2018 GT Verb Elite Review
The GT Verb Elite features a full-suspension 6061 aluminum frame with 120mm of travel on both the rear and front suspension. It uses GT’s Independent Drivetrain technology to ensure the rear shock doesn’t interfere with the pedals, change, and rear sprockets, giving you a faster, smoother ride with less drag.
- BEST FOR: Beginner to intermediate riders looking for their first full-suspension bike
- FEATURES: 6061-T6 aluminum frame, 27.5″ 650b wheels, 120 mm travel, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, 1×10 drivetrain
- MSRP: $1,299
Overview of the GT Verb Elite Mountain Bike
The impressive Shimano groupset features a 1×10 Deore drivetrain that includes the excellent Shadow Plus rear derailleur for better protection against hazards on the trail. It has a 32T crank coupled with an 11-42T Sunrace cassette to provide a decent range of gearing options.
Shimano also provides BR-M315 hydraulic disc brakes which are a nice touch to see on such an affordable bike. They perform far better than the common mechanical disc brakes that are often seen on more affordable MTBs.
The WTB Ranger Comp 27.5″ x 2.25″ tires aren’t the best in the business and some riders may want to swap them out. They are your typical ‘do-it-all’ tire that performs well in most conditions but doesn’t really excel in any. Depending on how you use the bike you might want to upgrade to something more specialized.
The GT Verb Elite is a highly affordable bike for casual cyclists or entry-level riders looking to get their first full-suspension MTB. It offers a good mix of components with some high-quality additions that add a lot of value to the bike. However, the most attractive feature is the low price, because you will struggle to find anything of this quality under $1,500.
More experienced riders might quickly find some of the lower quality components insufficient and want to upgrade. The low starting price means you should have some extra cash to do this but check the prices first. For a few hundred extra dollars you could find a similar bike already fitted with the components you need.
Features
- On bumpy terrain, you will be taken care of by the All Terra A0-42 rebound adjustable Air Shock on the rear.
- The SR Suntour 120mm travel front fork is equipped with Lock-Out and adjustable Rebound.
- Brakes: Stopping power is provided by Shimano 180mm rotor hydraulic disc brake rotors.
- And the good news doesn’t stop there. You will be seeing the All Terra badges in Cockpit, Seat Post, Saddle, Seat Clamp, Stem, and on the handlebar.
- Cassette: Shimano HG500, 11-42 tooth, 10-speed
- Wheelset: A solid set of Alex ASD10 Double Wall 27,5“ wheels
- Gears will be shifted with the Shimano Deore M6000 on your right side only.
This bike has got everything to help you move from hardtail to a dual-suspension game. Since it is quite adjustable depending on the track and features pretty solid components, this is definitely worth its price.
Full Specs
- Frame: 6061-T6 Aluminum Frame with 120mm Travel Independent Drivetrain® 1 1/8”- 1 1/2” Integrated Head Tube, and 135mm QR Dropouts
- Fork: SR Suntour XCR32, 120mm, lockout, and rebound adjust, tapered steerer
- Tires: WTB Ranger Comp, 27.5 x 2.25″, DNA Compound
- Rims: Alex ASD10 Alloy double wall Disc, 32h
- Crankset: All Terra Charm, 32T
- Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore, 10-speed
- Cassette: Shimano HG500, 11-42 tooth, 10-speed
- Shifters: Shimano Deore, 10-speed
- Brakes: Shimano hydraulic disc, 180mm RT10 rotors
- Saddle: GT All Terra MTB
- Pedals: GT Slim Line flat
- Number of gears: 10
- Gender: Unisex
- Weight: 34.63 lbs
Size Recommendation
XS – 5’0 – 5’3″
S – 5’2 – 5’6″
M – 5’6″ – 5’10”
L – 5’10 – 6’2″
XL – 6’2″ – 6’5″
PROs / CONs
What We Like About GT Verb Elite
- 120 mm front and rear suspension
- Shimano Deore components
- Shimano hydraulic disc brakes
- Attractive price tag
Points of Improvement for GT Verb Elite
- A bit heavy
- Slightly inferior tires
- One of the cheapest full-suspension mountain bike by a big bike brand
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