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Iron Horse SGS-Pro DH

Average Rating 3.96/5
# of Reviews 23
MSRP $ 2499.99
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Submitted by Sam H. a Downhiller from Colorado Springs, Colorado, US
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2007
Favoriate Trail:Palmer Park
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Purchased At:Rock Shox
Strengths:Strengths?umm...i'd say that frame is a freaking tank...super strong compare to other DH frame I've seen...Through Axel at the back just like add an extra shield on that bike!!
and it looks swe~e~e~t
and + it has a front deraliour hanger tube thingy...really helps for freeriding
Weaknesses:I'm more a freerider,so its a little heavy,but i got that bike for so cheap!how could you resist a cheap awsome bike?
oh yea also if you left your seat post a little bit too low,your seat post might hit that one part right next to the rear shox(but all it has done is only a couple sratches)
Similar Products Used:Azonic Eliminator
Bike Setup:BoXXer Team 06',Sram X9,Truvatic Holzfxxxx,5th element, azonic seat post
Bottom Line:You've gotta love this bike if you ever have a chance to ride it!!this bike just make me buffed for all huge drops!!
its stiffness makes me very confident on going faster,its weight just push me down to a point where I've never felt befroe on the same trail,AWSON BIKE
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by DHRC a Downhiller from The Future
Date Reviewed: February 4, 2007
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $350.00
Purchased At:egay
Strengths:Super Strong Frame. You will not damage this one easily. Great geometry. Soaks up big hits and little bumps well. Sturdy and confidence inspiring. Well made.
Weaknesses:A bit on the heavy side, but this is basically the reason that it feels so sturdy and durable.
Similar Products Used:Haro X7, Ram 2500, Yeti 575, various demos
Bike Setup:E13 guide and bashG. SRAM. Boxxer. Rollin on Maxis.
Bottom Line:Buy it if you want a reliable and strong frame that will last years. Makes a good used pick up since it is built to last. It might do fine on technical trails and rocky terrain, but do not buy it if you are wanting to ride cross country. I have ridden it for freeride and downhill. This bike pedals well considering its nature and really shines on the downhills and in landing big hits.
I bought it used, and I think it is an excellent pickup!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Bash a Downhiller from Quebec
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2007
Favoriate Trail:National
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $1400.00
Purchased At:sportscheck
Strengths:Everything
Weaknesses:Shimano crap, Rear linkage
Similar Products Used:Morewood izumu dh, norco shore, giant dh comp
Bike Setup:06 boxxer worldcup, juicy7s, mag30rims on wtb hub, race face north shore cranks, sram x9 derailleur and shifter, sic stem and easton monkey bar. parts remaining are stock
Bottom Line:This bike is pretty good for the money, the best upgrade i have done to it is changing from shimano to sram. The frame itself is heavy, i weighted the frame bb headset and rear axle at 15pounds for a medium frame. Im having problems with the rear suspension design, the bolt holding the rear shock keeps bending and im having play in the rear, have to fix it after a couple rides. thinkin of changing the frame for something lighter this season
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Andrew Ingersoll a Downhiller from Boulder Colorado
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2006
Favoriate Trail:ANY DH!!
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $1400.00
Purchased At:Performance Bicycle
Strengths:EVERYTHING! This bike is awesome the horst link is sooo responsive. Absolutly no complaints. Plus Iron Horse has about the BEST customer service of all bike companies.
Weaknesses:Weird BB size but thats it. You might want a shock with High and low speed dampening.
Similar Products Used:Santa Cruz Super8
Bike Setup:Pretty much stock. I mean it works great why would I mess with it.
Bottom Line:I you want a killer bike that feels just as comfortable on the race course as on the North Shore drops of Vancouver this is it. This is pretty much the racing version of the Specialized Bighits' (bigger better and faster!)
BUY THIS BIKE!!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Victor Pasieka a Cross Country Rider from Edmonton Alberta
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2006
Favoriate Trail:The spankalizer
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $5900.00
Purchased At:Sportchek
Strengths:This biek hs noo strnths, it smels funyy and onl;y likes to be drved like ok.
Weaknesses:the holl beik is like jarbage it brokk in halv tha frst tim i ridded it.
Similar Products Used:i am poor anf cnt not aferd to reid bikse, i like coco
Bike Setup:it is liek it was out of la box
Bottom Line:it ir a smerly peiece of jarbage and good buy it
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by HAYWARD RIDERS Segarra's a Downhiller from Hayward Ca.
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2005
Favoriate Trail:Green Belt Trail
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $1000.00
Purchased At:Custom built (every where)
Strengths:Everything!!!I built this bike from scratch,from the ground up.I even fabricated some of the parts my self.I didn't want a bike that everybody had plus I saved a lot of money.The frame is so beefy, more than most! This bike is so plush,you can take any drop in front of you!!!!!!!!!
Weaknesses:NOTHING!!!If there was I would have fixed it or changed it out!!!!
Similar Products Used:demo 9, big hit,you name it,I tried it.
Bike Setup:sgs pro DH 04,bomber 888,fox vanilla rear with lock out
Bottom Line:This bike is one of the most fattest bikes ever built!Get one if you ride hard core downhill or freeride,it could take anything!!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Marshall a Downhiller from Torrance, CA
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2005
Favoriate Trail:North Star- Lake Tahoe
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $1400.00
Purchased At:Supergo
Strengths:*This is an update to my review below*

