[Rigster_TBB]

Hey All,
I am wanting to upgrade to a nicer Mountain Bike. I currently have a early 90's Giant Boulder 500 Bike. It's a 20" Full Rigid. I have looked at my LBS and Dicks Sporting Goods for various bikes in my price range $300-$400(we are pretty rural, not alot of choices around here). Performance Bicycle has 2 Bikes that fit the bill for $299 + shipping. The closest competing bikes I can find locally are an Iron Horse at $550 and a Columbia at $279. I'm not really leary of purchasing a bike over the net, but I would like some input on which of these 2 bikes has the better components and what size frame you might recommend. I'm 6'2 and have 34" inseam, slim athletic build. I really like 3-4 inches of standover. I rode a friends 21" K2 and it seems really large. I'm leaning towards the Iron Horse Maverick at 19.5", but if the Outlaw has superior components I may go with that one at 21". All the research I have done says a 21" should fit me well. But that K2 really scared me, I felt I was on a unicycle or something. My 20" Giant really suits me well. I'll list the links to the 2 bikes below. Any help is appreciated...
Thanks,
Steve...

Outlaw Link:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=21282&subcategory_ID=3050

Maverick Link:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22384&subcategory_ID=3050

 

[dogonfr]

Welcome back to MTB'ing & the forums, loads of info & fun.:cornut:

Check out Ibex bikes, they have really good components for the price & are very sweet riding. They are a net company that is happy to pass the savings on the the customer without sacrificing quality plu they bring excelent customer service beffor the purchase & after.

https://www.ibexbikes.com/Bikes/ALP-550-Details.html

 

[Rigster_TBB]

Thanks for the info on the IBEX. It's a bit out of my price range. That would run me $530 shipped vs. $340 or so shipped. The main difference I see on the 2 Iron's are a Grind Shock on one and a Roc Shock on the other. Can someone tell me if one is significantly better than the other?
Thanks again,
Steve...

 

[dogonfr]

The fork is almost a toss up both low end but the components are crap. They are selling you a known brand Name. If you must have one go with the Outlaw it might live longer with the RS fork & Tektro brakes. If you are going to be doing MTB'ing you should save up for the Ibex or Jamis they are the best quality bike for the price.

https://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/06_durango1.html

 

[DBF in ATL]

I recently purchased an Iron Horse Warrior Comp ($550) from Performance. I live near one of their stores so was able to test ride it. I think Iron Horse is hard to beat in terms of how much bike you get for the money. Ibex seems to offer similar value. I've had my bike for only a few weeks now, but so far it has been awesome - very solid ride when put under stress and components have performed very well.