Mountain Biking - Looking For A First Freeride Rig

I have done numerous 5+ foot drops on a 21 lb, XC racing machine. (I know, it IS scary and downright stupid.) I am looking to buy a Freeride Bike, maybe around $1500. I don't have a problem buying used or previous years' models. I was considering maybe a Stinky, Norco (VPS ?) , a Haro X3, or an Ironhorse SGS Freeride. Any suggestions ? I am open to looking at other brands/models as well. Thanks! :)

I have done numerous 5+ foot drops on a 21 lb, XC racing machine. (I know, it IS scary and downright stupid.) I am looking to buy a Freeride Bike, maybe around $1500. I don't have a problem buying used or previous years' models. I was considering maybe a Stinky, Norco (VPS ?) , a Haro X3, or an Ironhorse SGS Freeride. Any suggestions ? I am open to looking at other brands/models as well. Thanks! :)

I am also looking to get one in and around 1600. THe one that catches my attention is the Kona Stinky. I did some research and came up with this.

Trek 2004 Liquid 25
Norco 2004 VPS Fluid 2
Specialized 2004 Bighit Comp
Norco 2004 VPS Atomik
Kona 2004 Stinky
Kona 2004 Coiler
Specialized 2004 Enduro Comp

I know this is a wide range of bikes, but this list I've compiled is for a bike that i can use for downhill/all mountain rides. Right now i am leaning towards a Kona Stinky or a Norco VPS Atomik for downhilling. But for a All Mountain/Enduro type of ride. I am leaning towards the Trek Liquid 25 and Kona Coiler. Hope this helps.

I'd rule Trek off your list.

My preference would be the Iron Horse or really any of the others listed.

L8R

I'm getting the Haro Extreme X3 '04 for $1500. Where are you located at man?

I'd rule Trek off your list.



At first, I wouldn't even consider Trek but after looking at it for numerous hours. Its growing on me. I guess it all depends on the test ride.

I've ridden the Liquid and its more oriented to XC than it is to freeride, the geometry wasnt upright enough for jumps and drops in my opinion, and i never really felt comfortable thrashing it around. If you are looking at a light freeride/enduro type bike I'd also look at the Giant VT 2, I've ridden it and i loved it, felt very much like my Enduro but had the swinger shock in the rear. I think they might have a cheaper version this year thats around 1500, not sure on the parts spec. though.

I would like to buy the most hardcore freeride bike (drops, gaps, etc.) for the least amount of money. Does anybody have any experience with the Manitou Sherman 1.5 series ? Should I be worried about the durability as opposed to a triple clamp ?

I'm getting the Haro Extreme X3 '04 for $1500. Where are you located at man?


I'm in Ohio, Cincinnati area.

I would like to buy the most hardcore freeride bike (drops, gaps, etc.) for the least amount of money. Does anybody have any experience with the Manitou Sherman 1.5 series ? Should I be worried about the durability as opposed to a triple clamp ?



I think your talking about the 1.5" headtube idea? You really dont need this, and most frames right now dont accept this. The only frames I can think of is the Imperial, and I think the Letoys? You should be fine running the normal 1 1/8" headtube....unless your doing crasy stuff like bender....lol. Also look aorund at building up a bike. You dont have to buy complete....but there are the advantages.

I think your talking about the 1.5" headtube idea? You really dont need this, and most frames right now dont accept this. The only frames I can think of is the Imperial, and I think the Letoys? You should be fine running the normal 1 1/8" headtube....unless your doing crasy stuff like bender....lol. Also look aorund at building up a bike. You dont have to buy complete....but there are the advantages.


the Ironhorse SGS has a 1.5 head tube http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/products/freeride/ My friend has the SGS team, and loves it, it is a really interesting design, they use the specialized rear end on this frame, which IMO is a pretty cool setup, good bang for your buck if you ask me

I would say Ironhorse or maybe a Specialized. Haros are alright if you only have around 800, but otherwise I wouldnt recomend them.

the Ironhorse SGS has a 1.5 head tube http://www.ironhorsebikes.com/products/freeride/ My friend has the SGS team, and loves it, it is a really interesting design, they use the specialized rear end on this frame, which IMO is a pretty cool setup, good bang for your buck if you ask me


I think I might go with the IronHorse, it has the best bang for my buck. I'm gonna go with the Expert probabl, because I'm one cheap person.

Thanks For the Help Everybody!

My friend rides a 2003 iron horse sgs and i will say now, it is the worst bike ive ever ridden. the geometry in my opinion is downright horrible. I got on it and tried to do a bunny hop and ended up flipping over backwards. not only is it kind of bad geometry, the frame is kind of ugly, too much metal all over the place. plus when you bottom out, the seat tube will slam onto the linkage for the shock. I have an 03 stinky and i would recommend this a lot more than the iron horse. when i got on it, i didnt have to adjust to the geometry at all, just the weight (39lbs). All of the people i ride with like the stinky over the iron horse due to its great geometry. if you can get an 03 go for it, they are selling now for $1300 at my lbs now. or just go for an 04, i wish i waited the extra 3 months to get that but didnt know about it when i bought the 03 last year.

My friend rides a 2003 iron horse sgs and i will say now, it is the worst bike ive ever ridden. the geometry in my opinion is downright horrible. I got on it and tried to do a bunny hop and ended up flipping over backwards. not only is it kind of bad geometry, the frame is kind of ugly, too much metal all over the place. plus when you bottom out, the seat tube will slam onto the linkage for the shock. .
You sir, do not have the slightest clue what youre talking about.

You sir, do not have the slightest clue what youre talking about.

Well i am allowed to have my opinion, and i really dislike the iron horses geometry and i personally would not recommend it.

Well i am allowed to have my opinion, and i really dislike the iron horses geometry and i personally would not recommend it.
Sure have an opinion if you like, but if set up correctly, the linkage will not slam into anything. Your buddy obviusly doesnt have something set up right if thats the case, in which case it would also likely affect geometry and handling too, so again, you really dont even know what you're talking about if you're basing your opinion of a bike that wasnt set up correctly, and then bashing it an telling people not to buy it. I dont own an iron horse or even want one, but theyre quality bikes that work well and you're out to slander them because you're misinformed.

I will second of third the ironhorse sgs. Great set of bikes and I like the geometry. And a 26" wheel with fsr would be a sweet setup. Best bang for buck bike :)