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Submitted by
john wasowski
a Weekend Warrior
from sunnyvale
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | calabazas | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Good headset, and stem, not much else is good in my opinion... | | Weaknesses: | fork: judy SL it froze after the first 6 months... I cracked the rear swingarm after only a year, went through 4 pair of Truvativ(absolute crap) cranks, broke the stock handlebars and had lots of injuries. | | Similar Products Used: | kona stinky, specialized big hit | | Bike Setup: | stock except: easton ea50 monkeybars, sun ringle pedals, new rear swing arm, new spring for rear shock w/ higher spring rate,wtb seat( i forget which model, has Ti rails) | | Bottom Line: | this was not the bike for me. currently I own a '06 kona stab deluxe, after getting rid of this hunk of junk. For somebody just looking to beat around on the local trails or the occasional jumps its a great bike, just dont do a 10 foot drop to flat ground on this bike.... BIIIIG no-no | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
austin
a Cross Country Rider
from citra
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | santo's | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$549.00 | | Purchased At: | performance bike | | Strengths: | pretty much everything it a really good bike | | Weaknesses: | casset had to change cause of worn down teeth after 4 months and bottom bracket | | Bike Setup: | stock besides casset upgraded to sram 9 and bottom braket upgraded to shimanao xt and i have sdded a computer | | Bottom Line: | this bike is great for anyone wanting to0 have a good time without having to worry bout anything breaking and it is great for the money | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matthew boyce
a Downhiller
from rapid city, sd, USA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | bone collector | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$700.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | awsome frame! it`s light and strong for my freeriding needs. but I can see how many use this as specifyed | | Weaknesses: | all the accessories were all wrong so I changed them all up, they are standable as long as you do not ride any extremely technical trails with big drops | | Similar Products Used: | diamond back coil | | Bike Setup: | dee max rims, maxxis mobster tires, marzocchi 7in triple drop-off fork with a 20mm thru axle, race face north shore crankset with a e-thirteen bashguard, specialized bg seat, thompson seatpost, 8in front rotor, race face 4 bolt stem, marzocchi roco 7 point 5 rear shock, chris king headset, snafu pedals | | Bottom Line: | awsome bike with the right parts so buy the frame if possible as freeriding on tht judy will throw you over more than you want;) and as stated before the pedals really suck!!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
austin gotcher
a Cross Country Rider
from reddick, fl, usa
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | razorback | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$549.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | the bike is a good all around bike | | Weaknesses: | rear shock is good but i plan to upgrade petals i will up grade as well | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | bike is good for anything and will take any abuse you put to it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
atanas soulev
a Weekend Warrior
from toronto, ontario
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | The Don, Traylor Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$549.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | PRICE
brakes, frame seems to do the work so far, as well as the fork. the back shock does OK. | | Weaknesses: | Rims, I am not an expert off-roader but the rims could not take even my riding. Had to fix 'em twice already. One of the pedals fell apart, had to buy new bearings. the tubes are not really for off-roading.
when i ordered from supergo the shipping charges were more than i expected or agreed but i let it go. | | Bike Setup: | factory other than the tubes and soon to be the rims. | | Bottom Line: | Despite the weeknesses the bike is still the best bang for the buck. But if u r buying it expect to pay at least another few hundred to upgrade it to a more suitable off-road bike. If u r buying it from canada expect another 250 CAD shipping and duty taxes. So would i buy it again?
Probably yes, but would definetly shop around longer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter Sindone
a Weekend Warrior
from South Ozone Park, NY, 11420
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Forest park, Fort Tildin, light trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$549.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Every thing on this rig is great, best bang for the buck. This bike rides like a Cadillac. Front and rear suspension is adjustable to tighten or soften suspension, shifters, derailers, and brakes are GREAT
You can not go wrong with all the stuff you get with this bike for the price. Iron Horse you have a customer for life | | Weaknesses: | The only broblem I had was when the secured the front rim to the frame when shipping was a little wobbly. After tweeking the brakes and shifters adjustments ITS A SWEET RIDE | | Similar Products Used: | GT Agrressor, Cannondale | | Bike Setup: | TOTAL STOCK but going to put different rims on ( I have a set of Shimanos with less spokes) | | Bottom Line: | The best full suspension bike with all the bells and whistles you will need. TRY AND FIND A BIKE WITH THE SAME EQUPMENT FOR THE SAME PRICE ,Iron Horse really made a great package with the Sinster Comp.
