I am curious to hear other rider's experience with IRO frames. It's my first time buying a new frame rather than converting/frankenbiking together something older. I have been edging towards buying one. The thing is that they seem rather generic to me. I can't put my finger on why I want one, I just kind of do - they have a decent range of sizes, which is nice because I am on the shorter end of biking.

IRO: worth it, or nahh, not really? Suggestions for alternatives at the same or lower price point?

I'd get one but their largest frame is just short for my needs. I never hear any complaints

I have an older IRO Rob Roy, which has been discontinued. I like it, but don't have any experience with any of their current models, which, I am sure, are fine.
IROs aren't anything special, but they are good solid reliable frames, and priced better than Surly's and a lot of the other brand names. The complete bikes are where IRO really shines...you get lots of custom options which minimizes the need to fine tune your ride or "upgrade" later on.

I knew I shouldn't have put 'Pizza' as the control question .

pizza!

Yes there's nothing wrong with IRO; although it appears IRO as a company has passed its prime.

my model 19 is a fine bike. not very light, but it's fun and was decently built. though that model is discontinued so my post isn't of much use.

nicole at iro is super nice though.

I agree with this.
I have an IRO Mark V. Its a very nice bike for the money. I have absolutely no complaints about it, except that its a bit too big for me. I ride it really hard and it holds up.

I just got my iro angus 3 weeks ago and so far no complaints. The frame is simple and clean. Only thing I say is order the upgraded pedals, the ones that come with it are **** IMO, I had to go grab some others the next week but now I'm as happy as can be

what is that supposed to mean? The only thing I've noticed is that they don't have much in stock, but that seem to be a problem with a lot of other companys too recently.

Honnestly, I have my MKV since 2 years and within the last 3 years of reading interwebs comments/talking with random dudes, I have never heard something bad about Iro.

The weldings are pretty, the're stiff and really fun to drive.
They worth it!

The only thing I would maybe add is a steeper head tube to provide a shorter wheel base. But it's clearly personal taste!

I have a Mark V Pro (Reynolds 631 tubing), and it is wonderful. Its very plain and simple, but very well built. All the other "generic" frames at the same pricepoint are pretty wonky or way heavy. For the price, I dont think you will find a better frame. The weld quality and tubing for less than 300 bones is an absolute steal.

I love my Angus -it's nimble and nicely priced. And they have great customer service.

My second one (an LBS damaged my first one and IRO exchanged it), however, has randomly started to chip at various parts of the frame. IRO won't do anything about it because the first frame is outside the warranty but the second frame is. It's a grey area but has left me disheartened with them.

They don't offer a whole lot of choice in frames, but if you want what they offer then I don't think there's a better choice in the market. Well built, light frames and a very reasonable price, and the people behind it almost always do the right thing.

Had a Mark V for a few months, liked it well enough, but sold it for need of cash and I moved. Had a Rob Roy, loved it, sold it to finance frame building class.

Wouldn't hesitate to buy another IRO if they made a frame that matched my needs at the time.

I have a bike built on a 52cm Mark V frame. It's a nice enough frame for the price.

The one complaint I have, though, is that the chainstays don't have any shaping near the bottom bracket to provide clearance for the chainrings.

I originally attempted to put my 48T ring on the frame, but needed to use a relatively wide BB to prevent the ring from grinding the chainstays. Of course, once you start using the wider bottom bracket the chainline starts getting pretty questionable. In the end I used a 42T ring and a smaller cog in the back, which fits pretty well with a 103mm bottom bracket, and keeps a nice chainline.

Despite this one issue, it's a pretty solid frame, and I enjoy riding it.

That is interesting. The other frame I am considering is Pake. I have a friend who rides Pake, and she really likes hers, but Pake only goes down to 49cm, so it's more of a gamble for me sizewise.

I got an amazing deal on a Mark V Pro about 5 years back and haven't had any problems since. Back then though your options for a complete fixed gear were a bit more limited, if I recall correctly. It is still my first and only fixed though. At the time, I dealt directly with the owner and he was very helpful. It had cheap but serviceable parts that got me on the road. I've put god knows how many miles on the thing.

I've got a friend with a MarkV Pro with Reynolds 631 tubing and another friend with the Dedacciai tubing. Both are sweet bikes, and come very competitively priced. I used to think they were sort of generic, too, but after having ridden a couple of them I'd say they're nicely made and worth the price tag.

^ummhmm especially if you find a good deal. i picked up my iro mark v in almost new condition with black deep vs, sugino rd2, shimano 105 brake, conti ultra tires for $300

62cm Mark V here. It's solid, relatively light, and not too harsh (geometry and general supple-ness). However, the IRO geometry is a bit strange in that I have the seat raised a good 9 inches from the top of the seat tube. Perhaps this is how track frames are normally, but it seems the seat tube is a bit short.

9 inches is a really high seat ratio. How's the weather up there?

I've no complaints from my IRO Mark V. I got mine last summer when they had the Mark V's for $399

I wish it didn't have cable guides for a rear brake , but if you get a Angus or Mark V Pro that's a non issue. I kinda bought the wrong size frame. I bought a 56 but I think a 59 would be better, so in the future I might be buying a angus or mark v pro in 59 and selling my 56 frame.

The geometry is a bit strange, since the seat-tube protrudes a bit past the top tube. From what I hear the sizes are a bit smaller; ie 56 is more close to a 54, 59 more close to a 56. Tony himself recommend me a 59, but the shop I ordered it from (who went out of business like a week after I got my bike) actually ordered me a 56, even though I said 59.

Your 62 is probably close to a 60. :|

Its good to know that they run small, because the HD is probably too bitty for me, I am looking at an IRO 46cm frame from Jenson that fits 700c wheels, or a 49cm, competitive cycling fit calculator suggested a 52cm for me but I can say from experience that a 52cm would be a bad idea.

anybody here have or know anything about iro's phoenix?
i've been shopping for a new frame for awhile & find it awfully tempting.
it is a bit heavier & does have all those braze-ons but i do like the fact that it will fit big tires.