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Submitted by
High_Roller
a Downhiller
from Marin, California
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Earth | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Peirce Osgood | | Strengths: | Beast frame, everything is solid. | | Weaknesses: | Tires. I love High Rollers at first but i wore a pair down in 2 rides. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Demo, Trek Session (I actually like the trek more but it costs major $$$) | | Bike Setup: | Stock except new grips, and michelin dh 32 comp tires | | Bottom Line: | I got this bike for 500 from a friend, low price because it was #$%@ed up. I had it fixed within minutes of getting it, just a little oil here, tightening with an allen wrench there, and since i havent had any problems. Hayes brakes never give me trouble. All my friends hate me for this bike, because its so much better than the ones they have. They all ride giants and cannondales, and they can never keep up. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
daniel bridges
a Weekend Warrior
from los gatos,ca,us
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Demo forest,surrounding trails | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | very burly frame built tough(onepointfive headtube) | | Weaknesses: | rear shock lacks adjustability, feel a little play in suspension, and the dealer left out a spacer in the headset causing it to get loose but bought one and it was fine | | Similar Products Used: | 05 bighit FSR | | Bike Setup: | Stock except e-13 bashguard | | Bottom Line: | Awsome bike especially for the price. have gotten many compliments on the frame construction and havent encountered any major problems which is surprising with the way i ride it I miss the outer ring in the front derailer for high speed riding but the security of the bashguard is way worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Shore
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | 7th Secret (Fromme) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Ironhorse | | Strengths: | The bike is great out of the box with only a few minor weaknesses which I have posted below. Love the E-thirteen, sherman,hayes hfx nine ect. | | Weaknesses: | I blew out the back shock on the first damn ride!! I am suprised because I am just 13 and weigh 110 pounds and I bought the small. Come on Ironhorse, I'm just a kid and I broke it on a 8 ft drop! Oh well, the only other problem is that the sherman bottoms out on VERY harsh braking and on six to flat drops which is reasonable. PS. get better grips, seat and back shock | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Shore, Specialized Bighit Pro, Kona Stinky... | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for grips, tires, seat (damn that thing hurts!!)and pedals | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is that I recomend this bike to people my age who have been riding for a few years and are looking for a good priced and durable freeride/downhill bike. The only advice I have is to put in heavier oil in the forks and swap out the vannila R if you ride hard. I'm gonna give'er 5 chilis cause it is an overall great bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Ponzo
a Downhiller
from Hewitt
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | campmor | | Weaknesses: | let see wear do I start. Bike was one week old and total blew rear shock.( now I weight 120)Got shock back from fox and it blew first day. Got campmor to give me a manitou but its the wrong size and hit frame. 1 month into bike pivot bearing failed and head tube upper bearings failed. Replaced front fork and head bearing set. Also bought better pivot bearings. Now 5 months into bike and chain stay cracked. Bought back to dealer and they ordered new shock and chain stay for wrong bike. They reordered parts and still wrong They got my bike 3 weeks. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized big hit, giant | | Bike Setup: | horrible. Bolts falling out crank arms fell off and caused crank spline to strip. | | Bottom Line: | Don tknow what the bottom line is. Someone is screwing up ALOT.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
downhill freeride monky
a Downhiller
from california
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Evry trail at northstar. i guess karpiel | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | bycicle bnanas in reno | | Strengths: | 7" of travle, nice parts for a starter fr bike, great tires, | | Weaknesses: | i cracked the frame half a month agao, and a fox vanilla r shock, but what do you expct from a company that is seling such a bike for such a price | | Similar Products Used: | 1999 speciliazed hard rock, dyno/gt bmx, honda xr 80 and 250 | | Bike Setup: | stock parts | | Bottom Line: | this is a good bike for the bignner free rider/light downhiller. it handels good, has a nice feel in the air, and a great deal, a perpetual warrenty. i liked it until my bike shop told me that i had out rode it befor i got my moneys worth, but it handeled well as a starter fr/dh bike.
