GT Xizang vs Lightning - Differences

[player]

The biggest difference being the Xizang was made in the USA and Lightnings were built in the far east hence the bigger costs.

I didn’t state that purely as I assumed everyone already knew it. Along with the polished vs bead blasted finish.

You're probably right but you never know.

 

[d8mok]

To continue this and compare further. I know the pictured Xizang is definitely 97 due to serial number. It also matches in every way to my fully built Xizang which is also 97

This other frame I have below , has 97 decals which I believe are original. It is a G serial but is a later frame (so maybe 96-9. But has many differences to the confirmed 97 frames.

The brake bosses on this one are a normal style


The braces which run between seat stays and chain stays are much thicker (around 3mm more)



Also the end cap sticks out further much more like GTs tend to do (apart from Psyclone)



Also the cable routing is slightly different




This 3rd frame must be at least 96 due ti having the loop for canti. But has the made in USA stamp and G serial same as earlier frames. I’d guess it’s a 95/96 built but actually was sold in 97.

 

[PhillB]

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Finally the welding. The Xizang is much neater.

Thanks for this, really interesting.

 

[al-onestare]

This feels like the start of a GT version of Pip's list

 

[wesmamyke]

The GT cable routing is always interesting. Does a bit of housing liner tube just hang through the ring after wrapping around the seat tube? Or is it that extra thick tubing they used?

There was a question about that arrangement on another forum and I had thought it was a bodge, but was apparently the stock setup.

 

[d8mok]

No you could get a small bolt on piece that held the cable so you can use a Canti. . I’ve never seen one for sale.

 

[d8mok]

 

[FiveAlpha]

Has anyone owned one of the Xizangs with a steel rear end? I have a catalogue with one in it, but have never seen one, nor heard of anyone owning one?

 

[d8mok]

Yes Jamie Lynn has one. It’s truly a lovely thing and very rare

And don’t forget the steel Xizang of 89. Complete with browning bits.

 

[FiveAlpha]

Yes Jamie Lynn has one. It’s truly a lovely thing and very rare

And don’t forget the steel Xizang of 89. Complete with browning bits.

I always found the mixed material frames (Nishiki, Gary Fisher, etc) interesting. I assumed that the complexity and weight of these negated the benefits, hence why they disappeared.