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Average Rating
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4.55/5
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# of Reviews
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11
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MSRP
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$
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Weight
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More Products from Iron Horse
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Description:-Rock Shox Reba Race fork
-Rock Shox Ario Adjust shock
-Sram X.9 derailleur & x.7 triggers
-Truvativ Blaze Isis cranks
-Crank Bros Candy clipless
-Hayes Hydraulic HFX- 9 brakes w/6" mudcutter rotors
-WTB Speeddisc wheelset
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Submitted by
Tyler
a Racer
from Hatfield, MA, US
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | halley state forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikes Unlimited | | Strengths: | The Rock Shox revolution 409, Hayes nines hydro brakes, sram x-7 componites | | Weaknesses: | the 2006 rear triangle, the chain will sooner or later just wear right through the metal. Also the manitou radium rear shock, the best upgrade for that is the marzochi roco air. | | Similar Products Used: | the giant trance 2, i almost bought this bike, the thing that lead me away from it was that it had only 4.2 inches of travel, and i didn't like the fork on it. | | Bike Setup: | i've got a rock shox revolution 409 in the front, hayes nine hydro's, sram x-7 triggers and derialler, and x-gen in the front. manitou radium rear shock, ea30 bar stem, bars, and seat post. and i got kenda nevegal 1.95 in the front and maxxis hansventer 2.35 in the rear. | | Bottom Line: | this bike is a tank!! nothing could stop it, climbs like a 20 pound hard tail and descends like the sunday cup. it mows down rock sections like crazy. you could hit medium sized drops. the only problem is the rear triangle, but you could change that out for $350. also the DW-LINK is AWESOME!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Tucker
a Racer
from Covington, Ga
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Clinton Lake, KS | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike ATL | | Strengths: | Balance of the bike is surprising for a 5" travel bike. I compete in Observed Trials and am able to do most of the same stuff on this bike to include the big drops. The bike breaks in quickly and all adjustments are fairly simple. 9speed is the answer but it takes a mechanical mind to watch the chain line so as not to rub the frame or the lateral knbs on whatever tire you have that are 2.3 or better. Great brakes that are similar to Magura's for bleeding and simple maintenance. Bike is also balanced front to rear allowing the front wheel to come up without any trouble. With some practice you can float the rear wheel around a corner riding a nose wheelie. It is that balanced. Width of the 06 bars is perfect for anyone who like to really move a bike around in the air. | | Weaknesses: | No weakness but if you can not read a manual on how to set up the air on both shocks you may want to go and sit back on the porch. For those of you that gripe about the weight then I suggest you get stronger. For this type of bike and what it was designed for, the weight is where it needs to be. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale SV series, Kona Hard tails, Schwinn f/s, Stumpjumper, hard rock, FSR's, Turners, Gary Fisher | | Bike Setup: | Hayes Brakes, SRAM drive train, Manitou Rear shock with preload and dampener, Rock Shox 409 front with preload, dual air and dampener, WTB saddle and Tires (no issue here)
Read the specs on the websites I am not doing it justice. | | Bottom Line: | Buy this Bike if:
You have terrain that is rooty and rocky
Tired of Hard Tails
Lower Back issues
Want to go fast
Want to stop on a dime
Have good balance
Prefer to have air in and under your wheels | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Billy
a Weekend Warrior
from Havelock North, HB, NZ
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | taupo and rotorua mtb parks | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Trademe | | Strengths: | dw link suspension really is vrey good. I like the balance of the bike and the way it strikes a useful balance between cross country and trail. | | Weaknesses: | In top chain ring and two lower gears on cassette the chain rubs on the chain stay. i note that the top range Mk III has a slightly different geometry to cope with this. mind you it's not a big drama, as how often do you ride in this gear ratio anyways. Maybe a tad heavy compared to former bike, but it'd only be the difference between a half full and full camelback! | | Similar Products Used: | FSR stump jumper, Haro team hard tail | | Bike Setup: | 2007 Sram x9, Hayes Hydaulics, Maxxis TT Larsens, easton stem, seat post and bars. | | Bottom Line: | If it's any gauge, i'd look to purchase the 2007 iron horse Mk III first. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jordan