side note: go to bycicle bananas in reno nevada, they have gerat service and great deals, tell them that graham in nevada city sent you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Downhiller
from Tucson, AZ, U$A
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The one thats fast, technical, and full of drops | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Durabillity, weight, 7" travel, E-13 chain guide and bash gaurd, it's an all out great bike! | | Weaknesses: | God damn crap ass Hayes Hyd. brakes | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic Recoil (not mine but i rode it every time i went riding with my friend...back in the day before i had a DH/FR bike of my own.) | | Bike Setup: | Non-stock parts: Azonic Hot Seat, Panaracer Fire FR tires, Lizard Skins Lock-on Grips, Race Face FR Bar, and hopefully soon i will add a 03 monster t, Avid mechanicals, and a fox DHX 5.0 | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent bike for the money. Strong and very comfortable. If you want a great FR bike and yr on a budget and yr not huckin the 35 footers, this is the bike for you! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michel pinto
a Weekend Warrior
from macaé , rio de janeiro, Brazil
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | moreira, sana | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | import | | Strengths: | price, specs , FSR desing , good geometry . | | Weaknesses: | weight, fox vannila rear shock, rear tire hits the frame. | | Similar Products Used: | giant AC1 | | Bike Setup: | avid juice brakes 8" , dt revolution spokes , kenda nevegal 2,35 front , kenda cortez 2,4 rear tire , truvativ stylo crankset , thonsom elite seatpost, FSA k-force DH bars,manitou sherman breakout , manitou swinger-air 3 way,malet C pedals | | Bottom Line: | i had spent 1000 dolars to save some weight, now its is 34 pound , manitou swinger air shock gets plush 6" rear , with this setup i have turned this bike in agressive trail bike that can to climbs two hours and fire my tired friends with heavy bikes on downhills.it´s geometry is perfect to rain forest tracks in Brasil.in tecnical ,slow speeds down its shine. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mykl
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance Bikes | | Strengths: | Great frame design, way better than any I've ridden. Built like a brick $h!t house. Great components and excellent build quality. | | Weaknesses: | Stock version NEEDS a bash gaurd (aka rock ring) and chain tensioner! Have to throw out 3rd chain ring to install one. | | Similar Products Used: | 04 Haro Extreme X3, 03 Univega Dual Action Pro, 04 BigHit | | Bike Setup: | stock: gothic grey with Hays 9 HBS, Manitou Sherman Fork, Vanilla R shock etc.. | | Bottom Line: | I can ride boulderfields I wouldnt even try on most bikes with ease. It is great at hard X-country and downhill, just be prepared to huff a bit with the 45+ bike weight. I weight 225 and this beefy big boy has no frame flex I can feel, even over modest high speed jumps (Ive tried so far). I don't beleive some of the other posters who claim they snapped this frame. Don't believe it. I've or my buds have snapped or folded the likes of Gary Fisher, Trek, Giant, and Specialized but this one takes it all in stride. 7" of rear travel is a wonderful thing. I am aware of seat post issues and rear shock blowing out, but I will probably put in a Romic with a 700-850 lb spring when I can afford one. I highly recommend this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Whiplash
a Weekend Warrior
from Beaverton,OR,USA
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Price! Fork and brakes make up what I paid for the whole bike. | | Weaknesses: | Bottom braket, Grips, Frame design, Front hub, Chain guide installation. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | The value is there but expect to invest a lot keeping this thing running. Bike came with bottom bracket and chain guide installed incorrectly. Fixed this but Bottom bracket went out anyway. Had to remove chain guide to frame ISG bolts as they rub against smallest chainring. Rear wheel bottoms out against frame before the shock bottoms out. I weigh 165 and both the fork and rear end bottoms out on 4 foot drops even though I have the largest size bike. Plan on switching to 24 inch wheel and or stiffer rear spring. Need stiffer front spring. Getting lock on grips as stock ones come off even after painting them on. Have less than 100 miles on bike and now front hub is loose. Dorks at LBS stripped thru axel bolt head trying to adjust play in hub. Bike feels great going down hill and on most jumps. I actually climb quite well on this bike. I have passed up many crosscountry guys going up hill, especially the steep stuff. My freeride friends envy what I paid for this bike but I may just be spending the same as them in the end. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Evan Gilsdorf
a Downhiller
from Sammamish WA USA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | A-line or dirt merchant | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Price,frame, The suspension is really plush, the fork is a sherman, so you know it rocks.Completely adjustable, Handled 9+ feet of air. | | Weaknesses: | None really, except the chain skips when you mash the pedals, and some minimal chain slap. | | Similar Products Used: | 03 Kona Joyride, 03 SGS Pro, 02 Giant DS-1, 04 bighit spec | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except I changed the rear shock position. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money, handles drops 9+ feet like a feather, you just have to stiffen the compression a little bit for the manly drops. Overall quality is great, I dont know why some people say it has no climbing gears, I got the small, and you can pedal that thing freakin' vertical. Also, no offense, but if you break everything on the bike, you 1, should of bought a bigger bike, or 2, don't abuse the stuff you have, and then blame it on the bike. Great overall composure, I am completely satisfied with this bike for what it is, I mean I wont take it off a 30 foot to flat and expect to be fine, but it's a great overall bike and I am very pleased. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason A.
a Weekend Warrior
from Syracuse, NY
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Skytop | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Price, price and price.
