Two questions for the LTS men and maybe modern riders too?

[daj]

First one is apart from obviously having the prestige of a LTS D/H frame what is the difference to a later DS frame regarding rear travel etc. Basically if you had DS frames would you go to the effort if building a retro build to have a DH frame instead?

Also is 20 mm hub/fork standard ? no matter what forks Boxxers/monster t`s / Mr dirt etc etc , and what ever hubs etc is it all just the same 20 mm they will fit all ??

Best regards

daj

 

[Kona Paul]

20mm through axels are the same regardless of fork or hub, much like QR's fit any hub or fork.

Not quite sure I understand the first question. Are you asking if you should build a retro fully up like a modern downhill?

The LTS had 4-5" rear travel, I believe. Modern fullies can have anywhere from 4-10" of travel depending on the intended usage. Most modern DH bikes have around 8" of rear travel on average, and trail bikes tend to be around 5-6". I don't think a modern long travel DH fork (180-200mm) would suit the geometry of your bike. The handling would be compromised and the fork could not operate optimally (due to the angle during compression.) You can still ride DH with a 4-5" fork like they once did, but it might be a bit bumpy on some modern DH courses. You would still have to pick your way through some obstacles instead of blasting through them.

 

[Kona Paul]

Oh, and the axle comes with the fork, so there's an industry standard with the forks and hubs.

 

[daj]

Thanks for that paul , you are right I do dribble on rather than just asking a question :roll: he.he

Basically I guess what I am asking does the DS frames have the same travel as the older DH frames?? Wow I can do it

Oh dear I have just re-read my first question that is really bad

 

[Kona Paul]

No problem. Older DH frames (depending how old of course) were 4-5". Not uncommon for a DH bike in the mid to late 90's to have 4" of rear travel. That was considered planty at the time. Late 90's and turn of the millenium freeride hardtails often came with 100mm (4") travel forks, as well. So travel has increased significantly. Most trail bikes, or freeride hardtails today are designed to take up to 160mm (6") travel forks. This means a slacker head angle of maybe 68-69 degrees as opposed to 70-71 for an xc bike designed for 80-100mm forks. So if your GT has an older geometry (98 model?) then it probably came with a 4" fork or so. That's why building it up with a modern long travel fork might make the handling a bit poorer. You can always push it a bit, but try the fork on and see how it sits. Check the chain stays as well as how the front of the bike sits. A double crown DH fork is probably a bit much. Plus the balance will be a little front heavy, so the rear of the bike can still get tossed around a bit on rough sections.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[crud]

old thread but ive done a bit of research into lts'

if your talking GT specific, the 1997 GT LTS DH had over 5 inches rear wheel travel and a slack head angle around 69 degrees

the later (1998 on) duel sports had a steeper head angle (over 70 degrees) and less rear wheel travel.

th DH framesets also were beefed up in certain areas, such as top tube meeting seat tube.

if i already had a 1998 d/s i wouldnt go to the bother of selling it and buying a d/h to build, but given the choice of buying either i would always choose the d/h.


basically an LTS DH has much more in common with modern DH rigs than the LTS DS range, and because of the slacker head angle will harmonise better with longer travel front forks.




the d/h came out as you know in 1996, was revised in 1997, in 1998 the d/h develloped into the sts dh and the duel sports were introduced as a new line 'free ride' bike (althought the 1997 lts dh frame set was still in the 1998 gt brochure.......)

 

[jimihendrix]

old thread but ive done a bit of research into lts'

if your talking GT specific, the 1997 GT LTS DH had over 5 inches rear wheel travel and a slack head angle around 69 degrees

the later (1998 on) duel sports had a steeper head angle (over 70 degrees) and less rear wheel travel.

th DH framesets also were beefed up in certain areas, such as top tube meeting seat tube.

if i already had a 1998 d/s i wouldnt go to the bother of selling it and buying a d/h to build, but given the choice of buying either i would always choose the d/h.

basically an LTS DH has much more in common with modern DH rigs than the LTS DS range, and because of the slacker head angle will harmonise better with longer travel front forks.




the d/h came out as you know in 1996, was revised in 1997, in 1998 the d/h develloped into the sts dh and the duel sports were introduced as a new line 'free ride' bike (althought the 1997 lts dh frame set was still in the 1998 gt brochure.......)

Very interesting, especialy for a DH owner , any idea what the revisions were in 97 ?, (mines is an early 96)

Am i right in thinking that the DH was only available as a frame ?, (i can only ever remember it as a frame BITD, something like £1650 :shock: )

I did'nt know DS meant duel sports

Mines does indeed have a have gusset at the rear of the top tube joining the seat tube

 

[daj]

Cool nice one crud good reading

So picking your brains as you have been researching ... Is there any difference between the ranges in travel, etc say a ds1000 and a ds3000 other than level of parts attached?

Also was the frame struture quality different? I couldnt help but think when I had my LTS1 that it looked better quality than my ds3000 frame?

 

[crud]

old thread but ive done a bit of research into lts'

if your talking GT specific, the 1997 GT LTS DH had over 5 inches rear wheel travel and a slack head angle around 69 degrees

the later (1998 on) duel sports had a steeper head angle (over 70 degrees) and less rear wheel travel.

th DH framesets also were beefed up in certain areas, such as top tube meeting seat tube.

if i already had a 1998 d/s i wouldnt go to the bother of selling it and buying a d/h to build, but given the choice of buying either i would always choose the d/h.

basically an LTS DH has much more in common with modern DH rigs than the LTS DS range, and because of the slacker head angle will harmonise better with longer travel front forks.



the d/h came out as you know in 1996, was revised in 1997, in 1998 the d/h develloped into the sts dh and the duel sports were introduced as a new line 'free ride' bike (althought the 1997 lts dh frame set was still in the 1998 gt brochure.......)

Very interesting, especialy for a DH owner , any idea what the revisions were in 97 ?, (mines is an early 96)

Am i right in thinking that the DH was only available as a frame ?, (i can only ever remember it as a frame BITD, something like £1650 :shock: )

I did'nt know DS meant duel sports

Mines does indeed have a have gusset at the rear of the top tube joining the seat tube

I have an 1997 mounatin biker international and it was around £1795 for the frame set, for that you got

frame with super delux shock
Judy DH's
headset setem and bars
seat post / seat

ac cranks (£200 quids worth!)
ac chain guides (also £200 quids worth!)

Ive been looking at your DH, sorry to disappoint but im 100% certain yours is a 1997 model, the 1996 had ti curved links and only one bend in the seatpost, yours had two bends and the alu links with trunion fitting for the shock!

 

[crud]

Cool nice one crud good reading

So picking your brains as you have been researching ... Is there any difference between the ranges in travel, etc say a ds1000 and a ds3000 other than level of parts attached?

Also was the frame struture quality different? I couldnt help but think when I had my LTS1 that it looked better quality than my ds3000 frame?

i havent got that far yet, im going to do a little reference table for this, there were so many varients of the LTS i always get confused. even tho the frames all look similar there are a lot of discreet differences,

for instance look at the top pivot position, the first gen lts had them below the top tube in front of the seat tube, the dh is above and behind, the dual sports are below and behind...

now ive read somewhere that the DH has adjustable travel, i havent worked out how it adjusts yet, but i dont think the DS has adjustable travel.