Mountain Biking - Motobecane Fantom Elite DS or Ironhorse Hollowpoint Sport?

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bacolmm
07-19-04, 09:07 PM
I'm getting ready to buy my first full-suspension MTB and I can't decide between a Motobecane Fantom Elite DS or Ironhorse Hollowpoint Sport. Help a brother out and tell me which one of these two I should go with and why. I'm 6'2" with a 33" inseam and I'm a crappy rider. I ride XC only, do a race now and then, but it's all just for fun. Your input would be greatly appreciated. I've pasted some stats below.

Bike / Size / Top Tube / Chainstay / Wheelbase / Seat Tube / Head Tube
Ironhorse / 21 / 24.6 / 16.9 / 43.3 / 71.4 / 71
Motobecane / 20 / 23.5 / 16.5 / 43.5 / 73 / 71.5

Fantom Elite
Frame TripleActive 4B, 3"/4"/5" Travel - Four Bar Rocker Arm. Gussetted SL 7005 Aluminum (Disc Brake Equipped) SuperSmooth Sealed Cartridge Bearings at critical pivots
Fork Front: RockShox Psylo XC with Uturn Travel Adjustment (80-125mm)
Shock Rear: RockShox BAR - 3"/4"/5" Travel Adjustable Rebound Air
Crankset Truvativ IsoFlow 22/32/44T*
Bottom Bracket Sealed Cartridge
Pedals M-Wings Systeme clipless/platform dual purpose
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore LX
Rear Derailleur Shimano XT
Shifters Shimano Deore LX Rapid Fire 27 speed Pods
Cassette/Freewheel Shimano cassette 9 speed 12-34T
Chain KMC-Z9000 9Spd
Hubs WTB SpeedDisc Sealed Bearings
Spokes WTB Stainless steel
Rims WTB SpeedDisc Black Anodized
Tires WTB Velociraptor 2.1
Brakes ProMax PowerDisc X9Adjustable
Brake Levers ProMax Power Aluminum
Headset Ritchey Scuzzy Logic Sealed Bearing Threadless
Handlebar Ritchey Rizer Butted Aluminum (Severe Conditions)
Stem Ritchey Comp
Tape/Grip WTB
Saddle WTB Speed5
Seat Post Ritchey Comp Black Anodized
Seat Post Clamp Superlight Aluminum
Sizes 16", 18", 20"
Colors GlossLiquidBlack

Hollowpoint Sport
Frame Frame: CUSTOM BUTTED 7005 ALUMINUM DUAL SUSPENSION, ZERO-STACK HEADSET, 3.75"/4.5" TRAVEL, DW LINK, REPLACEABLE DROPOUT, INTL DISC BRAKE MOUNT
Fork Fork: ROCK SHOX DUKE XC AIR 100MM TRAVEL
Shock Rear Shock: MANITOU QR AIR, 6.5x1.5"
Crankset Crank: TRUVATIV FIREX SX
Bottom Bracket Bottom Bracket: TRUVATIV ISIS SL
Pedals Pedal: SHIMANO PD-M520L CLIPLESS, CROMO AXLE
Front Derailleur Front Derailleur: SHIMANO DEORE
Rear Derailleur Rear Derailleur: SHIMANO DEORE XT
Shifters Shifter: SHIMANO DEORE
Cassette/Freewheel Freewheel: SRAM PG-950, 11/32T, 9 SPEED
Chain Chain: HG73
Hubs Front Hub: ALLOY, SEALED BEARING, 32H
Spokes Spoke: DB 14/15G FORGED BLACK STAINLESS
Rims Rim: MAVIC X223 DISC
Tires Tires: MAXXIS HANSVENTURE, 26x2.35, KEVLAR BEAD, DUAL COMPOUND, 127TPI
Brakes Brakes: HAYES HYRDAULIC HFX 9
Brake Levers Brake Lever: AVID SPEED DIAL 7
Headset Headset: FSA, THREADLESS
Handlebar Handlebar: TRUVATIV XR-XC
Stem Stem: TRUVATIV 5 DEGREE
Tape/Grip
Saddle Seat: WTB ROCKET V CARBONARA W/CROMO RAIL
Seat Post Seat Post: ALLOY MICRO ADJUST, 27.0MM
Seat Post Clamp
Sizes Size: MENS:15",17",19",21"
Colors Color: ELECTRIC BLUE


Dannihilator
07-19-04, 09:15 PM
Let me see here, hard decision....

Definately the Iron Horse HollowPoint.

Maelstrom
07-19-04, 09:34 PM
No question....Hollowpoint.


bacolmm
07-19-04, 09:42 PM
No question....Hollowpoint.

Thanks for the input guys! It looks like Ironhorse - 2, Motobecane - 0! If you don't mind me asking, could you give me a little input as to why the Hollowpoint is the clear choice? Is it the Frame Quality? Suspension Design? Geometry? Components?

Dannihilator
07-19-04, 09:45 PM
Frame quality is superior, better overall components, and you have a great suspension design with the DW link.

rasheed
07-20-04, 10:11 AM
i say hollowpoint as well. iron horse makes some quality bikes for really cheap. they're always spec'd well too.

roadkill24
07-20-04, 12:28 PM
Thanks for the input guys! It looks like Ironhorse - 2, Motobecane - 0! If you don't mind me asking, could you give me a little input as to why the Hollowpoint is the clear choice? Is it the Frame Quality? Suspension Design? Geometry? Components?
ironhorse frames are generally tough as nailsand it has a splined bottom bracket(bb) which is an indication of quality in the freeride world. if you are going to be doing any freeride/urban assault/ or dh, I advise saving youself a lot of headaches with your chain falling off and get a rock ring(bashgaurd) to replace your big ring and ideally getting an inner ring to replace the little ring so there is no front derailleur.your drivetrain will be set up almost the best you can get it and this option doesn't have to cost a whole lot. good luck, bro and happy trails!!!

bacolmm
07-20-04, 01:08 PM
Thanks for all the info! I really appreciate it! It looks like Ironhorse = 5, Motobecane = 0. I was really leaning toward the Moto, but now I'm thinking the Horse is the way to go. If anyone has a different opinion let me know (or even if you have the same opinion). I'm probably going to make the purchase in the next couple days...