Synonymous with the start of mountain biking, the GT Zaskar has been on the scene since 1991 in one form or another.
The bike has taken many forms over the years, but the latest Zaskar LT looks to stay true to its forefathers' go-anywhere, do-anything characteristics with a ground-up redesign that sees a move to more modern frame geometry.
It's competitively priced too, with builds starting at £1,000 for the Zaskar LT Elite model, and sits alongside the more XC-orientated Zaskar we tested last year.
GT Zaskar LT frame details
Retaining GT's iconic triple triangle frameset – a third, smaller triangle is created at the seatstay/seat tube junction – the Zaskar LT is claimed to have 50 per cent more vertical compliance compared to a traditional-looking bike.
It does this by having floating seatstays – the stays bridge the seat tube without being attached to them, instead only joining to the front triangle on the top tube.
Otherwise, the frame has been designed around a 130mm travel fork (but can run up to 140mm of travel), 29in wheels and 1x drivetrains.
It has internally-routed cables, can run up to 2.4in wide 29er tyres and comes in four sizes and two colours.
The Zaskar LT frame also has Boost 148mm rear axle spacing, a tapered head tube and BSA 73mm threaded bottom bracket.
GT Zaskar LT geometry
Jumping on the longer, lower and slacker geometry bandwagon, the new Zaskar LT gets a 66-degree head tube angle, 75-degree seat tube angle, longer reach figures across all sizes and long 450mm chainstays.
Longer, lower and slacker bikes are generally more stable on rough, steep or technical terrain. They help inexperienced riders tackle tricky trails more confidently because the bike's moving around less beneath them, requiring fewer rider inputs to keep everything pointing in the right direction.
For more experienced riders, this type of progressive frame geometry should help them ride faster, their gusto being the most limiting factor. It's no wonder, then, that brands like GT are moving away from traditional geometry on their more hardcore bikes.
The Zaskar LT is available in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra-large
| Size | Small | Medium | Large | Extra-large |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach (mm) | 425 | 445 | 465 | 485 |
| Seat tube length (mm) | 400 | 440 | 480 | 520 |
| Top tube length (mm) | 592 | 615 | 637 | 659 |
| Head tube angle (degrees) | 66 | 66 | 66 | 66 |
| Seat tube angle (degrees) | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 |
| Standover (mm) | 732 | 763 | 794 | 825 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 105 | 115 | 125 | 135 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1181 | 1,205 | 1,229 | 1,253 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 450 | 450 | 450 | 450 |
| BB height (mm) | 323 | 323 | 323 | 323 |
GT Zaskar LT models, pricing and specifications
The new Zaskar LT is available in two variants.
The more expensive Zaskar LT Expert retails for £1,300 / €1,499 / CHF1,699, while the cheaper Zaskar LT Elite costs £1,000 / €1,199 / CHF1,399.
GT Zaskar LT Elite
- Frame: Zaskar LT alloy frame with triple triangle and floating seatstays
- Fork: SR Suntour Zeron 35, 130mm travel, coil-sprung, 15x110mm axle
- Groupset: SRAM SX Eagle (1×12)
- Crankset: SRAM SX Eagle, 30-tooth chainring (1×12)
- Brakes: Shimano MT410 disc 180mm (f), 160mm (r) rotors
- Wheels: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims on Shimano MT400 hubs
- Tyres: WTB Breakout Comp DNA compound 29 x 2.3in (f), WTB Breakout Comp DNA compound 29 x 2.3in (r)
- Bar and stem: GT Alloy 31.8mm clamp, 15mm rise, 780mm wide bars / GT Alloy 31.8mm clamp, 45mm long stem
- Saddle: WTB Silverado Sport
- Seatpost: TransX Dropper
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: £1,000 / €1,199 / €1,249 (Portugal) / €1,299 (Finland) / CHF1,399
GT Zaskar LT Expert
- Frame: Zaskar LT alloy frame with triple triangle and floating seatstays
- Fork: RockShox 35, 130mm travel, air-sprung, 15x110mm axle
- Groupset: SRAM NX/SX Eagle (1×12) mix
- Crankset: SRAM NX Eagle, 30-tooth chainring (1×12)
- Brakes: Shimano MT410 disc 180mm (f), 160mm (r) rotors
- Wheels: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims on Formula DC-511 (f) and DC-1248 (r) hubs
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF WT, Dual Compound, EXO, TR 29 x 2.5in (f), Maxxis Minion DHRII WT, Dual Compound, EXO, TR 29 x 2.4in (r)
- Bar and stem: GT Alloy 31.8mm clamp, 15mm rise, 780mm wide bars / GT Alloy 31.8mm clamp, 45mm long stem
- Saddle: Fabric Scoop Shallow Sport, steel rails
- Seatpost: TransX Dropper
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: £1,300 / €1,499 / €1,549 (Portugal) / €1,599 (Finland) / CHF1,699
As soon as the lockdown restrictions in the UK have been eased, we will have a review on the new 2020 GT Zaskar LT on BikeRadar. Stay tuned. Otherwise, let us know what you think of GT's latest Zaskar in the comments.
