Help me Choose a GT Racer - GT Expert or XL?

[KA0S]

Getting into BMX racing and I am 180cm/5'9 height and either looking at getting a GT Power Series Expert or GT Power Series XL. Do the pros use frames that are XL? My local bike shop only has the Pro and the 24" in stock and I don't really want to order a bike in that doesn't feel right. Only new into all this but does the XL seem like a better buy all round?

Expert
Frame GT BMX Race design, 6061-T6 aluminium, Ultra Box dropouts, 1-1/8" headtube for full integrated headset
Fork GT BMX design, new larger 32.5 x 24.2mm aluminium unicrown blades, Cr-Mo 1-1/8" threadless steerer
Brake Levers Tektro, 316A, aluminium
Brakes Front: Alloy side-pull caliper Rear: Tektro, 926AL, Mini V-brake, cold forged aluminium
Bottom Bracket Euro size, threaded cups, sealed cartridge bearings, heat treated tapered axle
Crankset GT forged aluminium 3pc. 170mm/ aluminium ring, 42T
Chain KMC Z610
Pedals Jr. BMX platform, aluminium Cr-Mo axle
Headset FSA Orbit IS-2, 1-1/8" integrated ACB sealed bearings with aluminum top cap
Handlebar Stem GT BMX Race design, cold forged aluminium, 1-1/8"
Handlebar GT BMX design Aluminium, 6.7" rise
Hubs Front: GT BMX Race design, aluminium body, sealed cartridge bearings 32 hole, hollow Cr-Mo axle Rear: Joy Tech BMX cassette 4 x sealed cartridge bearings 32 hole Hollow Cr-Mo axle
Spokes 15G, Black
Rims / Wheelset Alex DA-22, double wall, aluminium 32 hole
Tyres Kenda "Small Block Eight" 20 x 1-3/8"
Seat Post Aluminium, 22.2mm
Saddle GT Mini design, padded with integrated aluminium post
Extras 3 piece pad set

XL
Frame GT Box design, 6061-T6 aluminium, lower profile top tube, Ultra Box dropouts, Ultra Box chain stays, Mono stay design seat stays, EURO BB, 1-1/8" semi integrated head tube
Fork GT BMX design, Aluminium crown and blades, Cr-Mo 1-1/8" steerer
Brake Levers Tektro, 319, aluminium
Brakes Front: Alloy side-pull caliper Rear: Tektro, 930AL, cold forged aluminium
Bottom Bracket Truvativ GIGA Pipe DH, ISIS drive, cartridge bearings, aluminium cups
Crankset Truvativ 180mm "Racing XR" forged AL-66 aluminium, 44T CNC AL-7075 chainring
Chain KMC Z610HX
Pedals GT BMX platform design, aluminium body, thread in pins Cr-Mo axle
Headset Semi integrated 1-1/8" threadless
Handlebar Stem GT BMX Race design, cold forged aluminium
Handlebar GT BMX Race bend Cr-Mo, 7.9" rise
Hubs Front: Joy Tech BMX cassette 4 x sealed cartridge bearings 36 hole Hollow Cr-Mo axle Rear: Joy Tech BMX cassette 4 x sealed cartridge bearings 36 hole Hollow Cr-Mo axle
Spokes 14G, black
Rims / Wheelset Alex Supra Dome, double wall 36 hole 33.5mm width
Tyres Kenda "Small Block Eight" 20 x 1.75" rear, 2.1" front
Seat Post GT design, aluminium micro adjust, 27.0mm
Saddle GT BMX "Pro Lite", padded with stitched cover and 7mm rails
Extras GT design CNC machined chain tensioners 3 piece pad set

Here are the lengths to:
Pro
Top Tube Length: 539mm
Chainstay Length: 368mm
Wheelbase: 908mm

Expert
Top Tube Length: 535mm
Chainstay Length: 383mm
Wheelbase: 931mm

XL
Top Tube Length: 566mm
Chainstay: 376mm
Wheelbase: 965mm

Ultrabox:
Top Tube Length: 573mm
Chainstay: 368mm
Wheelbase: 960mm

[deaks]

the xl is a great bike, thw ultra box maybe a tad expensive.. the pro is also awesome.. have a ride of them first so you can see what size suits you the best..

pro is a version down from xl. then ultra box over the xl. pro should be fine though..

if you have the chance and the extra cash grab the xl.

[deaks]

double post

[KA0S]

Well the Pro is the cheapest around $450 than the Expert around $650, then XL around $850 and the Ultra is $1150 but not interested in the Ultra, was just comparing the prices.

[deaks]

the pros a fine bike... its good for its money

[KA0S]

I would look into the pro but it is the shortest frame (well the top tube is 4mm longer than the expert) but everything else is shorter

[fair_enough69]

4m's longer :O

haha

[KA0S]

4m's longer :O

haha

4mm longer

[Ivan]

Getting into BMX racing and I am 180cm/5'9 height and either looking at getting a GT Power Series Expert or GT Power Series XL.

I'm not being picky......really.........but 180cm is more like 5'11".

I have been looking at an XL myself (174cm height). I will be going for the longest top tube I can get, just to make the transisition from MTB to BMX a bit easier.

[KA0S]

I'm not being picky......really.........but 180cm is more like 5'11".

I have been looking at an XL myself (174cm height). I will be going for the longest top tube I can get, just to make the transisition from MTB to BMX a bit easier.

Yeah i thought it was more than 5'9" aswell but I knew I was 180cm so i googled it and apparantly 1 centimeter = 0.032808399 feet

[Ivan]

I just found this http://www.albireo.ch/bodyconverter/ which makes it easy.

I always use ~2.5cm = 1 inch and there are 12 inch's to a foot.

Back on topic, you can get XL's around for cheaper, especially older stock. I know of one that's older that has a $599 sticker on it....but it's going to be mine!
http://www.dirty-pages.de/bilder/2007/09/gt-power-series-ultra-box.jpg

This is Hot!

[KA0S]

I would love the Ultra Box 2 but not going to spend $2000 on a frame only, maybe if I was going into state titles etc.

[KA0S]

The pricing is just what most stores sell them at. The cheapist that I have found on the internet for a 2008 XL is $784 delivered to my door step. Still got to call my local bike shop and see what the best he can do

http://www.gtbicycles.com/aus/eng/GTFiles/ProductImages/2668_600_large.jpg