GT

Sensor Expert Complete Mountain Bike - 2015

With the 2015 Sensor Expert Complete Mountain Bike, GT has struck a ringing note in the all-terrain race market. With a light, stiff, reliable frame; a drivetrain that blends speed with brute force; and a geometry, fork, and shock that recommend it for riding fast over all types of terrain, the Sensor Expert is ideal for the competitive mountain biker who's looking to upgrade to a Cat 2- or Cat 1-worthy machine.

The Sensor Expert's 6069 hydroformed aluminum frame rings the familiar refrain of lightweight durability that continues to see this material and manufacturing process at the head of the industry. When the stiff efficiency of aluminum meets the Sensor's 68.5-degree head tube angle and 44.6-inch wheelbase (size medium), it produces a full suspension build that doesn’t compromise on climbing, technical handling, or terrain tackling confidence.

The Sensor Expert's blend of a FOX shock and RockShox fork further complements the frame's take-all-comers geometry. The rear shock is FOX's FLOAT CTD with a Boost Valve, which gives the rider three settings to capitalize on travel for downhilling, stiffen up for climbing efficiency, or level out for some cross-country rocket time. The Boost Valve complements the FLOAT's generous 7.25 inches of travel by compensating in favor of a responsive pedaling platform during the initial stages of compression and giving a bottomless ride during the end of the stroke.

Up front, The RockShox Revelation RL Solo Air lets you tinker mid-ride with the 130 millimeters of travel courtesy of the three lockout options. The three settings run the full travel (open), a trail setting that takes away the biggest hits (threshold), or some pure speed for smooth trails (lockout). RockShox says the Revelation's flexibility is a symptom of split-personality disorder, but we disagree. It knows exactly what it is: a fork that does everything. And it does it really fast.

The drivetrain keeps it racy, with Shimano Deore Rapid Fire shifters and Deore derailleurs to shepherd the KMC X10 chain across the Shimano CS-HG50-10 cassette. The Sensor Expert's inclusion of a Deore double crankset instead of a one-by or a triple tells you exactly the bike is for: producing the most speed over all types of terrain. Shimano hydraulic brakes mean you'll also produce maximum stopping power, because if you're trying to slow down on a bike this fast, there's probably a very compelling reason to do so.

DT spokes lace WTB's tubeless-ready Sti23 rims to All Terra's high flange hubs for efficient power transfer, and Continental's X-King tires provide the grab to get you going. The stem is a Race Face Ride, the bar is a Kore Durox, and the Saddle is WTB's Silverado. GT provides the grips, and All Terra rounds out the rest of the kit's ancillary components.

The 2015 GT Sensor Expert Complete Mountain Bike is available in four sizes ranging from Small to X-Large in the color Blue/white.