Behind the Brand: GT Bicycles HQ Tour and Ride Along - Back in SoCal

#mtb #loamwolf
Few brands have the heritage, history and iconic recognition that GT Bicycles possesses. Whether you’ve owned one or not, chances are at some point in your life there’s been a GT bike that has held a special place in your heart. As a Southern California native, my teenage years spent watching Steve Peat race various GT LTS and Lobo DH bikes at Snow Summit left me full of lust and desire for those beautiful polished and raw carbon frames. For bike fans older than me, riders like Hans Rey or legendary BMXers all the way back to GT’s founding in 1972 could strike chords of nostalgia. Yet somewhere along the way, and after a couple of acquisitions, GT Bicycles seemed to veer off-track and had been bouncing through the cabbage in the eyes of many consumers. Fast forward and it seems like GT Bicycles have made their way back under the tape and are once again on track. After spending a number of years away from their Southern California home and under a shared roof with Cannondale Bicycles in Connecticut, GT has found their way back to Orange County and it’s very clear the team is stoked! Come along as we meet the people Behind the Brand at GT Bicycles.
Check out the full write-up and photos here:
theloamwolf.com/2023/07/25/be...
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00:00 Introduction
02:41 Interview w/ GT's Managing Director
06:30 Mike "Steezy" Giese
08:09 Design and Engineering
10:59 BMX Ben
13:00 Head of MTB Operations
15:37 GT's Longest Employee
18:46 Trail Time

[@Jonathan-lm7wy]

I'm 45. My first bike as a kid was a blue GT with white wheels/tires. I can still remember what it looked like that bike was sick. Good times!

[@cesarricardolozanoleanez5026]

Hi Wolf, I'm a doctor from Venezuela, 63 years old and a GT fan. My first montain bike was a zaskar LE in 1992 when I got hooked by mtb, ever since then there has always been GT bikes iny home, my kids ride a Avalanche 3.0, myself have a Merida for mtb and a GT road bike from 2.000 that I rebuilded step by step with original components from back then. I'm extremely happy to know of GT come back, specially bevause i have plans to open a bike store in Venezuela and bikes from GT will be a must in the stock. Thanks for this video, it was fun and makes me very happy. Best regards to everyone there.

[@PatricksScaleModelShop]

I’m so stoked to hear this. I was also big into BMX back in the day and moved on to mountain bikes. Eddie Fiola was God to me as a kid in the late 80’s BMX years. The only problem was I never was able to get a true GT bike. Well I ain’t dead yet so who knows. Maybe this is the time.

[@GTBicycles1]

Thanks for stopping by! We had a great time! 🙌

[@TheLoamWolf]

Our pleasure!

[@djfu3l3r25]

Hopefully GT pays some attention and does some homage to the 90s GT race bikes and usa made components that made them so iconic. And hopefully they remake the AA pro tire in tan wall for bmx

[@justinmills556]

I’d like to see more late 80’s freestyle reproductions bikes. Always wanted one back in the day. Come on GT. Let me relive my childhood memories.

[@allensmith9879]

Hell yeah the late 80s early 90s 90 & 91 were 👌

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

In 1997 they had 780 employees, they had a huge R&D capacity... Unbelievable what happened since Richard Long passed, sad story 😢 My two first bikes were GT's and I had subsequently two LTS... Fond memories. Idk what happened with I-drive patents but this design costed millions to develop, maybe it's time to bring it back in a modernized version.

[@jeffhamac6662]

Growing up in the Philippines, i grew up riding only Gt Bicycles. I started in BMX, spending time with friends riding, trying the things we saw in tv n movies, being so happy when successful in doing a certain bike trick or suffer when i fail.i have a lot of scars from wounds from bike accidents. Then went to mt.bike having a Zaskar n went racing with it locally.

[@user-km1it8id4i]

I found a good-quality body for the GT GTRseries 4 LTD that I drove 14 years ago and gave it up, and it's really fun to ride. Despite the skinny 23c tires, which are rarely seen these days, the ride is very comfortable and runs well. I would like to visit GTbicycles' headquarters someday.

[@Selftaught_777]

I had a GT as a kid , great memories building home made ramps.