Best of all the Company is where I live ON LONG ISLAND NY | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chalie J
a Downhiller
from Butte, MT, USA
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fleecer Mountain Jeep descent | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$720.00 | | Purchased At: | BicycleBuys.com | | Strengths: | Extremely well designed and welded frame and with a Fox shock in the back you can't go wrong. Built real heavy dutily in a kind of retro downhill style but still pedals efficiently enough for XC. Great stock Deore/LX drivetrain and I was actually impressed with the HMX-2 brakes, that is once I bought Avid levers. The derailur hanger takes it's bashings with out even cringing. The stock handlebars haven't gotten messed up yet and I'm no reck free rider. The internal ZeroStack Aheadset is a lot nicer than one might assume. The Judy SL-U fork isn't the greatest thing ever but it's survived a couple 4-5 foot drops that I fooked up at high speeds. The stock rims and hubs are nice and beasty and haven't bent badly yet. The stock tires aren't bad but I had to slap sum nice 2.3s on the beast. Real nice stock WTB Pure V seat. Undoubtably the best bang for 600-800 US$. Oh yeah WICKED PIVOT STRENGTH! | | Weaknesses: | Crankset is tappered and not splined and after a year its finnaly starting to get uncomfortably sloppy. The Judy fork gets real stiff in weather below 45*F but different grease should fix that. The SunRace rear cassette is a POS that started loosing teeth. Hayes HML-1 levers crapped out about six months in cuz their cheap crap that can't handle abuse. Pedals lasted about 8 months before they nearly went bald but I ride once a day atleast. The stock tubes are real cheap so buy a spare to bring with on yer first REAL RIDE. The stock stem I'm sure would be great for a pure XC rider but I'm sure with the freeriding and downhilling mines gonna snap. So if yer gonna go big with this lil beast get a stem with four bolts instead of two. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Super-V, DiamondBack Coil-SS, and a number of 150$ to 500$ dollar mongooses and none of these compare except the Super-V which still only gets 2nd in my opinion due to the bob that thing has. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Avid levers, Azonic Launch Stem, Truvativ Hussefelt Crankset w/ MRP lrp Chainguide, LX casette, Tioga Factory DH 2.3 tires, and Tioga sealed bearing pedals, and soon a Fox Vannilla RLC fork. So pretty much I've created the "Free Country" bike. Catchy isn't it ;] | | Bottom Line: | Can't beat the price for this bike and all the things I've replaced weren't "tottaly" destroyed I just wanted to upgrade. If yer thinkin a bout good bike under 1'000$ and you wanna do anything with it this thing is yer ticket. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Bluff, IL
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Challenge Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo.com | | Strengths: | It has a very solid frame that looks sweet. The rear shock is better than expected and the Judy SL are good for smaller drops and just screwing around. All the shifting components are good,no problems there. The seat is nice and the fact that it can have disc brakes is awesome. | | Weaknesses: | the brakes are really bad at first but once you break them in they get better the front fork will bottom out if u hit anything ove three feet and the tires are good for single trak stuff but it helps to get some beefy ones plus it makes it look sweet. The pedals are crap along with the handlebars which I bent pretty quickly doing a sweet 6 footer at the park go to. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Y frame and trek hard tail. | | Bike Setup: | I went crazy with upgrades thx to ebay.
