Vintage GT Catalogs

Here you can find a selection of GT catalogs from 1990 up to 1998. If you’re looking for a specific model for a specific year, you can find them further in the article.

GT Catalogs

History

GT Bicycles, founded in 1972 by Gary Turner and his partner Richard Long in Southern California, began as a company specializing in BMX bikes. Gary Turner, a welder by trade, started the company with the goal of creating high-performance BMX frames. GT quickly gained a reputation for durability and strength in BMX racing, helping to establish it as one of the dominant players in the BMX world.

Early History (1970s-1980s):

  • 1972: Gary Turner, a welder, designs the first BMX frame with the intention of creating a sturdy, high-performance bike for the rising BMX racing scene.
  • Late 1970s – Early 1980s: GT Bicycles grew rapidly as BMX became a cultural phenomenon. They introduced strong, innovative frames, and the brand’s name became synonymous with BMX excellence.
  • 1980s: GT’s influence expanded beyond BMX. The company was at the forefront of the BMX boom, thanks to riders like Rick Moliterno and John Povah, who won several national titles aboard GT bikes.

Most Prominent Years (1990s – Early 2000s):

  • 1990s: GT Bicycles began to diversify into mountain bikes, a growing market. They introduced their “Avalanche” series, which was groundbreaking for its use of aluminum frames, lightweight design, and durability. This set the foundation for their dominance in the mountain bike industry during the 1990s.
  • 1991: GT released the Zaskar, which became one of the most iconic and successful mountain bike models in history. Known for its aluminum frame, the Zaskar helped to revolutionize the sport with its strength and lightweight design.
  • 1995-2000s: GT became a key player in the growing mountain biking scene with innovations like the LTS (Linkage Travel System), an early form of full suspension bikes. GT’s competitive edge in both BMX and mountain biking continued, making them one of the most prominent bike brands globally during this time.

Innovative Bikes:

  • GT Zaskar (1991): The Zaskar was groundbreaking because it was one of the first mass-produced bikes to use a fully welded aluminum frame, making it incredibly lightweight and durable. It became a standard for the mountain biking industry and continues to be a name associated with performance bikes.
  • GT LTS (1995): The Linkage Travel System was one of GT’s most innovative contributions to the world of mountain biking. It was a full-suspension design that greatly improved the performance and comfort of riders on rough trails.
  • GT Fury (2012): In more recent years, the GT Fury, a downhill bike, demonstrated GT’s commitment to developing high-performance bikes for all disciplines. With a focus on aggressive downhill racing, it utilized cutting-edge suspension technology and geometry to stay at the top of its game.

GT’s ongoing innovation, strong racing pedigree, and commitment to high-quality bikes have kept the brand at the forefront of cycling. Although it has faced periods of changing ownership and competition, GT Bicycles remains a key player in the cycling world, known for their blend of innovation, performance, and history in BMX and mountain biking.

Iconic models

1991 GT Team Avalanche

1991 GT Team Avalanche

The 1991 GT Team Avalanche is a prime example of mountain bike innovation from its era. With its sleek, pearl-like paint job and rugged steel frame, it combines classic design with top-tier performance. Featuring a Biopace crankset, Deore XT trigger shifters, and a rigid fork, this competition model embodied the no-fuss simplicity that MTB enthusiasts craved. Ahead of its time, the GT Avalanche set the stage for modern mountain biking, blending durability with style in a way that still resonates with cyclists today.

1991 GT Avalanche

1991 GT Avalanche

The 1991 GT Avalanche bike stands as a true testament to innovation, blending cutting-edge design with performance-driven features. Known for its rugged durability and sleek engineering, the Avalanche became a symbol of mountain biking excellence.

The “standard” GT Avalanche, with its striking “Daktari White” paint job, serves as the perfect runner-up, showcasing both style and substance. Its forward-thinking design, with enhanced geometry and robust build, paved the way for the future of mountain biking, making it a timeless classic in the world of cycling.

1993 GT RTS-1

1993 GT RTS 1

The 1993 GT RTS-1 marked a groundbreaking moment in mountain biking history as GT introduced their first full-suspension bike. A game-changer in design and performance, the RTS-1 featured innovative suspension technology that revolutionized off-road cycling.

This pioneering bike set new standards for comfort, control, and durability, cementing its place as a symbol of forward-thinking engineering in the mountain bike world. Explore how the RTS-1 pushed boundaries and shaped the future of cycling.

