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Submitted by
Charles
a Weekend Warrior
from Carson City, NV
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Tahoe Flume trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesmith | | Strengths: | I love this bike, it feels like my cheap hard tail that I ride when I don't want to take a chance of my nice expensive bike getting stolen. (never thought I'd spend this much for a bike, but like I said) and 100% better, lighter & faster. And the full suspension allows me to float over bumps like a cloud. | | Weaknesses: | Got rid of the tiny toothpick seat & funky peddles to suit my needs. would of been nice to have a similar rear disc brake as part of the package (like the x10, but couldn't stand that putrid lime green color) | | Bike Setup: | Left pretty much stock for now. | | Bottom Line: | I'm not as big or as avid bike rider as most, I love to ride when I get a chance, but don't live for it, so I don't know of all the plush, better & best components from one year to the next. The friend I was riding with told me I was a pretty good rider and could probably do better with a nicer bike. After looking at brochures and shopping around for a while, this is what appealed to me, and I'm not sorry in any way whatsoever. Value would of been better if I hadn't spent so much... live & learn. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jerry morrison
a Weekend Warrior
from s.san francisco
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | talbets | | Strengths: | bought new with all stock parts, riding it for 5 years, you will have to pry it from my dead cold hands. it jumps, drops off car roofs no problems, i am 230lbs this bike handles great. | | Weaknesses: | HEAVY. stock tire tubes to small, tires to big for rims a lot of pinch flats. formula cable disk in front. judy 100 front springs wore out fast. | | Bike Setup: | alex supra a-d pro rims, mova-toe hubs (20mm axle up front)
hayes hyd- 8" in front 6" in back, boxxer dual crown 6" in front- fox vinnela-r 5" in back, LT down hill bars, titec seat post, atomic lab stem, the rest is stock. | | Bottom Line: | i got a great bike for the price. parts wore out so i upgraded to better parts. if you like a bike that can do almost anything, with the right parts you can do major down hill, free ride, trail ride or what ever makes you happy. well maybe not too much hill climbing. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Georg
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Oswego, OR , USA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Banks Linear trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Sellwood Cycle Repair | | Strengths: | Low maitainance sealed bearings on four link rear suspension, very smooth ride, stable on high speed decents | | Weaknesses: | A bit on the heavy side (30 LBS) by todays standards | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn S-10 and Home Grown | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Black Comp 100/120 fork, Stratos HELIX Expert rear shock, 2003 XT crankset, XT Groupo, Mavic X517 32/36 spoke wheels, King headset, 747 pedals, Avid Arch Rival 4.0 brakes, Real levers, Shimano carbon rear brake booster, Panaracer FireXCPro 2.1 tires | | Bottom Line: | The Black Comp fork and the Stratos rear shock brings out the best in the suspension design. Much detail went into building this bike and the quality shows. The Pearl white paint is flawless. Just plan fun to ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Va
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Used | | Strengths: | Strong durable frame. replaceable bearings at all pivots. price. Good solid ride | | Weaknesses: | I put a 7' dual crown fork on the front and the seat angle is so slack it is hard to find a post that will allow the saddle to go flat. | | Bike Setup: | Jr. T , beefy wheels 70mm stem 6in rear Link... | | Bottom Line: | Great frame. Great price. If you freeride and can't afford the Intense SLX this is a good alternative. Great for shuttling and light DH. I am 100% happy with this bike. This frame was a real bargain and I doubt that we will see this much of a deal again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tommy C
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | China hole single track | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Trail Head Cyclery | | Strengths: | This bike has saved my life more then once in the foresty mountains. Excellent ability to go through and fall over huge drop offs and keep on track and keep on going. I swear sometimes I think this bike has a mind of it's only and I am just on for the ride! | | Weaknesses: | Well, it has been a while since I have serviced this bike or took it in to get serviced, and maybe I should, but I would think I could adjust the front disk myself. There is almost no stopping power in the front disk now. I tried adjusting it and I got the screwadjuster all the way out but that barely made a dent in the stopping powor or lack there of. For some reason I can't pull the cable through to reduce the slack. Maybe this is a good thing because I am flying threw the corners now. Another weakness to this bike is it's chassis flex. This might be contributed to the set up of the shox though. For such a heavy bike it is sure "twitchy". It wouldn't hurt it if the X6 had a longer wheel base to add some more stability to it. