ENDURO

GT’s Force features a medium-high main pivot, so requires an idler wheel (complete with neat chain guide) to combat pedal kickback. However, its axle path isn’t as dramatically rearward as on some high-pivot bikes, due to its pivot location and linkage. During the first 100mm of (vertical) travel, the axle moves 10mm back, before moving up and forwards during the remaining 60mm. GT say they’ve upped the antisquat on this latest Force, too, to make it slightly more sprightly on the climbs.

A carbon fibre front triangle is mated to an alloy back end, all built around 29in wheels. Nice touches include tube-in-tube cable routing and adjustable chainstays (435-445mm). Reach figures are in line with others here (455mm, medium). A relaxed 63-degree head angle results in a lengthy 815mm front centre. The seat tube angle is a steep 78.4 degrees.

While the RockShox ZEB Select+ fork and Super Deluxe Select+ shock are reasonable for the price, SRAM’s NX Eagle gearing doesn’t feel as crisp or offer the same range as the GX on some cheaper bikes. We’re big fans of the Maxxis tyre combo, though, and didn’t have any issues with the EXO+ casings, even on rocky trails. The wheels are a little underwhelming; the rear Formula hub is slow to engage and clangy when the going gets rough, and we’ve dinged similar WTB rims easily in the past.

It’s easy to set the Force up and takes no time to find a good front-torear balance. Pointed uphill, it feels relatively easygoing, with little suspension bob when seated. The steep seat tube perches you in the perfect position and makes things really comfy. Leaving the shock open lets the rear tyre grip and track the terrain, although on steeper inclines in the lowest gear, the Force requires lots of grunt. It’s the heaviest here and, even compared to the Cannondale – with a similarly high pivot and the same tyres – feels harder work.

Downhill, the Force is seriously impressive. It hoovers up bumps, scalping their tops clean off and smoothing out the trail beautifully. That impressive connection between tyre and trail makes for serious amounts of traction, so, despite the higher-than-some BB height, it feels superbly confident through the turns. Because the back end doesn’t grow by a whole lot, it takes no time to adapt to if you want to ride fast.

Not the best value or the fastest up climbs, but the Force’s ability to soak up hits makes it a rapid descender