Submitted by
bryantaber
a Weekend Warrior
from Southeast, Mass
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2011
Strengths: This is for just the Mission frame. I bought the frame for 400.00 practically new. I upgraded from the Float R to the RP2 w/ lockout and added a 6inch RS Revelation 150mm for the front. The bike pedals so unbelievable. My previous bike was a Giant Trance 4.2 inch travel. This bike pedals just as good as the maestro suspension. After I added some Iodine wheels to lighten the centifals spin and the overall weight, this bike really came alive. I LOOOOVE riding this bike now. I have opted out of some DH trips to do some trail riding. Very agressive on the downhills and bike is such a great climber now. Get the lockout options if you have the oppurtunity. Makes a big difference.Also if you can get a hydraulic seatpost. I use the air charged command post. sort of a long frame so I use a 60mm stem instead of the 70/90mm they come with stock. More agressive for the decents.
Weaknesses: Just a little flexy in the rear. Tends to be a little noisey with the chain slap.
Bottom Line:
I looooooove this bike as a frameset then built up with my own choice of parts. Great value. These frames are almost identical to the much more expensive commencal meta 5.5. The meta and mission are almost identical in terms of performance. My buddy has one. He paid 4500.00 for one whereas the Mission msrp is about 2100.00 specd he same.
Bike Setup: Mission w/ RP2 w/ lockout. Revelation 150mm, Iodine wheelset, Command post. Gamut p-20 single ring 32t, shimano xt hydro m755/800 brakeset. XT crankset.
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Submitted by
RedBack
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Cruz
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2011
Strengths: Price, front and rear shocks.
Weaknesses: wheels: bent on my 5th ride
stem: striped out on my 3rd ride
chain: lasted 6 months
rear tire: not much grip in anything but packed dirt or assault, but good for climbing.
Bottom Line:
This being my first mountain bike i love it. It climbs, it descends, it grips, it corners, and it soaks up jumps and drops. Worth the money i paid for it, but i regret not getting the mission 2, because as i broke things i ended up building a mission 2, but i have no lock out on the front fork. despite that i love the bike, and grow to love it more and more as my ability grows i keep being surprised as what the thing can take and how much i can push.
Bike Setup: sun dj wheel set, race face stem, easton monkey light DH carbon bar. ODI lock on grips. sram 971 chain.
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Submitted by
grantw9066
a Weekend Warrior
from Sanger, Texas, USA
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2010
Strengths: Sweet suspension design. Very good climber for the travel and weight. Awesome descender! Decent spec except for the wheels, but I guess they had to save money somewhere.
Weaknesses: Stock Wheels are crap! No eyelets in the rims, spoke tension way too loose, and hubs felt like they were built without bearing grease. Toss the wheels quickly after purchasing. The weight is fine for an all-mountain bike, low 30's.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike! I have never felt this confident when riding. Highly recommended all-mountain design, great pedaler, even better descender.
Similar Products Used: Giant Warp DS, Gary Fisher Cake DLX, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR
Bike Setup: Upgraded to Sun Singletrack Wheeels, everything else stock. Fox Vanilla R, Hayes Stroker Ryde, Sram X5/7 components, Fox RP2, Prowler MX tires.
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Submitted by
Traileddy
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2010
Strengths: Bike frame is very well built and sturdy. Knuckle box suspension offers great low center of gravity and handles great downhill.
Weaknesses: A little an the heavy side. However swipe out some components to lose some weight.
Bottom Line:
Great price for what you get, but I wanted to customize this bike for my riding purposes. My mission can take tough hits on the trail and offers a generous 6 inches of travel front and rear. I wish DB would offer different built kits and colors for the frames like other companies due. Overall I'm pleased with my purchase and how the bike handles.
Bike Setup: Upgraded with 2011 Fox Talas 150mm RLC, Roval all mountain wheels with DT Swiss internals, and of course Avid Elixir CR Mags and a few other odds and ends......handlebars, pedals, grips, seat post clamp etc.......
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Submitted by
bikeguy22
a Cross Country Rider
from NOVA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2010
Strengths: climbs well, great control going down, fast, fun...
Weaknesses: a bit heavy but it's a diamondback. frames are just heavier, so is life
Bottom Line:
i love this bike. cheers to db for an awesome machine. this bike is alot of fun to ride and soaks up drops and jumps. it climbs well and i have been able to lighten it up some. going down is a blast. stock setup is great for the money. i've put some good money into it but itis well worth it. happy they went with the fox over the rock shox. love the knucklebox susp. platform!! no brake jack under hard braking. i would recomnd this bike to anyone looking to get into FS bikes, also to anyone looking for a great backup. get out and have a blast with this thing.