Has held up well after 10+ really sick rides with many major drops, serious rock gardens and one really nasty night ride. Major exceptions noted below. | | Weaknesses: | It's a PIG...Got the large, 45 lbs with no climbing gears. cardio hell...but what do you expect from a DH
broke BOTH of the brake levers the second week. Hayes low end stuff-Crappy design. Out of the box the bike was scratched up, covered with goofy stickers and the front rotor was slightly bent. There was an old invoice under mine that indicated this bike had been returned from someone else but obviously never ridden. SuperGo denied it.
The large comes with the firm kit for the sherman fork. Is it me or would it make more sense to sell it with the extra firm?
Big boys ride big bikes ater all...
There is also some vertical play in the rear suspension that probably is the result of the cheap ass bolt that connects the rear shock to the upper triangle.
There appears to be a little lateral play as well.
| | Similar Products Used: | Bullit, S-20 | | Bike Setup: | Standard SuperGO SGS Expert package | | Bottom Line: | It is a good deal for the package.
The mechanical shortcomings are all fixable.
The weight, well, I knew that it would be a pig before I bought it.
If the frame and wheels hold up as well as I think they will, it will be well worth the price.
Wish I could have afforded the Bullit though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt O'Neill
a Weekend Warrior
from Kamloops,B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: November 2, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Harper Mtn. | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Sport Chek | | Strengths: | onepointfive Sherman, 4-bar linkage, drivetrain etc. | | Weaknesses: | crappy cable routing=lots of rub
cheap decals
Ringle 2 bolt stem | | Similar Products Used: | spec. FSR enduro | | Bike Setup: | stock except for some lizard skins and stem pads and stanchion guards (protect your investment and balls) | | Bottom Line: | this bike has been a pleasant surprise considering I had never riden an Ironhorse before. I wanted to get something with the 4 bar rear susp. as I have always like the way they track, brake and soak up hits, and the Expert has taken everything I have thrown at it so far. Having the best riding in the world to test it out on (Kamloops and surrounding area) I can honestly say this bike has taken a full beating and never whimpered once. It is incredibly stable at high speed, and having the Sherman up front makes for effortless steering on the steep,loose or twisty stuff around here. It even climbs relatively well for a big D/H oriented frame, which is nice when you feel like actually getting a bit of a cardio workout before the gravityfest. Overall, I'd have no problems reccomending this bike to anyone, the bang for the buck value is incredible. Cheers... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas
a Downhiller
from Long Island, NY
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | StillWell | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Iron Horse | | Strengths: | Great Frame for the price, the 4 bar linkage is very strong | | Weaknesses: | Stock rear shock must go | | Similar Products Used: | Uzzi SLX, Big Hit | | Bike Setup: | '03 Ironhorse SGS Expert fully sealed bearing frame with 7 of travel, Marzocchi F150 Freeride Fork, Stratos El Jefe Sr rear shock, Hayes hydraulic HFX 9 HD brakes with 8 Rotor front and rear, Raceface Diabolus Stem, AZONIC HD seat post w/Azonic Hot Seat, All XTR Components with Shimano XTR Steel Chain, Sun Rhyno Lite XL rims Chris King Hubs 12mm back and 20mm front, WTB Weirwolf Laser DH 2.5 front and rear, ODI Locking Grips, Cane Creak S-Pro Headset, Shimano PD M-545 Pedal , Kore HandleBar 1.75 FreeRide | | Bottom Line: | Just buy the frame and build it up. The stock parts are OK but if you build it the right way then you could have a great Freeride/Downhill ride. overall price for bike $4600 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay
a
from Lynn,MA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Price | | Weaknesses: | Seat, seatpost, rear shock, brakes, rear triangle, BB | | Bottom Line: | Seat lasted 1 ride, seatpost 2 rides, rear shock has blown 3 times, Hayes brakes are inferior to past offerings (see other reviews) Broke frame 2 times. Chainstay once and seatstay once. BB lasted about a month. Sherman is leaking on right leg.
