Submitted by
uncleneiler
a Downhiller
from Dundas,Ontario,Canada
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2010
Strengths: This bike is Bullet Proof, Built like a Sherman Tank!
Weaknesses: None as of yet!
Bottom Line:
This is one awesome piece of equipment, This Bike has brought my riding skills to a whole new level. Before I bought this beast, I was doing my main trail loop of 8.7 km in 45 min before, I'm now doing that same trail in 35-37 mins .. I'm in Awe of how well this bike handles ...
Bike Setup: Avid Juicy 7 Hydr/brakes, 5th Element Rear/Shock, Marzocchi Bomber 888 Forks, Cane Creek Headset and Race Face bars,Chris King Front Hub, Continental Vertical Tires, 550LB spring in the rear
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Submitted by
vito burger
a Downhiller
from santa cruz
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2006
Strengths: Its a good down hill bike and it can take 10 foot drops like nothing.It can also do jumps. Its a good bike for everything and it pedals super good.
Weaknesses: the stock shock sucks so you need to get a different one I have a 5th elemnt and it pimpin.It kind of a tall bike.
Bottom Line:
this bike is the best bike for around here because theres nothing that huge only like some 10 or 20 foot drops.The linkege is kind of bad but thats not that big of a problem you just need to upgrade it to the E-13 linkege and then its all good. Its pretty much a copy of a big hit but I still love it.
Similar Products Used: Diamondback xts 2003(worst bike in the world)
Bike Setup: Boxxer race, 5th element shock, size-large, azonic seat
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Submitted by
johnny
a Downhiller
from Whistler, B.C.
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2005
Strengths: This is a great bike that can handle anything I throw at it!! Which is a lot!!Its a tank!! Also, great suspension system, it has great flow!!
Weaknesses: The only one is the weight.
Bottom Line:
What can i say? Great bike for a great price!! If you are looking for a bike you can huck around, then pedal it back home again, this bikes for you! If you want a serious downhill bike, this bikes for you, if you want a street bike, road bike, or XC bike, try something else!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Big Hit, Kona Stinky dee-lux, Santa Cruz VP free
Bike Setup: Stock and loving it!
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Submitted by
J.J. Keys
a Downhiller
from Mahwah, NJ, USA
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2005
Strengths: This thing is amazing!!!! It puts up with anything the trail can dish out. The manitous on the front and the rear are plush and smooth all the time. It handles like a dream and I love the bashguard.
Weaknesses: its pretty heavy but all of the strengths make it more than a great bike.
Bottom Line:
this bike is awesome. It was such a deal I had to get it. The bike is a tank, it handles drops and rocks like nothing, its a little on the heavy side but that is the ONLY thing I would change. Awesome bike for the money, I would not want anything else.
Strengths: It is painted army green and it is for a reason. It is a tank.
Weaknesses: some components
Bottom Line:
This bike is awesome for the money. When I was getting into downhilling I looked at a bunch of bikes. Everyone said that I needed to spend minimum $4000 for a complete downhill package. This bike for less than half that is more than I need. I go to attitash, NH maybe 10 times a year and it has held up flawlessly. Don't be stupid buy an Iron Horse and save your money for lift tickets. and GAS to get there.
Strengths: You get a lot of bike for the price! Very well spec'd. Bike is overbuilt, which is great in a downhill bike. Rides like a tank, and gives the rider a lot of confidence. Love the plush 5th element!
Weaknesses: Like it says in previoius reviews, there is a bit of lateral flex in the rear AND you will have to upgrade the stem, grips, saddle and seatpost immediately.
Bottom Line:
I am a big guy and have been riding this bike hard for 2 seasons, and going strong into my 3rd. It has held up really well. I have no complaints.
Purchased At: Supergo(before they were performance 2)
Bike Setup: Easton Vice stem, ODI lockon grips, Thomson seatpost and Atomic love seat replacements. Upgraded the fork springs to X-firm. Everything else is stock.
