Submitted by
Fluffy_Unicorn
a Weekend Warrior
from Placer County (rocklin to auburn) Date Reviewed: August 24, 2009
Favorite Trail:
western states 100
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Bike This! (RIP Rock
Strengths:
Solid Frame, Great Components for it's time.
Weaknesses:
None that I can really think of. For it's time in 1999 it was a beast of a bike and with some newer components it's still a great all-mountain bike by today's standards.
Similar Products Used:
Yeti asr, various ventana bikes, Demo, etc.
Bike Setup:
vanilla rc (old school), updating fork soon, hydraulic hayes brakes, old school titec stem and hell bent handlebars, wellgo flat's, XT M756 Disc Wheelset w/ Sun Rhyno Lite Rims.
Bottom Line:
This bike to me is a classic full suspension bike of the late 90's. I purchased this bike new when I was 17 and I still ride it and enjoy it. This bike has been able to bomb everything I've asked it to and it's put up with my fat ass this whole time.
If you have a chance to ever find one that has been taken care of buy it and build that baby up, it's bullet proof and a joy to own and ride.
well crap my pants. Excellent value for the good times you can obtain with this bike, with a few upgrades it wastes even my freinds norco.
Weaknesses:
weight? not good xc'er? well no kidding. You dont say. The bike wasnt made for this and for the love of god it wups at what it was made for.
Similar Products Used:
norco VPS series, Kona Stinky series, Hardtail here and there.
Bike Setup:
Boxxers, Hope c2 front, xt rear, s-ram 9.0 rear, blackspire front crankset, Planet x-bars, kore stem, Linkage plates for up to 8", blah blah blah.
Bottom Line:
If you can get one, DO IT. Awesome bike for value and with a few part swaps it will clean the floor. Diamondback gets bad raps, but on my other dbr, all the parts broke but the ones diamondback made, including the frame. Coincidence? nope. I ride this sucker hard and it comes back for more, it demands to get a beating.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Heath
a Weekend Warrior
from NC Date Reviewed: January 31, 2002
Favorite Trail:
still looking
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Very Strong, versatile frame. This is the perfect trail bike, it can do it all. All day rides, climbing (heavy though), downhilling, you name it. DBR had a winner with this one, not sure why they gave up on it. I think it wasn't cost effective.
Weaknesses:
Availability. When they're gone, they're gone.
Similar Products Used:
Nothing this good, for such a low price. Most likely comparison is with Intense Uzzi, Turner, Ellsworth, and many other freeride capable frames costing well over $1000.
Bike Setup:
Marzocchi Jr T up front, Hayes discs, Stratos Helix Expert shock, Race Face cranks, post and stem.
Bottom Line:
If you find a better all around bike selling as low as these, please email me and tell me where. You can find these frames and bikes at ridiculously low prices right now because they aren't the newest, spiffiest bike in the mags or being ridden on the Shore and in videos. Lucky for me. This frame offers multiple suspension settings/options with the long travel linkage plates. I have both sets, long and short. You can have between 4-6" of travel from one amazing bike. A few studious people have put other plates on and gotten over 7" out of them. The sky is the limit. This bike can do it all, XC, freeride, downhill, urban, you name it. I dare you to find a stronger frame. Mine weighs 34 pounds with my current setup, and i have very heavy tires. I could drop it to 32 with lighter tires. A 32# bike with 6" of suspension,double crown forks, Hayes hydros, etc? If you can find one, DON'T buy it. Tell me about it instead. I'd like to have a few more. Only 5 chilis...since 7 isn't am option.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Darin Peters
a Weekend Warrior
from Auckland, New Zealand Date Reviewed: December 31, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Woodhill Forest & Rotorua
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Bikes Direct - Newmarket (They Rock!)
Strengths:
Great strong frame without being too heavy.
Weaknesses:
The standard Formula disc brakes sucked - swapped for XT - much better once bedded in.
Similar Products Used:
I've owned and used to swear by GT - LTS and then XCR. They suck big time compared to the X10!tor at front.
Bike Setup:
Marzochhi Bomber Z1 BAM, Fox Vanilla RC, Shimano XT hydro disc brakes - 203mm rotor at front
Bottom Line:
I've always been a GT fan until I rode the X10. It really is confidence inspiring - can jump or ride over anything. I bought this bike mid 2001 new - it was a demo that just sat in a store for almost two years. I am so glad I bought it - I can't speak highly enough of it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barney
a Weekend Warrior
from Spawn Ranch, CA, USA Date Reviewed: November 2, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1000000.00
Purchased At:
Used from MTBR
Strengths:
UPDATE!! I installed a Hayes 8" rear setup using a Hayes adapter. If your interested in putting one on yours email me and I'll explain how. Ride on...
