2020 GT Sensor
When buying a new mountain bike, it can be difficult to get the balance right between the lightweight efficiency you find with a cross country bike and the capability of an enduro bike. This is why a trail bike comes with some compromise. This is where the GT Sensor comes in, in this post you will learn all about the 2020 GT Sensor to help you decide whether it is the bike for you.
Who is it for?
The 2020 GT Sensor is a mountain bike for most trail riders. It is very capable and would suit anyone that likes to go on all day rides, ride flow trails in bike parks or even take on the odd race. This bike sits right in the middle of a cross country bike and an enduro bike. Therefore, expect a good allrounder, but don’t expect to be a mega lightweight XC machine or to be attacking big alpine descents at top speed.
Details
Lots of mountain bikes are sold on the back of their racing pedigree and success, which is one of the reasons enduro mountain bikes are so popular. This is obviously backed up by the security of the extra suspension travel you get when the trails get a bit more technical. But the GT Sensor offers lots of versatility in comparison to many cross country and enduro mountain bikes.
The 2020 GT Sensor has had some improvements over the 2019 version. It has grown 10mm of fork travel, taking it to 140mm. The brakes have been upgraded too, especially on the higher specced versions.
The rear shock gives you 130mm of travel and is mounted using the LTS system. This is GT’s version of the Horst linkage system. It has been designed to improve braking performance, grip and bump absorption with a progressive feel. This is the smart decision for a bike with a short amount of travel.
The GT Sensor has similar features to the Force and the Fury. It comes with the Groove Tube, which is a neat recess along the down tube for external cable routing. This makes life much easier when it comes to changing cables and maintenance. Maintenance is also made simpler with the use of a threaded bottom bracket.
GT have designed the Sensor without choosing complicated or fussy details, which you will come to appreciate when it comes to cleaning it, changing parts and generally looking after it.
Geometry
The seat angle puts the rider in a comfortable riding position, especially for pedalling. The head angle isn’t particularly extreme, but it suits the bike and makes it more capable than you would expect. The GT Sensor will take you over more technical terrain that topic wouldn’t dream of on older trail bikes.
Ride Characteristics
The design of the GT Sensor gives it similar pedalling efficiency to what you would find on a cross country mountain bike. This is partly thanks to the lock out function you get on the shock. The lever has two positions, open for general trail riding and locked, to stop it bouncing when you are climbing.
However, if you leave the shock on its open position, you will notice that the shock still offers a good level of efficiency. This makes the GT Sensor a good choice for all day riding when you need “just enough bike” for the terrain you tend to ride. The suspension set up gives you plenty of grip on rocky climbs and gives you a great feel when riding over small bumps.
The GT Sensor is a short travel trail bike, therefore you won’t be able to attack technical terrain at speed like you would be able to on an enduro bike. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t ride techy stuff on a GT Sensor. It will still smash through technical sections with grin inducing vigour.
2020 GT Sensor Models
GT Sensor AL Sport
- Frame: Sensor Alloy 29″ frame, 130mm travel, BSA 73mm, LockR pivots, tapered head tube, boost 12×148 thru-axle, 185x50mm Trunnion shock mount, ISCG05
- Fork: RockShox Recon RL, 140mm, DebonAir, 15x110mm, tapered steerer, 42mm offset
- Stem: GT All Terra 3D forged Alloy, 31.8, 6°
- Handlebar: GT Alloy riser bar, 15mm rise, 780mm width
- Front Derailleur: N/A
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM SX Eagle
- Shifters: SRAM SX Eagle, 12 speed
- Brakes: Tektro M285 hydraulic disc brakes, 180/180mm rotors
- Crankset: SRAM SX Eagle, 30T, 170mm(S-L), 175mm(XL)
- Cassette: SRAM SX Eagle, 11-50T
- Chain: SRAM SX Eagle
- Tyres: WTB Ranger Comp, 29 x 2.25″, DNA compound
- Rims: Alex MD27, 32h, tubeless ready
- Front Hub: Formula 15x110mm
- Rear Hub: Formula 12x148mm with HG driver 12x148mm
- Saddle: WTB Silverado Sport, Steel rails