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Submitted by
Petey
a Downhiller
from New Canaan CT USA
Weaknesses: 03 link probs, boxxer race kinda sucks, stem
Bottom Line:
this is a really fast nice CHEAP downhillbike. altough it is cheap and has nice stock stuff, it is a good idea to upgrade some things the stem will def brak on you so get a new one, upgrade the fork or buy a new one, and the new linkage is a good idea, but it makes it a lot heavier but a lot better. this bike is sick for the money, and if u dont have a lot to spend this is a sick race bike
Bike Setup: New romic stem and crown for boxxer plus mojo cartridge uipgrade(essentials) new link
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Submitted by
Jon Lacey
a Downhiller
from Glastonbury, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2004
Strengths: 5th element, maxxis tires, e13 guide and bashring.
Weaknesses: seat, stem, fork...but these were all switched out. I have a '04 Manitou Slider Plus now. The biggest weakness of this product has nothing to do with the bike...but rather Iron Horse customer service. Back in January I noticed my der. hanger was constantly coming loose. I broke one, put the replacement on, and ended up breaking that one too. I learned the threads were stripped on the swingarm, so I contacted IHBC and sent away for a replacement February 4, 2004. It is now July 20, 2004, and I still do not have all the parts I need. Initially it took them 5 months to send anything...and when they did I only recieved part of my replacement. It's taken another 4 weeks just to get in contact with them. And now, they told me they would send the part out. So we'll see what happens now. It's a shame, because I really enjoyed riding this bike, but now, I don't think I will buy from Iron Horse ever again.
Bottom Line:
Great bike. Great value. Horrible customer service. If this does not bother you like it does for me, go for it. Make sure you switch out that Boxxer race also.
Bike Setup: 03 SGS pro, sherman slider plus, azonic short, azonic love seat, Yeti grips, 5th element, race face 25" bar
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Submitted by
Red
a Weekend Warrior
from Bellingham, WA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2004
Strengths: 5th element rear shock,Boxxer Race fork,(boxxers are sweet,I don't give a SH!T what anyone says!)Holzfeller crankset are the 3 main standouts. Also the LX/XT/E13/Laserdisc/formula/maxxis parts package is sweet for the price.
Weaknesses: Too much lateral flex in the rear. I don't think you should have to buy a $300 upgrade on a race oriented downhill bike to stop it from flexing! Hayes HFX-HD 9's SUCK! Almost NO local bike shops carry these so you either have to buy them used or from mail order companies.
Bottom Line:
This bike rides like a downhill wet dream. It feels bombproof and increases the size of your cajones by at least 50%!
I can't believe the technology in the rear fork. It does exactly what it's supposed to do and soaks up every hit while keeping your rear tire on the ground.
And the suspension in the front is like butter. I have no idea what all the fuss is about. All the guys I ride with, and all the morons that submit internet reviews bash the boxxer...I couldn't disagree more. I had an 02 JR.T on my last bike and the boxxer has a much better feel, and comes set-up perfectly for a 180lb rider with no initial adjustments needed. With regular maintenence, I'll be riding this fork far into the future!
My biggest beef out of all the parts is with the brakes. HFX-9's Suck the big one! Upgrade to the Mag's right away and sell the nines on ebay "as newj" to some poor schlub who doesnt know any better. You'll spend more time and money on adjustments and brake pads from disc rub with the nines than if you just put the extra cash into mags right from the start.
If it wasnt for the lateral flex in the rear, and having to spend 3 bills for the upgrade, I'd give this bike a perfect rating. But all together I've had to spend about $500 additional(including the small parts upgrades like the seat/stem etc...)to get it where I want it. So that's minus 1 pepper for overall. I would also take a half pepper off the value, b/c I had to shell out mo money to get the bike where it needed to be, but I think a full pepper is too harsh, so I'll keep it at five. In a perfect rating system I'd give the bike 4 overall and 4.5 for value...
Similar Products Used: This is my first downhill specific full suspension bike. Prior to this bike I did my downhilling/freeriding on a KONA stinky, which despite marketing attempts, is a trail bike!
