Bike Setup: Marzocchi rocco world cup rear shock, mag 30 dh rims.
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Submitted by
witchdr77
a Weekend Warrior
from Oxford, Mich
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2010
Strengths: Simple... single pivot system. Good BB clearance, suprisingly nimble on the switchbacks and climbs.
Weaknesses: HEAVY!!! WAY HEAVY. But what can you expect from a (now) older sub $1k Freeride frame?
Bottom Line:
Yes, like all other reviews... its heavy.It's been 3 years since I've run on a soft tail. and for $180 I could do worst.My complete assembly ran my $610. for a $610 bike not bad. it soaks up everything, drive over roots, rocks , and logs like a Jeep! I hopped on my Hardtail to do some XC, I guess hauling that extra weight avg. speed 11 mph up hill and flat single track helped... my hard tail I just flew through trails with out much effort!An on the Down hills with the Aniki WOO HOO! FUN FUN FUN!I give this thing 4 chili's becouse for a $600 rig I couldn't really do that much better.With this thing i can Freeride, Alll MTN.an even lug a lil' XC too.
Bike Setup: Fox DHX, Marzocchi 55R, Easton EA50 stem/bar, Specialized Eskar 2.3" tires.
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Submitted by
Solguardian
a Downhiller
from Winchester, California
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2010
Strengths: Awesome Downhill frame. Super smooth, even at 20+ mph through ruts and stuff. Its a beast, its heavywhich is great for dh). Fat tires-26x2.65. strong frame, seems to be indestructable! feels like a cady at 35+ miles per hr.
Weaknesses: Spinner Ammo forks suck
Bottom Line:
Great intro to downhill. I bought it stocked and in almost new condition. This bike can and will take a beating. I've nicknamed it "The Beast" Value rate as stocked. But over all its amazing bike with a lot of potential.
Submitted by
whistle tree
a Downhiller
from Grants Pass OR
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2009
Strengths: Solid frame, fun geometry, awesome to you get started and great potential build.
Weaknesses: Heavy (makes you a stronger rider ;]), stock components aren't so great.
Bottom Line:
Replace parts as needed. I smashed the Spinner within 2 weeks off a 5' drop (landed well). Replaced the rear sus. changing eye to eye giving 7" rear travel, also voiding warranty. Ended up with a solid, nimble FR/DH shredsled that took serious abuse and begged for more!
Value rating low because of stock components.
Similar Products Used: not much riding time on other FS bikes...
Bike Setup: Aniki frame, Marzocchi 66, Fifth Element rear shock, X-9, Race Face cranks and BB, Avid Code 5s, Kenda Kinetics on WTB Laserdisc FR rims.
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Submitted by
yeahyeahtruckee
a Downhiller
from truckee, ca, usa
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2009
Strengths: great dh frame. taken some big hits. heavy(good for dh). fat tires-26x2.65.
Weaknesses: the stock forks which are the spinner ammo 1 SUCK. i bottomed out on a 2 foot drop with them. rear deraulier isnt very good. no chain guide. no piggyback on rear shock.
Bottom Line:
great downhill frame but you need to spend a little extra money for some key parts. needs new forks and a rear shock. needs a chain guide and possibly a new deraulier. i would recommend the stock bike to any beginner and the frame to any downhiller.
Bike Setup: aniki frame. marzocchi super t pro forks. mrp g2 chian guide. 26x2.65 rear tire. 26x2.5 front tire. fox vannila r rear shock (no piggyback).
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Submitted by
cjh719
a Downhiller
from Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2009
Strengths: bullet proof frame, love the sherman, hays 9 breaks are good take a-lot of care tho, can fit 2.60 tires, strong strong strong, good weight for dh
Weaknesses: components weak, already broke a bb, large ring, front and rear rotors, bars, bent rim, and rear dr, heavy for climbing
Bottom Line:
good bike i love it it is a strong good looking fun bike for the money they are going for cant beat it, kinda heavy for climbing can take a beating
Similar Products Used: iron horse yakuza ojiki, iron horse yakuza kumicho, iron horse yakuza sohon bucho,iron horse yakuza kumicho type r
Bike Setup: iron horse yakuza aniki, with a marzocchi junior t
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Submitted by
JaredSanderz
a Cross Country Rider
from Ashland, oregon, usa
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2009
Strengths: Very fast downhill, full suspension is great, nice pedals, good brakes.
Weaknesses: Heavy as hell, derailer will be a problem with owning this bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike is definitely worth it's money. Even though it's a terrible climber, this bike should not be climbing anyway. I made that mistake, because I live in a very hilly area, and having a climbing bike would be very good. The bike is damn heavy, about 40-45 pounds, but helps when you're mobbing down hill über fast. The suspension on this bike as far as I can tell has been really good. Now this bike is meant for downhill and freeride, not XC like I have been using it for. Great bike for only costing $1000 brand spankin' new. I would recco this bike to people just getting into downhill and freeriding.
