Submitted by
gpic449
a Weekend Warrior
from Danville, CA USA
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2010
Strengths: Lots of front travel
Weaknesses: Shaped weird, fat headset, weight, so on...
Bottom Line:
This bike sucks. I hate riding it and everytime i jump it, the chain falls off. I would like to burn it and then drop it off a plane, from there i would hope a train runs over it. Hopefully if not that, it would land in the middle of nowhere and never be found. I blew the seal on the forks and even before that, they werent very smooth. It does have good tires and wheels. Also i bent the disc from one small crash. Spare yourself some hell, and if you see one, look away as fast as you can and if you have one, i am sooo sorry for you. Never buy one, or think of buying one, if you did, i would suggest going to a therapist. They are crap. They weigh more than someone who eats McDonalds every day 3 times a day who sits on a couch and plays COD all day long. I would say more, but i don't like thinking about the fact that i have one sitting in my garage. So please don't buy one. Thank you.
Submitted by
Ben Moore
a Downhiller
from Black mountain NC
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2008
Strengths: bomb proof still love the 8 inch discs great hard tail downhill setup
Weaknesses: NOT! i repeat NOT! for all mountain climbing
Bottom Line:
with the shiver and clip in Downhill pedals it is a good dh set up i try to avoid too high of drops becuase its not a full suspenion (follow up review)
Similar Products Used: i have ridden many other bikes but nothing compares to the yakuza
Bike Setup: marzocchi shiver (yes i know it sounds crazy but it works like a dream), mavic 20mm through axle, clip in mallet pedals, i took off the smaller front chain ring for simplicity, Michelin all mountain tires w/ dh tubs
Weaknesses: Discontinued. With KENDA Kevlar tire at times is unpredictable. MAXXIS has a neat tire for this year 2008; steel bead and a thicker sidewall for sure will keep straight out of fast corners. KENDA makes a great product, but IHBC chooses MAXXIS for a reason.
Bottom Line:
With MAXXIS Ardent tire availible htis year 2008, I have my best bike. This setup started with a frame swap from Chuck's Bikes. I am not sanctioned yet to race, and am more of an advocate when I am not preparing to re-enter racing.
Strengths: Super strong welds & clean tidy tubing. 1.5" Headtube
Weaknesses: Any Bakuto fully built up is heavy. 17.5 kg to be exact. The paint seems to scratch easily
Bottom Line:
When built up with a decent spec the bike is great. Its not the street type, because the angles are all wrong for street. Freeriding nd Dhing is completely different, the bike feels smooth though the air, lands nicely and is stiff with its 1.5" headtube and oversize bars.
The paint seems to fleck, and the full build always seems to be heavy. But thats what you pay for a strong frame.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Hardrock, DMR Trailstar
Bike Setup: Modded Manitou Stances, Hayes 9, Alex Supra BH Wheelset, truvativ stem & bars, Race Face Ride Dh Cranks, sram X9
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Steven Turner
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2008
Strengths: Unbreakable frame!!!! Good geometry for freeride, downhill and even xc from time to time. E2 crankguard works great.
Weaknesses: Manitue Splice fork sucks. Put a Maz Dirtjumper 3 fork with 20mm threw axle. A little on the heavy side but takes that for strength am guessing. Little sloppy and skipping gears but have lots of hard miles on the bike. Wellgo platform pedal fell aprat today.
Bottom Line:
A great freeride bike! Little on the heavy side but I love it!! Has taken alot of abuse. If you can still find one would jump on it!! Replace the front fork and take it anywhere.
Favorite Trail: Djs, Arkansas downhill and freeride stuff
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At: MTBR classifieds
Similar Products Used: Trek 4300 discs Friends bikes
Bike Setup: Dirtjumper III front fork. Rhino lite 20mm threw axle wheel. Crankbrothers 5050 x.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
sam jimmy
a Downhiller
from newzealand
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2008
Strengths: its da strongest and best frame i have ever had....o even no the brakes are cable the stop better than hlyrolic,its boom proof even all the wheels ,shocks ect arnt cheap..they take big stuff easy.
Similar Products Used: mongoose hardtail,hydrolics... kona scrap... giant... bmx z
Bike Setup: stock part from tyres nd that
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff Katz
a Downhiller
from Bend, OR.
Date Reviewed: December 24, 2007
Strengths: Super sweet, ultra strong, Free-Ride oriented hardtail with gobs of mistake forgiving travel up front, confidence inspiring geometry, great componet package, and a sexy paint job/graphics.
Weaknesses: Piss-poor prone to scratching/flaking paint job, Oh-my-God heavy (It weighs a little less than my DH bike...), Inspires you to go far bigger than what you should (Both good and bad!), prone to mechanical mishaps (Sram shifters/derailers.), Hella-rigid and will make your spine ache (Yeah, I'm old, but I rip!). Oh, did I mention heavy?...
