Bike Geometry

This will sound like a rant. Probably is.

So, after I put the GT Peace 9r beside the Chromag I noticed something that may explain my beef with it. While sitting on the couch of all things. that being the stem sits way to low. No wonder it feels weird.

And on closer inspection I notice another little detail. That the suspension forks top caps are micro meters away from hitting the down tube. What the flip?? According to GT's specs this should not be a problem. Yet it is. What the hell is GT doing?? Using the blind to design the frame??

So after taking multiple measurements and talking to my buddy the old school bike guy we see the problem. That being the geniuses at GT made the head tube way to short, it should be on a small frame. This has caused way to much weight on the bars and therefore the front wheel. No wonder my hands feel weird. Plus as Jay mentioned to me, no wonder it's so hard to pull up the front wheel. As he pointed out they got it all wrong.

The solution is simple, new headset from Cane Creek- the S3 Plus 5 and a new fork. Or more like a used one- something like a Manitou Minute or a Rock Shok. Hopefully something with a 20mm axle. As Jay pointed out to me this will do a good job of getting my weight further back- where it's bloody supposed to be. This way I can ride it a bit more untill I can get the Paradox frame this fall.

So right now the purchases needed are the headset and the front fork. But boy it is frustrating when one realizes that it wouldn't be a problem if they had actually left material.

What is even more funny to me is the geometry of the Zaskar 29er this year. They shortened the chainstays like everyone else has. Only major difference is companies like Kona for example did that across the board it seems. Yet GT just leaves it be.