Bike Forums - View Single Post - The "around" $500 MTB thread.

06-30-04 | 03:36 PM

#14

Raiyn

I drink your MILKSHAKE

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 15,061

Likes: 3

From: St. Petersburg, FL

Bikes: 2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp, 1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS, 1971 Schwinn Varsity

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceter

OK people I have a $400-$600 question. I have looked around and can get an Iron Horse Warrior Expert for $490. My only concern is that I am new and have never heard of this brand. How do their frames hold up. I plan on doing mostly trail riding with the occasional crazy stuff. I also have ridden the Trek 4900 and Specialized Rockhopper. It seems to me that for the money the Iron Horse is the best deal (all Deore components with Hayes Mechanical Disc). The other two only have Deore Rear Der. and then Alivio stuff. Should I even be worried about the components between a Deore and Alivio? I just want to make sure that the bike I buy will hold up for the next few years and if I really like the sport then I will go to the next level and go for a full suspension bike.

What year of Expert are you looking at? Because the one on Iron Horse's website has an LX rear dérailleur and other components leading me to guesstimate the price around $700. If it's last years model and it fits go for it. If it's this years model - I don't think I need to tell you what to do - as long as it fits.

Alivio vs Deore. It's a slight difference it's not like going Alivio to LX or XT but to a newbie I doubt that you'll notice a difference. Also remember the fact that the rear dérailleur does most of the work and has more parts in motion at any given time as compared to the front so a notch up in the rear is fairly common at any price point. Case in point my Rockhopper Comp FSR came with a Deore front an a LX rear.

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