Martin Maes' GT Force Enduro Race Bike | GMBN Tech Pro Bike Check

GMBN's Neil Donoghue is checking out Martin Maes' Enduro World Series race bike, the GT rider chooses to run a little less travel than other riders and explains why he runs this setup. - Parts list below 👇
Team: GT Factory Racing
Bike Spec List:
🔘 Frame: GT Force Carbon (Large)
🔘 Rear Suspension: Fox Float X2
🔘 Front Suspension: Fox 36 150mm
🔘 Wheelset: Stans Flow (29”F) (27.5” R)
🔘 Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary (F) Big Betty (R)
🔘 Brakes: Shimano Saint
🔘 Rotors: Shimano 180mm
🔘 Handlebars: Race Face SixC Carbon
🔘 Stem: Race Face Atlas
🔘 Headset: FSA
🔘 Grips: ODI Elite Pro Lock-On
🔘 Shifters: Shimano XTR 12 speed
🔘 Crankset: Shimano XTR (170mm) - 32T Chainring
🔘 Pedals: Crankbrothers Mallet E LS
🔘 Chain: Shimano XTR
🔘 Cassette: Shimano XTR (10-45T)
🔘 Rear Mech: Shimano XTR
🔘 Seatpost: Fox Transfer
🔘 Saddle: Fabric
Extras:
One Up tool:
Slicy Mudguard
EThirteen chain guide
King Cage Bottle Cage
Cush Core Tyre Insert rear
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[@gmbntech]

What do you think of Martin's bike? Let us know 👇

[@GLOBc]

@2:53 I believe it's a 27.5 model Force (not a force 29) that has had a big front wheel added (not a small rear wheel) - As Martin explains later in the interview. I think it's a 'Super Nice' for sure - relatively clean an simple build, shows you don't need a tonne of travel to get it done!

[@yopiopeh9406]

It’s there a 29er fork or 27,5?

[@qwadelaida]

@@yopiopeh9406 also curious to know. Would have been nice if they answered.

[@ecoriv78]

Is he using offset bushings for the gt mullet?

[@erich8258]

It's nice to hear him say "flex" instead the marketing buzzword "compliance."

[@BuildaBetterBike]

"If you get steeper than (45t) you might as well walk". Exactly!

[@thova1000]

This is one of the better bike checks. Interesting setup. Wel done!

[@gmbntech]

Stoked you liked this Thomas 🙌 Yea, it's great to hear why he chooses to run things a little different from most riders!

[@quinntitchkosky5396]

I think it goes to show that one of the fastest guys says 150 is enough and alloy wheels are fine. I see so many of the enduro clones on the local track that seems to think they cant ride without their 180mm fork and carbon everything, only to finish middle of the pack at the local weekend races.

[@JoeyG333]

it goes to show alright but cosnidering martin maes races dh aswell i am sure he wouldnt mind more travel. i think it is more to do with this being all he has to work with than it being a personal preference.

[@ErichVonCartmann]

people race against themselves, not others. A fast rider will be fast on any bike. Just because their preference works for them, does NOT mean it works for us.

[@travistweedle9674]

I don't even race and I have a Carboned out clone sitting on $2500 Carbon Industry 9 wheels. I can afford it so I buy what I want/like. In the end if they finish middle of the pack but had an awesome time on their tricked out clone so be it. At least they are out riding having a good time.

[@ErichVonCartmann]

@@travistweedle9674 , if idiots based their Enduro on Mark Mae's set up, then they deserve to stay idiots! Very few rides like him, he rides on top of all the chunk and glides and skits over everything. He is actually in very much control like this, but if we tried to set up our bikes like him, and ride like him, we would kill ourselves!

[@travistweedle9674]

​@@ErichVonCartmann Who cares. Blissful ignorance is more fun sometimes than nerding out if I should have 5 clicks of high speed rebound or 4. Go be the 4th grade Cartman that didn't have a care in world except for where he was gonna get his next bucket of Chicken.

[@drmoynihan]

Really interesting to hear Martin explain why he chooses different components, including a aluminum frame, and smaller rear cassette. Of course his is a very specialized Enduro Racing Bike. Thank you for this interesting presentation.

[@evenkristoffersen6501]

he dont have a aliminium frame, he has a aliminium rear triangle.

[@drmoynihan]

@@evenkristoffersen6501 Is the rest of it plastic fibercarbon fiberglass?

[@evenkristoffersen6501]

@@drmoynihan the front triangle is carbonfiber

[@_systemd]

@@drmoynihan the rest of it is a combo of woodplasticnitrid and papercarbonium

[@drmoynihan]

@@_systemd LOL 🤪

[@mick35w]

Such a cool down to earth guy

[@rafaelgodoy3703]

Excellent bike check. Both Neil and Martin made a lot of interesting observations. Thank you both!

[@hitower1977]

One of the most informative interviews I've ever seen on (a unorthodox) bike setup, awesome video, thanks!

[@cookie13spike]

Great bike check with 2 guys who really know their stuff! Really refreshing to hear MM explain his reasons for running the bike a certain way and back it up with some real world testing methology! cheers!

