Submitted by
duder
a Weekend Warrior
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2010
Strengths: Everything, Frame geo is awesome, great feel for jumping. Handles like a dream. Climbing ability is better then similar bikes. I have mine built to right under 40lbs. So weight is not to bad.
Weaknesses: Some components suck, but I think people pay too much attention to component prices to judge quality. A lot of people say the moto x cranks sucks ass, but I have put mine through hell ( and I weigh 190lb) with no problems.
Bottom Line:
I had a Coilair and a Banshee Scream before this. This bike can climb as well as the Coilair and Bomb back down as well as the Scream. I wouldn't say Im faster then I was on the scream, but this thing could run circles around the scream going back up. Overall this bike is awesome. If it had a DHX air in the rear it would be perfect for me.
Similar Products Used: Banshee Scream, Kona Coilair
Bike Setup: Marz 55, Fox Van R, Maxxis High Rollers, Sun type S rims
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Submitted by
grootif
a Weekend Warrior
from Arizona
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2010
Strengths: DW Link is sweet. Perfect HD all Mountain bike once you shave a few LBs off of her. Bike comes to life with FOX shock & fork
Weaknesses: Stock Components stink. the true abilities of this bike only come out with the right set up. IH is out of business......
Bottom Line:
This bike started out as a 43 lb fat pig. Over the last few months I have swapped a bunch of parts to lighten her up. Now set up as noted above, and she comes in at 35 lbs! Actually feels, rides, and climbs like a much lighter bike.
With the correct set up of sag, compression, and rebound, this bike is super bad ass. The DW link eliminates just about all of the pedal bob, so pro pedal is not required from the rear shock. The Hayes Strokers have nice modulation, and are a huge step up from the Hayes 9's. I am amazed at how sweet she rides every time I get out.
Drop the fork down to 130 mm, and she climbs like a shorter travel bike. It is easy to forget that you have 7" of rear wheel travel at your disposal when climbing. the DW link allows the rear wheel to stick to the ground no matter what the trail throws at you.
Crank the fork back up to 160 mm, and she has the abilities of a heavy DH bike, and bottomless travel. It is too bad that IH is gone....I hope to get a few more years out of my 7 point 3.
Strengths: Solid Frame. This pony is sick! Nice Grip on the FUNN Soljam Viper Pedals!
Weaknesses: The stock front fork, headset and other components. Also now has a shimmy in the rear linkage along with a broken spoke. But I beat the crap out of it, so what can I say? I plan on upgrading all the components as they retire. Right out of the box, the FSA Headset was shot. The Drop Offf fork couldn't handle Moab and had to be replaced.
Bottom Line:
This is an awesome bike! It's taken me places I couldn't ever go on any hard tail. It still goes uphill (if you aren't in any hurry). Parts will break. I have replaced both complete brakes. The bottom bracket has been replaced. Fix it and ride on.
If you're good about taking care of your bike, this one will last a long time!
Bike Setup: 2005 Marzocchi 888 front fork
Cane Creek headset
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Submitted by
engineerjoe
a Downhiller
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2009
Strengths: The pedaling efficiency and feel of this suspension is amazing. very little pedal bob in or out of the saddle for a 7" travel bike. the rear tire floats over bumps easier and the sharp square edged stuff doesn't slow you down as much.
Weaknesses: The rear shock is a wierd size 9.0 x 2.75. Iron horse has a kit to upgrade to the more standard 8.75 x 2.75 shock for about $70.
the stock shocks leave something to be desired. i swapped out the front fork immediately and the rear shock is livable for now.
Bottom Line:
This is a great DH/freeride bike for the money. It may not be the lightest but it does everything I throw at it.
DW link is the best design out there right now for long travel bikes, period
Strengths: Really well made, super strong, pedals really well, loves big hits.
Weaknesses: The Manitou Metel shock I have on mine. Weight. Bearings starting to develop some play.
Bottom Line:
I got this second hand off some guy for only 800 pounds complete, and it worth so so much more. This bike is incredible and has transformed my riding. Coming from a 4X hardtail, this has given me crazy confidence on downhills. It really is super smooth, and the suspension action feels really controlled, rather than just bouncy like the Big HIt i tried. Im also pretty sure that no matter how crazy I get, Ill never be able to break it. This thing is built for abuse. The huge chunky welds, massive tubes, and massive rienforced gussets all come at a proce though,a nd that is weight. No matter how well this bike pedals (which it does excellantly) I still wouldnt recommend trying to ride it up a hill. All that padalling efficiency really helps on 4x and dual tracks though. It really does accelerate so straight and true, with no bob.
The only issues I have with mine is the shock. I still have the standard 2006 Manitou metel, which is overdamped and occasionally makes the back end feel constapated. I will soon be upgrading to a much plusher DHX, and im sure the bike will continue to surprise me with its ability.
Overall, this bike makes a superb UK DH 7 inch bike. Really chuckable, and pretty quick once you get it up to speed. Just dont be fooled by the all mountain/freeride tag... this only excels when you point it downwards.
Similar Products Used: Specialised Big hit, Scott Gambler DH10.
Bike Setup: 2006 Ironhorse 7point3. Rockshox domain 180 forks, Manitou metel shock, Saint cranks, Heyes brakes, easton cockpit, Dmr padals.
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Submitted by
p-townbomber
a Downhiller
from payson UT USA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2009
Strengths: very beefy, derailer is awsome, dw link is amazingly flowy, it is a great pedaling bike, 9 cassetes in back two in front, super plush bike.
Weaknesses: front fork could be a double crown like a boxxer or 888. brakes could be better but if you clean them after every ride they perform well. a little heavy but thats just faster on the downhill
Bottom Line:
great bike for some one looking to get into riding, with an upgraded fork this would be the ultimate bike.