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamond back V6, and diamond back Accent. The V6 was fun the X6 is more fun! | | Bike Setup: | Boomer front forks, everything else stock | | Bottom Line: | When the sales guy at Trail Head Cyclery told me to run over one of those cement barriers you see in parking lots that stop vehicles from going into the next space ahead of them without lifting up the front end, I thought he was crazy. After I saw him do it, I gave it a shot. I thought I would be crazy for not owning this bike after I did. I didn't even feel the cement barrier! I can ride up curbs with out lifting the front wheel and I don't even feel it! I repalced those shox (Judy Downhills which have never been used and are for sale!) with some Boomers and going down hill fast over huge cliffs and big bolders, 'ain't nuting but a thing!" | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabe
a Weekend Warrior
from Boyertown, PA
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | French Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Private Sale | | Strengths: | Durability, looks like a lot of machining and welding, suspension works well, low maintenance, not too many of them out there which is kind of neat. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, I've ridden 5" travel bikes that seem plusher-although I don't have a problem with this one, just an observation | | Similar Products Used: | 97 SC Heckler, various test rides on similar 4 bar bikes | | Bike Setup: | Girvin Chubby Fork, Bontrager tires-seat-post, LP Composites DH Bar, Sachs Shifters. XTR 517 wheels, Avid brakes, Machine Tech Levers, 636 Pedals | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. I ride it and put it away. I can climb and DH better than I could with my Heckler or a Hartail. It's heavy, which I thought would be a problem, and now I don't care anymore. Instead of finessing a 24 pound, short travel bike that I have to maintain all the time, I throw this thing at rocks in the trail. It's more fun and life's too short to worry about being able to finesse your bike over rocks. Just go have fun on the damn thing and be happy your riding.
Other nice features:
I can increase the travel if I want. It was cheap and it is and incredibly strong frame with some real detail in parts (a lot of tube bending, gussets, machined pieces).
One thing I never though about is that it doesn't have the "horst link" although it does have a four bar linkage, so TECHNICALLY it's more of a swingarm bike; although the four bar probably affects what the shock feels. I'm curious if a true four bar makes a difference; but I don't miss it. Kona Stinky's are the same way and I liked them too. To me, this feels more smooth and controlled than my Heckler ever did. Maintenance is the same; almost none.
It's a keeper, especially for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Downhiller
from Westfield, MA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | plattekill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | This is a review of the frame only. Sealed bearings on all pivots, can be upgraded to 6" travel with DH linkage. Not to much flex, burly frame, good geometry. lightweight (7.5 pounds) for a 6" travel frame | | Weaknesses: | I'm 5'8" and i ride a small frame and still have almost no standover clearance. not enought room to mount a huge shock. brake jack. non standard rear disc mount, you must use a front caliper in the rear mount. limited seatpost height adjustment due to shock underneath it | | Similar Products Used: | diamondback vlink, gt lts, kona stinky and stab | | Bike Setup: | mr t, maxxis 2.5 and 2.7 | | Bottom Line: | Great frame if you can find the right price, i'd definately buy this again. this a great budget downhill ride. it is also strong enough to handle big drops and can be built up light enough for trail riding. I had it built with air shocks and flat bars at 32 pounds (still many heavy parts) now it is setup for full DH at 40 pounds | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alexander
a Downhiller
from San Anselmo, CA, US
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt.Tam | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Strengths: | BulletProof frame....EVERYTHING, Eventhough there are a few weaknesses, they are small and easy to overcome! | | Weaknesses: | Weight. The weight is a little to heavy, but if you are in shape it should be no prob. Also the rear shock doesn't get too much travel | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR, GT iDrive | | Bike Setup: | EnduroRaptor tires, Speedlight rims, Azonic handle bars, OURY grips, Rock Shox Judy XL tripple clamp, Specialized Deore XT Disks, Fox Vanilla in the rear, Specialized headset | | Bottom Line: | I LOVE THIS BIKE. IT IS PERFECT FOR MT.TAM! IT IS A LITTLE HEAVY, SO IT IS SOMEWHAT HARD TO GET UP, BUT IT IS FABULOUS ON THE WAY DOWN. ALSO PERFORMS GREAT AT DOWNIEVILLE! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SAK
a Weekend Warrior
