veganbikes

This is the mountain bike sub-forum just FYI. The bike is basically middle ground between wally-mart and the bottom end bike shop bike. It is not a mountain bike and nothing pro about it but as a hybrid bike it is mediocre at best. However if you are riding infrequently it is a bike.

At $800 a huge ripoff at the price it is now it is still a bit expensive but on par with similar type bikes.

In terms of shifting issues you never want to shift any bike when it is not moving with a standard derailleur that is normal for anything. However components like that aren't going to shift well ever. 8 speed came out in the late 80s early 90s for mountain bike stuff so we are 30 years on so the quality has only hit the bottom except for some IGH stuff and an oddball Microshift groupset that is a little better than current 8 speed stuff but nothing great.

Get a bike that makes sense for your riding. If you have intended to get a mountain bike budget yourself for a mountain bike. Look for something with air forks and Deore and above, hydraulic disc brakes and ideally look for something with thru-axles so it is up with modern standards should you want to upgrade something at some point but at least look for everything else. Generally the only quality coil forks are going to be something you buy separately and don't come on most bikes stock and they will cost as much as the GT was selling for not on sale or more.