Bike Setup: Switched out the ringle 2bolt stem for a 4bolt azonic shorty. Added an Azonic love seat but kept the stock azonic seatpost. I've heard so many people complain about this seatpost,It has been fine for me, no probs at all. Traded the 44T ring for a smaller 38T that I can actually pedal if needed. Replaced the grips for odi rogue lock jaws. The LX shifter broke, so I upgraded to an XT. Everything else is stock.
Strengths: Beefy as hell. The suspension is so plush, the 5th is really nice. It is a great deal for the quality components that come with the bike. It is a great buy just for the parts alone.
Weaknesses: The front ring is way too big. Also it is tough if you want to run more than one chainring in the front. Some home mods will do the trick though. The stem and seatpost are garbage.
Bottom Line:
It is one of the best deals you can find for such a high quality bike. It wasn't named the 2003 dh bike of the year for looking good. It really delivers with plush suspension and quality parts at a good price. I was hesitant about forking over 1600 but the bike is well worth spending 2000+. Great bike overall.
Submitted by
Jiri Senkyrik
a Cross Country Rider
from renton
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2004
Strengths: breaks,plushness,overall toughness,rear shock, Crank, E.13 thing. i added it up you pay like -70 buks for the frame. Pedals are actually really good
Weaknesses: Huge front chain ring which is no prob if your just using it for DH.
Bottom Line:
I got performance to match the price that was on the interenet. Cause i wasnt about to buy a bike of the interenet. so i got it for 1799.99 and life time free service. anyways i went of a few 6 foot drops and it felt like butter, once you get the 5th element set up the way you like it the bike is good to go, the only thing i would change on it is the seat post. lots of people complain about the fork but since i only weigh a 135 pounds i dont think it matters for me. For the price i payed this bike kiks butt, i havent really tested it out at like whistler or anyting but i will do that this summer. i think its a great bike for beggining to intermediate DOWNHILL.
Strengths: Overall great value. Most of the components are above average or better. The Progressive Suspension 5th Element rear shock, Truvativ Holzfeller cranks, E13 chain guide, Maxxis Minion Super Tacky tires, and patented Specialized FSR rear suspension design highlight the list.
Weaknesses: In my opinion there are few upgrades that need to be made as your budget allows. I could live without the Rock Shox Boxxer Race fork, but it will get you by. My immediate concerns were with the grips, stem, seat, seat post, 44 tooth chain ring, and the 8 speed cassette with heavy gold "spoke guard".
Bottom Line:
Don't get me wrong after reading the "weaknesses". I love this bike and would definately buy it again! It's been a trustworthy performer that could be ridden and enjoyed 100% stock. I feel that the bike just keeps getting better with each additional upgrade. And most of the upgrades are not very expensive. I strongly recommend it for the first time downhill bike buyer. With upgrades it's a bike suitable for riders of all skill levels. It probably won't appeal to racers that count every gram or people that prefer big name brands. But if you're on a budget and want to buy a new bike that performs almost the same as the best bikes out there give it serious consideration. If you do buy it make sure you check, tighten, and adjust every part of this bike before you ride it! Sometimes those underpaid factory workers in Taiwan get lazy.
Submitted by
Andrew Snow
a Downhiller
from Chilliwack, BC
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2004
Strengths: This bike is beefy as hell! The rear linkage is WAY different than the pictures online. It looks like the 04 linkage. This bike soaks everything up. The 5th Element is a bit intimidating at first, but just read the manual and its all good. The Boxxer feels surprisingly good, the Hayes feel a bit lame but thats just because blind people assembled them. Make sure all bolts are tightened EVERYWHERE on the bike. My rear derailleur hanger was hardly bolted on and stripped out the hole in the frame after one ride! My derailleur was shaking around and I couldn't figure out why. Just go buy some longer bolts, like 12mm long just for the one bolt that screws into the bottom of the hanger. The other one is fine.
Weaknesses: The grips are nothing special, and the bike should have come with a 24" rear wheel and a 38 tooth chainring.But thats all easily remedied.
Bottom Line:
This bike is the deal of the year. I love it. Buy one. Or 2 and hang one on the wall. Its a piece of art. For cheap!