[@73megalith]

Still ride my '92 GT Tequesta, my first MTB and now fitted with a BMX stem and mini moto bars for a perfect cruiser pub bike ride, still turning heads and looking great, still running the shimano exage throughout, built to last 🤙

[@JoJo-yr6io]

My first bmx was a gt tour2 I got at Fast Bikes in San Jose,Ca Its soo true about the freedom on 2 wheels i was always the kid on the bmx with a bunch of skaters...lol... Still have that bike... Soo awesome...

[@TheLoamWolf]

That’s rad you still have it. We wish we would have kept some of our early bikes.

[@danielcorapi929]

Yeah Cinders!!!! Good luck out in Cali!!!!!

[@Dirtydenadan691]

I had a GT Bump awesome bike. And my sponsored bike was a speedseries team w/bombshell forks

[@William.N]

Love each addition to the series!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks very much!

[@323johnnybravo]

I grew up on GTs , Fueler , Mach one , Speed series. I’d love to see GT back on top.

[@chargerking]

My first GT was a black 2002 I found in a dumpster it was full of concrete and the handle bars were cut to shoulder length by the person that threw it away and all the bearings were shot but I loved that bike I road it every where I went for like 3 years and then I sold it for $100 and got a 2018 GT performer from a friend that's now my new favorite bike

[@JamesRobertMTB]

Sick content yet again!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thank you very much! We appreciate that.

[@topchoice1621]

Man you guys don’t stop I like it

[@TheLoamWolf]

Haha… sometimes we don’t. 🛌😴

[@kevbev1524]

Eric Carter was epic Rider, Zaskar DS

[@TheLoamWolf]

He still is! haha. EC is the man.

[@JasonFoxLCB]

My first experience with GT was my buddy's GT Performer (I had a Schwinn Predator Streetwise) in the mid-80s. My first MTB was a 2001 GT i-Drive 3.0. Was also my first (and thankfully only thus far) MTB to be stolen.

[@norcalaquaticrealms6234]

My last bike was a GT Sensor. I miss that bike.

[@Renato_Bmc]

Adquiri a poucas semanas o GT Sanction 27,5 Large, coloquei suspensão traseira de mola e suspensão dianteira 180mm de curso, estou adorando a bike

[@yingkeichan9690]

GT LOBO & ZASKAR - MY FAVORITE ALL TIME.

[@craigbest8644]

A friend had a Pro Performer, really early 2000s, was quite envious of it, I had a diamondback. Years later said friend gave it to me, although I'd moved onto riding an S&M BMX, still kept the GT for awhile, can't remember what I did with it tho.

[@lilblaster22]

I have a 1982 26 inch GT BMX bike that's been in my shop forever.😮🎉

[@TheLoamWolf]

That’s awesome

[@barrakingbeatz7794]

I own the new generation gt force and it’s a fast bike. Love it

[@TheLoamWolf]

Awesome to hear! We look forward to testing some new bikes.

[@ssjj9584]

Not a fan of that logo. Wish they would use the logo with the wings. More personality. Frames look good. Nice video

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for sharing. It is only a temporary mark for “Anniversary Celebration” bikes for this year.

[@mikec8815]

Dyno Comp rules

[@AliasHSW]

@4:20 “Bikes was freedom. Ride all day just to gone…it’s about the freedom and solace” that’s how I felt until I got my driver’s license 😅. I think that’s how my kids feel too until they get their DL.

[@ericsharp5079]

Still own a 97 performer, love to the brand get back to its roots!

[@thewrx2600]

I enjoy these factory walkthroughs, especially an icon like GT. Now lets see if they can return to greatness, they have a lot of horsepower in their leadership; will they execute? So I can maybe have a new GT since my Mach One.

[@TheLoamWolf]

It sure seems like they’re going to! New bikes look good. And thanks for watching

[@mTbRaiDerLuis]

Gt force ‼️‼️‼️ does anyone know where’s the gt store located in Orange County.

[@ms.karihart2983]

How’ve you considered doing a all steel frame MTB bike

[@notpablo8369]

Wished they remade the Helion with updated geo and suspension

[@laurradu868]

I hope they will revive Karakoram!

[@TheLoamWolf]

Sounds like it was a lot of employee’s first bike!