Biggest drops about 4 feet. Owned bike about 6 months. Ride once a week accept for the many weeks something has been broken and I've been waiting for new parts. Generally about 2 weekends between getting parts. Sometimes longer.
Iron Horse service has been poor at best. Taking this bike in and waiting for parts is getting to be a weekly occurrence and a lengthly. Getting anywhere in MA is a chore and I'm sick of walking out of the woods when it breaks and then fighting traffic to bring it to the LBS and then fighting traffic again to go get it after having missed a weekend or two or riding. I would rather have spent a few more $$'s on a bike that doesn't break every 2nd ride. I know all bikes break but I'm ready to through this thing in the trash. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Weekend Warrior
from mohnton
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | onepointfive steerer
sherman breakout
hayes 8inch
| | Weaknesses: | the weight(42lbs) | | Similar Products Used: | speacilized p3
rigged out haro ex0 | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | i think this is one hell of a great bike for the price......the only thing that i have found bad about it is the weight. i have went off 6ft flat landings and it holds up great. i weight 165 and am bout 5'10". i got the medium and it feels goods....the vanella r could be upgraded but thats what u get for the price.... the bike also handles real well. after i hit some bigger drops ill prolly post a better review | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a
from Watertown, NY
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Doyle's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Components for the price | | Weaknesses: | Front fork(Sherman Breakout): Corrected oil level and compression adj. doesn't work. Changed oil and compression adj. still doesn't work. I've concluded that it just doesn't work. Replaced medium spring with extra firm because it would bottom on two foot drops.
Rear Suspension: Piss on the vanilla R. In the 7" position the rear wheel hits the little richard looking thing that the front derailure is mounted on and it Shreads housings to pieces. Iron Horses solution is to put a break noodle there to protect the cable. My solution is for Iron Horse to fix there f@#$ing design. | | Similar Products Used: | Doesn't matter, I just know I should have bought one of them. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Don't let the value fool you. You are getting what you pay for. Wait a few more months, ride your beater around a little longer and save your pennies. Buy something that is worth the money. Unless you are a little trust fund punk. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Birdman-X
a Weekend Warrior
from EastCoast
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Sherman
Evil Guide
FSR Technology | | Weaknesses: | Heavy
Bottom Bracket
Seat Post
Seat
Vanilla R | | Similar Products Used: | Big Hit, RM Slayer, Gemini | | Bike Setup: | Stock except replaced broken parts | | Bottom Line: | Cheap Bike - decent spec with the exception of the seatpost, seat and BB which all failed within 3 rides.
The rear shock has blown twice in about 8 rides.
Customer Care was apathic at best. Offered no assistance other than to deal with the LBS to have it fixed. They didn't care that the shock blew twice in the first month. I've seen others SGS Expert owner's comment on shock problems and thought there may be a problem with the bike so I asked IH. They ignored the first two e-mails. When I asked again in a harsher tone the reply was basically, "we sell the bike cheap, what do you expect. Fox has many problems this year with their shocks and their customer service is declining, we are using Romic's next year but the bike will cost more." That's all they had to say.
I'm broke so I'm stuck with it but I wish I would have waited a little longer and saved up some more money to buy a bike from a company with a longer track record in free riding. Big Hit/ Stinky. Live an learn.
