<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEvolution of the GT Bikes brand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n In 1976, Gary Turner began producing frames for Pedals Ready. These were the first frames produced and distributed by Gary Turner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the first sponsored riders to use them was Greg A. Hill. Recognizing the popularity of Gary Turner’s BMX frames, Richard Long contacted Turner in 1977 to supply his bike store in Anaheim, California. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turner agreed and the foundation of bike GT was born. These early frames were not yet branded as GT, but were simply called “Gary Turner” as evidenced by the frame stickers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Things moved quickly and soon Richard and Gary invested in a manufacturing warehouse dedicated to making high quality Cro-moly BMX frames in Santa Ana, California. In 1979, they incorporated into GT Bicycles, Inc. GT being the initials of its founder, Gary Turner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Richard sold his bike store and began selling frames as fast as he could to bike distributors throughout the United States and Europe. Richard ran the sales and marketing aspects of the business while Gary was the engineer and production manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bain Capital<\/h3>\n\n\n\n With the loss of public interest in the sport of BMX and declining sales, Long and Turner sold a controlling interest. They sold it to Boston-based investment firm Bain Capital in 1993. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bain Capital then took the company public in October 1995. In 1996, GT won the order to manufacture a highly aerodynamic bike that would later become known as the “Superbike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nNike sponsorship and athletes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n On October 11, 1996, GT announced that it had reached an agreement with Nike. The agreement named Nike as the official sponsor of all GT cycling race teams in 1997. This new sponsorship agreement represented an expansion of the previous sponsorship in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nike was recognized as the official shoe of the GT mountain bikes team. GT Bicycles was the first and only mountain bike and BMX team to be sponsored by Nike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1997, GT had a total of 57 athletes in various teams. This included nine mountain bike racers, 32 BMX racers and 16 freestyle\/bike GT Air Show racers. One week before GT’s debut at the 1996 Summer Olympics, GT co-founder Richard Long was killed in a motorcycle accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the time of his death, GT maintained an office at the Santa Ana plant as well as a factory in Huntington Beach. It manufactured 600,000 bikes a year under the GT, Powerlite, Robinson and Dyno brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDorel Industries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Less than two years after Long’s death, in 1998, Bain Capital sold GT to another investment group. To Questor Partners, which at the time also owned Schwinn. Five years to the day after Richard Long’s death, Questor filed for bankruptcy and was bought out by Pacific Cycle. Pacific Cycle was in turn acquired by the Canadian company Dorel Industries in 2004.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEdition of GT Bikes Inc.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n GT Bicycles Inc. publishing has been evolving since 1980.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1980 – 1983<\/h4>\n\n\n\n In 1980, GT Bicycles Inc. released its first bike, the “GT Pro”, and began sponsoring BMX racers such as Lee Medlin and Denny Davidow. GT’s first magazine ad appeared in Bicycle Motocross Action (BMX Action). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the 1981 season, GT released five models: Junior, Expert, 24, 26 and Pro. The models remain like this until 1984, when they introduce their first freestyle bike, the Performer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1983, GT signed BMX freestyle riders Bob Morales and Eddie Fiola to design and eventually ride a new freestyle bike, the Performer. At the time, the Performer was the only other dedicated freestyle bike besides the Haro Freestyler. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The unique bent down tube was instantly recognizable. Plus, it was a game changer in design and marketing. Becoming a trademark for GT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n1985 – 2002<\/h4>\n\n\n\n In 1985, GT bought the company Dyno, specialized in BMX accessories and clothing. In 1985, the company produced its first GT mountain bikes for the sport and emerging market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Robinson Racing was created in the late 1970’s after Chuck worked for DG BMX and Webco Bikes Inc. It was purchased by GT Bicycles in 1987 from founder Chuck Robinson due to the company’s financial problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1989, bike GT acquired Auburn Cycles. Another company that Bob Morales had formed with Todd Huffman only a year earlier. When Auburn merged with GT, Huffman was hired by GT to manage the brand. All this, in addition to his title of marketing director. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also in 1989, GT acquired Powerlite. The latter was founded in 1977 by Steve Rink in Orange County, California as an executive for the Peddlepower bike store, called Peddlepower SR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In early 1979, that changed and the stickers read Powerlite. The company name was resurrected as an independent in 2002 as Powerlite Bicycles USA which produces racing bikes and BMX accessories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nConclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The GT Bikes are very good road companion. Indeed, for a practice in mountain, for hardtail or to make BMX, the American group is placed as a must. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, it will be necessary to determine if this type of bike is right for you. Or the type of riding you want to do. For this, you will have to make a list of your needs. And if in doubt, why not get advice from experts online or directly in store.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo guide you in your choice, the OnMyBike<\/a> team offers daily articles on electric and classic bikes<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nSource<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"GT was founded in 1979 by Gary Turner and is still one of the biggest names in the cycling industry today. Many of the names in the GT mountain bikes line have been around since the early days of the sport, and former mountain bikers know names like Zaskar and Karakoram. The GT Bikes brand…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3484,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[48],"yoast_head":"\n
GT bikes : Is it a good choice ? - on-my-bike en<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n