Bike Setup: van 32 fork, fox RP2 rear shock, easton monkeylite xc bars, easton havoc stem, race face evolve dh crank w/ drive platform peddals, azonic outlaw wheels, wtb weirwolf tires, hayes strokers, x9 shifters/ RD, sram 980 cassette, 971 chain, race face deuce seatpost
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Submitted by
ifstewart
a Weekend Warrior
from Honolulu
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2010
Strengths: Price, Frame
Weaknesses: Stock components are weak, but it is an entry level bike
Bottom Line:
A decent starting place if you're not sure if you are into mountain biking. I have broken or bent just about everything stock on the bike, but I kick the crap out of it regularly. I am totally happy with it, I don't mind upgrading parts as I break them because I feel like the frame is worth it. I ride with other people on different makes and I have no problem keeping up with anyone. I even raced in in a downhill, but I don't recommend that (it can't keep up with a true downhill bike, you will hurt yourself if you try). Overall, this is a great value, I am super stoked that I bought it, and I recommend it to anyone who is on a budget or is unsure if they want to get totally into mountain biking!
Bike Setup: Shimano SLX Cranks, Rockshox Team Dual Air, Specialized Command Post, ODI Lock ons
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Submitted by
shawn votruba
a Weekend Warrior
from grand junction, colorado, u.s.a.
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2010
Strengths: this bike climbs like a hardtail, corners on rails, and descends like a beast
Bottom Line:
with this bike i have won a few all mountain races but it will also climb with the hardtails, take 7 foot wheelie drops, compete on a slopestyle course, and just kill the competition everywhere. its a fast bike that can take anything. you should buy it if you like bikes that feel nicely raked out but you want something that climbs like mad also.
Bike Setup: fox van 36 fork, dhx 5.0 shock, Mavic crossmax wheelset, easton monkeylite dh bars, xo short cage, hammerschmidt am, holzfeller stem
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Submitted by
nath69
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney Australia
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2010
Strengths: Well Balanced bike, felt very comfortable and stable on any technical trails, Good stand over, Looked good.
Weaknesses: Short factory seat post. Low BB causing cranks to hit rocks occassionally - change riding style. Huge forces on frame where knuckle box pivits.
Bottom Line:
Loved this bike for all mountain use.
Sadly the frame cracked where the Swing arm (see knucklebox pivot) is mounted to frame. Hoping warranty claim comes through but sadly may not be able to get Mission frame through current importer.
Similar Products Used: Haro, Raceline, Norco VPS, Raleigh Ram XT3500.
Bike Setup: Factory until parts break (except seat post).
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Submitted by
eshullett
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas, NV (us)
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2009
Strengths: So far everything but the fork. I did watch a friend go down hard and brake off the brake lever.
Weaknesses: The tora 302 is not I say again is not made for any kind of jumps or drops. Other then that nothing, now just upgrading things to shave some weight.
Bottom Line:
I am very happy with this bike. Its strong and can take a beating(not the fork). If you are new to f/s bikes this is a good bike to buy and upgrade as you go. The bike has good handling and is smooth(after you change the fork).
Submitted by
X_er
a Weekend Warrior
from Newhall, CA
Date Reviewed: October 15, 2009
Strengths: Bought as frameset only (came with headset and Fox Float R shock). Besides the great price, I bought this frame for it's overall great reviews from publications and owners. Everything said is true. A fantastic handling all mountain/X-country handling bike that can hold its own while decending a moderate downhill. DB did its homework on this frame design. While it soaks up the hits with its low center of gravity and moderate 6 inch travel suspension hardware (rear), it's still a descent climber. A nice looking package that I would highly recommend.
Weaknesses: Weight is the only thing I can thick of. BUT, for a mass-produced frame, that's such a small issue. And it's one that you really don't feel when riding it.
Bottom Line:
It soaks up the hits with its low center of gravity and moderate 6 inch travel suspension hardware (rear), it's still a descent climbing and x-country bike. A nice looking package that I would highly recommend!
Bike Setup: DB Mission 1
XT 8-Speed
Truvativ Fire X GXP Crankset 170mm FIREX
Nashbar Platform/Clipless combo pedals
Mavic Cross Ride Wheelset
Kenda 2.35
Hope Saw-tooth Floating Rotors, 183mm/160mm
KORE Carbon Fiber Stem/Bars/Seat Post
Fox Float RLC 32 140mm
Fox Float R Shock
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Submitted by
LynnMAmtnbiker
a Weekend Warrior
from Mssachusetts
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2009
Strengths: Looks great
Great on descents
Climbs well for the travel.
I use it for downhill quite a bit and have had nothing but positives.
comes with great parts..
Weaknesses: weight.. 34 lbs.. has its advantages on downhill it eats up the descents and handles any terrain with ease.. but when not at the MTB park it can be a little heavy on climbs.. i dont really have any complaints but i could see where a little lighter bike would benefit me in the back woods climbing etc. i would not want it too light however. definitely worth a demo dont let the weight turn you away. i love this bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike will blow your mind and especially for the price, the stock setup is great.. i keep thinking i want to change something out of boredome but have no complaints or reasons to do so. I saw a couple of reviews that did not do this bike justice so i had to give it a proper review.. this bike is great i have had no issues with it i ride it quite a bit and quite hard. I use it at the park for downhill as well as in the local woods and have no issue with this bike in either regard. love the way it looks as well.
Similar Products Used: A trek and a kona both demod.
Bike Setup: 2007 stock setup.