-hayes sole hydro brakes
-maxxis 2.5 mobster dh tires
-easton bars
-supergo pedals
-lizard skin lock jaw grips
-AND MARZOCCHI DROP OFF TRIPLES (their pretty sick) | | Bottom Line: | Its a great bike for the $$ but could defitly use some upgrades. But over all if ure a weekend warrior and dont hit anything huge it sweet it also looks really cool unlike some bikes that u can just tell there bad because they have stupid dacals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Victor
a Cross Country Rider
from Aliso Viejo, CA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Aliso Woods Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$569.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Nice frame with great features for the price such as: Mechanical Disc Brakes, Downhill seats, decent rearshocks, nice headset (Crane Creek), Good stem and Deore LX Derailleurs. Those mentioned makes the bike a good bang for the buck. | | Weaknesses: | The bike came with some mediocre to low end components such as the pedals, cassette, judy front fork (SL is not bad at all though), seatpost, wheels (the ones I got was actually NOT trued to the rear wheel). | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Tassajara | | Bike Setup: | I basically have the Iron Horse Sinister Comp with upgraded handlebar (Weyless Carbon Fiber CFX-1), Hubs (Shimano Deore Disc Hubs), Seat (Aireon), Pedals (Shimano spd), Deralleurs (SRAM X.9 set), SRAM PC-990 chain and OURY grips (these are nice and grippy). | | Bottom Line: | Best bang for the buck. Basically an $800 bike now which is not bad. Love the frame as it just fit me right off the bat. I would consider upgrading what I upgraded so far to a better one. I would probably upgrade the rear shock too if you have the money. But with the upgrade said, you could buy a specialized stumpjumper for $999. So your call but a great bike to get started and develop skills on. Not just riding skills but mechanical skills. You can actually afford to mess around with this bike and get to know a bike. So when you get a nicer/higher ended one, you know what you are doing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raptoraz
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale, Arizona, USA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | White Tanks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$589.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Hayes Discs, Fox Vanilla rear shock | | Weaknesses: | Derailers don't shift as well as I'd like. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Tassajara | | Bike Setup: | Stock with only puncture resistant tubes as an upgrade. | | Bottom Line: | This is an awesome bike for the money. I've had 3 trips out on it so far and it's holding up to my 240 pound beatings with ease. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake chesnut
a Weekend Warrior
from brea ca
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | fullerton loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$649.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | pretty much everyting is strong on the bike the forks are a big plus and the rear shck is to. | | Weaknesses: | still the brakes are a little weak but they improve a little bit. and the disk brakes sqeak alot to | | Similar Products Used: | k2 cheyne | | Bike Setup: | i have k2 pedals on there. Everything else is stock | | Bottom Line: | this is the best bike for a kid right now. i am "5"1" and i way 94 lbs and it is perfect for me i love this bike it works great going up hills it works great on downhills it works awsome at jumping and stuff like that to soooooooooo i would recomend this bike to anyone who loves moutainbiking. so yeah this bike is sweet and yeah | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jake chesnut
a Cross Country Rider
from brea ca
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | the fullerton loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$545.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | there is so much to say bout this beast i just got it yesterday and woooooooooooooooow!!!!!!!!! it is amazing the forks the rear shock the frame everything is great!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: | the only thing is at first the brakes are really bad but they get better | | Similar Products Used: | K2 cheynne
| | Bike Setup: | swiched the back brake lever to the left side and the front brake lever to the right like a dirt bike | | Bottom Line: | i havent taken it off any sweet jumps yet but i only had have iit for one day now it is completley awsome everything works great it is really light and is easy to pick up and move anywere | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Damian Woje
a Weekend Warrior
from Southington, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Price, dependability...seems light but im no expert. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | NONE - First Bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | For someone like me whos a weekend warrior this bike is a god send. I like to think i ride hard and so far the bike has performed perfectly. Overall this is a great bike for beginner thru intermediate, no problems to report :0). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a
from Sammamish,wa usa
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Everything! | | Weaknesses: | Front fork needs replacing. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for the beginner. A great bang for your buck! Hope to see more bikes like this on the road. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed
a Weekend Warrior
from Milford, CT
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Value, looks, needs only a small compliment of tools fix most problems out on the trail, beefy frame, easy set-up out of the box | | Weaknesses: | Weight, frame feels smaller than specified, lack of detailed manuals for shocks | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Iboc Comp | | Bike Setup: | Replaced pedals with Shimano LX with clips (old school!) Replaced the preload spring for stiffer one to handle my weight | | Bottom Line: | You can't beat it's look. If a fashion statement is even slightly important to you, this bike will make you happy. Everthing is black. Including the spokes and rims.
