Iron Horse Bicycle Company, Inc. Triumph

Price Paid:  $539.00 at bicycle bananas

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
procrastinating pedalers

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
i use this bike for club rides triathlons and commuting. it works great for all three. cannot stress the importance of getting the right fitting bike and getting it fit right. ive been able to do 1-2 hr workouts without pain when i use to experience low back pain after 20 minutes expecially when climbing. This bike climbs like a champ and is great for flats, havenot done alot of downhills yet i did get a little wobble from the carbon fork when doing over 40 mph in the pyramid lake triathlon on a downhill section. but just changed my position and it went away

Strengths:
stiff light good fit im 6,2 with a 34.5 standover its a 61 cm

Weaknesses:
front deralier drops chain everyonce in a while. had the shop try to adjust but may have to again.

Similar Products Used:
specialized rock hopper specialized fsr comp , schwin 1979 letour iv. test rode a secialised base allez and giant ocr 1

Price Paid:  $450.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2004

Bike Setup:
Stock except for Ritchey clipless.

Summary:
I've been mtn biking for a number of years and have heard that road riding is great for conditioning. Also, my wife bought a road bike in the fall and I thought it would be good to spend more time riding with her. Anyway, I was looking for an entry level bike and after checking out many, found this one for a good price. My wife's mtn bike is an Iron Horse so we know how well they're built.

Strengths:
It's reasonably light, has the latest shifter/brake combo (plus extra brake handles on to of the bars), carbon fork, is very comfortable even on long rides, and is built with typical Iron Horse quality. A great value.

Weaknesses:
None so far that I've noticed.

Similar Products Used:
I looked closely at a Fuji Ace and a Windsor Bristol

Price Paid:  $470.00 at Ebay and RScycles

Model Year:
2004

Favorite Ride:
Mill Creek Park and Sweet Corn challenge

Bike Setup:
Stock except for brooks saddle, vetta v100 and shimano 105 derailleurs

Summary:
I wanted to upgrade my wife and myself from mountain bikes to road bikes. We maostly ride rails to trails and enter bike tours, so our riding is on pave surfaces. I knew if we continued to ride as much as we did this summer that we would soon want to drop some serious cash on carbon fibre bikes. The Iron horse triumphs fit the bill for great entry level bikes. The price I paid will not leave me with regret when I get the bug to upgrade in a year ot two. As for these bikes, excellent paint and welds. We have the blue and in the sun the metal flake sparkles. I bought both mail order so I had to put them together. 15 minutes ready to ride and another 15 to adjust the derailleurs followed by 15min to true rear wheels. These are reasonably lite. My 54" is about 23 pounds with my heavy brooks saddle. These are as quick and responsive as 2005 trek 1000's I rode and at a 400 dollar savings for 2 bikes. I love the extra brakes levers on the tops of the bars, they work great when casually riding off the hoods or out of the drops. I used the saving to by shimano 105 derailleurs for both and the shifting has become more crisp and precise the the original sora ones, a great upgrade for 55 bucks front and rear. The wheels are alex RPD15 seam to roll smooth.

Strengths:
Solid frame, nice paint and welds. Oversized stem and bars, extra break levers, The value when purchased from mailorder.

Weaknesses:
Rear wheels were a little out of true out of the box.

Similar Products Used:
trek 1000, specialized allez