Bike info

[M-323]

Hi

in the market for a new mountin bike. I like the Iron Horse warrior 3.

saw it on a US website fro 299 (+125 shipping to Canada)

Sportchek sells is but doesnt have it in stock - checked a efw stores - one guy said they could get it but it would cost 650.00

since the us / cdn $ is the same - is there anywhere I can buy it in Canada for the same price?

teh US website I saw it on will not ship to Canada.

Alternatively, is it the same bike as a K2 from Sportckeck? they look identical - maybe just a differnt name?

any help would be great thanks.

best, M/

[Treker]

"any help would be great thanks."

Not knowing anything about that particular bike, I read some reviews and it seems like a great entry level bike. Most reviewers that I read paid between $USD 350 & 500 so a Canadian price of $600 doesn't seem outrageous. (I know that our CDN$ is even with the USD, but these bikes were probably ordered/purchased 6-12 months ago...)

As a roadie, I can't speak to MTB, but I can suggest you steer away from the big box stores and patronize a local shop, perhaps one that specializes in MTBs. In general, LBS's offer better assembly, fitting as well as after service support. And loyal customers can earn small discounts on accessories that can add up.

Good luck with your search.

[FIST420]

"any help would be great thanks."

I can suggest you steer away from the big box stores and patronize a local shop, perhaps one that specializes in MTBs. In general, LBS's offer better assembly, fitting as well as after service support. And loyal customers can earn small discounts on accessories that can add up.


I completely agree with the above post! Sure those box stores sell some very inexpensive entry level bikes, but if you are willing to spend the extra money on a higher quality bike that you can upgrade later on down the road... That's what I would recommend.

But if it's only a few hundred dollars you can afford... I would go for the Ironhorse. But not before you check out your local bike shop first.

[M-323]

Well, here's what I learned;

First, 90% of the frames made are all coming from either Taiwan or China.

Then the various companies simply put their stickers on them.

Small bike shops obviously charge more than large box retailers.

I ended up buying not one but two Iron Horse bikes -- both exactly the same but one was a return because there was something wrong with the crank -- so they are replacing that with a new one.

So in the 2007 models, they made one they call Warrior and another when they call Maverick. They're both identical bikes although the warrior has the brand name (Hayes) brakes and the other one is simply a Shimano product.

I bought one for my dad who just turned 80 and wants to start cycling again.

I haven't picked up the second one yet because the crank is still in order.

But the first one I did 10 miles on the first day and found out that the front caliper was not completely seated over the rotor -- that is only about a quarter of the pad was touching the rotor.

Therefore within the first 10 miles, the rotor ate through the pads.

I took it back to the shop on Sunday they had to put another part between the fork in the brake -- a smaller part allowing the caliper to seat properly on top of the disk.

I notice he put the front wheel and on a different angle but I thought I could easily adjust that with fast release hub myself.

But I found out when I straightened the wheel, that the rotor would be jammed up against one side of the caliper (against one pad)!

Therefore the wheel will not spin freely -- so right now the choice is you have a straight front wheel that won't spin freely, OR you put it on an angle!!

Of course either choice sucks and as soon as I finished writing this message is going back to the shop again.

One guy at that shop told me on the phone today that "new brakes need to be worn in" and that it was normal for it to rub!

The Maverick retails for $400 Canadian. I paid 350 (plus tax) for the new one because it's the end of the season and they gave me the second one because it was damaged for 200 but the second one is as it is with no warranty. I bought them both at Sportchek as it is the only Canadian dealer authorized to sell Iron Horse products.

So if they can get the geometry sat with the front wheel, I'm happy with the bike other than that. It shifts really well it's very smooth the shocks were great and I think I got a good deal.

I couldn't see spending double the price for the same bike just because it has brand name components -- especially after finding out that most of the frames regardless of what they call them are still built by the same factories in Taiwan and China.

So there's another lesson to add to your arsenal of biking lessons.

best, M/

[bbgobie]

Well,
I'm glad you enjoy your bikes.

