Overdrive 29erThe Overdrives big 29 inch wheels roll over stuff much easierThanThe smaller 26 inch wheels.There areTechnical explanations for whyThey do, but in plain english its just a lot of fun! Frame: Overdrive 29" Butted 6061-T6 Aluminum w/ FormedTop / DownTube, integrated Headtube, DB Snake Stays, replaceable hanger Fork: SR Suntour XCT MLO 100mmTravel; 28.6mm stanchions w/ mechanical lockout Components: SR Suntour XCT cranks; 22/32/42t Sealed Cartridge bottom bracket Shim
Weaknesses: Im a noob but seat moves and I already broke one pedal,
Bottom Line:
I love the bike I alternate between it and a fs cannondale, I enjoy almost every minute on the bike, but like I said I'm a noob so what do I know. I reccomendations it to my friends that want to get into mt biking, I also let people I ride with choose the bike they want to ride, just about every time they end up on the overdrive then the fs. That must say something about how it feels.
Strengths: Disk Breaks. Fat tires. Forks have a lot of travel and lock.
Weaknesses: Cheap Pedals. Saddle is as good as the pedals. Presta valves, I hate presta valves (personal, I know).
Bottom Line:
For the price, the bike is great.
If you already own it and your breaks squeek, as other reviews say, it is very possible your wheels are not clamped on straight. Flip over the bike, unclamp, and eye the gaps between the disk and the pads. squeek will go away.
As far as the derailers and gears, if anyone here finds a bike under 1k that shifts smoothly into every gear all the time, let me know..
Strengths: I am still trying to figure out what this bike's strengths are. So far I have not found one.
Weaknesses: Poor packing, arrived damaged, costumer service is a hit or miss, out of the box is a bike that needs a lot of work.
Bottom Line:
I am not sure if Diamondback sent me a lemon or this is generally how their products are shipped.
When I received the bike on the mail the box seemed in good shape, as soon as I started pulling components out of the box I noticed things were not right. Everything seemed nicely packed but the front wheel had a spoke bent and the nipple snapped in half. After inspecting the rest of the bike the rear derallieur hanger was bent so the chain actually hit the wheel.
Once I talked to costumer service (Tony was really nice and helpful) DB shipped me a new front wheel and a hanger. They new parts arrived a week after the bike arrived. I started by removing the tire from the damaged wheel, once I got to the disk brake (attached to 6 screws to the wheel hub), using the tool provided by Diamondback (torx wrench) the last screw stripped.
I had to pull a "grabit" bit out of my tool chest to remove the damaged screw. After that I attached the brake disc to the new wheel, installed tire and put everything back together.
I sat on the saddle and noticed that the headset was not perpendicular to the wheel so I had to adjust it.
So far I rode it only on street and it rides ok, it is hard to be objective after a frustrating experience with Diamondback and costumer service.
If you ever buy this bike make sure that you do so at a local bike shop where it can be setup properly and eliminate frustrations that should not come with a new bike.
Submitted by
witchdr77
a Weekend Warrior
from Oxford, michigan, U.S.A
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2012
Strengths: Price, frame on the 2012 has very little to no flex as the older frame did.Smooth looking design.
Weaknesses: Well, I to be honest I only kept the frame, headsey and seatpost.And put on all of my own parts(sram XO, Manitou, Race Face etc.) so I would have to comment that the Paint is CHEAP! I would put two coats of Clear finish on it after stripping the frame and its fine...But what come on it from the factory... CHEAP CHEAP CHEEEEAP paint... it's a shame becouse I like the 2012 colors.
Bottom Line:
For the price with the stock components its almost $125-250 cheaper, compared to Specialized Hardrock, Rocky Mountain Flare,Focus Black Forest,Motobecane with similar entry level components, make this a very appealing ride to either get started into mountain biking or check out all of the 29er hoopla! However......Diamondback is sold in BOTH LBS and Large Sporting goods stores( Dick's/Sports Authority). It IS to your advantage to check out BOTH for price comparison or price match.If its cheaper at the Big Guys then taking it directly to an LBS for PROPER assembly by a certified Park Tools Mechanic is worth and extra$30-60 more( for peace of mind). The Big guys have "techs" ( very very VERY FEW true mechanics)Some are true Mountain Bikers and do as well a job, but MOST are store trained.This can lead to poor assembly.Leaving your biking expirience a nightmare.