Bottom Line:
This is a great do anything bike. It's even better with Hayes brakes.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
George
a Weekend Warrior
from Hemet, CA Date Reviewed: May 18, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$355.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
sealed bearings at all pivots, built super buff, looks killer
Weaknesses:
had some difficulty getting the front deraileur to work with the compact cranks, the topswing didn't leave enough room between the cable guide and the arm on the deraileur and I couldn't mount the bottom swing low enough on the frame for the chain to clear the cage
Similar Products Used:
AMP b5, Specialized Enduro, fisher Sugar, GT Lobo
Bike Setup:
Answer x-vert DC, full XT, XT disc hubs, Titec post and stem, easton EA50 riser bars, XT disc brakes
Bottom Line:
This frame rocks. Once I got the deraileur problem worked out(I ended up tweeking the cable guide a little and using the top swing der.) this bike has been unstoppable. It climbes as well as any thing short of a hard tail, although not quite as fast, and with 5" of travel at both ends its just a couple steps away from being down hill raceable. At 29 pounds its not even close to the 24 pounds that my amp was but it doesn't look like I'm going to have to worry about being stranded in the middle of a ride because some stupid light piece failed. This bike is the best do it all MTB I have riden yet, it climbes, it bombs, it jumps, and it does drops with out looking back. If I had to get rid of all my bikes except one, this would be the one with out a second thought. This thing is totally bomb proof. If you are the type of rider who goes out for day long epics (not the whimpy cross country style), or you like doing jumps and drops, I would highly recommend this bike if you can still find one. By the way the $355 was for just the frame (brand new). eBay rocks.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Bagyan
a Downhiller
from Ottawa, Canada Date Reviewed: May 5, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bing Bang-Mt. Bromont, Que
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
mountain masters ottawa
Strengths:
Adaptability and durability
Weaknesses:
none to be found
Similar Products Used:
gt sts, Marin team DH, Santa Cruz Heckler
Bike Setup:
Z1 CR, Avid arch supremes, Race Face goodies, Panaracer 2.3 Fire DH pro tires, ESP 9 drivetrain....no shimano here
Bottom Line:
Posted a message here in 2000...have had this baby for a year and a half...Changed my riding forever...swap out the shock pivot, tubes, and tires, ride cross country all day Put it in DH mode w/ DH rubber, and let gravity take you where she wants... Slalom, DH, XC, Urban Assault...I've done it all with it...1 separated shoulder, broken ankle. dislocated thumb, lotsa lost skin and blood, but my X-10 still works flawlessly...If you can still buy the frame, do it...no regrets
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Layne
a Weekend Warrior
from UTAH Date Reviewed: April 17, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Similar Products Used:
97 gt lts (loved it), 99 enduro fsr (nice fox float r shock and light)
Bike Setup:
I just bought the frame. But I have a RS physlo frount and a Statos Helix Expert rear shock. With 6"+ plates
Bottom Line:
This is the bike I have had, not that I have had a lot but I have tried a few out. This is the bike I aways wanted. It get 6"+ rear travel of an AWESOME Statos Helix Expert rear shock. In the frount I have a Physlo that matches pretty well with a 5" (i know this review is for the frame but RS did an awsome job with this shock, I have hade a z3lt and this shock is comparable) The Frame is strong with the square tubing. I love that you can swap out the links for different travel. I have v-brakes and if I wanted disk I would want the mechanical kind it looks like the bike is set up for hydralic but I can probably get around that. The frame itself is pretty light but after building it up for freeriding it is heavey. Awsome bike, I don't like the cable routing but I guess I can deal with it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John L
a Cross Country Rider
from PA Date Reviewed: February 11, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Up for anything
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Super Plush!! (great rear shock, bearing kit & linkage) Extremely Durable Long top tube, great for shorter stem use
Weaknesses:
To Heavy for straight up and down rides Had problems with rear disc mount
Similar Products Used:
Have test ridden most of rides in this class
Bike Setup:
Cheaper parts, X-Vert DC, Hayes front, Rhyno XL wheelset
Bottom Line:
This frame rocks!!!! It changed my riding forever. Takes 45+ degree slopes, 5+ ft. drops, bunny hops anything, invents new lines, flys over gaps and still climbs just in case the lifts are closed. I used it to get into DH'ing and could of ridden all the Pro/A coarses with a better fork. I noticed the same things everyone else says: great handling,perfect geometry for the way I descend and so on. Not to sure as to how it rides with a long/XC post, it's layed back Seatpost position may compress the shock a ways but that's ajustable. I rode it open all the time in order to get that sweet plush feeling beneath me. Worthy of being called a Rig!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barney
a Weekend Warrior
from Spawn Ranch, CA, USA Date Reviewed: September 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
WildWood
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
MTBR
Strengths:
Super plush, super smooth, sealed bearing pivots, long top tube, low standover height. Available 6" travel kit for rear. No bob while standing and peddaling.
