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Iron Horse Transit 3.0 Adult Flat-Bar Commuter Bike | 
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| Brand: Iron Horse
Category: Sports
List Price: $699.99
Buy New: $398.99
You Save: $301.00 (43%)
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 60069
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
ASIN: B000W8NITA
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| Features:
| • | Flat-bar commuter bike with semi-compact road frame and carbon fork | | • | Shimano R-225 EZ-Fire gear system for precise shifting | | • | Tektro road brakes, flat alloy handlebars, and Shimano brake lever | | • | Selle Italia X2 saddle with adjustable seatpost; Vittoria Zaffiro tires | | • | Weighs 23.5 pounds; Shimano front and rear derailleurs |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Expanding on Iron Horse?s popular Triumph flatbar model from 2006, the new Transit line combines the fast feel of Iron Horse?s Triumph road bikes with the versatility of a flat handlebar and wider tires. Perfect for commuters needing an alternative to $3.00 gas or fetching the Times and a latte on Sunday morning.
Amazon.com Product Description
Expanding on Iron Horse's popular Triumph flat-bar bike, the Transit line combines the fast feel of the company's sleek road bikes with the versatility of a flat handlebar model. The bike is perfect for commuters who want an alternative to expensive gas, or for riders who need an ultra-reliable city bike for getting around town. Specific features include a semi-compact road frame with a 1.12-inch integrated head tube to increase acceleration and minimize vibrations in the seat, a Selle Italia X2 saddle with an adjustable seatpost, Shimano front and rear derailleurs, Tektro road brakes, and a Shimano R-225 EZ-Fire shifting system. Specifications
- Frame: Semi-compact road frame with 1.12-inch integrated head tube
- Fork: Carbon with alloy steerer
- Handlebar: Flat alloy, 31.8 mm
- Stem: Alloy, 31.8 mm clamp
- Headset: Integrated alloy
- BB: Sealed cartridge
- Crank: FSA CK-400TTT
- Rings: 52/39/30T steel
- Pedals: Wellgo alloy with toe clip and strap
- Chain: KMC Z-72
- Saddle: Selle Italia X2
- Seatpost: Alloy micro adjust
- Front hub: Alloy QR, 32H
- Rear hub: Alloy QR, 32H
- Front derailleur: Shimano R-443-A, 31.8 mm clamp
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Tiagra
- Shifter: Shimano R-225 EZ-Fire
- Cassette: SRAM PG850, 12/26T 8 speed
- Brakes: Tektro road, R356
- Rim: WTB Freedom FR-01
- Spoke: 14G stainless
- Tires: Vittoria Zaffiro, 700 x 28c
- Size: 47 cm, 50 cm, 52 cm, 54 cm, 56 cm, 58 cm, 61 cm
- Color: Tan satin
- Weight: 23.5 pounds
Amazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide
Finding the Right Bike
To really enjoy cycling, it's important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're in the market for a new bike: The Right Ride
In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories: - Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels, and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
- Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing, and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
- Comfort/Cruiser Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.
The Right Price
A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability. - Entry-level--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
- Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you're looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the "sweet spot." Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
- High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultralightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.
The Right Size
Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips: - Stand-over Height--To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
- Top Tube Length--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half, and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike's posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
- Bikes for Women--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.
The Right Accessories
When you make a bike purchase, don't forget these crucial add-ons: - Helmet (this is a must!)
- Seat pack
- Lock
- Hydration pack, or water bottle and bottle cage
- Spare tubes
- Portable bike pump
- Gloves
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 good commuter bike September 25, 2008
ameliabedelia (Washington DC)
I purchased this bike over a month ago as a commuter bike, I am doing a 27 mile route to work and school on the days I bike commute. So far I am happy with the bike though the seat is a bit hard. I am a 5'3" woman and got the 52 inch frame, which is probably an inch too tall for me but the price was right! The bike is pretty fast, which is what I was looking for. On a downhill, it can easily go about 25 mph. The handlebars are not soft. Before this bike I was riding a mountain bike with slick tires, and so I was looking for this style of road bike rather than the bikes with the dropped handlebars. It is ok for riding in traffic since the posture is more upright than a road bike but lower than a mountain bike or hybrid. The bike has a carbon fork and aluminum frame so it is quite light. It is easy to pass most other bikers on the bike trail on this bike, except for those who are riding on true road bikes and racing bikes. I chose this bike over a racing bike because the tires are a bit wider which allows for more traction on rainy days.
Also the other review was correct about the egg beater pedals being shipped with the bike. I just switched them out with another pair of regular pedals. I haven't had any problems with the brakes on the bike. One other modification was that the seat post was several inches too long for my height, so my boyfriend had to saw off several inches of the post with a hacksaw to lower it. Also the handlebars are not adjustable like some other bikes of this style. Still, it is a great bike for the price, I shopped around and went to several bike shops and I feel that I got the style of bike I wanted for several hundred dollars less.
