Strengths: Im 6'8", was 425 pounds when i bought the overdrive 29er XL22" frame. I was told i was too big to ride any bike, but the point for this bike was to lose weight. 5 weeks in 390 pounds now, and probably 200 miles on the bike at least. Its held up to my weight and my riding it through mountain single track, regular dirt road, sand, street the double wall rims really help being my size i still havent bent a rim from diamondback which i was told would "taco" on me in a week easy its definitely taken a good beating from me and its really held up
Weaknesses: i dont really have any complaints
Bottom Line:
I really love the bike for a begining bike and would recommend it for the price its a great buy
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Submitted by
Ricardo
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2012
Strengths: Nice frame layout and paint,top class fox fork.
Shimano SLX components are bullet proof.
Weaknesses: 3x10 drive train instead of 2x10 ( easy fix)
Bottom Line:
(Overdrive Pro) Nice control ride, first 29er ever, No problems at all on corners, very happy with it.
Overall the bike is excellent. When shopping my only requirement was disc brakes, this was the best deal on a entry level 29r that I could find at LBS's. I crossed over from Road biking and wanted something entry level, wasn't to sure if I was gonna like the whole MTB thing. I'm hooked!! The X4 components are nothing fancy, they do the job there intended for. I don't understand why they didn't complete the group with an X4 front derailleur instead of the Shimano. The 11t-32t cassette ration could be better, I don't like the 5t & 6t jump in the big gears. The cranks set works but is not up gradable, the middle and small rings are riveted together. IMO the forks are the only weak spot of the bike! Very flexible and bouncy as hell.
Had the bike all but 2 months before I crashed it in to a tree.
The crash was not hard but the frame bent.
The Suntour XCT forks that came on the bike was nothing but a glorified pogo stick not even suitable for any type of mountain riding.
All in all, the bike is good for trail and light mountain riding but not the bike you want if you plan on doing anything serious. By the time you finish upgrading the bike, you will have more in to it then a better bike would cost and still have a week frame.
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Submitted by
45ronin
a Cross Country Rider
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2012
Strengths: Great fork with tapered steering tube, 2013 Fox CTD is sick, frame is beefy and stiff, even with 135mm rear.
Weaknesses: No grease in the headset when new. The Chinese factories need a bit more QC before they box these up for the boat ride to the U.S.A.
Bottom Line:
I picked up a 2013 Overdrive Pro, size large. Great bike for the money. I paid under MSRP, but even at that, wouldn't budge a bit at asking price. You get a fantastic fork and SLX/XT gruppo. Very nice. The house brand components and wheelset are surprisingly good. I would rate them at the "Ritchey Comp" level. Sure, you could lose some weight with carbon fiber upgrades, but not much. The wheels are where it's at though and I'm going Industry Nine or Stan's to round this bike out proper like. The geometry is super dialed, as DB's been in the game longer than anyone on the production side. Props to the crew at DB, and with this bike I've converted to the DB4L crew.
The 2010 DB Overdrive is my first 29er and as a fatboy clyde, it has held up quite well. I am very pleased with my bike and recommend it for any beginner wanting to enter the 29er scene. Slap on some Serfas City Drifters (or any slick) and its a great ride around town. I even used it on a half-century road ride.
The fork is really the weakest link. A experienced rider that is more aggressive will want something better. The SRAM x4 danglies work well and shift when needed. The stock rims are pretty durable and I have not needed to true them yet even under my 290lb fat posterior running thru rock gardens and over roots. I am not an aggressive XC rider and take no shame in HAB in areas that just might be out of my skill level.
This bike has held up very well.
Similar Products Used: Trek, Mongoose, Specialized
Bike Setup: Stock with SPD, Forte saddle, ergon grips, and my old-school Onza bar ends.
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Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2012
Strengths: cheap/fork works/shifters seem to work/good color
Weaknesses: BB is complete junk, front tire was bent, requires a lot of tools (that i have) to get it going...
Bottom Line:
I bought mine online back in March (2012). I bought the orange one (the color being the reason) with v brakes. Right off the bat the front wheel was bent pretty good... After a few rides I also noticed the crank wasn't spinning very smoothly. Ripped that off (what a pain, almost didn't get it with a crank puller) and the BB was junk...probably the cheapest BB known to man. I replaced with a Deore that I got a good deal on. Other then that, I like the bike. The fit worked, the tires seem good, the fork works. Shifters/shifting needed a lot of adjustment, but now everything works "smooth"... Personally, I would stay away from this brand (i'll never buy a DB again), but for a few 100 bones, its a good way to get a 29er... Frames alone cost more then this. Just to add, 29 is the only way to go with bikes...they are very fast, very smooth...i never ride my other bikes anymore, they seem slow...even with the crappy wheelset on this bike, it still can cover ground quickly.
Similar Products Used: Many other hard tails, FS, roadbikes, etc...
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Submitted by
Tom
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2012
Strengths: Good looking bike that seemed to ride down the trail well. Comfortable ride!
Weaknesses: Components are to be desired. I guess what can you expect from a $500 bike...
Bottom Line:
Had numerous issues with the rear disc brake. Took it back to Dick's 5 times for adjustments. They finally replaced the bike due to a hairline crack in the weld that supports the brake assembly. I still had issues with the replacement. Had a hard time but I returned the bike for a refund.
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Submitted by
Diydave
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2012
Strengths: Extremely comfortable, Bike shop set it up, fits me to a Tee. great look, got a matching yellow bottle.Love it
Weaknesses: Front brake a bit weak, (maybe slight lube on it)
Bottom Line:
This bike is perfect for me, I have a Boardman with hydraulic brakes, nothing but problems with.
This 29er seems perfect for my needs, and is great value. well done Diamond back.
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Submitted by
Muttley
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2012
Strengths: Bike fit (personal), "best bang for you buck", local purchase (no online ordering needed), Diamondback history of quality bikes, its' a 29er!
Weaknesses: Required a lot of extra tuning of derailleurs and brakes after taking it home.
Bottom Line:
I had been looking for a new mountain bike for awhile, wanting to get back into the sport after being away for far too many years. Not wanting to break the bank, I was looking for an "all purpose" mountain bike that would be good to ride with the kids but also take me on the trail; I found that the Diamondback Overdrive 29er was the solution.
Purchased from Dick's Sporting Goods, and using a coupon, I feel as though I got a great deal for my purchase.
All though I needed to spend some time tuning the derailleurs, adjusting the brakes to keep from squealing, and adjusting the bike to fit me, I am very pleased overall with the Overdrive 29er.
Understandably some of the components are not high end, I know that when (or if) they do brake, I can always upgrade to a better part when that time comes. For now I get to go out and ride once again, and when it comes down to it that is what it is all about!
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Submitted by
Higgins
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2012
Strengths: Price, Adjustable fork, 29 inch tires, smooth ride. Super light.
Weaknesses: Hardtail, no rear suspension. Seat's uncomfortable after a while.
Bottom Line:
I just purchased this bike earlier today. I got it for a steal for 400 at a sporting goods store that had it marked wrong. It's my first MTB in quiet a few years and so far I'm very pleased with it. I took it out on a couple trails through the woods to get a feel for it. the took it out on the road. Ended up riding it 30 miles. It handled excellent on and off road. I'd wanted something with full suspension but for the money it was an impossible deal to turn down. Love this bike.
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.
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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.