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Submitted by
back2ujim
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2009
Strengths: Super plush pedalable bike, affordable, Propedal shock, nice pivot hardware, durable wheels, Hayes hydro disc brakes, Deore/XT shifting.
Weaknesses: Overall weight, Rockshox TORA 318 fork, no shock lockout
Bottom Line:
This is a bike you can ride to the top of a mountain with enough left in the tank to take advantage of a frame that dares you to push it on the descents. In order for me to take advantage of this bikes Fox Propedal shock and actually ride this bike I had to get a longer post, as the stock one is pretty short, kinda silly not to advantage of the uninterrupted seattube. Pedals great seated, out of saddle gets mushy, but come on, six inch bike. The fork on mine started making horrible clicking sounds on my second ride. Rockshox crap. I have had terrible luck with their products and service over the years. I got a bro deal on a Fox(which all the new ones come with), and couldnt be happier. If you have the money, spring for the higher end models with lockout and a little less weight, but this bike can rip for under 2G.
Strengths: I have had this bike for a year and love it since the day I got it. Solid frame and solid suspension are great for really pounding down north eastern trails. Climbs well and the Kenda Nevegal 26" 2.3 tires handle the shale rock and slippery trails well. You can really bomb around corners on this bike.
Weaknesses: A little on the heavy side, but if i was not looking to work I would not be biking. I wish the 2007 model had Fox front suspension like the newer models, but the Tora still gets the job done.
Bottom Line:
Frame & Fork
Frame Construction TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material Butted/Hydroformed Aluminum
Fork Brand & Model Rock Shox Tora 318, 130mm
Fork Material Steel/aluminum, single crown
Rear Shock Fox Float R, 6"
Components
Component Group Shimano Deore
Brakeset Hayes Sole w/7" rotor front/Hayes Sole w/6" rotor rear brakes, Hayes Sole levers
Shift Levers Shimano Deore
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore, top swing
Rear Derailleur Shimano LX
Crankset TruVativ Blaze 3.1, 22/32/44 teeth
Pedals MTB Alloy Platform
Bottom Bracket TruVativ Powerspline
BB Shell Width Unspecified
Rear Cogs 9-speed, 11 - 34 teeth
Chain SRAM PC-971
Seatpost Easton EA30, 30.9mm diameter
Saddle WTB Pure V Sport
Handlebar Easton EA30 riser
Handlebar Extensions Not included
Handlebar Stem Easton EA30
Headset 1 1/8" threadless Zero Stack
Sette XE Curved Alloy Bar Ends (after market)
Wheels
Hubs Front: Alloy w/CNC Disc Mount, Rear: Alloy Disc Cassette w/CNC Disc Mount
Rims Sun Ditch Witch
Tires 26 x 2.30" Kenda Nevegal
Spoke Brand Stainless steel, 14ga. (2.0mm)
Submitted by
DavidNeiles
a Cross Country Rider
from Chattanooga, TN
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2008
Strengths: This is a good bike to start with for the money, Yes it is heavy but you are getting good parts for the price. The frame and rear shock is the same of the mission 2( I Own one). The bike will get you into all mountain riding and you can upgrade parts and make it what ever your dream is. (For the guys below) who had issues with paint scratches and other crap. WTF. I understand shipping issues, but get real. (200+ lbs in the rear shock and you weigh as much as me 155lbs!! try to use about your weight in psi, I use 150 psi and weigh 155lbs) I use all my travel and it is plush and not too soft. I mean if you say you work at a bike shop and have actual experience, you must be having bad luck or a case of the stupids, I am just saying, If you scratch your bike that much you are just not taking good care when riding or maintain your bike, I have not had any issues with paint since I pro-dealed mine in april 08, I have been riding it several times a week for months, And being a experienced mechanic for 10 yrs and selling Raleigh and Diamondback for years, They have a good rep and take care of all my shop's and customer's warrantys like I was family. DB is a good company on the rebound and will be a force to to recon with in yrs to come.
Weaknesses: Just weight really, 34 lbs. Can't beat the price!!Frame would be hard to break. 5 yrs warranty on frame!!
Bottom Line:
Buy this bike if you don't have 2G's to spend and want a bike to do it all. XC, Downhill, whatever
Be ware of haters. Represent DB. You'll love the stable amazing handling!!! sorry 4 chilis for weight. But good buy for the money again.
Submitted by
Joe H.
a Cross Country Rider
from Bakersfield, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2008
Bottom Line:
I work in the bike dept and am having a huge issue with this bike. I had two M-1's, a 19" and a 17", both right out of the box with the exact same problem. The boxs were soaked through with oil from the fork and the rear triangle was bent. The rear wheel was so far over the the sidewall of the tire was dead center with the seat tube. The boxs were undamaged and after speaking with diamondback and rockshox I found out that diamondback new they had a batch of bad forks and never sent out any notice or recall. They wouldnt let me email pics of any of it. They didnt care. They tried to fight warrantying them even. Having been fed up with diamondbacks India made freewheels on there cheap Outlooks, I am very disappointed with there whole line up. We have even more problems with the Dart 3 fork on the overdrive 29er. Rockshox is paying to have the forks replaced and shipped to us...Diamondback still wont help us.