Bottom Line:
Essentially, the bike rips! BUT, it is prone to mechanical issues due to it's rigidity (Screws will back out while riding the trail, clearing doubles, or DH sessions.) It will inspire you to clear the gap, ride the skinny, lean the berm, and flow the DH portion of any single track, but you had better have ALL day to pedal the rig there! 5 pounds are all that separate this bike from my DH bike. Also: You WILL break body parts on this bike as it makes/inspires you ride like an idiot (7 broken ribs, 1 dislocated left shoulder, 1 concussion, gobs-o-trail rash, and low back pasin galore!). In summary, I would recommend this bike to a young guy who has little money do work with but a big drive to ride like an idiot! He should also have good medical insurance and preferr the company of shuttle riders or lift-serviced riding as the bike is just too heavy for epic legnth single trackin'. The bike is great for what it is intended for, but I would not recommend it for those who want to primarily single track as it is inapropiate for this application. If you session the park, shuttle up, buy a season pass at the local hill during the summer, and ride like an idiot (Yes, I'm included it this!) then the bike will suit you just fine. If not, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. P.S. the rear drop out is off center due to a botched landing and the rear brake now rubs when pedaling making the bike seem heavier and the factory derailer hangar is crap. It broke on the first month I had it 7 miles into a 27 mile ride. This made for a looooonnnngggg walk out!
Similar Products Used: I used to drive Armored Vehicles in the Army... I guess that is fairly similar (Except for the color).
Bike Setup: Avid Mech 8" front and back, Sram drive train, ODI Ruffian grips, SDG I-Beam saddle, WTB rubber (Very sweet!), DH bars, and a Marzochi Drop Off III fork.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
David Lyons
a Downhiller
from Hillsboro OR. USA
Date Reviewed: December 15, 2007
Strengths: Good frame strong and nimble. Light enough for all mountain but strong enough for a pounding. Handle bars are perfect width and rise. Stem perfect length. Brakes are durable.
Weaknesses: FORK SUCKS!!! just after my second month i jumped off the top of a hill lost control and hit a rock going only about 20. The fork broke at the steerer tube. It had only 130 MM. Also the bike should have nicer wheels, And 20 mm TA. Also the drealers and brakes SUCK! should have Avid juciys and SRAM x5's at least.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a good entry level free ride bike, really needs stock 20 mm TA, the fork on it is my 3rd, first broke within two months the 2nd was a manitou sherman, but i upgraded to 20 mm when i broke the axil, and got 66. This is my second review after 2 years, good bike if buy as frame and build but dont buy complete. keep a shorter fork on it (120-160) 170 and up is too long, also get a DRS chain guide. It is also very hard to use on all mountain XC but possible. Good over all frame.
Similar Products Used: Speacalised P3, Haro, Novara, diamond back topanga, iron horse yakuza bakuto(2006),iron horse yakuza chimpara
Bike Setup: Stock everything but sram attack thumb shifters, new brake levers, new tires (tioga factory downhill front maxxis highroler 3C back) Transition 36 spoke rims, Marizocchi 66 FV fork.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Ben Moore
a Weekend Warrior
from Black Mountain N.C.
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2007
Strengths: Greastest bike ever. The frame is totally bomb proof, I have yet to spill with it but when I do I wont worry a whole lot bout it. i love the seat it is hard but any good seat is going to be hard, besides that is what padded bike shorts are for! the 8in. disks can stop on a dime and dont stretch out easily. the wheel set is heavy but strong, the tires have great traction for cornering and climbing. the 150mm. Splicecomp front fork is really plush and works well for what i do. the rear derailur shifts ten times better then my previous bike. the chain ring guard is ausome i dont have to worry about log pyramids. there are reinforcements all over the bike.
Weaknesses: the front derailur is solid but has trouble shifting between top and bottom (there are only two front rings) so i just keep it on top
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is this bike is just plain beefy, shifts like a dream, brakes like a dream and its BOMB PROOF!
Bike Setup: all stock excepet for the pedals which are V8's.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Ian
a Weekend Warrior
from red Creek, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2007
Strengths: Frame is really strong. Handlebars are nice. Strong Rims. The bash guard is worth a million bucks. Mine looks like hell, but my chain ring looks pristine. Derailures are ok. Strong brakes!
Weaknesses: The fork blew a seal and leaked oil after about a year. Weird creaking sounds from the bottom after 6 months. Other than that, a solid bang around bike.
Bottom Line:
I really didn't use the bike for what it was meant for. I mainly cruised to classes at college and practiced trials riding. The frame is def. not a trials frame but it sure it strong. A great bike to get from point A to B. Took a lick or two and kept on ticking. No major break downs. I would recommend!!
Strengths: love the frame:its beefy and can take hard hits. the fork is okay...(but that might be because i'm only 13 years old, 116 pounds:)the bb5 are good enough for what i do and the rims haven't failed me yet.I also love the drivetrain, its good for he price.
