Unagidon

Which is a better bike?

Use: non-technical single track, gravel roads - maybe graduate to more technical trails with more experience in the future. Cost difference: Iron Horse is $200 > Meta 4.2.

Please provide feedback - I'm a MTB newbie. THANKS!

akahn

I'm going to go out on a limb and say neither. For gravel roads and non-technical singletrack, these bikes will be overkill. You could spend the same amount of money and get a real nice hardtail, which will be more efficient, lighter weight, and easier to maintain. I just think at this level of riding, and even on more technical stuff, you don't need 5" travel (on the Mk III at least).

In all, the Meta seems better suited for the kind of riding you do. The extra $200 for the Mk III gets you the nicer fork and suspension design. The extra $200 gets you a lot more but it might be "too much bike" for what you want to ride.

yellowjeep

I don't agree with the hardtail recommendation.* If you can afford it and want to get a squishy bike then do it. You say non-tech single track but the bug will bite soon enough you will be looking for crazier stuff to hit.

IH is dead now so no CS. Get the Meta.

*I like to steal my views from people smarter than me. AKA dminor

Unagidon

I'm leaning towards full suspension because I'm simply not that great a bike rider. So, a basic knowledge of physics tells me that a full suspension will be easier to handle on trails, especially with any type of obstacles, vs a hardtail. Heck, I don't know what "line to take" and so, the suspension, I'm hoping will help me roll right through it.

Anyone with experience on IBEX? Saw an IBEX Ignition Super ($999) and Pro ($1299) while surfing around - how are IBEX frames? Definitely get good components, so I'm assuming the cost difference is in the frame.

troie

You want to spend $1700+ on a bike that youre only going to take on a gravel road?! Thats like spending a million bucks on a fast car and only going 60mph.

Even spending a grand for the Ibex is too much. Get a good hardtail and learn how to ride. Anyone who tells you it doesnt make you a good rider is a fool and has been blinded by dual suspension.

yellowjeep

Oh in that case you will for sure no doubt about it absolutely NEED a hard tail. It will make you a better cyclist.

Unagidon

No one told me that a hardtail won't make me a better rider. But someone, and logic, tells me a dually will be easier to ride, kinda like the wider pivot skis, and Callaway Big Bertha golf clubs. As for the $, I can afford to splurge a little on a bike ($1k to $1.3k outlay) 'cause it's a toy. As long as it will be more fun, I'm okay with that. So the question is, which is a better bike for the $?

troie

Dont use logic and fun is completely relative. The HT vs FS battle has been going on forever. But in the last 6 years I can tell you that nearly every rider that has both has told me that their HT was fun. Try renting both and ride the same trail. We cant tell you which will be fun and which wont. Only you can decide.