GT Avalanche User manual

HARDTAIL DISC BRAKE
QUICK START GUIDE
MODELS
Avalanche
Zaskar
Aggressor
Traffic
Transeo

SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!
WELCOME TO
THE GT FAMILY
Ok, let’s get to the point….We want to get you out riding your new GT. Our simple
assembly process makes it possible to use your skills to assemble your GT on your
own, and it’s even easier to do with a friend. This guide will walk you through the steps,
and you can also follow along with a video as you build your bike, visit: help.gtbicycles.com
Still have questions? GT rider support staff are ready to help you. Feel free to
give ‘em a ring at [phone] a great source of help is at your local GT retailer or other professional
bicycle retailer.
Don’t forget to tag #gtbicycles in your social media when your new bike is all
assembled and ready to ride. We can’t wait to check it out.
This is a Quick Start Guide, intended to
accompany the assembly video, not an
Owner’s manual.
Bicycling is an active sport with inherent
risk. A wide range of injuries are possible.
Due to the nature of bicycle riding, the
situations you encounter while riding,
you will be exposed to the risk of serious
injury, paralysis or death. This risk cannot
be eliminated. You can minimize the
risk in many ways. Begin by reading the
complete GT Bicycle Owner’s manual
accompanying this bike and available
online at www.gtbicycles.com.

THE 4 MAJOR STEPS TO GETTING
YOUR BIKE READY TO RIDE
1. INSTALL HANDLEBARS 2. INSTALL SEATPOST 3. INSTALL FRONT WHEEL 4. INSTALL PEDALS
SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!
1.
2.
3.
4.

+This assembly video applies to
multiple Hardtail disc brake platforms.
+Open the box with a screwdriver.
Be careful of the staples.
TOOLS NEEDED
GETTING YOUR
BIKE READY FOR
ASSEMBLY
Inside the box, you’ll find a smaller
box of parts, tools and manuals.
Once you have assembled the bike,
but before you ride, please read the
owner’s manual.
• Pliers or Screwdriver
• Philips head Screwdriver
• Boxcutter
• Cable Cutters or Scissors
• Torque Wrench
• Allen keys
• Pedal Wrench
• Avalanche
• Zaskar
• Aggressor
• Traffc
• Transeo
SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!
+
+Remove the front wheel from the
packaged bike by removing the zip ties
or velcro. Then remove all additional
packaging.

KEY PARTS OF THE BIKE REFERENCED IN THIS GUIDE
SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!
SEATPOST
SADDLE HANDLEBARS
DISC BRAKE ROTOR
PEDAL
PEDAL AXLE
STEM

1. Using the included Allen wrench, remove the bolts
and the faceplate from the stem. The stem is what
connects the handlebar to the fork. Set them aside
together, so you don’t lose anything.
2. Insert the handlebar into the stem, and put the
faceplate back on, loosely tightening one of the
bolts.
3. Ensure that the brake and the shifter cables wrap
around the frame in the correct manner. You don’t
want any kinks or twists. Center the handlebar in
the stem using the markings on the bar.
STEP 1
INSTALL
HANDLEBARS
1
1
3
2
SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!

4. Screw in the remaining three bolts in a crosswise
fashion. Don’t tighten them down too much yet.
Roll the handlebar back into a comfortable
position, then hand-tighten the stem bolts, using
your Allen key. We’ll tighten these later.
5. Ensure that the gap on the faceplate is the same
on the top and the bottom of the handlebar.
4
5
SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!

