Exclusive Video: Gee and Dan Atherton Ride the New GT Zaskar

Gee and Dan Atherton, who don't suck, do amazing things on the new 2016 GT Zaskar Cabon LTD. The new bike was released yesterday by GT at Press Camp and it's important to mention this the 25th year (!) for the Zaskar. The new model is terrific - completely worthy of Hans Rey and his legacy - a 27.5, fat-ish tire, dropper-post, 1X drivetrain, carbon hammer of a hardtail bike. 

Complete specs below and are worth looking at. Of course, anything I write here probably won't change your opinion of the video, so: You watch. You happy. You come back tomorrow.

2016 GT Carbon LTD Zaskar:

Frame: F.O.C. Carbon Triple Triangle, 12x142 Thru axle - 1200 grams
Fork: 120mm RockSox Pike Solo Air
Chain Device: e.thirteen XCX
Drivetrain: Sram X1 1x11-speed w/10-42 cassette
Crankset: RaceFace Turbine SL 32t
Wheels: DT Swiss 350 hubs laced to Stan's NoTubes Flow EX 32 hole with DT Swiss Competition spokes
Tires: (f) Maxxis High Roller II 27.5x2.3" - (r) Maxxis Ardent 27.5x2.25
Brakes: Sram Guide w/180mm rotors front and rear
Handlebars: Raceface Turbine 760mm width, 10mm rise
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Head Angle: 69 degrees
MSRP: $4999

This is an aggressive component spec for an XC machine. The wide, light tires (with big sidewall) offer tons of grip and, as usual, I love how GT uses great components that are traditionally aftermarket upgrades. This Zaskar comes with a dropper post, chain guide, wide handlebars, 180mm rotors and a killer fork. I guess you're supposed to freak people out by showing up to an XC race with your Zaskar and a full-face helmet. Is "Enduro Hardtail" a category now?

Seriously, the 2016 Zaskar is positioned as an all-around bike with geometry that provides a longer front center (wider bars, slightly longer wheelbase, slacker-ish head angle and shorter stem) and tons of A-personality type fun.

GT is also offering a carbon Expert version with an XT drivetrain, double chainring and reba fork, no dropper, and that will cost a bit less.

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I love the daring idea of this bike. It feels like it will swing from the lycra set straight into pretty burly terrain. Great brakes and cranks, nice tires and a dropper post. If a race director sets a really technical course, this is the bike.

When shooting the video in Southern California, Gee and Dan were completely unafraid to launch the bike as high as they could and land it anyplace they liked. Of course, that's how they ride, but, impressively, the Zaskar was totally silent and unphased by the abuse dished out by two of the world's best riders.

And the bike is beautiful: great colorway, sleek, sexy and murderous.

I'll have a ride report if they ever let me on one.

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About The Author

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stash member Gunnar Waldman

Editor-at-Large, IMBA instructor and east-coaster. Raced Trans-Savoie in France, SoCal Enduro and Endurance in Temecula and is psyched for all the great new races in the east. Article Ideas: gunnar.waldman@tetongravity.com