Submitted by
Nick Martin
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2012
Strengths: Decent entry level bike for the price, has disc brakes....
Weaknesses: DRIVETRAIN, brakes squeal, seat is very uncomfortable
Bottom Line:
I have had this bike for only 5 days and want Dicks to take it back so bad i can't even see straight. The bike road great for the price point the day i brought it home and that was it. I have ridden this bike 15 miles everyday since i purchased it on hard packed dirt roads only and i am less than satisfied with my decision to purchase this unit. (I don't trust its reliability to take it to the trails yet!!!!) I had some Dicks rewards and gift cards so i decided to buy a 29er from them, BIG mistake. While riding, the rear derauler decides to shift to whichever gear it choses. This has 8 speeds on the rear and can only reach 7 of them (If it decides to go to the gear you desire). The front setup won't even put the chain on the middle chain ring. Long story short, i tried to get Dicks to take it back today and they declined, saying that they would adjust it instead. After the "Adjustment", i will admit that it is able to shift better, however the chain now falls off repeatedly. I have lost all faith in this bike and its a shame because it seems to have some decent components for a great price. My recommendation would be to look elsewhere, maybe spend a few extra bucks and get something with a better drivetrain and maybe even hydraulic brakes and a fork lockout. I will be buying a Scott if i can convince them to give me a refund.
Weaknesses: Mid-range components- ample at the price.
Bottom Line:
After a couple weeks of daily riding, I'm liking this thing more and more every day. The fact that I only dropped 5 bills on it makes it that much sweeter. Less nimble than a 26, but almost luxury in the ride. It feels more like you are in the bike than on it and the control is great. Rolling over AZ rocky trails is near effortless- dare I say confidence inspiring? It is all one could expect from a $500 bike and much, much more. Completely pleased with this purchase. For a beginner or one who might be curious about a sturdy 29, you are in the bike affordably and I predict it will appeal to all but the most hardcore or downhillers. A great XC that carries smooth looks.
Submitted by
isra
a Weekend Warrior
from las cruces, nm, usa
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2011
Strengths: Strong all around bike
Weaknesses: None yet
Bottom Line:
Its a bad ass bike for the price if u can get ur hands on one do it had it for two years and haseny given me any problems I tide it two work 3-4 days out of the week and take it to the trails on the weekends repalced the brakes just cause I got them cheap not cause it needed. It get one and ride it like its ur last time rideing it can take a beating.
Bike Setup: Mostly stock just replaced the wire brakes for formula 1 hydraulic ones that will stop u on a dime with out hesitation
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
NinjaBkr
a Weekend Warrior
from Great Falls, VA, Fairfax
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2011
Strengths: Sturdy frame, good allround set-up, great price/benefit ratio
Weaknesses: seat slips a bit, bike is a bit "squeaky", lubricate it well
Bottom Line:
I am big dude: 6'1" and 270 lb. I was looking for a bike that I can throw around in the woods and on the local bike trails without worries. I ride for a long time but have taken a break. So, for me it was sort of a new start. I think this bike is a great "starter" bike and more. I think it's durable and rides well. Love the big wheels. I bought my wife the same - just a slightly smaller frame for the occasional bike trip together. Nothing has broken so far. My plan is to upgrade some of the components as they need replacement. I think the value is fantastic in the sub $500 price range.
Weaknesses: Bit heavy, but no heavier than models tested less than a grand.
Bottom Line:
Looked at many bikes and found this to be the best 29r for me. Many bikes I was shown were $1000 plus, but this does a beautiful job for $400. If your wanting to get into mountain riding and are not racing or bashing rocks, and want a bike that can carry a load in fishing or hunting this is a good choice. If you want to down hill and be very aggressive go past this and get a full suspension, lighter weight bike.
Submitted by
Johan van Zyl
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas (Garland)
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2011
Strengths: Price- best 29er value, great handling, great high speed cornering over bumpy terrain, stick so the trail like glue, good geometry and good fit, smooth ride, strong solid bike, gives the rider a feeling of confidence, fun to ride.
