The 2022 GT Force enduro mountain bike sees a number of key changes, including revisions to its geometry, new suspension kinematics and a switch in wheel size, opting for 29er wheels going forward.
Three models of the new carbon 29er enduro bike will be available, alongside a frame-only option.
The bike uses GT’s four-bar LTS (Linkage Tuned Suspension) suspension system, and has 170mm of travel up front and 160mm of travel at the rear.
Used on GT’s downhill World Cup-winning Fury, the brand says the system “creates an optimised rear-wheel axle path for maximum bump absorption”, and allows GT to fine-tune pedal efficiency, traction and braking.
Yet another high-pivot idler pulley system
If you know anything about the GT Fury, you’ll know it has a high-pivot idler pulley system and the Force gets the same treatment, routing the chain over an idler that spins around a high main pivot.
The high main pivot gives the initial rearward axle path, which increases the distance between the cranks and the rear axle.
Without the idler, there would be a huge amount of pedal kickback when the suspension compresses. With the chain routed over the main pivot, the influence of the rear suspension is largely removed from the drivetrain, giving a much smoother ride in the rough.
High pivot, idler-based suspension linkages are becoming more and more popular on the enduro scene, with bikes from Cannondale (which is owned by the same group as GT), Deviate, Forbidden and Norco among the ranks of manufacturers routing their chains the long way round.
It’s an idea that originated in downhill, where smoothness over big hits is of utmost importance, and is starting to make its way down the travel ranks.
Bang on-trend geometry updates
The full carbon frame has a longer reach than its predecessor, which GT says provides optimal steering when paired with the shorter stem.
The frame now has a steeper 78-degree seat-tube angle to improve climbing performance and a slacker 63.5-degree head tube angle for greater stability on descents.
The rear end is longer than its predecessor and with its lower standover height, when paired with that slacker front end, now falls in line with the current trends of the best enduro mountain bikes that prioritise descending stability and speed.
The previous Force was available with 27.5in wheels, but the new version gets 29in wheels. GT says that in real-world testing these larger wheels proved best at maximising performance.
The rear triangle has a flip-chip that allows you to adjust the chainstay length between 435mm and 445mm, giving you a longer wheelbase for more stability on rough descents.
2022 GT Force Geometry (Large)
- Reach: 480mm
- Top tube horizontal: 617mm
- Seat tube length: 445mm
- Head tube length: 130mm
- Head tube angle: 63.5 degrees
- Seat tube angle: 78 degrees
- Chainstay length: 435mm / 445mm
- Wheelbase: 1,270mm/ 12,80mm
Force suspension
GT has increased the anti-squat on the Force which it claims should improve acceleration, while anti-rise has been increased from 60 per cent to 70 per cent for controlled braking and less dive at high speeds.
The shock’s stroke has seen increases too, from 55mm to 65mm, to lower the leverage ratio of the bike and, as GT says, “improve ‘pump-ability’”. GT says that the new Force will happily take either a coil or air shock too.
Given the rowdy potential of this bike, it’s no surprise to see GT introducing a built-in chain guide and chainstay and seat protection.
Elsewhere, GT has opted for “tube-in-tube” routing, running all cables internally in the front triangle of the frame for a clean aesthetic, but at the expense of easier maintenance, of course.
Integrated frame storage in the front triangle courtesy of a strap lets you carry essentials, such as a tube, inflator and multi-tool.
2022 GT Force range overview
The 2022 GT Force will be available in three models with prices ranging from $3,800 to $6,000. We’ll add international pricing as soon as we have it.
GT Force Pro LE
- Frame: Force Carbon 29in frame
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, 230×65mm
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate, 170mm
- Drivetrain: SRAM GX/X01 Eagle with Truvativ Descendent 7k crankset
- Brakes: SRAM CODE RSC with 220mm/200mm rotors
- Seatpost: TransX dropper post
- Bar: GT Alloy Riser Bar, 780mm
- Saddle: Fabric Scoop Shallow Sport
- Wheels and tyres: WTB KOM trail rims with SRAM and Formula hubs
- Price: $6,000
GT Force Pro
- Frame: Force Carbon 29in frame
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, 230×65mm
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate, 170mm
- Drivetrain: SRAM NX/GX Eagle with Truvativ Descendent 6k crankset
- Brakes: SRAM CODE RSC with 220mm/200mm rotors
- Seatpost: TransX dropper post
- Bar: GT Alloy Riser Bar, 780mm
- Saddle: Fabric Scoop Shallow Sport
- Wheels and tyres: WTB ST i29 TCS rims with Formula hubs
- Price: $5,100
GT Force Elite
- Frame: Force Carbon 29in frame
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Select, 230×65mm
- Fork: RockShox Yari RC, 170mm
- Drivetrain: SRAM SX Eagle with Truvativ Descendent 6k crankset
- Brakes: TRP Slate T4, 203mm/203mm rotors
- Seatpost: GT Dropkick dropper post
- Bar: GT Alloy Riser Bar, 780mm
- Saddle: Fabric Scoop Shallow Sport
- Wheels and tyres: WTB ST i29 TCS rims with Formula hubs
- Price: $3,800