Your reasoning is a bit off.

Just because 2 bikes are made in the same country does not make them the same.
Is a Corvette the same as a ford focus because they both come from the states?

Iron Horse does make some great bikes.
A local bike shops bikes might be more expensive, but they are better assembled and yes do tend to have better components. They also tend to be better bikes.

I've worked on friends bikes, and I can tell you working on some of those bikes from Sport Chek and Cdn Tire suck. Things cannot be adjusted properly, you end up with exactly what you are describing. Having to screw something up in order for something else to work properly.

Unfortunately you do get what you pay for, and you could be very happy with your bike. Just don't think you got the same quality bike for hundreds less.

[FIST420]

Well, here's what I learned;

First, 90% of the frames made are all coming from either Taiwan or China.

Then the various companies simply put their stickers on them.

Small bike shops obviously charge more than large box retailers.

I ended up buying not one but two Iron Horse bikes -- both exactly the same but one was a return because there was something wrong with the crank -- so they are replacing that with a new one.

So in the 2007 models, they made one they call Warrior and another when they call Maverick. They're both identical bikes although the warrior has the brand name (Hayes) brakes and the other one is simply a Shimano product.

I bought one for my dad who just turned 80 and wants to start cycling again.

I haven't picked up the second one yet because the crank is still in order.

But the first one I did 10 miles on the first day and found out that the front caliper was not completely seated over the rotor -- that is only about a quarter of the pad was touching the rotor.

Therefore within the first 10 miles, the rotor ate through the pads.

I took it back to the shop on Sunday they had to put another part between the fork in the brake -- a smaller part allowing the caliper to seat properly on top of the disk.

I notice he put the front wheel and on a different angle but I thought I could easily adjust that with fast release hub myself.

But I found out when I straightened the wheel, that the rotor would be jammed up against one side of the caliper (against one pad)!

Therefore the wheel will not spin freely -- so right now the choice is you have a straight front wheel that won't spin freely, OR you put it on an angle!!

Of course either choice sucks and as soon as I finished writing this message is going back to the shop again.

One guy at that shop told me on the phone today that "new brakes need to be worn in" and that it was normal for it to rub!

The Maverick retails for $400 Canadian. I paid 350 (plus tax) for the new one because it's the end of the season and they gave me the second one because it was damaged for 200 but the second one is as it is with no warranty. I bought them both at Sportchek as it is the only Canadian dealer authorized to sell Iron Horse products.

So if they can get the geometry sat with the front wheel, I'm happy with the bike other than that. It shifts really well it's very smooth the shocks were great and I think I got a good deal.

I couldn't see spending double the price for the same bike just because it has brand name components -- especially after finding out that most of the frames regardless of what they call them are still built by the same factories in Taiwan and China.

So there's another lesson to add to your arsenal of biking lessons.

best, M/

^A lot of this doesn't make any sense to me.^ But hey... Do you, I guess...

[chephy]

I've worked on friends bikes, and I can tell you working on some of those bikes from Sport Chek and Cdn Tire suck. Things cannot be adjusted properly, you end up with exactly what you are describing. Having to screw something up in order for something else to work properly. To be fair, I think Sport Chek bikes tend to be a notch above Cdn Tire bikes, and even Cdn Tire has been selling some semi-decent bikes lately. Interestingly, I find Sport Chek's and Cdn Tire semi-decent bikes priced higher than better bikes at LBSs. So think: are you really getting a bargain when you buy a dirt cheap bike there?

[chephy]

I couldn't see spending double the price for the same bike just because it has brand name components -- especially after finding out that most of the frames regardless of what they call them are still built by the same factories in Taiwan and China.

Dude: First of all, components MAKE at least half the bike. Sure, the frame is the soul of the bike, but components make a hell of a lot of difference. Secondly, it is not "the same bike" you're talking about. As others said, two frames are not the same just because two frames have been made in the same country.

But whatever. Your choice.