[@Alexandros_Patsialidis]

What a friendly, super-relaxed guy, wow 🤙🏼

[@wouter4739]

So sick! ⬛🟨🟥

[@eraserlee7733]

the gt force is my fav bike, man wish i could get this sick bike

[@ErichVonCartmann]

Being a Gear Head, I love these bike checks. I have no problems admitting I am more about SHOW these days then GO. It is very nice to see a thorough walk through on these Pro bikes. Even if these are just "show bikes" and not their real race bikes, I am cool with that! At my age, I know I am never going to be a World Cup Racer, but I like to ride what the Pros ride, and to me, LOOKS and BLING are the most important factor in determining my bike purchases.

[@sebastienhakimejdaa9363]

Well said from my countryman. Running same rims and also 150mm travel on my Commencal Meta. Never felt underbiked on an enduro stage.

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

You missed the most important part... "Martin" laser etched on the hope seatpost clamp.

[@Happy_Biker]

By choosing to mullet with a 27.5 rear on a 29” frame, the bottom bracket stays lower than with over-forking, so you get lower, slacker. Great bike, would ride one! 😏

[@bitumen83]

That is great if your focus is on downs. If you want all-rounder then it sucks...

[@dylanridesabike84]

Sick video, I love bike checks!

[@MG_Gily_Wut]

Nice bike Martin🤘🖤💛❤️interesting About your bikepart choice

[@zebkhan8234]

Hi GMBN,just wanted to say great vids and made time without my bike bearable

[@gmbntech]

Good to hear that Zeb 🙌 we hope you are keeping well!

[@zebkhan8234]

@@gmbntech just made my day that you replied

[@zebkhan8234]

@@gmbntech can I ask who replied? Just wondering

[@gfowkes]

2021 will be the year of the mullet!

[@gfowkes]

@Yevgeniy Friedland I'm riding an Ibis Mojo 4 mullet build. SO great!

[@ethantang6282]

According to E13’s manual, that chainguide was installed a bit leaning forward.

[@jgervenvan]

Does Martin Maes, shaves his legs is the real information I want to know.

[@Yvcfthnmklkmm]

????????? 🤨

[@ProfeTa6]

Sooo according to every single current trend it's a trail bike and not fit for enduro. Yet...

[@redlancer7263]

I think that it being a mullet and the smaller cassette makes it more of an Enduro bike, with 29s front and rear and a 10-50ish I could see it being more of an all-mountain or a long travel trail bike.

[@ProfeTa6]

@@redlancer7263 what I was refering to os the nonsense of the bike's industry retarded labeling. Wasn't long ago that a 140-150mm travel bike would be "all mountain" or a 100-120mm a "trail bike", now it's "down country". Just ride what suits you and be done with it.Stop with the stupid categorizing it only exists to sell you something you think you need.

[@danieldeponte2631]

@@ProfeTa6 I think and say exactly the same as you.

[@boazcohen1487]

One of da first

[@liamskyreyes3997]

Next bike check brett rheeder trek mtb

[@financialcyclist]

What's hub and bb is he running?

[@TheKoosterify]

wait isnt that a 27.5 frame paired with the 29 front not the other way around?

[@majoromg449]

Thought so as well

[@greghyde2671]

So does he take a 29er or a 27.5 size spare tube?

[@tylerressler9741]

29 cuz he has cushcore in the rear and not up front

[@harrogateflyer]

Id say 27.5, because it will stretch into a 29er wheel if it needs to...

[@Honza.Vykoupil]

What I´d like to know is the weight of the bike? Talking about lighter/heavier and not using the actual number ... I know its not relevant parameter for some people, but I would like to know that. :)

[@Happy_Biker]

I think about 34lbs

[@gmbntech]

Unfortunately, we didn't have any scales with us!

[@trugearreviewmtb2226]

Probably heavier than you’d expect. Believe it or not, bikes are getting to be pretty hefty these days, yes even carbon super bikes (the days of 26 pound trail bikes is gone). Alloy cranks, heavy tires, burly stem, alloy wheels and such. I’d bet 34-35 lbs.

[@tylerressler9741]

@@trugearreviewmtb2226 Totally agree. I have a buddy that has a carbon Cannondale Habit and it weighs 37lbs

[@badlarry172]

i like his muurrlit bike

[@badlarry172]

@@deanwoods8647 yeh but it's spelt like that in Belgium and France i think you'll find

[@draje3832]

One of the first comments !!!

[@ethanpostma1575]

first to comment I think. anyway sick video!!!

[@gmbntech]

Very close 🥈 thanks Ethan!

[@ethanpostma1575]

@@gmbntech first time I have pined, Thanks GMBN tech

[@jackeastvold76]

First

[@gmbntech]

🏆🏁

[@jackeastvold76]

Thanks

[@bitumen83]

Top tube is not tall enough...

[@_systemd]

wowow maes such amateur, racing on fox 36 while women with exo casing need the extra stiffness of the 38. he's loosing good 30sec per run due to the flex only