GT Bicycles have a new Force out today, and the bike levels up with the latest in enduro optimization. GT has released the Force in three different carbon complete build options and a frameset offering. The Force 29er has improved geometry, adjustable chainstays, a different cable routing method, and drum roll…an idler pulley mounted to its high main pivot.
GT used its clever Groove Tube routing on the previous Force. The Groove Tube was a recess in the top of the down tube, which kept the cables externally routed for easier maintenance, but tucked away. Now the Force will have what’s called Tube in Tube routing. This appears to be what most would just call internal routing. GT says that the cables will still be easily accessed. The Force has an improved chainstay silencer and protector and gets some protection on the inside of the seatstay where it intersects with the chain.
The Force also gets an adjustable chainstay, so users can change the effective wheelbase length by 10mm. This works very similarly to how Rocky Mountain implemented the flip chip on its Altitude and Instinct. On the Force, the rear center will measure either 435 or 445mm across all frame sizes.
All new to the Force is an idler pulley on its 4 bar setup. This should help with small bump compliance, but moreso with maintaining pedaling efficiency and maximizing braking and traction through the bike’s travel, while reducing pedal kickback. GT has increased the anti-squat on the Force and made the axle path more rearward. Anti-rise has been improved too for better braking. The Force will work with air or coil shocks.
As far as geometry, a medium gets a 410 seat tube length, a 63.5° HTA, a 78° STA, a 730mm standover height, a 1,240mm wheelbase length in its shorter position, and 455mm of reach.
The Force comes in three builds as mentioned. A Pro LE build includes a SRAM GX drivetrain, and Code RSC brakes, with 220mm/200mm brake rotors front and rear, and a RockShox Zeb Ultimate fork and a Super Deluxe Ultimate shock for $6,000.
The Pro build gets a Zeb Select+ fork and a Super Deluxe Select+ shock, with WTB rims and Formula hubs, SRAM Code R brakes, and a SRAM GX/NX drivetrain for $5,100.
The Elite build is the most affordable with a RockShox Yari and Super Deluxe Select shock, WTB rims and Formula hubs, and a SRAM SX drivetrain, but with TRP Slate T4 brakes for $3,800.
A frameset with a Fox Factory X2 costs $3,300. See the GT website for more info.
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