from COLUMBUS, OHIO USA
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | REIBEL WOODS | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | BICYCLE ONE | | Strengths: | BULLETPROOF FRAME. PRICE TO COMPONENT SPEC CAN'T BE BEAT. RESPECTFUL CLIMBER. A TAD HEAVY 28.75 LBS W/ NO EXTRAS. HANDELING IS ABOVE AVERAGE IN ALL AREAS OF MTB. | | Weaknesses: | REAR END A BIT FLEXY. A TAD HEAVY. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-DRIVE, SPECIALIZED FSR. | | Bike Setup: | FACTORY STOCK. TOUGH TO BEAT | | Bottom Line: | I LIKE IT SO WELL I BOUGHT 2. I KEEP ONE AT WORK AND ONE AT HOME. ALSO I BOUGHT MY WIFE ONE. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MEmikeD
a Weekend Warrior
from BLYTHE,CA,USA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | cabin 89-BIG BEAR | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | BULLET PROOF FRAME | | Weaknesses: | SHORT HEAD TUBE, FALSELY ADVERTISED REAR TRAVEL,LOWER PIVOT ONLY ACCESSIBLE IF YOU PULL THE CRANK, KEPT LOOSENING EVERY 20 MI. UNTIL I ADDED BLUE LOC-TITE. | | Similar Products Used: | TREK Y-22, FSR | | Bike Setup: | TITEC BIG AL STEM 90mm x 25deg., race face riser bars, titec berserker DH seat. | | Bottom Line: | DBR ADVERTISED 5" REAR TRAVEL AND I COULD ONLY GET 4.25". ALSO THE LOWER PIVOT KEPT LOOSENING. DBR SAID, "WELL, WE FIRED THAT ENGINEER." WHAT DOES THAT DO FOR ME? SURE WON'T BUY THEIR PRODUCTS AGAIN WITH THAT KIND OF SUPPORT. TIP: IF YOU SWAP THE REAR LINKAGE TO WHERE IT IS OBVIOUSLY BACKWARDS, YOU GET 5.25" TRAVEL, BUT THE SPRING IS A LITTLE SOFT. IT STILL WORKS BETTER THAN STOCK. TRY IT. HEAD TUBE IS TOO SHORT--SAME SIZE USED ON TALL FRAME AS SHORT FRAME. MANUFACTURERS NEED TO INCREASE LENGTH OF HEAD TUBE FOR US TALL RIDERS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellington, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Good value for money. Sealed rear pivots- been riding for a year on them with no maintenance, still plush. | | Weaknesses: | Judy 100 forks- no fork boots and the teflon finish wore off the forks after about 8 months.
Rear tyre clearance could be better- bogs a bit in sticky mud. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialised FSR Comp w/Jr T's | | Bike Setup: | Changed rear brakes to magura canti. Changed stem to 50mm. | | Bottom Line: | The bike was good for my first full suspension bike. I am 170 lb rider. Judy 100's not really up to the job when the bike is used for Freeride though. Too much flex with disc. Disc works well when set up well. Broke some teeth off the middle chainring. Also, Mavic rims are a bit lightweight for freeride, I bent my rear rim. Bombproof frame, bit heavy for cross country. Good weight for freeride, but the rims/forks/brakes could do with upgrading for heavier/harder riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jimmy-lee
a Racer
from quebec, canada
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | castor | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | good frame design(ball saver).
good rear suspension setup.
| | Weaknesses: | its quite heavy for freeride, but for downhill its pretty light!
theres alot of pivot bolts to check up on. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized palmer. Specialized FSR. Norco vps1. | | Bike Setup: | manitou x-vert R, helix expert rear air suspension, LX-XT, sun rims-mtb rims, titec stem, hell raiser bar, axiom post. | | Bottom Line: | if youre the type of person who likes to bike for 20 miles up to the mountain then ride up it and bomb down.its a pretty good deal(just dont get ripped off!)
but dont make the same mistake as me---i race XC and i bought the DBR V6 bike only cuz i wanted to do a couple DH and slalom races but its hell to race with...even with the rear suspension locked out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Butler
a Weekend Warrior
from Mahwah
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ringwood State Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | I actually own a Diamondback V6, the 1998 X6. Great bike (4 out of 5). However I have been trying thorugh my local bikeshop to buy replacement bushings for rear triangle. 4 months due to Diamondback take-over problems effecting distribution. This stinks! Great bike! Very poor support from DiamondBack. | | Weaknesses: | Diamondback Support! | | Bike Setup: | V6 model, titec LX/XT, Judy XC (80mm), WTB velociraptor, WTB/Mavic Wheelset. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike... very disappointing support. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from socal
Date Reviewed: December 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
to many to list! | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Very plushhhh handles great,love this bike! | | Weaknesses: |
Weight At about 32 pounds | | Similar Products Used: |
GT,Trek,yetti | | Bike Setup: |
Judy 100's ,formula MD-1,Avid Rival 4.0,Fox vanilla R. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great all around bike for the money.You would have to spend aroud $3,000 to match it's performance.I had to change the stem from a 90mm to 45mm with 10degree rise to fit me properly. | | Overall Rating: |
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