Haven't taken it out on Singletrack yet, this is my first full suspension, and it's been a long time since I rode. I can tell already it handles the bumps well. It does bob when I'm on the road, but on rough surface, it feels nice and comfy.
I usually take a 17" frame, but this 17" feels a ever so slightly small for me. Will probably have to replace the seat stem for a wee bit longer one as soon as I find a nice black one. (I have about a 31" inseam)
First thing I had to do was download the instruction manual for the Fox Vanilla and Rock Shox Judy U-Turn. Straight away I learned was the Fox spring provided was WAAAY to soft for my weight. The supplied spring is for under 180 lbs. I picked up the stiffest one I could find which greatly improved the bobbing motion, though not eliminated it, and it still does a good job on the bumps.
I was pleased that all I would need to handle most emergencies and adjusts on the trail is a small set of Allens, small screwdriver for the derailler and a chain breaker. I guess most good modern bikes are like this now, excuse me if I'm dating myself.
Replaceable derailler hanger is also a good thing.
The Hayes disk brakes are easy to maintain.
Set-up out the box was easy, even the chain was the correct length. Deraillers hardly had to be tuned. My first time setting up disk brakes but it was easy figure out.
The brake levers were the only part that feels appears on the cheap side, but I can't complain too much, they work, and that all that count right now. Everthing else looks and work like good quality considering the total price of the bike.
One bad that can't be fixed...It's a bit heavy. Howver, I'm used to a 7005 aluminum hardtail with a suspension STEM, a real lightweight. It seems a lot of the weight is from the front shock, not the frame. After riding the Sinister and realizing I don't have to use my legs as shocks and can pedal through the rough stuff, I won't go back to my hardtail.
This bike is a good choice for more than casual all around use, good quality stuff for not much cash. This bike is for fun hogs, not daredevels, showoffs, suicide riders, or racers. (Whatya expect for $600) I can't tell how this will do for more extreme and technical riding yet, but I'm pretty confident it will be just fine.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graham
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Desert Classic | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | This is a good bike with many things you would see on bikes 1000+. Considering the amount that the fork can absorb, and the weight (good for downhill), its a great bike. The rear shock isnt as good though, but its only really meant for traction when mtbing. | | Weaknesses: | I rode this bike once, the chain fell off and the gears werent changed well. Just make sure to oil your chain appropriatly, and get the pivot point tightened. My friend also had a bent disc brake, but supergo gladly replaced it.
My friend also managed to snap his rear shock. I had no idea that was possible, but we both downhill, and I really prefer my 2002 giant boulder, no shocks or anything, over his. Mainly because i like the feel of the ride. However, if you dont plan on romping down mountains or doing anything extreme, then buy it. | | Similar Products Used: | giant warp DS-1, gary fisher sugar 3+(ahh) | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock. bearclaw petals, boxXxer front shocks and new FOX shock in the rear. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for a great price, buy it if you have the money. Its worth every penny you bought it for and every penny you put into it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Downhiller
from San Jose, Ca USA.