Submitted by
rogenator
a Cross Country Rider
from RSM, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2009
Strengths: strong frame, seems to be indestructable! feels like a cady at 35+ miles per hr.
Weaknesses: very heavy, not the sharpest on quick turns. very low quality stock components.
Bottom Line:
Read lots of bad reviews before buying. ranging from too heavy to downright piece of crap. Still bought it! initial price was a bit high for stock set up but fell in love with it when I saw it. frame is awsome, It has taken some big hits at 20+miles per hr and the damn thing seems to be down right indestructable! true that it is a heavy beast but after replacing some key components, let me tell you that it is now a very sweet ride. not the fastest but on some really steep ascents I can tell you that I have been able to pass up lots of snooty guys on their 25 lb overpriced XC rigs. $3-5K bikes can only do so much, the rest is up to the rider! all in all I have used this bike for single track,xc,freeride, downhill, as well as for 4k+
foot acents and love how it works! out of the box it is not that great of a bike but if you are strapped for cash buy it if anything for the frame and upgrade it as your cashflow allows. As for the weight issue, just get on the darn thing, pedal up some steep ascents and develop some leg muscle, after that it won't be much of an issue. you won't be winning XC races but you'll sure have a heck of a great time participating. only giving it 4 overall chillis as is out of the box. but once upgraded it's a full 5, no doubt.
Bike Setup: Manitou Travis 150's, Fox Vanilla RC w/propedal, launch freerides,Sram X0 shifters, X9 deraileur, pg 990 cassette,Race Face stem among other goodies.
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Submitted by
yakmastermax
a Weekend Warrior
from NY
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2009
Strengths: Beefy frame, a beat around feel enables you to really let loose with it, decent rear shock, good looks, cheap DH/FR bike, its so crappy you don't really care what you are going to do with it so you can really have fun and not worry about being conservative!The cranks are great.
Weaknesses: Bad brakes, on multiple occaisions I have gone off the trail because the stock brakes just don't have the power to stop the 45lb bike. The integrated shifter and brake lever reduces overall cockpit quality. Rear mech is low quality. stock pedals need replacement: the spinner ammo fork is garbage! replace as soon as possible.
Bottom Line:
If you have the money dish out a little more on a more expensive bike because the frame on this bike is good, but the components are overall things that you would want to avoid. If you are buying it, you are buying it from RSC and they are a decent company but the probuild is not on par with a LBS tune. Many things will need replacing but that is why the bike is soo cheap to begin with. Alot of potential but the starting package is a little weak.
Also RSC claims to have sold me and 09 model but it looks just like the 08.
Bike Setup: Stock- soon a domain 318 will replace the spinner ammo.
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Submitted by
taletotell
a Weekend Warrior
from Binghamton, NY
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2009
Strengths: beautiful geometry, easy to balance on the skinnies great DH frame
Weaknesses: Front fork (Spinner Ammo 1 on the 2006) is crap. the linkage under the seat is badly designed. heavy (42+ lbs)
Bottom Line:
I love this bike but I'm already working on it to keep it alive. I've ridden it hard, if only a half dozen times. That fork is the biggest issue and the seat post busted on me just today. The linkage under the seat is poorly designed but can be replaced cheaply and easily. They say this frame is one to take with you and just upgrade you accessories. I agree. The components are entry level, but the geometry is wonderful (little peddlebob and great handling)and the thing is tough. I plan to hold on to mine for a least a couple years. If you can get on for cheap, leap on it. I wouldn't pay more than 800 dollars, but it is a good bike.
Similar Products Used: Kona Coiler. Ironhorse warrior 1.3. Diamondback coil.
Bike Setup: mostly stock. Mantiou rear shock, panaracer rear tire.
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Submitted by
amysue135
a Cross Country Rider
from Plains, PA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2009
Strengths: Solid frame, wide bars, 1.5 headtube
Weaknesses: Spinner Ammo 1 fork.. Useless.
Bottom Line:
I basically bought this bike for the frame to build as my first downhill bike. I love the bike after all of my add ons. Its a solid frame and thats all I was looking for. This is a great starting point for someone looking to try freeriding or light downhilling.
Similar Products Used: this was my first full suspension, so I have no frame of reference
Bike Setup: 2006 Iron Horse Aniki, '03 Marzocchi Super T Pro, Manitou swinger 4 way, 24" sun S-Type rear wheel, Maxxis High Roller 2.7's, Hayes EL Camino's, MRP System 3 Chain Guide, Azonic Love Seat, Peaty lock on grips, Truvativ 38 tooth chain ring.
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Submitted by
bobthebuilder
a Downhiller
from lakeside, California
Bike Setup: Stock Iron horse aniki with upgraded bars
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Submitted by
alex
a Downhiller
from connecticut
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2008
Strengths: this is a great strong frame for any beginner rider or advanced because of the great versatility and the way you can aftermarket the hell out of it
this is a great bike that can catch huge airs and whip down wretched trails. if you strap some new components on it it can be like the cady of all bikes (a smooth sleek ride) anyway its a great value so !!buy this bike!!