[@AliasHSW]

The GT Mach 1 BMX a was my dream bike in the 80s

[@notpablo8369]

Still no update on Zaskar XC

[@marcoantonioalmazanfranco3819]

It’s a Shame to see their MTB line up now

[@brianwinger7293]

I pray that GT goes back to its late 1980s 90s roots -- when GT was actually putting out quality products with high end parts, qc, welds, 100%CrMo bikes... At this point I can't see them doing what the market wants -- that would make too much sense - paying homage to the bikes that MADE companies like GT HARO PK TORKER ELF PATTERSON REDLINE DYNO HUTCH SKYWAY... these were the bikes that you could ride - and ride hard -- so if there is any chance of GT being saved... its going back to the beginning... not putting more of the same crappy bikes for the cheapest possible price -- Even in this interview -- no one mentions once -- their mission of going back to their roots to which made them THE premier bike company. All they talked about was putting bikes for the lowest possible price? WHY? Why does GT insist on trying to penetrate the WALMART marketspace? Make the brand exclusive again to bike shops only -- \FFS make a better bike -- and charge accordingly -- Sadly the brand GT has been so diluted it literally is like the HUFFY of 70s -- bikes you buy at WALMART and Dicks Sporting Goods? Really GT? ... big box stores? Come on ... Re- release the late 80s early 90s versions of the pro performer, pro freestyle team bikes, gt race bikes like the MACH ONE... in the same colors with the same or better components ... and don't forget to release an actual CHROMED out bike. The hot green, pink, blue lightning colors would so amazing... Please give the whinny teenagers and millenials and gen z kids -- a taste of what REAL BIKES are... not the crap bikes of today... but real bikes... I know I know -- a big ask -- God forbid we go back to a time when the chrome was thick and the girls were hot -- and who are actual girls... and a time when you could say fag - and not mean gay - because you can be a fag and not be gay... Man I miss the 80s and 90s....

[@8664antonio]

sweet. gt i drive!!

[@JeremyFacer]

Did you ask them about head tubes snapping off on the dh bike?

[@HelloHello-gv2gg]

Please sneak to the mandalorian bike. No disc brake, Who made the wheels and why and if so what was the rush.

[@TheLoamWolf]

We posted a YT short of that bike in detail. Go check it out.

[@lilblaster22]

I guess no one wants to tell you this so I will. It's loan wolf not loam😮🎉

[@TheLoamWolf]

Haha. We specialized in high rate loans.

[@lilblaster22]

@TheLoamWolf Ooow, now you're a loan shark. I named my Turbo Levo Top Gun Maverick...

[@user-un9be3ul3z]

Foi vendido 1998😢😢

[@loadedfun4764]

Where’s Eddie? He put GT on the map.

[@loadedfun4764]

Gotcha. 👍🏼

[@markroesner1308]

Is the gt fury a good freeride bike ?

[@rajbanwait325]

Greasers

[@TheLoamWolf]

Stay gold pony boy.

[@rajbanwait325]

@@TheLoamWolf Wolverines!!!

[@karldbaker1978]

Sorry but the logo on the down tube is bland and boring

[@usernamefromhell]

People people people people, gotta be honest, idgaf about any of these people, I only care about bikes, hardware, design, engineering, GT bike history and future, bikes on the market or soon coming to market, pricing, etc... ...there are 8 billion people, idgaf about people

[@TheLoamWolf]

Thanks for sharing your opinion. We suggest you probably shouldn’t watch videos designed to showcase “people behind the brand” We have a whole lot of product focused videos, but there are lots of viewers who do enjoy learning about the people who make their bikes happen and this series is for those people.

[@usernamefromhell]

@@TheLoamWolf It says "Behind the Brand", not "people behind the brand”. If it did, I wouldn't have clicked it, or left that comment.

[@leandrovaranda4555]

Dear GT, I hope you are doing well. Find attached my resume. Looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers

[@TheLoamWolf]

Best of luck! Haha

[@anthonywalters7434]

A 2020/2021 GT Force 29 alloy is my mtb daily driver. It’s a total beast and keeps up with bikes that are 3-4x as expensive. Recently I put an Öhlins RXF36M.2 on the front and turned the bike into more of an all mountain bike than enduro bike and it’s the perfect long travel bike for me. Seeing the brand grow more and sort of be revitalized is awesome.

[@TheLoamWolf]

That's awesome to hear and thanks for sharing.