Great entry level DH bike (this model is no longer available. They have the Sunday series for '05 and 06) This is the bike that got me into DH'g. I couldn't afford a full on DH rig until I saw this bike @ Supergo. I figured, why not? If I don't like it, I can sell it.
Weaknesses:I does have some wierd sizes to it. I wasn't aware of this at first. A headset was a headset to me. I didn't know the difference. The headset is a 1.5, the rear axel is 165MM and the bottom bracket is 100mm. The seatpost is a strage size as well, I can't think of the measurement offhand. When I replace the existing one with a Race Face, I have to use a shim to make it fit.

This is just my opinion- I didn't like the E.13 chainguide. I prefer MRP chainguides. It isn't a "weakness" per see, but one of the things I didn't like about the bike from the start.

Some say the bike is heavy, with a DH rig, do you really care?
Similar Products Used:None
Bike Setup:Marzocchi Shiver DC, Race Face Diablous cranks, stem and bars, MRP chain guide, DT-Swiss 440 FR Hugi hubs. Atomlab DHR rims. Cane Creek Double XC headset. SDG big boy seat. Next purchase is a Race Face Diablous seatpost. Nokian tires 3.0 front 2.6 rear.
Bottom Line:I have upgraded this bike beyond belief! But the bottom line is that it isn't and wasn't necessary. I did it because I wanted to. I was very time consuming, but worth it. With all the different from normal sizes, I had to investigate a lot to find out which product was what I considered best. My bike is pretty much bulletproof now.