Submitted by
garrett h
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, California
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2008
Strengths: The frame strength and durability, nothing has broken yet.
Weaknesses: Weight, the fork and shock aren't the best,
Bottom Line:
This bike has been great, I bought it brand new from shop, The bigest problem was the stock Drop Off III's, something inside came lose and the fork didn't feel good. So I bought a new 66 rc3 and everything is great, I've done 19 foot doubles and up to 5 foot drops and this bike feels great.
Favorite Trail: Northstar, Skyline Area, any given nice trail in LT
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$1600.00
Purchased At: Performance
Similar Products Used: Giant Faith
Bike Setup: MZ Drop Off Fork, Truvativ Cranks/BB, SRAM DL, Hayes Brakes, Manitou 3way swinger, Azonic stem, Kenda Kinetics 2.6 Rubber, WTB Dual Duty Rims, SDG Saddle/Post,
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Submitted by
Grant
a Downhiller
from Castro Valley,Ca
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2008
Strengths: Frame geo and strength drivetrain pedals wheelset(a year of bashing 3-4 times a week, not bad for a dual duty FR wheelset)
Weaknesses: Metel RP and DOIII blow(replace them when they break) brakes can be set up well. Just clean the pads and rotor after each ride and they will preform well.
Bottom Line:
There are still some 06 7.3's floating around for dirt cheap. Pick them up, upgrade them as you get the funds. They can be set up as some of the best pedaling, FR/DH bikes on the market.
I've had mine for over a year, a few days ago I busted a spoke, that is the only problem that I have had with any stock part. The hubs are not the best but if you keep them greased they last just as long as any other hub on the market.
They might be heavy compared to other 7" bikes on the market but then again you have never heard of a snapped 7point frame or broken chain stays on a 7point. With the extra weight comes a huge boost in frame strength. There is no rear triagle flex (which is where the frame weighs the most)
All in all I've had this bike for over a year. I couldnt have gotten a better bike with the same ammount of money. If your trying to figure out if you want to get a 7.3 or 7.5 go with the 7.5 you will not regret it. Better specs for a few hundred more!
Similar Products Used: Big Hit 2, Sinister R9, a few Ht XC bikes, Haro X7, Vp-Free, Nomad, Versus Bliz, etc
Bike Setup: 06 7point frame, 888RC, Roco RC, Saint Brakes, X7 rear, Gamut p20(32ring) etc.
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Submitted by
lahuman8
a Downhiller
from ytic radec
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2008
Strengths: everything I have thrown at it,it has handled,to big drops to big hit jumps,step ups to step down,this bike feels amazing,I love the DW link I don't feel shorted on travel and is buttery smooth with the right setup.
Weaknesses: Drop off III was alright for beginers,the rear shock manitou metel was not at all any good didn't allow the full amount of travel you bought,other than that been excellent.
Bottom Line:
this is well worth the money and easy to upgrade,working on it is the best bike to manage,its been bomb proof to flickability,hold corners very nicely. best FR bike I have bought!!!
Bike Setup: 66 rc2x,dhx 5.0 w/titanium spring,minion 2.7 super tacky fr.minion 2.7 slow rezzay rr.
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Submitted by
Jeff H
a Weekend Warrior
from Chandler, Arizona USA
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2008
Strengths: Beefy, strong frame, DW Link is smooth, Plush travel, Sram parts work well. Price. I got it for less than a grand, because it was returned to the local shop by a kid that could not afford it. too bad for him.
Weaknesses: Rear derailer cable routing, 5th Element rear shock sucks A$$ the rebound dampening does not work, so the shock tops out violently, stock fork is lame, as are all low end Manitou products.
Bottom Line:
Throw the 5th element, and the Manitou away, and replace with the parts that I listed above. You will shave about 3 lb off of the bike, and it will ride super sweet!
it is a great bike, not too heavy for all day rides, the granny gear and the DW Link help it climb well.
Weaknesses: It's a little heavy, but that's OK. Better exercise! The stock fork only has 6" travel and barely any adjustment, the rear shock sucks, and the brakes don't have much modulation.
Bottom Line:
It's a heavy-ish bike, but you probably won't break it, and the DW linkage makes hills alot less painful. It's a great FR bike, it's fun to ride, it's my do-it-all bike, and I ride it everywhere. Components aren't "top notch," but they work, and they're pretty durable. Besides, you can always upgrade it into a FR beasty!
Similar Products Used: Kona Stinky Dee-lux, Stinky nine, and a stinky.
Bike Setup: 66RC2X, Roco WC, and Codes.
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Submitted by
Grant
a Downhiller
from Castro Valley
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2007
Strengths: DW linkage Burley Frame Geometry
Weaknesses: Frame weight (with weight comes strength)
Bottom Line:
This is a great FR bike that can be taken to the DH parks and still beable to man handle the mountain. Jumps better than any DH bike but is still able to keep up with the pack.
I thought about getting a 9" travel bike but I love to jump, drop,basically fly. Im experimenting with a 8" fork gives it alittle more length and helps on the steep tech DH sections but doesnt limit its FR ablility.
Great bike wouldnt even think about buying it again.
If you have the money buy the next model up you wont regret it. (stock parts on the 7.3 suck)
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I just bought a used 2007, 7point3 and would like to get some weight off, I'm not really sure how the 19.5kg is reached (I guess this weight was based on size "M"?). As I read the Read More »
Is it possible to put a 8.75 x 2.75 shock on a 2005 IH 7Point3 ? 9 x 2.75 shock is hard to find and I was wondering if anybody had successfully or if it's possible to install a 8. Read More »