- Seatpost: All Terra 2-bolt, 34.9x400mm
GT Sensor AL Comp
- Frame: Sensor Alloy 29″ frame, 130mm travel, BSA 73mm, LockR pivots, tapered head tube, boost 12×148 thru-axle, 185x50mm Trunnion shock mount, ISCG05
- Fork: RockShox 35 Gold RL, 140mm, 15x110mm, tapered steerer, 44mm offset
- Stem: GT All Terra 3D forged Alloy, 31.8, 6°
- Handlebar: GT Alloy riser bar, 15mm rise, 780mm width
- Front Derailleur: SRAM SX Eagle
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM SX Eagle
- Shifters: SRAM SX Eagle, 12 speed
- Brakes: Tektro M745 hydraulic disc brakes
- Crankset: SRAM SX Eagle, 30T, 170mm(S-L), 175mm(XL)
- Cassette: SRAM SX Eagle, 11-50T
- Chain: SRAM SX Eagle
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Peformance, 29×2.35″, Addix compound, tubeless ready
- Rims: Alex MD27, 32h, tubeless ready
- Front Hub: Formula 15x110mm
- Rear Hub: Formula 12x148mm
- Saddle: WTB Silverado Sport, Steel rails
- Seatpost: All Terra 2-bolt, 34.9x400mm
GT Sensor Carbon Elite
- Frame: Sensor Carbon, 130mm rear wheel travel, carbon front/alloy rear frame, Boost 148 rear spacing, ISCG05 mounts, sealed bearing LockR pivots, Metric Trunnion shock mounts, coil shock compatible
- Fork: RockShox Sektor RL, 130mm DebonAir, 15x110mm, tapered steerer
- Rear Shock: RockShox Deluxe R, 130mm, DebonAir, Metric Trunnion
- Chain: SRAM Eagle 12spd
- Chainset: Truvativ Descendant 6K, Dub, 32T
- Bottom Bracket: SRAM Dub, 73mm BSA
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM NX Eagle
- Shifters: SRAM NX Eagle
- Cassette: SRAM PG 1230 Eagle 11-50t
- Rims: WTB ST i29 TCS 2.0, 32h, tubeless ready
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance 29 x 2.35″, tubeless ready
- Hubs: Front: All Terra Alloy Disc 15×110; Rear: All Terra Alloy Disc 12×148 rear
- Spokes: Stainless Steel, 14g
- Brakes: SRAM Level TL hydro disc, 180/180 Centerline Rotors
- Brake Levers: SRAM Level TL hydro disc
- Handlebar: All Terra Alloy Riser, Double-butted 6061, 15mm rise, 780mm
- Stem: All Terra, 1-1/8″ Threadless, 3D Forged, 31.8mm, 7° Rise, 60mm
- Grips: GT Statement Single Lock-on Grips
- Headset: FSA Orbit C-40-ACB
- Saddle: WTB Silverado Sport
- Seatpost: X-Fusion Dropper Post w/ 1x Lever, 31.6
GT Sensor Carbon Expert
- Frame: Sensor Carbon 29″ frame, 130mm travel, BSA 73mm, LockR pivots, tapered head tube, boost 12×148 thru-axle, 185x50mm Trunnion shock mount, ISCG05
- Fork: RockShox Pike Select+ Charger RC, 140mm, DebonAir, 15x110mm tapered steerer, 42mm offset
- Stem: GT Alloy, 31.8mm clamp, 45mm length
- Handlebar: GT Alloy riser, 15mm rise, 780mm width
- Front Derailleur: N/A
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM X01 Eagle
- Shifters: SRAM GX Eagle
- Brakes: SRAM G2 RSC hydraulic disc brakes, 180/180mm Centerline rotors
- Crankset: Truvativ Descendent 6K, Dub, 32T, 170mm (S-L), 175mm (XL)
- Cassette: SRAM XG-1275, GX Eagle, 10-50T
- Chain: SRAM NX Eagle, 12 speed
- Front Tyre: Schwalbe Magic Mary Evolution, 29×2.35″, SnakeSkin, Addix soft compound
- Rear Tyre: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evolution, 29×2.35″, SnakeSkin, Addix Speedgrip compound
- Rims: Stan’s NoTubes Flow S1, 32h, tubeless ready
- Front Hub: Formula 15x110mm
- Rear Hub: Formula 12x148mm
- Saddle: Fabric Scoop Shallow Sport, Steel rails
- Seatpost: GT Dropkick Dropper Post, 31.6, internal routing, 125mm (S, M), 150mm (L, XL)
GT Sensor Carbon Pro
- Frame: Sensor Carbon 29″ frame, 130mm travel, BSA 73mm, LockR pivots, tapered head tube, boost 12×148 thru-axle, 185x50mm Trunnion shock mount, ISCG05
- Fork: Fox 36 Performance Elite, 140mm, FIT4, 15x110mm, tapered steerer, 44mm offset
- Stem: GT Alloy Stem, 31.8mm clamp, 45mm length
- Handlebar: Spank Oozy Vibrocore, 31.8, 780mm width
- Front Derailleur: N/A
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM X01 Eagle
- Shifters: SRAM GX Eagle, 12 speed
- Brakes: SRAM G2 RSC hydraulic disc brakes, 180/180mm centerline rotors
- Crankset: Truvativ Descendent 6K, Dub, 32T, 170mm (S-L), 175mm (XL)
- Cassette: SRAM XG-1295, X01 Eagle, 10-50T
- Chain: SRAM SX Eagle
- Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Evolution, 29×2.35″, SnakeSkin, Addix Speedgrip compound
- Rims: Stan’s NoTubes Flow MK3, 32h, tubeless ready
- Front Hub: Stan’s NoTubes Neo 15x110mm
- Rear Hub: Stan’s NoTubes Neo 12x148mm
- Saddle: Fabric Scoop Shallow Sport, Steel rails
- Seatpost: KS Lev Si dropper, Southpaw Lever, 31.6mm, 125mm (S, M), 150mm (L,XL)
