GT

Force Carbon Pro Complete Mountain Bike - 2017

Reveling in all-mountain terrain, GT's 2017 Force Carbon Pro Complete Mountain Bike pairs the childhood joy we've long associated with the brand with the high-end construction and precise componentry we now expect in our adult-sized trail adventures. SRAM's one-by drivetrain changes gears while powerful hydraulic brakes, a dropper post, and the tubeless reliability of Stan's NoTubes Flow MK3 hoops all pitch in to make this bike the capable all-mountain rig you've been looking for.

GT crafts the Force Carbon with its Force Optimized Construction (FOC) Ultra carbon, which is a weave of lightweight and exceptionally strong high-modulus carbon fibers that results in a balance of lateral rigidity, impact resilience, and minimal weight. This translates to real life as a stiff, responsive ride that won't feel like pushing a tank when the trail angles skyward.

The Force Carbon's Angle Optimized Suspension (AOS) looks decidedly different than most other suspension systems, with the crankset attached to the mobile rear triangle rather than the stationary front triangle. GT claims that pairing this design with its Pathlink, which cradles the crankset and acts as a pivot on the short side of the rear triangle, minimizes power-sapping chain extension for a more responsive pedal feel. AOS' high mount pivot also helps boost the suspension's shock absorbing capabilities for improved big-hit compliance. In a nutshell, AOS isolates rear axle travel from pedaling input, which means the Force Carbon can charge over singletrack and jump off the line without any disheartening pedal bob.