What were GTS LTS bikes designed for?

[Gotte]

I've dusted off my GT LTS 3000ds, and have been happily taking it over pretty rough terrian - some downhill (though not aggressive),and just generally putting it to good use.

But what was the original design concept? I seem to remember when buying it that it was supposed to be aimed at more cross country (was it a bit of a compromise - with longer stem and maybe bar ends?)

The rear travel, though, set to softest, seems to be aimed more at the rough descent.

Can anyone remember where it's strengths were supposed to lie?

thanks

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

It was an all-rounder. These were the days of do-it-all bikes, there were very few differences between downhill bikes and cross country bikes at this stage.

 

[Rampage]

Wasn't the 3000DS the STS?
I only rode mine for 100 meters before selling it (I wish I'd kept it), it felt like a very capable XC bike. This is the STS 3000DS I'm talking about.

 

[Gotte]

Was not the STS the carbon frame version. I always really liked the look of that one, but if IT understand correctly, it had problems with the frame)?

 

[mikee]

Lts was the first of the modern do it all bikes
Plush enough for xc big enough for dh
So I suppose all mountian , fueck I hate the niche terms
At the time it was just an evolution of the mountian bike

 

[Rampage]

Yes the STS was the carbon version. I take it they made a LTS 3000DS as well then? I didn't realise that!

 

[Blackstar]

The DS bit stood for dual sport - all-mountain in it's early days.

When it was first released, it was more a race bike - team LTS.

Did it win a DHWC?

 

[legrandefromage]

The Zaskar was the first of the real do it all bikes.

Here is my old LTS

 

[hollister]

The Zaskar was the first of the real do it all bikes.

]

How do you figure that?

 

[merckx]

in 1996 GT racers had a new DH specific LTS, sometimes known as the boomerang. it was longer travel than the original LTS so in essence, that suggests the original was intended to be things other than DH.

later LTS all seemed to copy this bent seat tube for some reason. not sure why, imho they look hideous. the original LTS DH was a beautiful thing however.

le originale:
http://img66.exs.cx/img66/9339/atelier222.jpg