The GT Sensor Carbon Pro LE: a truly good deal… or just a kinda good deal? Acceptable, or perfect?
The bike that put GT out of business… or the one that proves GT still knows how to build a great ride?
Editor’s Note:
These articles are adapted by Savannah from Jeff Kendall-Weed’s YouTube videos for riders who prefer reading over watching. They’re written in Jeff’s first-person voice to stay true to the style and storytelling of the original content.
This one hits with mixed emotions.
As a kid growing up in the 1990s, I absolutely idolized GT Bicycles. I’d spend hours pouring over their catalogs, drooling over bikes at the local shop. LTS, Triple Triangle, Box Series – those names are etched into my memory decades later.
GT is one of the OGs – an iconic, old-school brand, and one of the first BMX companies ever. Gary Turner and Richard Long started GT in 1972 by welding BMX frames for Turner’s son, Craig. The company took off. By the mid-90s, when I was in grade school, GT was not only huge – it was cool. The coolest of the big bike brands.
Not many companies saw equal success in both BMX and mountain biking. GT did.
The BMX team? Legendary. Dave Voelker airing to the moon, Trevor Meyer shredding flatland, and Gary Ellis – “The Lumberjack” – winning races. And the mountain bike side? Steve Peat, Mike King, Eric Carter, and of course, Hans Rey. Icons.
But in 1996, co-founder Richard Long passed away in a motorcycle accident. Within a handful of years, GT had changed hands multiple times, eventually filing for bankruptcy.
In 2004, Dorel Industries gave the brand a second wind. Under Dorel, GT stabilized and grew again – until Pon Holdings (yes, the same Pon that owns Cannondale, Santa Cruz, and OneUp Components) bought them in 2021.
Fast forward to late 2024. With warehouses full of overstock and the bike industry in a slump, Pon announced the end of GT. Remaining bikes were liquidated.
Which brings us to this review.
A quick note on transparency: I bought this bike myself from JensonUSA, and this video was sponsored by them – I’m excited that there is a hefty inventory in stock, in case you like the bike as much as I do! Any purchases through the links help support the channel, so team JKW can continue to grow and create the content you love. Thanks for your support!
👉🏻 Check out all the geometry specs and details about the GT Sensor here.
First Unboxing Impressions
Carbon Fiber bike sub-$3,000?! Let’s goooooo. So much better than a $6,000 bike in 2015!
I also bought a set of Maxxis tires: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 Double Down MaxxGrip front tire and Maxxis Minion DHRII DD MG rear tire – for the right amount of grip and avoiding flats.
The GT Sensor Carbon Pro LE: Trail Bike Spec Breakdown
This is a modern trail bike. The GT Sensor Carbon Pro LE originally retailed for $5,750. It’s built around a 150mm RockShox Lyrik Ultimate RC2 fork and a 140mm RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RC2T shock in the rear – both featuring adjustable high and low-speed compression (though high-speed damping only has four clicks).
In other words, almost the fanciest of forks.
29” wheels, carbon front triangle, aluminum chainstays, Horst-link suspension design.
I’m 5’8” and opted for a size medium.
A few geo numbers:
- Reach: 455mm (size M), 480mm (L)
- Stack: 633mm
- Chainstays: 440mm across all sizes
- Head angle: 65°
- Seat angle: 77°
Stock build includes SRAM GX drivetrain, Code brakes, WTB KOM rims on a basic SRAM hub.
My number one complaint is the long back end – 440 mm.
The solution? If you want to make these bikes feel more playful, you can adjust to have a short stem with taller handlebars. This puts more leverage on the rear wheel. For the first bike adaptation, I used the Raceface Era carbon handlebars with a 32mm PNW Loam Stem.
Speaking of handlebars, if you want to dive into the nitty gritty of all the details, check out the Carbon Handlebar Showdown where I tested 7 MTB bars on Whistler’s A-Line trail.
So… Is It Any Good?
I try not to obsess over bike prices. Most of my riding is on loaners or demo bikes. (Yes, I did buy this bike from JensonUSA, but was able to snag it at industry pricing.)
I’ve also been in the sport long enough to have a decent personal stash of parts and zero hesitation about upgrading what I ride. To be frank, I usually expect that I’ll need to customize most stock bikes to set them up to ride exactly how I want. But, that is also something that comes with decades of riding experience. For a less seasoned rider, you may not have a feel for all the intricate variables that might make you want to change things up.
My first few rides on the GT Sensor were trending in the right direction. I channelled my inner Phil Kmetz, skipping brakes and pulling for impossible jumps.