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Rampart Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1250.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Bomber frame and components. No question the best components for the $$ in this price range. Adjustability of both front and rear shocks great for dialing in the ride. With this being my first full suspension the adjustment capability is so far beyond what I'm used to. My first impression: mountain biking made easy. No wonder I see such a big contrast of people out cranking on trails with these(full suspensions). I'm not disappointed in my first choice in this category of mtn bike. | | Weaknesses: | The pivot behind the bottom bracket requires tightening regularly. Is this normal for a full suspension? Although I haven't ridden the bike on a full day ride yet, I know I would need to stop and tighten this pivot at least once as I would start to feel slop. I'm sensitive to it now and tighten it after every ride, and sometimes during the ride. I still love the bike, but for me this is a significant problem because I don't wrench on my bike that much. I like to load up and go and not have to tinker with stuff a lot. | | Similar Products Used: | None, I only had hardtails previous to this bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I would recommend this bike to anyone looking to move into full suspension on a tight budget. Previous to purchasing this I had been mtn biking for almost 20 years on hardtails, and I didn't want to lose climbing performance to gain downhill performance. Initially with full suspension this was the case. I enjoy climbing as much as descending. Since pedaling around a parking lot doesn't tell you jack about a bike performance on the trail, this site was a great tool for me in choosing this bike. Hopefully this post will do the same for others. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
the dawg
a Weekend Warrior
from deep south
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1280.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | DW link suspension. Once dialed in (and I didn't find it as hard to dial in as some have posted) it pedals great and the traction is unreal. I can mash out of the saddle on loose climbs where I'd spin out before if I tried that. Now I get a little spin here and there, then it just hooks up and goes.
Very solid frame, nice attention to detail with good welds.
RS Revelation fork. Excellent fork for this build! | | Weaknesses: | color (06 comp green), but its not THAT bad.
truvativ cranks. They will get replaced soon.
| | Similar Products Used: | specialized stumpy FSR, before that it was all hardtails | | Bike Setup: | stock for now, except I had to change the cockpit around. I've replaced the 105mm stock stem with a 65mm 12deg stem and slid my seat back. The entire cockpit setup from seat to bars seemed too far forward, always feeling like I was about to go OTB at any second. Now its on the money. | | Bottom Line: | I'm really digging this bike. I've ridden it on the road to trails, on flat and bumpy gravel/dirt roads, and some pretty decent trails and it handles everything very well. I was looking for an all around type bike and it definitely fits the bill. The suspension design is as good as I've heard, its tough, it accelerates quicker than I expected, I just can't find many bad things to say about it. The component spec is great for the price, especially the fork , and I like the SRAM build. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Lanesborough
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | Huckers' Choice | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1350.00 | | Purchased At: | Berkshire Outfitters | | Strengths: | Great stiffness, good for climbing. Strong component group gets the job done, well. Suspension can eat up a lot. Awsome for anyone who loves to ride. | | Weaknesses: | No practical water bottle cage holder. | | Similar Products Used: | Not much | | Bike Setup: | Hayes, Sram X9 components, Rock Shock front and rear suspension. | | Bottom Line: | Great all around bike that can do what ever you want with it. Whether its huckin' five footers, or just riding through nice single track this bike can do it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graham
a Cross Country Rider
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | any swoopy and moderately technical singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | Good quality component spec for price (mtbiker mag rated it a 'bargain' at $2k). Everything works well ; shifters / derailleurs, brakes, suspension components - shock and fork offer wide range of settings and adjustment - and DW-link works great. | | Weaknesses: | Weight ? Don't notice it on the trail, and can throw it over fences easily enough without herniating self.
(Am reserving judgement on the longevity of myriad bearings in the rear suspension - no slop yet) | | Similar Products Used: | Nil. This purchase was a transition from hardtail - considered Kona Kikapu first, then Marin Quadlink, lusted after things like Yeti 575 and Specialised FSR XC before seeing a MkIII and thinking a) that rear end is the goods, and b) it's affordable. | | Bike Setup: | Swopped out Hansventure tyres for 2.1 WTB's.
Swopped out stem and bar to improve cockpit fit - original stem too long and flat, bar too flat.
