GT Lightning 1998

[Alain C]

When you satisfy a children dream twice… It’s time to satisfy a third one!
And when you are a fan of GT Bicycles… It’s inevitably another GT bicycles!
After a thermoplastic STS 1000 DS from 1998 and an alloy GT Zaskar LE “team” from 1999, it’s time for a titanium one! First thing to come is the Xizang! But too expensive for me… So the alternative was the Lightning, a cheapest one but the same tubes than the Xizang but not weld in the USA (Taïwan).

To be honest, I’m not spending time to find it. A friend told me that he looking for a Lightning frame for him, and he asks me some advice regarding the frame size. Sold as a 20”, after a closer look it looks to me like a 18”. After some additional measurements from the seller and additional pictures, my feeling was the right one!
As he pass his turn, I was the second in line… And decide to buy it!

Here the incomplete spec of the build.

Frame: GT Lightning 18” (199

Fork: Rock Shox SID Race Titanium (2002)

Headset: Chris King Patriot sotto voce (2017)
Stem: Thomson Elite 110 mm / +5° (?)
Handlebar: Titec Titanium (?)
Grips: ESI Chunky black (2017)
Barends: none

Brakes: Shimano XTR BR-M951 (?)
Brake Pads: Shimano
Brake Cables: noname
Cantilever cable hangers: none
Brake Levers: Shimano XTR BL-M950 (1996-2002)

Shifters: Shimano XTR ST-M952 (1999-2002)
Front Derailleur:
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR RD-M952 SGS (1999-2002)
Derailleur Cables: Spectra
Cassette:
Chain:
Cranks:
Crank Bolts:
Chainrings:
Chainring bolts:
Bottom Bracket:
Pedals:

Hub Skewers: Kore titane
Rims: Mavic Crossmax SUP Ceramic
Hubs: Mavic Crossmax SUP Ceramic
Nipples: Mavic Crossmax SUP Ceramic
Spokes: Mavic Crossmax SUP Ceramic
Tyres: Hutchinson Python 2 26 x 2.10 Race Ripost XC Tubeless Ready Souple
Tubes: Maxxis Ultralight

Saddle:
Seatpost: Thomson Elite 400 mm length, diam. 27.2 mm.
Seatpost Binder: none

Weight: TbD

 

[Alain C]

After a good cleaning with some elbow grease...
And an other big help from Gil to realize a custom decals set!

It's time to begin the built!

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

[fotorat1]

wow ce fantastique

 

[Alain C]

As it will be an anachronic "2000's" bike, the first part to show up was a beautifull fork Rock Shox SID Race Titanium from 2002.

As usual, the fork has been fully serviced, please take a look at the pictures below:

 

[trailluminati]

Wow that fork looks amazing!

 

[Alain C]

Here's the current status of the bike assembly :!:

I can't wait to finish it... :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

[dan_bo]

Very tidy indeed

 

[zetecmk2]

nice. one day i will get a ti frame.......one day!

 

[jimo746]

I know the Hei Hei is probably the most well known GT Titanium frame, but this looks pretty spectacular they sort of fly under the radar so to speak.

nice. one day i will get a ti frame.......one day!

Me too!! have owned steel, Aluminium, carbon, so only titanium and wood (bamboo) left to try

 

[Madmax1993]

I know the Hei Hei is probably the most well known GT Titanium frame, but this looks pretty spectacular they sort of fly under the radar.

The Hei hei is a Kona model isn't it? Not a GT.