I pushes my limits, striving to pull some Wyn Masters-inspired wheelie lines.
I even tried some Hans Rey-inspired hip-hopping around to slip my way through a dead tree trunk. It was fun. (Yes, you’ll have to watch the video to see… right around 8:18.)
But, alas… nothing in this world is perfect and I inevitably had to deal with Stuff.
First, the water bottle boss bolts: One stripped instantly. The other felt sketchy. It’s a known fix – either with a helicoil kit or by replacing the Rivnut with stainless inserts. I chose neither and instead opted for duct tape, because: life.
GT confirmed that Cannondale dealers can assist with warranty issues (thanks to shared parent company Pon), and the Sensor does come with a lifetime warranty.
Second, the rear hub engagement: It’s… not great, with something like 16 points of engagement. In other words, sloppy.
When you juggle multiple bikes with significantly better engagement, there’s a noticeable feeling of loss of control when you initiate that pedal stroke. As an owner of a single bike, this is something you’ll adapt to (if you notice it at all), but when you’re trading out bikes in a constantly evolving quiver, the feeling is significant.
Third, the rear wheel: Mid-ride with my buddy Logan, the spokes loosened up so badly it felt like tossing a pizza before it hits the oven.
The CODE brakes? I prefer them over SRAM Maven, but I’d still take Shimano SLX any day. My hands and riding style just get along better with Shimano.
The JKW Rebuild
Instead of continuing to ride a bike that didn’t feel just right, I rebuilt it with my own stash:
- Shimano XT brakes and drivetrain (LOVE these brakes)
- Santa Cruz Reserve 30 HD wheels with Industry Nine 1/1 hub (90 points of engagement)
The result? Night and day. The bike just might be the perfect all-around trail bike. How can a bike at this price point be so darn capable?!
The frame is stiff. Geometry is on point. The suspension is active but efficient – it handles my tendency to sample every single possible trail feature. No complaints about the stock GX drivetrain and stock dropper post. With the upgraded wheels, the whole package started to shine – all with better hub engagement. A solid performer on anything from flowy blue trails to single black terrain.
Once the bike was set up with some stout wheels, the rest of the GT Sensor’s frame really started to shine. I learned that the bike uses a universal derailer hanger. GT saved money by skipping internal frame storage (phew – you know my opinions on that).
Trail Performance & Ride Feel
If bikes were cars, the GT Sensor would be a Honda Accord. Dependable. Familiar. Not overly flashy. For a lot of riders, it’s possibly perfect.
Riders upgrading from an entry-level hardtail or older trail bike will love it. It climbs well, descends predictably, and rides balanced. The geometry is modern and confidence-inspiring.
But: For advanced riders like myself, the stock build held the frame back. The wheels flexed under pressure. The suspension felt undergunned when pushing big lines or going airborne. And yet… it’s half the price of the boutique stuff.
We even did a head-to-head test against a much pricier Ibis Ripmo. And surprisingly? There were a few trails where we actually preferred the GT. Make sure you subscribe and stay tuned!
Verdict: Good Deal, Acceptable, or Perfect?
This GT Sensor has its quirks. But at the current price, it’s hard to ignore.
The frame is excellent. The geometry is spot-on. The warranty backs it up. It’s a killer first high-end trail bike and an excellent foundation for upgrades.
But keep this in mind: the market is flooded with killer deals right now. I’ve seen XT-equipped bikes from Orbea and Ibis priced lower than a fully upgraded Sensor.
Still, for the price I paid, I’m not disappointed. It’s a reminder of what GT always stood for – performance, heritage, and fun.
With a few upgrades, this bike becomes a legitimate trail machine. Without them? It’s still a respectable ride – but maybe not perfect.
Got questions or want to see how the Sensor stacks up against the Ripmo? Subscribe and stay tuned. That video’s coming soon.
In the meantime, check out some budget-friendly upgrades below:
- Shimano XT Brake Set – JensonUSA
- Reserve Carbon Wheels w/ Industry Nine Hubs – JensonUSA
- Problem Solvers Shifter Adapter
And now, over to you: What era of riding hits you with the most nostalgia?
Let me know in the comments what memories bring you the most joy! 👇
As always, big thanks to JensonUSA for sponsoring this video, and thanks for all of your support! If you love the fit, I’m wearing a full Endura kit.
Want to level up your riding skills? I release a new Patreon video each month – sign up here for updates and dozens of tutorials.
And lastly, head to LMNT to get your free sample pack of electrolytes with any purchase – stay hydrated this summer!
Peace & Wheelies,
Jeff