Weaknesses: Brakes are ok but could be better, a touch heavier than some of the other bikes but that goes with strength and reliability. Tires wear a little fast for my liking so I only ride dirt which makes them last much longer. Front brakes started screaming after a while due to residue but sanding the brake pads solved this problem.The seat post also slips if not very tight.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. I have not had this much fun in a long time. I even got my wife one. Paying attention to the tuning of this bike makes a huge difference to the way that it rides. I would highly recommend lubricating the drive train and derailleurs with Tri Flow oil. Also oil the shifter cables and brake cables. Youtube has many handy videos showing you how to do it in about 10 minutes. It will make braking and shifting much smoother and reduce cable stretch which will reduce readjusting the shifters etc over time. I am 6' tall and weigh 210 pounds and this bike fits me like a glove. Tire pressure also makes a huge difference to the way these bikes handle. I have found that 35psi on the back tire is good all round pressure to prevent tire rollout from under the rim in turns and it also provides the perfect combination of rolling resistance and grip. I run my front tire at 15 psi which has a great effect on the way that the front wheel handles tight turns and bumpy terrain. The difference in tire pressure between the front and rear wheels equal out due to the fact that most of the weight of the rider is on the rear wheel. These bikes are awesome.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale, Felt, Raleigh and Trek
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
R Hands
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2011
Strengths: Cheap, lifetime warranty on frame
Weaknesses: Brand isnt respected, lower end parts
Bottom Line:
I ride trails about 40 miles a week
I am one of those people who does a stupid amount of research before purchasing stuff. My budget was $2K and I spent $400, that should say something. Compare Specialized and other brands at the lower end and you'll see the parts are EXACTLY the same as what is on here but the bikes will be $6-700.
For my area, I determined full suspension didnt make sense and 100mm travel is plenty. Even if some parts dont last quite as long as high end components will, replacing as they break w high end components will still put me out ahead financially and with a nicer bike than those with a 29er of any other brand.
Bike Setup: Stock except for some different pedals - for trails the stock pedals aren't cutting it
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
matt.bedsaul
a Weekend Warrior
from Bel Air, MD, US
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2011
Strengths: Solid, relatively light weight frame. Overall sturdy feel and good looks. Love the ability to lock out the forks. Seems like a great bike for the $$, and as others have said, worthy of future upgrades if needed.
Weaknesses: Curious how the SRAM shifter will hold up over time. So far, although pretty noisey, the brakes have solid stopping power, even when wet.
Bottom Line:
Was lucky enough to catch this bike on sale for $399 and with shipping to my local Performace Bike shop, paid no shipping. For just getting into riding for exercise and wanting to stay off of roads, my Overdrive seems like a great deal. If at the reg. price of $499, seems like one of the best deals out there.
Submitted by
aa240sx
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego , CA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2011
Strengths: Purchased 2010 pro model - Great product mix for the price. Granted I got a smokin deal but to get a Rock Shox Reba at this level is unheard of. Avid bb5 mech brakes are very strong, Rolls smooth for a 29er.
Weaknesses: SRAM X5 is passable, definitely prefer a dual trigger mech. Weight can be an issue, WTB Prowlers a waayy too much tire for this bike.
Bottom Line:
To be perfectly honest, I bought the bike for it's parts to place on a much better frame. That said, I actually rode around on the bike for a few weeks and it grew on me. This is my first 29er rig and so far am very impressed with it. Definitely not as nimble as 26ers, but it does feel quicker. I got the XL model and with me at 6'00 tall, standover height is non-existent. Anyway, I posting this review up for anyone that is looking for a decent entry into the 29er market. I can't say there's a better bike out there and prices for these models are well under 800 discounted at many retail stores, like Sports Authority, Sport Chalet or in my case, Bass Pro Shops.
Bike Setup: Bone stock Overdrive Pro includes SRAM X5 drivetrain, Rock Shox Reba SL fork, WTB all terrain 29 inch rims, WTB prowler tires, Avenir seat, seatpost, stem and bar, KMC chain, Truvativ 5d power spline cranks, Avid bb5 mech brakes.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
MKennedy
a Weekend Warrior
from Boise, Id
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2010
Strengths: Price, components are comparable to entry level 29ers costing $900-1200. Good bike for larger rider.
Weaknesses: rear brake was squeaky for the 1st 300 miles after that it is good.
Bottom Line:
very nice bike for the money. The 29ers roll very well. When trail riding they flow over terain easier.