This bike is fantastic out of the box, so if you are concerned about the value, it is great!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by scott mclean a from gaytown
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2005
Favoriate Trail:im gay
Duration Product Used:Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid: $100000000000000.00
Purchased At:im gay with men
Strengths:i take it in the bum
Weaknesses:it feels good
Similar Products Used:in the mouth ear and eye
Bike Setup:im gay oh ya im gay
Bottom Line:if u r gay lets hoock up cuz im super gay hey hey hey im gay
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by vic pasieka a Downhiller from edmonton
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2005
Favoriate Trail:aaaaa
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $2500.00
Purchased At:sport
Strengths:first of all that was not me at the botom some dum ideot is trying to drop the rating of this wiked bike...
first of all yes the grips do wear out but thats just not good enuf to drop the rating.the bike isnt that hevy for the size of the toobing used...look at last years a line 65 pounds and this bike is just 45 pounds + it makes every bike look like a tooth pike besid it.
Weaknesses:the grips.
the shiffter cadle snaps after a will
not eny big problems
Similar Products Used:kona..n
Bike Setup:stock exept tiers and soon to be new grips and shocks
Bottom Line:this bike is asome for the price cand bet the deal.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by victor paseika a from edmonton
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2005
Duration Product Used:6 months
Strengths:nothing
Weaknesses:brakes broke on the first day, tires lost tread very fast, the frame is extremely heavy, the grips on the handlebars wear out realy fast,
Similar Products Used:big hit, wilson and team DH
Bike Setup:bone stock
Bottom Line:it is an extremely bad choice when other bikes like it are way, way better in every way
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by peter huisinga a Downhiller from bainbridge, WA, U.S.
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2005
Favoriate Trail:mine
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $1100.00
Purchased At:Guy from california
Strengths:Wow... best value of any buy I've ever bought. Very plush 5th element, solid cranks, smooth e-13 guide, Awesome wheels. Everybody talks about mag 30s and the like, but these laserdisc DH wheels haven't had to be trued since i got it. My friends rear mag 30 went out in 3 weeks. Very good tires and responsive handling. Hubs
Weaknesses:I snapped the bottom chainstay, had to pay $60, but ironhorse got it to me really fast. Not good geo. for an 8 inch fork. Shifter sucks @$$ and It brok in like 3 &$*^$& hours of &*^&)% riding! Brakes such even worse.
Similar Products Used:Demo 9, Stinky dee-lux, brodie devo, SC bullit, stinky 9, demo 8, trek diesel.
Bike Setup:888r, e-13, wtb laser DH, 5th, minions, hfx-9, hot seat, v-drive, Xt der. and formula hubs.
Bottom Line:The value you can get out of this bike far outweighs its cons. It's my current bike and I'm very happy with it. This bike is for the Begginers to the most seasoned veterans.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Andrew a Downhiller from Tucson
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2005
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $1500.00
Purchased At:Supergo
Strengths:Price, Componets.
Weaknesses:Frame is a piece of crap.
Similar Products Used:VPP-free. Gemini, Uzzi SLX
Bike Setup:Stock.
Bottom Line:The rear suspension developed play after two weeks of riding and only got worse from there. Initialy apears to be a great value for the money but you get what you pay for. Don't waist your money on an Iron horse, save up a little more and get something worth having, you'll be gald you did.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Mark a Racer from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2005
Favoriate Trail:Paid In Full (Keystone, CO)
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $2099.00
Purchased At:Supergo
Strengths:1.5" Headtube, FSR geometry, 5th Element
Weaknesses:Original chainstay was horribly designed in the 2003 SGS. E.Thirteen makes the upgrade that is worth it! Solves lateral movement problem. Original RockShox Boxxer Race, could have chosen a little bit better of a fork to go along with the strength the bike has.
Similar Products Used:Giant DS1, Specialized Big Hit, Specialized Demo 9
Bike Setup:2.5 Maxxis tires, SIC stem and handlebar, 2004 rear upgrade kit, SRAM drivetrain, 38T Blackspire cainring
Bottom Line:Pretty good bike for the money. So good I am racing this for a second year b/c it has held togheter well. Unfortuantly they don't make the SGS models anymore, but if you can find one, it's worth looking into buying.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Dave York a Downhiller from Woodinville, Washington, USA
Date Reviewed: January 9, 2005
Favoriate Trail:Whistlers A-line, and South Seatac
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $2000.00
Purchased At:supergo store in Seattle
Strengths:Best bang for the buck out of the box. The combination of all the components with a great frame design is bulletproof.
Weaknesses:The Boxer Race is a little springy due to the lack of adjustability. (so i got rid of it) The rear shock assembly was really squeeky (fixed this by taking it apart and greasing it all up) The tires appear to be cheaply made but are very affective.
Similar Products Used:Santa Cruz Bullit`s, Norco VPS Launch, Atomik & A-line, Haro Extreme, intense M1, Kona Stinky, Stinky dee lux, and Stab, Specialized Big hit`s, the list goes on...
Bike Setup:Mostly stock setup still except for an Axiom downhill seat, new set of Monster T's up front and new tires (same ones but the 2.7 up front). Im also in the process of changing the grips and looking for a new larger front ring (36T or 38T).
Bottom Line:This bike was the best bang for the buck i could find. I looked for nearly 3 years for the best burly full suspension bike, and this is the one. For the price you cant go wrong. I did have to go through th rear linkage to grease everything up to stop the squeeking (Supergo didnt grease the bike at all when building it). I do a lot of downhill and freeriding with this bike on the current setup and it is the best ive fallen down a hill on. It takes near everything and asks for more. I hope to rebuild the wheels and upgrade the hubs and headset, other than that she is set.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by boyer a Downhiller from bethlehem,pa, usa
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2004
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Purchased At:1390
Strengths:whoo! i paid the cheapest for this bike! totally love it. the parts alone cost more than the price.
Weaknesses:the derailler hanger bolts are way too short. get longer ones. the rear shock hardware does not fit flush. after 3 weeks of iron horse mailing me new pieces, i have to have a machinist cut me a custom spacer to prevent play in the shock. (even with the play in the shock i rode this hard. 6 ft to flat concret and ya dont even feel it)
Similar Products Used:big hit
Bike Setup:stock as of now
Bottom Line:sweet bike, just hope you dont have to go thru the 3 weeks it took me to get the bike running well
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by honkinunit a Racer from Golden, CO
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2004
Favoriate Trail:Moab Rim
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $1400.00
Purchased At:SuperGo
Strengths:You absolutely cannot match the value anywhere. Just the wheels+brakes+fork+shock would cost well over $1400.

