GT Zaskar

The GT Zaskar is a legendary hardtail mountain bike first introduced in 1991. It holds a unique record as the only bicycle model to have won World Cup events in four different categories: cross country, downhill, slalom, and trials. The brand GT Bicycles was founded in 1972 in Santa Ana, California, by Gary Turner and Richard Long. Initially famous for the 'Triple Triangle' frame design, the brand became a staple in the BMX and MTB communities.

Over the decades, ownership has shifted several times. After the founders sold the company in 1993, it passed through several hands including Questor Partners (who merged it with Schwinn), Pacific Cycle, and eventually Dorel Industries in 2004. In early 2022, the Dutch conglomerate Pon Holdings acquired Dorel Sports (including GT, Cannondale, and Schwinn) for approximately $810 million. In early 2023, GT returned to its roots by establishing a standalone headquarters in California, though it remains a subsidiary of Pon Holdings. While early high-end Zaskar frames were hand-built in the USA, modern production is concentrated in Taiwan and other parts of Asia.