stays and a slack seattube: and non-sagged suspension=less grip on loose climbs), is a bit too short (proper pedal position + 120mm stem = lower back discomfort. longer stem = handles like a truck).
heck, i test rode a sugar 2, and it was plusher than my nrs--even though i run "plush" settings (10 lbs under my weight +, 60 psi -)!!! another observation? i cant get more than 50% travel out of the nrs---unless i hit a REALLY big drop...a rarity for me. therefore, even with a tiny bit of sag, i am only using 1.8" travel!
i have owned a super-v and superlight. both were much plusher, with good rough terrain climbing traction. ironically, the super-v climbed better than the lighter superlight!
**i really liked the superlight but, it had a very short tt as well as a short wheelbase, which made it a bit of a handful a speed. also, i never could get anywhere near full travel--to this day i am not sure why (might have been the progressiveness of the fox float).
i have been watching with interest the development of the i-drive...but i couldnt get over the short top tube.
yet, most of the reviews are very positive: people love their i-drives.
enter the GT i-drive race/team frame. long tt, short stays, st angle not too slack, and an amazing rear suspension...all wrapped up in a light 5.5 lb package.
my research showed that the team/race was much upgraded from the previous frames: better pivots (especially the bb pivot), better sealing, lighter custom tubes, narrower bb shell, revised geometry.
but the dang company is bankrupt...
i will try it out and see...
later,
Bob |
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