(Am 6'3", 180lbs, run seatpost almost at maximum on 21" frame) | | Bottom Line: | An affordable bike, with components that are more than adequate for a recreational rider without high tech needs, and equally important, a contemporary design that works.
So far feels like a brilliant all-rounder - my local trails are a mixture of smooth and rocky / rooty, loose and hard, forested and open, singletrack and "fire road" / "4WD" - the MkIII is great on it all.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joker
a Cross Country Rider
from Buffalo, NY
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Holiday Valley and Pisgah | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | The DW link suspension is excellent. The components are all very good. I have not had a single problem with either the front ot rear shock and if they are set correctly, the bike will flow easily over most anything. | | Weaknesses: | If I had to pick one thing, I'd say weight. But thats just nitpicking. Mine is right around 31 lbs, but hey, I weigh 190 so who cares? | | Similar Products Used: | Old bike was a Trek hardtail. I have ridden my friends f/s bikes and test ridden a few others. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for the tires. I switched out the Maxxis tires for some WTB Velociraptors. It saved me about 1-1.5 lbs! | | Bottom Line: | The trails around here are hilly, rooty, and rocky. This bike was built for this kind of riding. I can easily make it over the stuff that used to give me some trouble on the hardtail. It takes short climbs like a mountain goat. It is surprisingly nimble. On long climbs, there is no pedal bob at all and I have to say its as efficient as my hardtail was. On downhills it handles really cleanly. Both the front and rear shock have performed very well for me. I love the lockout on the front shock for long climbs or long windy single track. Its a snap to switch back to full travel as well. The rear shock has been reliable as well.
In short, the bike is excellent. Iron Horse has made a real quality product here. If you are looking for an excellent trail bike (I also plan on racing mine in a few 6hr, 8 hr, and 24 hr events) that won't break the bank, this is the one to get. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham, AL
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | DW-Link! It really works. Pedals brilliantly, I do not miss my hardtail in that respect. Great components and value. | | Weaknesses: | Aside from being a little on the heavy side, I can't think of anything else to complain about. I have not had any issues with the somewhat basic RS Ario shock either. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Big Sur | | Bike Setup: | Switched out the Maxxis Hansventures to Panaracer Fire XC Pro. Everything else is stock and will probably remain that way for a long while. | | Bottom Line: | I mostly ride cross country type trails, but I wanted something that could take a hit if the need arises. After switching out the tires, the bike weighs in at 31 pounds. Not too light, but it does not feel that heavy on the trail because of the pedaling efficiency and comfort level. I know I never rode my hardtail this much, and I can't get the smile off my face after the first 300 miles. A great value with a very high fun factor.
Oh, and this is not a freeride bike. It is a heavy duty cross country bike to me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bret
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Solid (stiff) bike, quick acceleration, great rear suspension. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, does not come with advertised components. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized HR | | Bike Setup: | Stock, SRAM components, Hayes disc, etc. | | Bottom Line: | First off the Maxxis Hansventure tires do not make this a freeride bike (it's listed in the wrong section) though it weighs about the same as a freeride bike. This is a trail bike. Great rear suspension and parts for the money. Very innovative rear frame design: the frame is actually above the chain instead of below, so there's less chain slap. On those bigger drops the chain does hit the underside of the frame - I've lost lots of paint in that area in just 2 or three rides. Reba race forks are great, but they do lose pressure during rides - bring your pump.
DW link is awesome - no bobbing or power lost when pedaling, plush on the DH. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Asheville, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | any w/o pavement | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1399.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | DW link works as advertised. No need for lock-out suspensions, the DW link is really only active on rough terrain and downhill. Climbs no different than an HT. Low center of gravity provides excellent handling on the turns. Reba race shocks are highly adjustable and perform well (see mtbr reviews). Did I mention price? Most bang for the buck - this is easily a 2K bike. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy at just under 33lbs, but you can shed some weight with fairly inexpensive upgrades (maxxis 2.35's are heavy, could lose the stock Easton seatpost and handlebars in favor of carbons. | | Similar Products Used: | Upgrade from older Trek HT. | | Bottom Line: | Solid bike, tons of tech for little cash. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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