GT are about the most prolific MTB brands ever. In the 90's they ruled everything. Nico raced DH for them and was just light years ahead of everyone, literally. Their bikes were sublime, every model name they had became a legend, everyone who didn't own a GT wanted one, everyone who did own a GT wanted another.
I had lots, I started in about 1995 with an RTS, one of the first mass market full sussers, then I got an LTS which I still have to this day, I also owned several Zaskars. What's a Zaskar? It's a polished alu hardtail frame, ask anyone riding in the 90's and they will have heard of it, and lusted after one at some point.
In the 90's the Zaskar was brash, it was bold, it screamed look at me, it kicked sand in the face of the popular CroMo hardtails, it got drunk, encouraged everyone else to get drunk, it got into fights and always came out the winner. It was everything a big balls'd alu hardtail was meant to be. In the 00's the Zaskar remained in the GT line up, but it lost it's former glory. It got all lightweight, and slimeline. It still kicked sand at people, but only the smaller kids, never the school bully.
Well watch out school bullies everywhere, the Zasker of old, the real Zaskar, is back, and it's gonna kick your ass.
GT have decided to re-issue this once great frame, but not for everyone, for a very lucky 500 people, and only 80 lucky people in the UK (unless you fancy trying to import your own).
Just like the original the new Zaskar will be hand built in the US, this time from Alcoa tubing, each frame with come with a certificate from the builder and sticks to the original tubing sizes. Which means it's gonna be BIG. It even has the original decals. The only difference is the angles, the geometry is more in line with modern hardtails so you can run your five inch forks no problem. Every frame will even come in a specially crafted one off presentation box. Too cool for skool!
You can't get one of these from Real Cycles, we used to be GT dealers but sadly no more, (it's a long story, don't ask, it's too painful!) so if you really want one of these beauties get together £699.99 and hot foot it to your nearest GT dealer. To find a local dealer check out www.gt-bicycles.co.uk
