hal1

Sorry - newbie here.

I'm only familiar with the major brands, but Performance Bike seems to have a lot of Iron horse, and the only other places I've seen them was at chain sporting goods stores. I DON'T WANT A WALLY-WORLD BIKE.

they seem a good value, any opinions?

I'm looking at this one

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=3050

Price$449.00

Bottom Bracket TruVativ Power Spline cartridge

Brakes Hayes IH2 Disc Brakes

CassetteSRAM PG-950, 11-34T, 9 speed

Chain KMC S-ZHEN HG73

Crankset Alloy, 44/32/22T

Fork Marzocchi MZ2, 100mm travel

Frame Double Butted Aluminum frame

Front Derailleur Shimano FD-M530, 34.9mm

Grips/Tape WTB Technical Trail Grip

Handlebar HL Iron Horse Bar, 640mm width, 30mm rise

Headset VP-A428 1 1/8” Threadless Zero Stack

Levers Hayes HML-1 Alloy

Pedals Wellgo PD-M505 clipless

Rear Derailleur Shimano RD-M511,

Saddle WTB Speed V Sport

Seatpost HL SP90 Alloy 300/350mmx30.8mm

hifters Shimano SL-M511, Front: 3 speed; Rear: 9 speed

Stem TruVativ, 31.8mm

Tires WTB Motoraptor 26x21

Wheelset Hubs: Joy-Tech alloy QR, 32H; Rims: WTB SX24, 32H


EDIT: ALSO CONSIDERING GT AAVLANCHE 2.0

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=3050



Thanks all

biknbrian

I have a mid 90 Iron horse rigid MTB. It cost about $450 new and has low to mid level componentry. It's done everything from cross country moutnain biking, to rail to trails, to towning a trailer with kids, and now is my daily commuter. I ride it more than any other bike and it was by far my best bicycle purchase.

These days Iron Horse bikes are still decent, not quite the level of Trek/Cannondale/Specialized ect.. I don't see anything wrong with buying an Iron horse, but I'd advise against ordering a bike unless you know exactly what you want, and know how to assemble and adjust a bike.

Buy the way, what type of rideing are you plannig on doing?

colombo357

It's decent at $450. If you get the "Team Performance" membership and have a bit of patience, you can do better.

For example, Performance had a 15% off sale during the 2nd week of Sept, so someone could have gotten that bike for $382.50 plus another $38.25 in store credit.

urban_assault

I have an Iron Horse Rogue that I got a few years ago. So far no issues at all. Good bike for me. I don't ever recall anyone saying anything bad about them.

hal1

Also considering Avalanceh 2.0

https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=3050

urban_assault

Funny..I've had a GT Avalanche also. Mine was from 1995 but I loved it. GT has different ownership now though.

I don't think you can go wrong with either bike except for the fact that you can't ride them first to see which bike fits you better or feels better to you.

Flash

I rode the IH Warrior comp (2006) for a few months before moving the components to a FS frame.

I found it to be a great bike, got it for $420-ish IIRC

When I stripped the frame I was surprised how lightweight it was

cheers

FatBomber

I looked very closely at an IH Azure before I stumbled into a deal I could not ignore.

This site has rediculous pricing on the same bikes:
https://www.rscycle.com/s.nl;jsession...&category=4959

Take a look at new old stock bikes and you willl find some crazy deals.

JiveTurkey

I have a 2006 GT Avalanche 2.0 I got used. I've since upgraded most of it, but I really like the frame. My only complaint is the paint is pretty cheap--chips off easily and cables rub through really fast, but that's not a huge deal to me.

At the price you're looking at, get whetever bike has the best components. Between the Iron Horse and GT, it looks like the Iron Horse to me.

Bikes: IH vs GT
Shifters: Deore vs Acera
Font derailleur: Deore vs Acera
Speeds: 27 vs 24
Fork: Marzocchi vs Suntour
Brakes: Hayes vs Tektro
Price: $449 vs $479

hal1

This is kind of what I was thinking, except (AND i'M EBARRASED TO ADMIT IT) I like the look of name brand stuff and I don't like brands that hang out in department stores - isn't IH sold by large sporting good stores?

Servo888

Tell me about it. I ride a K2 (they use the same frames as IH) - point being it's not a huffy! Most importantly, many of the low end bikes made by Trek, Giant, Specialized, etc are made in China... So either way you go, your getting a Chinese made product.