GT ZASKAR LT ELITE

The Zaskar has a proud heritage. It was the go-to hardtail for more aggro riding in the 1990s, and has continued to evolve ever since. This latest version doesn’t look too dissimilar to one from 30 years ago, although the stretched-out sizing, bigger wheels and relaxed head angle mean it rides very differently.

It wouldn’t be a Zaskar if it didn’t sport GT’s familiar ‘Triple Triangle’ design. On this new version, the seatstays are decoupled from the seat tube to give a ‘floating’ connection between seatpost (and therefore saddle) and rear axle; the theory, presumably, being that fewer vibrations are transferred to the rider when the back tyre hits a bump. This effect is most isolating when seated, but it also smoothed out the ride while standing up downhill or pedalling over rough ground.

The geometry is contemporary, and includes a longer, more stable wheelbase than on the other bikes here; a slacker head angle, which stops the steering feeling twitchy at speed; and a more upright seat tube angle, to keep the saddle over the cranks up steep climbs for good power transfer. GT have nailed the numbers for an all-round hardtail and it rides very naturally.

They’ve also gone with sensible standards, including a less creak-prone threaded BB and the improved wheel stiffness permitted by a Boost 148mm axle. Unfortunately, the internallyrouted cables rattle like crazy when riding and the sound is infuriating, especially when combined with the chain hitting the seatstay, which lacks any noise-damping protection.

The names Tektro and SR Suntour may not be as familiar as the likes of RockShox, Shimano or Fox. However, both firms have been around for years and make decent kit. The GT’s Suntour Zeron fork has 130mm of travel –30mm more than the other bikes – and a supple coil spring that makes it great at tracking the ground for extra grip and comfort. Its lack of adjustment (relative to an air-sprung fork, where you can tweak the pressure to suit different riders) rings alarm bells, but actually, it works really well. Sadly, the same can’t be said for the Tektro Gemini SL brakes – with small rotors, they lack power and feel, and aren’t a match for the brand’s pricier TRP kit.

SRAM’s 12-speed SX Eagle drivetrain is a bit clunky and underwhelming, although it drives wheels with Shimano hubs and WTB ST i30 rims that leave little to complain about. Our test bike had WTB Trail Boss tyres, too, instead of the listed WTB Breakouts, and these worked great in a range of conditions.

The Zaskar costs the most here, but it’s the only one with a dropper post –a ride-transforming component that allows you to attack in tricky sections without feeling inhibited by the saddle.

With more suspension and a way better-damped frame than the others on test, the Zaskar is a seriously smooth operator. With quiet confidence, it ticks off serious trails and challenging steeper sections, and is a lot of fun to ride, with good balance, and a ton of grip from the front tyre. GT’s floating seatstays also seem to be a winner, since there’s good pedalling comfort when seated, even over seriously choppy terrain.

One thing that isn’t quiet, sadly, is the Zaskar frame. Even with the supple coil fork, it’s distractingly rattly on descents and has an intermittent pingy metallic sound that niggles when rolling along singletrack, due to the aforementioned cabling and chain-slap issues – things GT should have sorted out. The extra noise may be partly explained by the fact testers were happy to go twice as fast downhill on the Zaskar, though, thanks to the longer reach delivering a really stable base to balance from. The slacker head angle places the front tyre way out in front, too, for an assured steering feel that’s never twitchy or nervous and helps boost rider cockiness.

The cranks can feel a bit twisty under the leverage of big pedals, but even with more fork bounce and a hefty 15.9kg all-in weight, this rig is no slouch when it comes to getting about between the descents, and excels on jumps, too. The steep seat tube gives a hips-forward saddle position with good ergonomics for climbing, and there’s plenty of fizz and zing when stomping on the pedals to reach the next fun bit.

HIGHS

Suntour Zeron fork is basic, but irons out the trail sting nicely and has good damping support

WTB Trail Boss tyres aren’t the advertised spec, but grip great, so we had no complaints about the swap

Short stem and wide bar put you in precise control

LOWS

Sounds like a bag of spanners in a tin can at times

Two kilos heavier than the others

GT Avalanche Expert £1,250

There’s no cheaper Zaskar. The top Avalanche gets a RockShox Recon fork and Shimano brakes, but has more traditional geometry.

GT Zaskar LT Expert £1,650

The only other Zaskar boosts the kit quality, with powerful Shimano brakes, a ‘Gold’ level RockShox fork and Maxxis Minion tyres.

BRILLIANT BRAKES

Shimano’s MT410 stoppers are powerful, controlled and fantastic for the money

TAKE A SEAT

A dropper seatpost would be preferable, but at least the Kona’s rigid post is topped with a super-comfy WTB Volt saddle

POWER TO THE PEDALS

The 12-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain is the best you can get for this kind of cash.

Q.R.

Quick- release – a fastening system that uses a levered clamp with a cam inside to hold things tight. Often found on seatpost collars and, on cheaper bikes, wheels.

LOW-SLUNG FRAME

Design with a steeply-sloping top tube, which makes it easier to get on and off the bike, and provides more legroom when riding dynamically.