The frame looks bombproof; on mine the welds are fantastic. The SPV 4-Way is very tuneable, and if set up correctly, doesn't bob enough to matter on the uphills. The e-13 chainguide system is great.
Weaknesses:I have some creaking in the rear linkage. If it doesn't go away soon, I'll have to take it apart and grease it.

The Boxxer Race can be tuned, but you have to do it by changing springs/preload spacers/oil weight.

The Deore shifter will only downshift three cogs at a time.

The stock cassette should have a 34T low instead of 32T.
Similar Products Used:None.
Bike Setup:ODI lock-ons. Shimano 636 pedals. The tires will be changed for a 2.7 front/2.5 rear when they wear out. I put on an 11x34 XT cassette and will be going to a 34T or 36T chainring to help with getting back up the hill.
Bottom Line:
Great value. A great first DH-only bike.

Keep in mind that this is a DH bike and it would be difficult/pointless to convert it to a FR bike due to the geometry and the wide BB/chainguide setup. If you want freeride, get the FR version.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Alex B a Downhiller from Wilmington, MA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2004
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $1400.00
Purchased At:Supergo(Ugh!)
Strengths:Everything except the fork seems pretty awesome.
Weaknesses:Boxxer piece of sh** fork.
Similar Products Used:None yet.
Bottom Line:I bought this bike a few weeks ago, paid two day shipping so I could be sure to have it time for a trip, and on the FIRST RUN THE FORK SEIZED UP.
Supergo's customer service monkeys can only answer "Ship the whole bike back". So now I waste another couple hours dissasembling the bike and shipping the whole thing back(even the wheels although they were a separate box). Meanwhile, I already cut the seat post because it was way too close to the spring and put my own grips on(pain in the ass).
All I know is they had better refund the ridiculous $180 shipping charge I paid to ship it back!!
Oh, to top it all off they have none left in my size. I won't even know if the people who receive this very scratched up bicycle agree with the customer service monkeys and give me a full refund.

