Iron Horse is certainly a complete brand. They not only cater to high-end and experienced riders but also make some of the top entry-level bikes you can find on the market today. Our Iron Horse Mountain Bike Review will take you to the depths of the brand and find out some of the key features that set them apart. The Iron Horse Men’s Maverick 2.1 IH22216S 16 Mountain Bike is one of their staple bikes that certainly offer you affordability and quality.
Mountain biking is one of my passions and I have had the fortune of having some time to do this sport as much as I possibly could. Yes, the sport is rather expensive, but this is only when you start out and you need all the basic equipment. I have that buying quality products upfront does save you a lot in the latter stages of your career and you can spend some cash on those upgrades.
Iron Horse certainly impressed me the first time I had the opportunity of testing the brand. While they have a wide variety of different bikes to choose from, the more elite bikes are what you will be looking at. Unfortunately, some of their budget options are a little unpredictable, and depending on your style and riding, they might hold up or give in.
Nevertheless, if you are new to the sport and you have heard the name Iron Horse, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about and whether the brand is worth your time and money. If you continue reading, you will find out everything that is important to the brand and make this decision for yourself.
Iron Horse Mountain Bike Review
Product Rating
It is no surprise that the brand can be a little expensive and this does make it hard to actually find reviews about the entire brand. With so many bikes, we have combined the average reviews found to help you see what others think of the Iron Horse Mountain Bike review:
BikeRadar – 4 out of 5 average rating
Wallmart – 4 out of 5 average user rating
Depending on the bike, the cons might vary. Some users have complained that the low-end bikes are a little dodgy and they do not hold up, whilst others wish for the handlebars to be a little wider to accommodate larger users.
Pros
- Wide variety of different bikes for you to choose from
- Lightweight designs for ultimate functionality
- Reasonably priced compared to some of the elite brands
- Offers large 27-inch options for the heavier users
- Stylish designs on all the bikes will definitely turn heads
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- The cheaper options do lack some quality
- The handlebars might be a little narrow
The Breakdown – Benefits
Well balanced suspension system
Most of the bikes I tested for this Iron Horse Mountain Bike Review, came with perfectly balanced suspension systems. This made it extremely easy to navigate some of the tough terrains that nature can throw at you. Something like the Iron Horse Unity 3.2 27.5″ Men’s Mountain Bike is perfectly balanced and it is available in multiple different sizes to help you easily find the right one.
The suspension stands out for the way it does influence the quality of the peddling. Nothing can be more frustrating than losing balance due to uneven peddling and it is where Iron Horse has stepped up their game. However, you might not find the frame always working to your benefit on the lower-end bikes and this could be frustrating.
Overall Stylish Design
One thing that I have come to see in all Iron Horse bikes is the designs, and these designs are really stylish. The frames are mostly made from durable materials and these do hold up quite well when placed under pressure. This means that you will also have the addition of great durability when selecting one of these bikes.
The color schemes are what set it apart in terms of style and these bikes look great. You will have the option of choosing a different color if you feel the need, but it is worth keeping in mind that this will be extra. For a good stylish option, we would definitely recommend the Iron Horse Phoenix 1.1 27.5″ Mountain Bike that has been designed for both men and women.
Caters For Men and Women
Finding a decent mountain bike for female riders has always had me struggling and if you are looking for something designed specifically for them, you might need to search a little deeper. Fortunately, Iron Horse has designed bikes for male and female users. This makes it easier to buy a good quality bike for your wife.
The brand also loves the family dynamic and they do try to cater to families. The parts can be readily found if you need to replace something that might have broken off and you and your wife will be able to enjoy nature casually or even vigorously if you plan to do competitions. However, this might not be the best bike for pro competitions.
Versatility is key
One thing that we picked up with this brand is their idea of making everything versatile. The bikes are designed for multifunctional use and you can use them casually as you please. The Iron Horse Phoenix 1.2 27.5″ Mountain Bike is a great example of what is meant by versatility and you can use this bike on virtually any terrain you fancy.
Having versatility is generally related to a great drivetrain as well and this means that your bike can be used for all terrains. I like spending time with my family on the road instead of in the mountains from time to time. This is where a bike like this does make it possible to do so with the utmost ease.
Great Weight Limits
One of the toughest things to do is find a bike that will accommodate an extremely heavy rider. If you are on the heavier side, you might find yourself interested in the sport and it can also be a great way to get out of the house and lose a couple of extra pounds. Depending on the bike that you choose, the weight limit will be around 200-pounds. However, we have seen them hold users up to 275-pounds. If you are one of the heavier users, you should not be deterred. It is recommended that you simply stick to a larger wheel bike.
Affordability
Price is always an issue and we don’t always have thousands of dollars to spend on the best bikes. This is what makes Iron Horse such a great brand. The brand does offer good bikes at affordable prices. When looking at prices, we would not recommend buying a bike that is under the $400 mark. These bikes do not hold up as well.
With such great options and different bikes, Iron Horse will be a good brand for you to look for if you are breaking into the sport. The parts are readily available as mentioned and they do not require expert assembly either.
The Breakdown – Drawbacks
Narrow Handlebars
While they certainly do cater to the larger user, we have found the handlebars to be a little too narrow. If you are someone with wider shoulders, you might need to have a wider handlebar. Fortunately, these can be made additionally for your needs. The smaller riders might not have a problem and should have excellent comfort.
Frame Stiffness could be an issue
The frames are quite stiff on a couple of these bikes. This could be a little frustrating when you are navigating tough terrains. If you are looking for something that will get you through any terrain, these frames might not necessarily do it comfortably, but they will hold up. It is also worth mentioning that it can be hard to replace the frame. You might be better off testing one of their models to find out if it does meet your needs.
Bottom Line – Iron Horse Mountain Bike Review
It will be hard to say that Iron Horse is the perfect brand. They do have a couple of flaws that need to be dealt with. Nevertheless, we would recommend that you give the brand a shot. They offer some great quality bikes and their prices won’t blow you out of the park. With readily available parts, you will never find yourself sidelined for too long either.
We would like to thank you for reading this article. This Iron Horse Mountain Bike Review was designed to inform you about some of the features and drawbacks. We certainly hope that you have found it helpful and we would love to read some of your comments. If you have ever used the bikes, be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