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$569.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Price vs. Performance. | | Weaknesses: | A little on the heavy side, but hey, if you want lighter, pay more. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockhopper. | | Bike Setup: | All stock, except for pedals, bar ends, lights, tach, and seat. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike. Couldn't believe the price. I rode many bikes and was prepared to spend about 1200. The geometry on this frame fit me better than all other bikes I tested in that price range. That is what was most important to me. Components can always be upgraded. Excellent for combo of downhill and XC. Not to mention it does look pretty sick. Components are OK. Definitely decent enough for hard riding, but I suggest wearing them out then upgrading. I normally wouldn't buy a bike this cheap (inexpensive), but
it fit like a glove. I ride it hard and haven't had any problems. Great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
krys chmielewski
a Weekend Warrior
from burlington
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | love-em-all | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Strengths: | price is awesome. gread shifts, brakes are descent...
not too heavy for a full susp. AWESOME LOOK | | Weaknesses: | off course the pivot point. however i called ironhorse and they sent me the replacement part (the correctly machined one) for free with an apology (not needed)..rear shock needs an upgrade, but only if ur picky. | | Similar Products Used: | khs, rock hopper | | Bike Setup: | trail | | Bottom Line: | Good bike, pivot pont is a prob but once fixed its great. looks sick and the customer service is remarkable honestly call them just to pick ur day up man they are good people. gave it high value for the price but cant give it full for the over all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Riverside
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Crystal Cove, Sycamore canyon, Whiting | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | Good solid ride. I delayed at first to buy this bike, and was hardly able to find one a couple weeks later. You get alot better bike than any other bike in the same price range. Trust me I researched and looked at them all! This bike is a great ride and I can no tackle hills I never made it up before and have no problem staying up with my buddies who have much more expensive bikes. Also I was on the fence between hydrolic and cable disc brakes. The cable disc brakes on this bike get the job done way better than my old v brakes. Plus seem my friends are always servicing thier hydro brakes. So if you are looking to up grade from a hardtail to an entry level full suspension bike, at a reasonable price, this is the right bike. | | Weaknesses: | Bike occasionally squeakes around swingarm / rear suspension area. However im told that happens with all full suspension bikes. Little lube corrects problem | | Similar Products Used: | ibex ignition 1, diamondback coil, giant warp 2 | | Bike Setup: | See ironhorse web sight | | Bottom Line: | I like it, go demo for yourself | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Mount Kisco, Ny, USA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo.com | | Strengths: | This is a great bike at a great price! When i had ordered mine i thought i would have the same problem as Glenn with the main rear swing arm pivot. However i couldn't find this problem on my bike. The shock that comes standard is pretty sweet with its adujustable travel. Back shock is nice has okay travel. Disc brakes are nice. Hayes!! | | Weaknesses: | One weakness with the front shock. Nothing to do with the Iron Horse company or bike. But the front shock, if you turn the knob one past the maximuim travel (which you can't tell if you are or aren't in my case) the knob will break. But don't worry!! Just go to your local bike shop and you can order the part from them! It shouldn't be to expensive either. And if you feel like a person that likes to fix it themselves then its easy. Take the screw off the top of the knob using a very small allen wrench. Then you will have to contact the Rock Shox people and have them ship you that part. | | Bike Setup: | Standard | | Bottom Line: | This bike is sweet for the price, looks awsome and ummm yea its an awsome bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Anaheim Hills, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Whiting | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Great bike for new riders, good balance between downhill and cross country. Not as heavy as the other Iron Horse models, but still solid on tough donwhills. Good geometry although I find that it seems to run a bit small, I am 6' 190lbs and usually feel good on around a 19" but needed the 21" here. Solid stock components. Biggest strength: Price, Price, Price! For what you get you cannot beat it. | | Weaknesses: | See Glenn's post, he nails the only weakness I've found so far. Off large drops you can bottom out the rear suspension, but that isn't necessarily specific to this bike. | | Bike Setup: | Stock: Mech Disk Brakes, Shimano Deore front, XT rear derail. etc. (see Ironhorse web site for full breakdown of Sinsiter Comp components) | | Bottom Line: | GREAT bike for the price. Able to do cross country and downhill, very good for new riders wanting a full suspension bike and not having to sell a kidney to pay for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from Buffalo
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | THIS IS INTENDED TO BE AN EASY FIX FOR THE SWING ARM PIVOT PROBLEM THAT I DESCRIBED IN MY EARLIER REVIEW. HOPEFULLY BY NOW IRON HORSE HAS CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM, IF NOT, READ ON.