Fox had outstanding customer service when I dealt with them.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hank
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa ana, CA
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo, no tax!!! | | Strengths: | totally gnarly... chain guide and guard are sweet, super plush, sweet rebound adjustments... | | Weaknesses: | a bit heavy, the sherman cant handle the big hits very well, all black, gets really hot, makes you look gothic | | Similar Products Used: | stinky deelux, sgs sport, weyless freeride w/ boxxer | | Bike Setup: | stock w/ jr T and evo stem | | Bottom Line: | wow, totally sweet bike, definatly one of the best bikes ive ever ridden. holds its own on the DH and passes everybody up in the FR... too heavy to jump but, the one point five headtube is sweet... the size of a soda can, its a pain in tha ass to find a headset w/ 1 1/8 adapters. everything on this bike is perfect, except it could use an RC or 5th el.. thats all... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CappyKD
a Downhiller
from Irvine, CA
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Ira Vick | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Sherman, 1.5 headtube, Hayes The Frame, pretty much everything | | Weaknesses: | The rear shock. I'm going to put a Romic on as soon as I pickup the bike from layaway. | | Similar Products Used: | SC Bullitt, GT XCR-LE, DHI-Race GT LTS-2000ds | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | An amazing deal for a sweet Freeride/Sport DH bike. I pick mine up next month and can't wait to test it offroad. I will post a followup after I do and the again after racing in the Big Bear 12 hr extreme DH race.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
michel pinto
a Weekend Warrior
from macaé,rj,brasil
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | sossego | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | my friend | | Strengths: | rigid , spec | | Weaknesses: | weight , head angle too steep | | Similar Products Used: | ac1 | | Bike Setup: | as comes | | Bottom Line: | it is very rigid , but its rear suspension not looks like 7 inches ,hfx hayes is not so power and fade a lot | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from north carolina
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | hick park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | Epic Cycles | | Strengths: | Price - Built like a tank. E13 chain guide and Sherman fork are awesome! Iron Horse tech support is easy to get in touch with and very helpful. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy at approximately 42lbs but this bike is made for freeriding so not really a big deal. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except upgraded shifters, rear cassette and front derail to XT. Changed tires to Maxxis Highroller ST's. | | Bottom Line: | If you are looking for a freeride bike and tight on cash then this is the bike. Keep in mind that this bike will go up hill, just not very fast. However going downhill is a different story. This bike soaks up 9-10 drops with ease and rock gardens are a pleasure to ride through now! Note that when tighting the through axle bolts on the Sherman not to over tighen as the bolt heads are small and easly stripped. Overall rating of 4 chilis stead of 5 due to weight. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
yo yo mo fo
a Downhiller
from wc
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Laguna Downhill | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Blowout-no shipping cost or tax | | Strengths: | Great suspension
Great brakes
Great Bike | | Weaknesses: | Nothing, just my stupidity | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC 1 | | Bike Setup: | Look at the website | | Bottom Line: | Everything is great. AT first i forgot to tighten the stem bolts so i nearly killed myself. But the bolts are strangley weak and easily stripped. The axle on the fork uses metric hex locks .just a note.
Very fun | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J-o-s-h
a
from Great State of Washington
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | bicyclebuys.com | | Strengths: | PRICE for the PARTS | | Weaknesses: | Too many decal stickers! Cable routing, E13 chain guide=good but un assembled, Spring and coil rate, seatpost. | | Similar Products Used: | AC2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Got the bike yesterday, put it together today. Too many decals on the bike, stickers? Removed most all of the advertisement stickers, fixed the horrible cable routing system with some electrical tape and Twist-e's. Spring and coil rate like most bikes that come stock are for riders in the 125lbs-160lbs range. Going to get stiffer rear spring and front coil. Also, the seat post is weak, only has one bolt to keep the seat in its position, going in the garbage and I'm going to order an easton or thomas elite. The E13 bash guard is nice, the E13 chainguide is complicated and you have to assemble it yourself so I hope you have all the tools. Alot of plastic to it?
All that being said, the bike looks like its going to be a ripper! Once I get the correct suspension spec's set up it will be ready for Forest assault! I'm stoked, looks pretty beefy, I'll drop a review after I ride it for awhile to give you all a better perspective, definently go with the medium if your 66 inches-maybe 70 inches tall. Seems a bit cramped in the cockpit but its better than being stretched out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J-o-s-h
a Downhiller
from Originally BoZeMaN but WA now
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | bicyclebuys.com | | Strengths: | Tha whole shabang! | | Weaknesses: | Weight, rims? (Mavic F219)<---a bit light | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now, future upgrade to a romic more than likely | | Bottom Line: | Just bought this black beauty online and it should be here on 4/8/03. I'm going to set it up and ride it for a week before my kidney stone surgery. Then I'll have 10 days with a stint in so I'll be out of comission for that.