1994 GT Xizang LE

1994 GT Xizang LE

The 1994 GT Xizang LE was a revolutionary bike that pushed the boundaries of design and performance in the mountain biking world. Crafted from lightweight titanium, it featured premium Syncros components, a Shimano XTR groupset, and a RockShox Mag21 titanium suspension fork, making it a standout in both function and style.

The classic Panaracer Smoke and Dart tire combo, Onza bar ends, and Shimano M737 SPD pedals completed the ultimate ride. While the GT Zaskar may be more widely recognized, the Xizang LE stands as the rare gem of its era—truly a blinged-out masterpiece that embodied innovation.

GT Models

Mountain Bike

Aggressor
1994 | 1996 – 1997
Arrowhead
1996 – 1998
Avalanche
1990 – 1992 | 1996 – 1998
Avalanche AL
1993 – 1994
Avalanche LE
1996 – 1998
Backwoods
1994 | 1996 – 1998
Borrego
1993 | 1996
Bravado
1992 | 1996 – 1998
Bravado LE
1993 – 1994
Corrado
1993 – 1994
Karakoram
1990 – 1994 | 1996 – 1998
Karakoram Elite
1991
Lightning
1997
LTS 1
1996 – 1997
LTS 1000-DS
1998
LTS 2
1996 – 1997
LTS 2000-DS
1998
LTS 3
1996 – 1997
LTS 3000
1998
LTS 4000
1998
LTS-1 Spin
1997
LTS-4
1997
LTS-5
1997
Outpost
1991 – 1994 | 1996 – 1998
Outpost Trail
1994 | 1997 – 1998
Palomar
1997 – 1998
Palomar 7
1997
Pantera
1992
Pantera AL
1993 – 1994
Psyclone
1993 | 1995
Rebound
1996 – 1997
Richter 8.0
1992 – 1993
Ricochet
1993 – 1994 | 1997
RTS
1997
RTS-1
1993 – 1994 | 1996
RTS-2
1993 – 1994 | 1996
RTS-3
1994 | 1996
Saddleback
1997
STS 1000-DS
1998
STS 1500-DS
1998
STS DH-Lobo
1998
STS-1
1997
STS-2
1997
STS-DH
1997 – 1998
Talera
1991 | 1993 – 1994 | 1996 – 1997
Team Avalance
1991 | 1993
Team LTS
1995
Team RTS
1994 – 1995
Tempest
1996 – 1998
Tequesta
1990 – 1994 | 1996 – 1997
Terramoto
1996 – 1998
Timberline
1991 – 1994 | 1996 – 1998
Timberline FS
1994 | 1996 – 1997
Xizang
1990 – 1993 | 1995
Xizang LE
1993 – 1994
Zaskar
1992 – 1994 | 1996 – 1998
Zaskar LE
1993 – 1995 | 1997 – 1998

Hybrid

Arette
1991 – 1992 | 1997
Cirque
1992 – 1994 | 1996 – 1997
Continuum
1991
Discovery
1994
Nomad
1996 – 1998
Passage
1991 – 1993
Tachyon
1991
Transit
1997
Vantara
1993 – 1994 | 1997
Virage
1996 – 1998

Cruiser

Dyno Cruiser Glide Delux
1996
Dyno Cruiser Lady
1996
Dyno Lowrider
1996
Dyno Matic
1996
Jetstream
1998
Rapid Transit
1996 – 1997
Slipstream
1998
Windstream
1998

Road

Course
1998
Edge Aero
1998
Edge Aluminium
1995
Edge CRMO
1995
Edge TI
1995
Edge Titanium
1998
Force
1998
Force AL
1998
Fury
1997 – 1998
Pulse
1997 – 1998
Rage
1998
Rave
1997 – 1998
Strike
1998
Vengeance
1997 – 1998

Johan van Seijen

Founder Two Wheel Tales

Johan van Seijen is a lifelong cyclist, vintage bike restorer, and the founder of Two Wheel Tales. With over 20 years of hands-on cycling experience—from riding legendary events like the Amstel Gold Race and Liège–Bastogne–Liège to restoring classic Cannondales and Scotts—Johan combines real-world endurance with deep technical knowledge.

A former bike shop mechanic and short-time bike salesman, Johan brings firsthand insight into everything from high-performance road racing to DIY bike restoration. After earning a Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Amsterdam, he focused his passion on sharing cycling wisdom through detailed guides, gear reviews, and restoration projects.

Johan rides regularly with TFC Weesp and MTB Noordwest, and when he’s not on the bike or under a workstand, he’s writing, filming tutorials, and testing nutrition and recovery strategies the hard way—on the open road.

Follow his adventures and advice on YouTube, Facebook, and TwoWheelTales.com.

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