In my previous review about the Iron Horse Sinister Comp I mentioned a problem with the main rear swing arm pivot (see review for further details). I fixed the problem myself by machining a new aluminum bushing to the correct size. I have since been emailed with questions about how to do this. Because most people don’t have access to a machine shop I have posted an alternative, but equally effective method to correct the problem.
Go to www.mcmaster.com and order (2) bushings with the part number #7811K16. These should be “plain sleeve bronze bearings” with dimensions of:
Inside diameter: 12mm
Outside diameter: 16mm
Length: 20mm
Given the dimensions of the frame and the outside diameter of the bronze bushings there will be approximately a 0.0015” interfering tolerance, which equates to a nice press fit. The width of the frame and the old bushing are (about) 1.445inch. Therefore, the combination of the two 20mm (1.575inch) bronze bushings will be too long. To overcome this simply cut one of the new bushings oversize with a hacksaw. Then file to the correct length. The combination of the two new bushings should be close to the same length as the old one. Then just press the bushings in, they will take some force. Keep in mind that bronze is fairly soft and a press or clamp will do a better job than a steel hammer! If you have to resort to using a hammer, place a piece of wood between the bushing and the hammer to avoid destroying the bushing. Next assemble the washers, swing arm, and pivot shaft. Don’t be worried if the shaft presses tight into the new bushings. The shaft is not intended to rotate inside the frame. All the rotation occurs within the two ball bearings on the swing arm.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from Buffalo, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | great geometry, good balance, large travel for the price, and of course looks sweet. | | Weaknesses: | Only 1, the rear swing arm pivot(see below for further details) | | Similar Products Used: | Rockhopper | | Bike Setup: | Everything stock, except smaller new seat | | Bottom Line: | The only problem was the main swing arm pivot. It is composed of 2 bearings, an aluminum bushing, and the pivot bolt. The aluminum bushing that fits in the frame was undersized slightly so that it made the rear end sloppy unless the main pivot bolt was very tight. I machined a new aluminum bushing so that it pressed tightly into the frame and the bolt pressed tightly into the bushing. This made the whole assembly very nice and rigid like it should have been in the first place. My friend also bought this bike and he had the same problem.
I contacted Iron Horse about this problem and they said they would correct it right away. I am assuming they will since this type of problem would create many complaints.
-----ITS NOT ALL BAD THOUGH------
The Iron Horse is an excellent bike. Other than this problem the bike works and looks great! It has the best setup, components, geometry, etc. for any bike in its price range, thats why I bought it. I would buy this bike again, even if I knew ahead of time that this problem existed.
I have the 17in frame and its set up pretty good for someone my weight and size (5,10 145lbs). If you are at all bigger than this I would suggest the 19in or 21in frame. I also rode the 19in frame and it is set quite a bit stiffer. I would have a very hard time bottoming it out.
It rides nicely over rough terrain. I have taken it off of many jumps and several 2-3ft flat steps. This has caused the rear to bottom on occasion, but I have never bottomed the front. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shane Oehling
a Weekend Warrior
from Orlando
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Alafia | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$599.00 | | Purchased At: | www.supergo.com | | Strengths: | This bike is advertised as benefiting from the trickle down effect of technology resulting in a great bike at a low price. So far, I've been happy with the performance. I'm fairly new to mtbing, but I'm definately not timid, and my IronHorse has taken a beating from such trails as SnowHill and Alafia Trail's Roller Coaster terrain with no problems. | | Weaknesses: | When shipped, the front disc brake was warped. I had to call the company and have them ship out a new rotor. I managed the repair myself, but the brake occasionally squeaks somewhat like disc brakes on a car.
The suspended rear connection needed to be tightened where the two pieces of the frame are held together. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fischer Hard Tail. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano Deore/XT drivetrain, Hayes Disc brakes, Rock Shox Judy SL front fork, Fox Vanilla rear shock, check out www.ironhorse.com for details on the Sinister Comp. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for rugged Florida trails. I'd recommend it to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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