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Anyone know anything about these. Seen a 2009 vintage model
Seen a full saint equiped version with boxter team forks and deemax wheels for around 800 quid.
I know nothing about downhill bikes, would this be a decent option at the price? How would it compare to modern geo, ie is it nice and slack? Can I fit an angleset etc..
A friend had one and loved it but it developed play in the linkages like they all did (until the linkage revision). This is caused by an terrible bit of design and to sort out involved buying a new revised linkage that cost more (£300 rings a bell) than the frame was worth. We tried various bodges including purpose machined spacers but nothing solved it for long. I wouldn't buy one.
I also recall him having trouble getting a shock when he blew his. Maybe an odd size but it's been a while and I can't remember.
Just have google. There were loads of threads on various sites complaining about the same issue.
Known to be very racy and a pig to work on 'back in the day'.
You can probably get something to slacken it up, but you might be better riding it 'as is' at first if you're new to it.
2009 would have the revised linkage, so shouldn't have any issues, assuming someone has changed the bearings.
Standard 9.5x3 shock, so no issues there.
Considering how many of them there were at the races back in the day, they are a fairly tough old frame, not too many cracked. The early ones were a bit of a pain with the linkage issues. Pearce cycles used to sell replacement lower links which were fairly reasonable.
Check an angleset in one & it would be fine for 99% of people.
I had two Sundays back in the day.
They're excellent bikes to ride, especially for cornering and are ideal if you want to ride proper lift assisted downhill. You could use an angle set to slacken the front a bit but its not really necessary.
Maintenance would be the only issue. I never experienced a serious problem like the one mentioned above but bearings are always going to wear out. Whilst you can no longer purchase a bearing set from Ironhorse as they no longer exist, there are plenty available on ebay or from Pearce Cycles. I actually managed to bend a linkage and BETD were able to make me a replacement. The shock is a nightmare to remove, think you have to remove the cranks to get at it.
So in summary, you wont find a better feeling bike to use on proper downhill tracks for that money. However it will be a bit of a ball ache when the inevitable maintenance is required.
If you can increase your budget I'd suggest looking at a YT Tues or the Canyon DH bikes that on sale at the moment, DH bikes take a lot of punishment so I personally prefer a lower end new bike rather than an old top of the range bike.
I think its a lot of bike for £800. Great fun. 65° HA if I recall correctly.
They are indeed a bit of a pain to work on though (although getting the shock out of mine is not a big deal - cranks on)
I'm not sure when the above mentioned 'linkage revision' was introduced but 2009 must be one of the later models (if not the last) so if a fix was introduced it should be on this bike??
I used to own a 2008 Factory one. I still have the frame - dont want to sell it. Do you know what model the 2009 is?
I slackened mine with a works components -2 degree headset and it made a significant improvement. I also added a ti spring and shaved the frame to make it fit! There is a ridemonkey thread somewhere which is dedicated to the Sunday.
Its a great bike and for 800 quid it would be a great start, but when I replaced it with a YT, I realised just how much dh bikes have come on since then as the YT is just a better bike.
Sam Hill
As above they had a reputation for being a PITA to maintain, later versions were better, but still, for £800 you could get something much newer. DH race bikes usually have a short but hard life, then get cast off so after 2-3 years tend to be worth peanuts.
I looked at them when I was looking for an older DH bike. There are a lot of options at £800. Have a look at pinkbike. Loads on there. I picked up a Spec Status for £700 in the end. If you really really want an Iron Horse then get the sunday, if you just want a DH bike then I would have a look at a few other options.
I had one of the first ones, way back when (2005 IIRC) and I absolutely adored it.
Ended up getting fed up of constantly replacing bushings, bolts and bearings though and traded it with a guy for a Turner DHR. That was a total waste as the Sunday was 10x the bike.
Loved to ride it, hated maintaining it, but would own one again if spares were still available.
I had one for a bit a few years ago, loved how it rode and yes it was a cornering demon.
If that's right about it having the revised linkage I'd certainly put it on the list.
Ended up replacing mine with a s/h Summum when the Sunday was out of action and I needed a DH bike quick for the Alps.
That made the Sunday feel like a trail bike by comparison! Not necessarily a bad thing of course.
They're getting a bit long in the tooth these days but given I barely ride DH anymore so it wouldn't get much wear and tear so I'm very tempted to pick up a low mileage minter at some point when one comes up. They just look so right with the almost double diamond frame it almost looks like a classic hardtail.
Factory with the Rockshox shock and revised linkage is favourite iirc - I'll have a black ano please. 😆
Hi tpbiker. I have replied to your for sale thread about the shifters. Please email me if they are still for sale. Thanks
There are loads of Nukeproof Scalp/Pulse 26 inch DH bikes on ebay for that kind of money currently....all slightly newer than a Sunday, slightly more modern geometry etc...i'd go there instead.
...or if you can stretch a bit Canyon have dropped the price on the Torque-DH bike to £1300 brand new...full Zee running gear and brakes. Rockshox suspension etc...nearly had me wielding the credit card last night, i think they're clearing out ready for a new 650b DH model.