I think this is one of the best deals going for this year unless you get a last years model of something else on sale. The parts spec alone if you add em up using discount online stores is well over $700 of what I'm paying for it. So if you throw in the frame then you've got a deal for under 2k considering the alternative. I'll post more after abusing it this week and let you know. I'm a little hesitant on the Vanilla R(?) and the Manitou Breakout(has great reviews though) Might upgrade the fork but definently the rear shock down the line. Seems a bit heafty for me but after I shed the weight off the body then I won't even notice the extra poundage on the bike. :) Best of luck to you all this year and see you on the trails if your a NW rider! Peace † | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy
a Downhiller
from Morristown, NY
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Monkey Back | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1680.00 | | Purchased At: | Doyles Cycle | | Strengths: | PRICE, strength, looks, awesome rear and front suspension good spec | | Weaknesses: | Slightly heavy at about 40-41 pounds i will get lighter tires and tubless Stans | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky | | Bike Setup: | stock, ODI grips and a much better saddle-(Titec Bersker) | | Bottom Line: | What a great bike. It pedals quite well. It will get better with a Romic! It can be bombed over anything and still stay active. The Breakout fork is awesome, very stiff, plush, feels bottumless. This bike is a great price, the value is of the scale! The Hayes brakes work great ounce u line them up good. The DRS guide kicks butt! I am very happy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle Marmesh
a Weekend Warrior
from Sonora,CA USA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The Mine Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1745.00 | | Purchased At: | SUPERGO | | Strengths: | Tough,black,components,fast! | | Weaknesses: | Tribal stickers-I took them off | | Similar Products Used: | Raleigh M8000,Stinky DEE-LUX, Haro X2 | | Bike Setup: | stock except for the grips. the ironhorse grips were too hard so i changed them to Answer BMX Slicks | | Bottom Line: | Sick. This bike is like a Sherman Tank. It takes everything you throw at it, chews it up, and spits it out!
I'm dropping 6-7 to flat and riding out fine. On previous bikes I've broken the swingarm just doing 5. It flies gracefully down any trail and jumps like a dream. Going up is good if you're determined. It's a lot of work because of the weight(42 lbs.), but there is no bobbing at all if you sit. The suspension is super plush and the brakes stop you like you hit a brick wall. If you're an HC Hucker and an occasional downhiller, this is the bike. It RULZ! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Denzil
a Downhiller
from Huntington Beach, Ca.
Date Reviewed: March 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | supergo | | Strengths: | COST! components, looks, 4 bar set up(no pedal bob at all), supergo is everywhere, did I mention COST, COST,and COST! | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy at 42lbs. But this bike pedals like a 30 pound hardtail. Tribal stickers | | Similar Products Used: | bullit, A-1, heckler, sugar 3, | | Bike Setup: | hayes HD, hussefelt, XT, lx shifters, shermin 6", vanilla r, mavic 219, weyless dh stem,pig onepoitfive(so burly), E13 guid, b-57 peds. | | Bottom Line: | Iron horse is proof you paid too much for your bike. If you are about to drop 2 to 4k on a new ride do yourself a favor and at least ride the SGS line. Just add the components up and relize they are giving you the frame.
I am sure that going from a single pivot to a 4 bar made a difference, but this is night and day. NO pedal bob, and the bike accelerates like a 30lbs. hardtail. I haven't even gone to a romic yet.
Yes I haven't had the bike that long, but I can say from being on many a more expencive bike, for the money this tank can't be beat. I'll let you know how she holds up after a good season of 200lbs abuse.
Bottom Line: Bang for the buck! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mtnman
a Weekend Warrior
from Edgewater, NJ
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Cannonball and Pipeline | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Purchased At: | Just demoed | | Strengths: | Hands down the best parts spec available for a freeride bike under $2000 and maybe even $3000. The Specialized FSR rear end tracked great with very little bob with full cartridge bearings. The e.thirteen DRS chainguide held the chain tighter than a clam's ass and although shifting wasn't 100% crisp I suspect this was because the demo bike was heavily used and needed some maintenance. The Sherman fork is super stiff, strong, and lighter than triple clamp forks so it is perfect however the demo bike one was setup way too soft. The bike is a bit on the heavy side but you wouldn't be able to tell once you are riding it. The bike is well balanced so the bike is not nose heavy. The 8 inch Hayes HFX 9 disc brakes are the best brakes I have ever used. Most of all the price is excellent. | | Weaknesses: | No major weaknesses or flaws except the front end seems a little bit low but that just means it will perform better uphill. | | Bike Setup: | 100% stock demo bike | | Bottom Line: | This is definitely my next bike. It is the best bang for the buck and is perfectly designed for it's purpose. Go and buy this bike except leave one for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Otten
a Downhiller
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | QuickSilver</ |
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$ 2000.00
