The unique bent down tube was instantly recognizable and a design and marketing game changer which became a trademark look for GT. At the time, the Performer was the only other dedicated freestyle bike besides the Haro Freestyler. In 1983 GT signs freestyle BMX riders Bob Morales and Eddie Fiola to design and eventually ride a new freestyle bike the Performer. The models stay this way until 1984 when they introduce their first freestyle bike the Performer. GT’s first magazine ad appears in Bicycle Motocross Action (BMX Action) in the January 1980 issue.įor the 1981 season GT releases five models: Junior, Expert, 24, 26 and Pro. releases their first bike the “GT Pro” and begins to sponsor BMX racers such as Lee Medlin and Denny Davidow. Richard headed the business and marketing aspects of the company while Gary was the engineer and production head. Richard sold his bike shop and began selling frames as fast as possible to bicycle distributors across the USA and into Europe. GT standing for the initials of its founder, Gary Turner. In 1979 they incorporated into GT Bicycles, Inc. Things happened fast and soon Richard and Gary invested in a manufacturing warehouse dedicated to making top quality Cro-moly BMX frames in Santa Ana, California. These early frames were not yet the GT brand, but were simply called "Gary Turner" as seen by the frame stickers. Turner agrees and the foundation of GT Bicycles is born. Aware of the popularity of Gary Turner’s BMX frames, Richard Long contacts Turner in 1977 about supplying his Anaheim, California bicycle shop. Hill whose father owned the Pedals Ready bike shop. These are the first commercially distributed Gary Turner produced frames and one of the first sponsored riders to use them was Greg A.
#PALOMAR GT BICYCLE 2001 REPLACE SEAT PRO#
In 1976 Gary Turner begins producing frames for Pedals Ready, a Pro Shop at the Western Sports-A-Rama BMX track in Orange County, California named and marketed as Pedals Ready/GT. Craig's bike gets noticed at the BMX track and Gary starts making frames for other kids. Gary Turner made his frames from 4130 chrome-moly tubing, the same tubing used in building chassis for dragsters which is stronger and lighter than regular carbon steel. Most frames used during this period were modified Schwinn Stingrays which were heavy and broke easily under the stress of BMX racing and jumping.
#PALOMAR GT BICYCLE 2001 REPLACE SEAT PROFESSIONAL#
GT bicycles began in 1972 when professional drag racer and experienced welder Gary Turner makes a frame for his son Craig Turner in his Fullerton, California garage to race at the BMX track.