A good bike September 9, 2008
Jeff M (Maine)
This is a good bike for the price. Most bicycles with these specs I looked at start at $800. It's very light and the carbon fork handles the bumps well. I would have given it five stars however I did have to tinker with the shifting cables to have it working smoothly out of the box. I would still purchase the same bike. Amazon.com as always is great!
 The IronHorse is just what I needed August 31, 2008
Biker Pete (Central Coast CA)
As a replacement for my previous line of "drop handlebar" road bikes, Ironhorse filled my needs exactly. The alloy frame and carbon-fibre forks keeeps the ride smooth without unnecesary weight penalty...this is a light bike!. Gears and easy shifting is just as I need for up or down hills. The 700x28 wheels are more comfortable than on my racing bike but without ANY noticable drag - which I was concerned about.
I had to replace the supplied clip-in pedals (not as advertised) but got an adjustment from Amazon...A Good bike, glad I choose it, excellent service and delivery from Amazon
Excellent Value in a Road Bike; Not an Upright-riding Hybrid August 31, 2008
Curtis Woodcock (Portland, OR USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a bike shop quality bike with good components and a great value in the $300 to $400 range. I took it out for a 25-mile ride and here are my conclusions: 1) It's a nimble, fast, nicely-balanced road bike with a great high gear of about 120 gear ratio (a good, fast downhill bike) and a low gear of about 32 gear ratio (adequate for moderate climbs or even steeper for a strong biker). It does not have the super-low gears of a hybrid bike with a 28T or smaller front sprocket and a 32T large rear sprocket; 2) It's perfect if you like a "medium" riding position. The stem is not upward-adjustable without having to insert a spacer or replacing the stem with one that is more upward-sloping. IE, it offers the same riding position as holding the upper horizontal part of drop bars; 3) The flat handlebar is oversized and you CAN find lights and other accessories that will fit it -- they just have to say on the packaging that they will fit an OVERSIZED bar, which is 31.8 mm; 4) I e-mailed Iron Horse and asked them would it void the manufacturer's warranty (5 years frame, 1 year components) if I did the final assembly myself and they said yes -- so have a certified bike shop do it (costs about $65 to $100 depending on the shop) and provide a receipt IF you want to preserve the manufacturer's warranty; 5) the brakes are adequate if properly installed but you probably want a better brake pad if you plan on doing the higher speeds that the bike is capable of; 6) I am 5'8" barefoot and 5'9" with running shoes and a 29" inseam and the 52 CM bike is a perfect fit for me; 7) mine was shipped with the clipless pedals and Amazon.com compensated me for buying a decent-quality pair of alloy/steel road petals. Because of the semi-compact (shorter lengthwise) frame and fairly long cranks on this bike, clipless pedals are a real bad idea on this bike anyway since the toe of your shoe will hit the tire when you turn the handlebar sharply, especially if you wear a large shoe size. It's ok with my new pedals and running shoes.
If you want a nice road bike with a medium riding position then go for it! If you want a hybrid type of commuter with a more upright riding position then this isn't your bike. For my purposes -- a decent quality road bike for fun and fitness -- it's an awesome buy. The bike is on a par with most $700 to $850 road bikes.
Great Bang for the Buck! August 14, 2008
C. Lee (New York, NY)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought the 54cm Iron Horse Transit 3.0 just several days ago for commute, around town errands, and fitness purposes to ride along the lake shore here in Chicago. I was really unsure about sizing and was debating the 52cm or 54cm, but from reading all the entries about Iron Horse road bikes, I decided on the 54 and it fits me great. I'm about 5'9.5" with a 30 inch pant inseam.
Amazon free shipping was great and the bike arrived in 2 days, however the box it came in was a little beat up. Putting the bike together took me about 1.5 hours, but most of that time was taken trying to figure out how to assemble the front brake. I haven't taken the bike out for a spin yet, but from visual inspection the rear wheel is out of tru, the brakes need more adjustment and the front derailleur could use a little adjustment. Also as mentioned above, the bike comes with Crank Brothers Smarty Clipless pedals and not the Wellgo pedals. I just emailed Amazon regarding this and hopefully they can get me some new pedals. I don't have riding shoes.
This bike is a great bang for the buck. I was shopping other flat bar commute road bikes like the Trek FX 5.5 or 5.6, Fuji Absolute 1.0 or 2.0, Cannondale Road Warrior 2, and Giant FCR all ranging from 750 to 900 dollars. At a little over 300 bucks for the Iron Horse, it can't be beat. Now I have almost enough money left over to pick up the 54 cm Iron Horse Victory 3.0!
Also, the frame color (matte tan) and branding is very non-descrip, so hopefully this bike won't be a target to thieves like other more well known brands. I like the matte finish, but would have preferred a matte black or matte white, which would look very sharp!
Hope this was helpful to people debating this bike. I will update with more information after several rides.
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