Weaknesses: I Hate the seat!!!!!!! It sucks! ditch it at once. its rock hard! the tires wear out to easily(the compound is bad)and also a little to heavy. not too good for trails.(probably because I havent finished puberty:)oh yeah, the bb5/s are way too squeaky, though the stopping power for the price isn/t bad, but it squeaks every other second!
Bottom Line:
this is a great all around hardtail. if your looking for a trail based hardtail, then don/t go for this, but if you like to do north shore , some light freeride and dirtjumping and just showoing off around the streets, then this is the bike for you. Im loving mine:)
Bike Setup: stock except for dt swiss freeride rims with hubs, maxxis minion dh 2.5 front and rear, formula extreme dh\fr 8 inch rotors, marzochi 55 ata2, wtb pure v sport, odi lock ons, sram x0 shifters, x0 rear derailer, x9 front derariler truavativ hozfeller crank set/36/24 tooths, crank bros 50/50
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
james kirby
a Weekend Warrior
from asheville, nc
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2007
Strengths: Strong everywhere but the fork. I go 260 lbs and ive tried breaking stuff and have only managed to get a good workout, i believe the splice fork would have gone without my efforts.
Weaknesses: Manitou splice fork. perhaps it was the casting, i dont know but when weight was shifted forward the wheel leaned to the left. the problem progressed till a 20 mm wheelset and a fork was upgraded now im a happy peddler
Bottom Line:
I veiwed and tested many bikes in my area and found this to be what looked like i couln't damage beyond repair. From progressively more airtime to faster and more techy terrain im not hindered by the yakuza( since the new fork). Im going to have to step it up to really give this bike a workout. value gets a 4 only cause of the fork. all other components really compliment what this bike is for which is for entry freeride/dh i give a 5 overall cause who else can compare at 600 bucks for a great bike that take it all and ask for more.
Similar Products Used: first bike in ten years so i cant compare
Bike Setup: sunrims s-type wheels,manitou stance 20 mm, rest is stock
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Gene Atalig
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2007
Strengths: Very strong bike frame.
Weaknesses: Cranks and rear hub problems
Bottom Line:
This is a heavy hardtail which takes time to get used to. 8 inch disk brakes and an overall almost 35+ pound weight tells me that this bike is supposed to take a beating. I'm fair when it comes to reviews. If the bike comes from the factory or bike shop with problems, just fix it. It's not the bike's fault, unless it's an egregious thing like crappy welding. But, my bike did have problems. Please read on and beware of this bike shop that deals heavily in Iron Horse bikes, which is why I am adding the following: I would be careful when shopping online at Randall Scott. I bought a mountain bike which had crank problems. The customer service manager, Chris Delauro, was not very kind in attitude toward my situation. There was back and forth phone calls, which I tried my best and never even raised my voice, to remedy the situation, but his harsh attitude was not conducive toward an end result; and this is the customer service manager of Randall Scott. He even talked to my local bike shop manager to get the facts straight about my problem. The first thing this manager said to me was, "That guy is not very friendly. He has a bad attitude, or something." He kept going on about his unfriendly attitude, which, I guess, is not just toward me, but to anyone who calls for warrently help. In the end, I just didn't want to deal with Chris. So, I still have that crank problem and another problem, which I'll end up paying out of my own pocket even though my bike is only a month old. I'll never shop there again and I'll not recommend their business. If you by a bike online and it is not working properly, be prepared for an uphill and unfriendly customer service manager.
Similar Products Used: Kona Roast, Cannondale Gemini
Bike Setup: Stock Iron Horse set up.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Ash
a Cross Country Rider
from Sheff UK / Boston US
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2007
Strengths: Rock Solid. An absolute tank of a bike. Well impressed with the spec for the price, great forks, drive train & brakes. Tho it's a hardtail, it soaks up the rocks and anything you throw at it... as long as your ass can take it. The best bike by far for $600, it looks gorgeous, and i find the geometry very forgiving - it holds the line in fast turns, and the front-end is easy to flick up.
Weaknesses: It's heavier than any bike i've owned before, even heavier than decent full-sus bikes. But, i think that's a bonus for downhill. Sure, on road that means it's more effort to ride, but that don't bother me. The seat however is a dangerous piece of prastic crap. Bin it immediately, as an extra annoyance, you'll have to shop around for that 30mm seat post. Also the S-RAMx7 gears seem to start skipping after a couple hundred miles, but that can be fixed. The only other problem i have is the stupid dragon decals on the frame.. what's wrong with plain yellow?
Bottom Line:
Unfortunately, no longer made. Buy it if you can find it - the spec and price can't be beat. Tho it's heavier than most, it's a near unbreakable tank of a bike which see you fail before it does. Just get a new post / seat and save a visit to the proctologist.
