Foldable Bikes Party: GT Grade Expert review

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

GT Grade Expert review

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We first came across the GT Grade a year ago as a gravel-munching EnduRoad machine and instantly thought “this would be good with an MTB bar and brakes rather than these flared drops”. Fast-forward to the present and GT has satisfied our request with the GT Grade Expert… sort of.

GT Grade Expert spec overview

Frame: Grade alloy
Fork: Grade carbon with threadless steerer
Wheels: Formula hubs laced to Alex ATD470 rims
Transmission: Shimano Sora
Brakes: Shimano Claris

GT Grade Expert frame and equipment

While all the aluminium Grades share the identical frame, the Grade Expert FB (flat bar) receives a lower checklist of components than the 105 Adventure incarnation, dressed instead with Shimano Sora/Claris 3x9 drivetrain and the rather cumbersome non-series hydro brake levers.

Mixing groupsets can be a bit of a bugbear of ours but, thankfully, the more-affordable Sora/Claris mix drivetrain on the FB edition is actually pretty good. Okay, it doesn’t match the 105 for efficiency but it’s certainly adequate.

GT Grade Expert ride impression

A triple chainset and nine-speed cassette sent chills down our legs at the thought of spinning such a high cadence, but mentally and physically easing into a more sedate spin than the usual out-of-the-saddle battering paid dividends. Yes, KOMs remained absent, but so did dismounting. Every cloud and all that… Mind you, the indicator windows on the shifters are a constant reminder that you’re nestled in the granny ring!

Kenda’s Kwest ‘tyres’ feel just that, their tired performance distilling confidence; in fact, the combination of their plastic feel, the relatively short stem and narrow flat bar result in a twitchy front end that also seems to dissipate speed. Don’t let that distract you from the bike’s credentials, though — tyres are an easy and affordable upgrade, as are a better stem and handlebar.