DON'T BUY A BICYCLE FROM SUPERGO IF YOU CAN HELP IT.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Evan a Downhiller from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2004
Favoriate Trail:Anything at Platakill, or Moterhead Paid in Full
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $1699.00
Purchased At:Supergo.com
Strengths:Price, parts (except the haze nines), travel.
Weaknesses:Supergo. They are idiots. They shipped the rotors on the wheels. Maybe its just me, but they arrived bent. And it took 3 weeks for them to replace 'em. And for some reason I just cant seem to trust it. Maybe if I had welded it. (Anyone who has seen my welding would avoid this frame like the plague if that were true.)
Similar Products Used:KHS DH100 Elsworth Dare
Bike Setup:Stock, except I switched the derailer and shifter sram x-7s, and 2.65 IRC kujo DH tires
Bottom Line:An excellent bike for the price. The 8” rear suspension can take anything you can throw it off (within reason). It’s a grate DH rig. Not pro level mind you but that really depends on the rider. I have dropped about $150 into it in the two months that I have owned it and I still have to replace the little bolt that attaches the shock to the swing arm (I bent It). But I still love the bike. Right now I am having problems with the fork, its sticking and I don’t know what’s wrong with it. I have no experience with BOXXERs. If someone could tell me what’s up I would really appreciate it.
Anyway back to the subject. You should buy this bike if you dont have a lot of money but like to ride hard. It isn’t exactly a race bike.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Chance Farwell a Downhiller from Hollis,ME,USA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2004
Favoriate Trail:Bat Cave
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $1400.00
Purchased At:Supergo Online
Strengths:Suspension design, cornering ability, parts spec, PRICE!
Weaknesses:a bit heavy if your serious about racing
Similar Products Used:Kona Stinky Dee-lux with a Super-T
Bike Setup:Stock except I swaped out the boxxer for a '03 SuperT.
Bottom Line:This is an initial review as I have only one day of downhilling on this bike. Coming from the Kona all I have to say is that this bike rocks! I never really understood the difference between a FR bike and a DH bike until now. The suspension is so plush compared to the Kona and it pedals surprisingly well thanks to the Swinger.
The largest difference is in the corners. I can really push this bike through the corners and the bike seems to snap itself out the other side. What a difference. I no longer cringe when I see a sharp corner coming up.
If your DH bike also serves as your FR bike Iron Horse's SGS FR would be a better choice. All the things that make this bike a great DH'er hurt it in the FR catagory. Fantastic bike for the money!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Mathew Godwin a Downhiller from Perth Wa Australia
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2004
Favoriate Trail:goatfarm
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $4500.00
Purchased At:Spin FX
Strengths:this is 1 really nice bike, i nagged my dad to buy me this thign for like 3754845843 years, and man i couldnt think of anyhtign else ion teh world i would want, it is STRONG, she's heavy duty and runs really well, it also does near on every run i want it to, and keeps up the pace with the fast guys, i love it, LOVE
Weaknesses:swing arm has been known to crack on these bikes, my mates sgs Teams rear swing arm literally snapped jsut riding up a hill, but he got a replacement for free from ironhorse HQ, its ok now but id be a little waery of whast going on.
Similar Products Used:Giant DH comp
Bike Setup:straight out of the factory, spent all the moeny on teh bike
Bottom Line:iff you havnt really got alot of money for a pro downhiller, then buy this bike hay, it rocks, and iff you thinks it looks gay casue its white.( on the net)
tehn dont worry casue it is frikken JOI when ya see it out of the box. FIVE red hot chillies.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Marshall De Mos a Downhiller from Torrance, CA USA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2004
Favoriate Trail:Kenter Coaster
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $1699.00
Purchased At:Supergo
Strengths:Price! I paid 1699.00 just 9 days ago for this bike, now it is only 1400.00!!! Huh? I hope I can get the difference.....hmmmm
Bottom Line:What a deal for the price....I have not been able to ride it enough. It sure is different from my hard tail...it will take some gettin' used to I can tell. However, I am very satisfied with the product. I wonder how they are making a profit on this bike? The parts alone are worth way more than the price of the bike!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Bikey Mikey a Downhiller from Santa Cruz Mtns.
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2004
Favoriate Trail:Sweetness
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $1800.00
Purchased At:supergo
Strengths:Nice beefy frame, comes with all the poop, lots of plush travel, pedals through rock gardens without beating you up. No need to choose lines because it just doesen't matter, go with the flow...
Weaknesses:2.5 tires, I prefer a 2.7 on front. FSA Crank looks ugly but feels good for a 165mm
Similar Products Used:Totally built up 2001 Diamondback XTS3
Bike Setup:upgraded to XTR shifter & der.
Bottom Line:I have been druelling over this bike for 2 years.So when I saw it on sale for 1800. reg 2400. I had to stop druelling and go get one. You can't get any more DH bike than this for the $$$...
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Mitch Small a Downhiller from Bridgewater, NJ
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2004
Favoriate Trail:Mountain Creek
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $1800.00
Purchased At:Supergo.com
Strengths:I don't have much downhill bike experience but I think the rear shock is awesome! Also has a 1.5 inch diameter head tube and proven Specailzed rear triangle design!
Weaknesses:It would have been nice if they used 2.7 tires instead of 2.5. However the tires are a nice soft 40 compound.
Similar Products Used:My first downhill bike. I was considering the Azonic Eliminater.
Bottom Line:Probably the best downhill bike value on the planet. The more I look at this bike the more I like it! I paid $1800 at supergo.com, managed to get them to waive shipping charges and no tax. Since the bike comes partially assembled I paid a bike mechanic another $50 to get the bike ready to ride. The brake adapter on the fork was uneven so I paid another $25 for a new one. So my total price was $1875! Unbelivable price for a 'real' downhill bike! I realize it's uncool for the bike shops business however I simply wasn't going to pay the typical 4,000 or more dollars for a bike. I was going to simply stay with my X-bike but at this price level I decided to go for it! After one day of riding I have no complaints. The bike feels good, stops good, isn't too heavy (42 lbs) so I can control it nicely. I saw two other guys with the same bike and we were all riding with smiles from ear to ear!
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4






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