njkayaker

1) Fuji Tahoe Pro. A front suspension 29'er.

https://www.fujibikes.com/Mountain/29er/Tahoe29Pro.aspx

2) Iron Horse Hollowpoint MKIII Comp. A full suspension 26'er with a DW-link rear.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=48031

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I was looking into replacing my ancient no-suspension MTB and these two are available locally for a decent price (ie, last year's models). The IH is $400 more than the Fuji.

Yes, they are rather different bikes.

Iron Horse is out-of-business (which means no warranty on the frame). You can still get hangers and bearing kits for it but other parts for the RS might be hard to get.

I wasn't looking for a full-suspension bike but this IH appears to be pretty good for cross country and climbing (people say it's "versatile"). The DW-link RS apparently "locks out" when pedalling.

I'm not sure if I'm interested in doing overly gnarly stuff and not an expert by any means. Various things got in the way of doing any MTB for the past few years.

Any comments about which way to go?

BurnNotice

I would tend to lean away from a company that is defunk!

njkayaker

This is "de funk"!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brown

The fact that IH is defunct makes the question interesting (hopefully)!

bikinfool

Lots of broken IH MkIIIs out there. It'd be nice if could you narrow your choices down to something more similar than a ht 29er and a fs 26er. Have you ridden either? Why would you want to deal with a bike from a company no longer in business? Personally I'd keep looking.

dminor 

Didn't Randall Scott take over the remains of IH and pledge some sort of warranty support? Also, it looks like RS has kept the IH lineup intact, just rebadged as "Airborne" now. Not saying that particularly recommends the MKIII but thought it was worth noting.

njkayaker

There were some problems with the older ones (pre-2006). I haven't run across anything that indicates that the current ones are prone to having problems. (There are a few reports of problems with the Fuji too.)

Well, part of the question is whether I should consider a full-suspension bike. I probably don't have the experiences to discern differences between bikes that are similar.

I tried the Fuji briefly, in a parking lot (probably, not that helpful). I'm going to try the IH, but I was first trying to make sure that it wasn't a nutty choice.

That could be a deal breaker but in the worst case I'd have to buy a new frame (which seems unlikely).

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It looks like RS is warrantying only the bikes they sell.

If they keep manufacturing the same frames, that would work. As far as I understand, IH no longer had the licence to produce the DW-link suspension (which means it's unlikely that the new company would produce the DW-link frames).

toyman

If you are considering the Fuji, take a look at the Windsor Cliff 29er Pro from www.bikesdirect.com It's the same bike, but a few hundred less, if you are comfortable wrenching on your own bike. I got one last year, and it's been great. Haven't had the 29er revelation that I've read about and still enjoy riding my 26" bikes, but the components and bike are pretty nice for the price.

bikinfool

IH and RS, and the family/business relationship between the two, IMHO are outfits to stay away from when there's so many other choices; otoh I have a friend who is still using his pre-DW MkIII and likes it (but he doesn't like how many failures he's read about and what his choices are should he join their ranks). Go visit a bunch of shops and ride a bunch of bikes and see what you like or perhaps go to a mountain bike event with demo bikes being offered. Is there a particular reason you think you want full suspension? How do you feel about bike maintenance? What's your budget? Where/what are you going to ride for the most part? What do you ride now, or what bikes have you ridden?

njkayaker

I know about that BD bike (the price I can get for the Fuji is competative). Thanks.

All reasonable comments. Thanks.

I currently have an ancient no-suspension MTB. I haven't been MTB for a few years (family complications and lots of road biking). I was reasonably OK on the no-suspension, which might mean I might not need a full-suspension (and the extra maintanence).

Some places (Stewart Buffer Zone, NY, where I have ridden) might not need full suspension. It might be useful in Ringwood (supposedly, somewhat difficult), and "Great Adventure"/ West Milford, NJ, which are near by places to go.

I've ridden the Fuji (in a parking lot). A few years ago, I tried a Cannondale 29er with a lefty fork in a better place. Seemed OK to me (I wasn't looking then, so I didn't pay attention to the model number!).

My budget is about $1000 (give or take a few hundred). I'm not sure if I want to go as high as $2000.

bikinfool

I'm not in your area so have no idea what type of riding the places you mention offers. No place really "needs" full suspension, but it can make it more enjoyable. I have no idea what lines shops in your area carry or if they're competitively priced at that.

For $1000 I'd look at hardtails with a decent fork. Googling a bit found this, spec looks pretty nice for the price (no idea if it's an ongoing sale or just an old item, though) https://www.o2gearshop.com/catalog/pr...LAID=340220190. $2000 opens up the options into fs, but barely, maybe something like this for a little more (plus you get your 29er on with this one) https://www.speedgoat.com/Catalog.aspx/Browse?Prod=18589. I know a few guys who have the Big Mama and like it a lot.