STEP 2
INSTALL
SEATPOST
1. Loosen the seatpost clamp. On the seatpost, locate
the minimum insertion mark. .
2. Insert the seatpost into the frame and tighten the
quick-release clamp.
SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!
1
2

1. Remove the fork spacer that was shipped with
the bike.
Now you can remove the bicycle from the box and
set it on the ground. You can recycle the box now.
2. Find the quick-release skewer that came in your
box of parts. There will be an adjusting nut, two
springs, the quick release lever.
3. Remove the adjusting nut and the spring. Locate
the disc brake rotor on your wheel and insert the
quick-release skewer through the opposite side.
STEP 3
INSTALL
FRONT WHEEL
1
1
2
3
SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!
DISC BRAKE ROTOR

SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!
4. Put the spring back on, narrow end first, and
lightly tighten the nut. The order in the axle should
be: quick release lever, spring, the whhel, another
spring and then the adjusting nut.
5. Lift up the bike and roll the wheel back. Set the
fork dropouts onto the axle.
6. Slowly tighten the adjusting nut on the outside and
check the quick-release lever to ensure it’s tight
enough. If it’s too loose, open the quick release
lever back up, tighten the adjusting nut more
and then close the quick release lever again. The
quick-release is properly tight when it requires a
lot of effort to close the lever, and the lever leaves
a mark on your hand.
1
4
5
6

1
2
3
STEP 4
INSTALL PEDALS
1. Insert the left pedal (marked L on the axle) into the
hole in the crank, then slowly tighten it with your
fingers. Screw the pedals in the direction of the front
wheel.
2. Turn the bike around to the right side where you’ll find
the derailleurs and gears, and then find the right pedal
(with an R on it). Insert that into the other hole in the
other crank, and lightly tighten it.
3. Locate the pedal wrench that came in your box of
goodies and use it to snugly tighten down both of your
pedals.
SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!

CONGRATULATONS!
YOUR NEW GT BIKE IS
NOW ASSEMBLED
Before you ride, it’s important to perform a few pre-ride checks.
1. The front reflector should be pointing straight ahead, perpendicular to the
ground. The rear reflector must be pointing straight back.
2. Ensure that the wheel reflectors are snug by pulling them out slightly on the
spokes.
3. The proper height of your bicycle seat is about where your hip is. Stand next
to the bike, loosen the quick-release collar, pull the saddle up or down, and
then tighten it back up. The saddle will probably be about the same height as
your stem.
1
1
3
2
SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!
Sit on the bike, holding the brakes to make sure it doesn’t move.
When your leg is fully extended, it should have a slight bend in it.

4
7
8
5
SETUP STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4 CONGRATS!
4. Using the provided torque wrench, first select the correct bit and install it
into the wrench. Tighten each stem bolt in that same crosswise fashion as
before. Look for the torque specification markings located on the front and
back of the stem, as well as on the seatpost. ( If these markings are absent,
torque all stem bolts and seatpost bolts to 7 Nm.)
5. Ensure that quick-release on the saddle is tight. If it needs tightening, use
the included Allen wrench to tighten the bolt, then check to ensure that the
quick-release lever is tight enough.
6. Do the same with the quick-release on the front fork. The lever should also
leave a slight indent on your hand when properly tightened.
Ensure that the final position of the quick-release lever is behind or below
your fork.
7. Straddle the front wheel and vigorously try to twist the bars back and forth
to make sure they don’t twist. Then, straddle the bike and try to roll your bars
back and forward, to make sure they don’t move.
8. Check the front brakes; make sure that they don’t pull back too far. There
should be a gap between a fully compressed brake lever and the grip.
Ensure that the brakes are working by rolling back and forth slightly while
squeezing the brakes, making sure that they grip.
9. Vigorously twist that saddle back and forth to make sure it will not move
while you’re riding.
10. Slightly bounce on the bike to check tire inflation. If necessary, inflate the
tires to the pressure marked on the tire sidewall.
11. Give the bike a final bounce to make sure nothing is loose.
Have Fun!

OUR STORY
Since 1972 GT Bicycles has proudly been
developing bikes, for every type of rider,
with a consistent mission. That mission is
the same reason everybody throws a leg
over their very first bike – pure fun, plain
and simple. GT Bicycles remains true to
sharing the stoke on two wheels which the
brand was founded on because, after all,
you can’t have Good Times without ‘GT’!
Foow Us On
@gtbicycles / @gtbmxfreestyle