Submitted by
hoboroadie
a Cross Country Rider
from Ashland, Oregon, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2011
Strengths: Rear caliper bosses in non-standard position. Frame seems to be fairly substantial, a bit twitchy on fast descents, Ultra-Violet frame paint gets comments from cute women;).
Weaknesses: Nobody told me the rear caliper bosses were in a non-standard position. Front derailleur is a tight squeeze. (I took the kluge option, its ugly.) Nose lifts on steep ascents, not too bad.
Bottom Line:
Comfortable and crash-resistant around town (three or four times into curbs not looking, and/or too drunk to drive, and bounced along without crashing). Got mine as a bare frame and built it one piece at a time. 1999 model never rolled until 2010.
Similar Products Used: 2005 DBR XR-4, but without an RP23 its no comparison.
Bike Setup: 180mm disc on rear w/BR-M965-R caliper bolted direct to frame without adapter. Cheap Tektro knock-off V-brake on Marzocchi Bombers up front. 6.5x2" Fox RP23 about 1" too low for my links, lowers bike some.
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Submitted by
Sp4rt4cus
a Cross Country Rider
from Provo, UT
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2010
Strengths: Frame is bombproof, Fox Shock is super plush, upgradeable
Weaknesses: Geometry is a tad weak for climbing, its not for weight weenies, but if you can take a couple extra pounds this bike can take you anywhere
Bottom Line:
This is one of those frames that will never die. Put some good new stuff on there and you can plow through anything, even some DH as the frame can accept larger travel shocks and is bombproof. I love it.
Bike Setup: Manitou black fork, xt derailleurs, lx cranks, etc
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Submitted by
Charles
a Weekend Warrior
from Carson City, NV
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004
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)
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.
Submitted by
jerry morrison
a Weekend Warrior
from s.san francisco
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004
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.
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.
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.
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Submitted by
Georg
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Oswego, OR , USA
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2003
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
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.
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.
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.
Bike Setup: Jr. T , beefy wheels 70mm stem 6in rear Link...
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Submitted by
Tommy C
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2002
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.
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!"
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
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Submitted by
Gabe
a Weekend Warrior
from Boyertown, PA
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2001
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
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.
Submitted by
Brian
a Downhiller
from Westfield, MA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001
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
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
Similar Products Used: diamondback vlink, gt lts, kona stinky and stab
Bike Setup: mr t, maxxis 2.5 and 2.7
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Submitted by
Alexander
a Downhiller
from San Anselmo, CA, US
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001
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
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!
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
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Submitted by
SAK
a Weekend Warrior
from COLUMBUS, OHIO USA
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000
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.
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.
Similar Products Used: GT I-DRIVE, SPECIALIZED FSR.
Bike Setup: FACTORY STOCK. TOUGH TO BEAT
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Submitted by
MEmikeD
a Weekend Warrior
from BLYTHE,CA,USA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2000
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.
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.
Bike Setup: TITEC BIG AL STEM 90mm x 25deg., race face riser bars, titec berserker DH seat.
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Submitted by
Ben
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellington, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2000
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.
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.
Similar Products Used: Specialised FSR Comp w/Jr T's
Bike Setup: Changed rear brakes to magura canti. Changed stem to 50mm.
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Submitted by
jimmy-lee
a Racer
from quebec, canada
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2000
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.
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.
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.
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Submitted by
Mike Butler
a Weekend Warrior
from Mahwah
Date Reviewed: February 6, 2000
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.