Weaknesses:
Rear tire clearance, cable routing.
Similar Products Used:
GT STS-2000 Thermo (Bobbed like a Hollywood... well you know)
If you are wanting a bike that can do it all, this is the one. It climbs well enough, bombs over the big stuff. Responsive enough for the small stuff, I am stoked!! I had a GT STS and it sucked bad, high center of gravity, bobbed like a mofo, even a Fox air shock was no help, and it was heavier than the Diamond Back, if you watch Kranked III there are a few of these bikes featured doing huge stunts. I found out the hard way there are two different types of cable housings, one has the metal in strands parellel to the inner cable, and one has it spiral wrapped around the cable, the bike had the parellel type and it was ghost shifting when the suspension compressed. I changed it out for the spiral type and now it rocks. I don't know if a different cable routing choice would have changed this?
5 gooey money shots for DBR and this bike. Some say it was made by Intense for DBR, could be? Or it is just a well crafted reflection of the Uzzi.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
sasman
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa, Ontario CANADA Date Reviewed: May 3, 2000
Favorite Trail:
World Cup DH @ Bromont QUE
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Strong, stiff frame construction Super-plush adjustable full-travel Versatile ride- anywhere from XC to Freeride to DH
Weaknesses:
Hmmm... let me think- I'll get back to you when I find one.
Similar Products Used:
Marin B-17, Santa Cruz Heckler
Bike Setup:
Manitou Millenium Fork, Hayes hubs + Dual Hayes on Mavic 321's with Michelin Hot S rubber, SRAM 9.0SL Drivetrain, RaceFace cranks, Thompson seatpost, Atlas saddle, ProTaper bar, Profile Stiffy stem etc.
Bottom Line:
To my brothers who own this frame- we are lucky SOB's! I reviewed this frame last year. The more I ride it, the more I appreciate it. It defines the kind of ride an "All-round hardcore rider" is looking for. Want to go Downhilling- it rocks. Want to whip some buddies on thier hardtails? Minor adjustments... it rocks. Your loong-travel buddies are walking thier bikes up that climb? You ride. Want to go for an urban assault / freeride? This bike was built to rip it up freeriding... I can't even get into what the Millenium fork does to this ride, but fully adjustable 5 and five does the job across any terrain out there.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dan Bagyan
a Weekend Warrior
from ottawa Date Reviewed: December 29, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Wolf Trail -Gatineau park
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
smooth travel, long top tube for tall riders, 2 shock pivot points make it ride like 2 different bikes!!
Weaknesses:
heavy, a lot of pedal induced bobbing in long travel mode
Similar Products Used:
Marin b17, GT LTS, santa Cruz Hecker
Bike Setup:
race face all over Esp 9 drivetrain XT V Brakes with boosters front and back Rhyno Lyte wheelset tioga DH freeride seat
Bottom Line:
This is my first time owning a full suspension ride. With only 4 inches in the front and the shock set up in cross country mode, I can outdo my friends on all trails, I've taken it on some serious downhill runs this year, and a ton of cross country rides(with some nasty climbs), and it has given me the ride I've always wanted. I've broken 2 hardtailo frames in the past 2 years and I don't think I'll be able to break this baby!! Definitely worth 5 chilies!!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MK
a Downhiller
from CA Date Reviewed: December 3, 1999
QR-20, Hayes hydraulics, b-52 world force risers Tioga XL saddle, Dean Post, DH wheels w/ IRC kujo's
Bottom Line:
This is a ripping bike!!! For a 38 pound beast it still climbs well as long as you don't pedal in squares. Downhilling this bike is SWEET. It rides and tracks just as well as the M1 I used to race on. Drifting the X-10 through corners is solid and predictable. Let's just hope it doesn't break in a few months like everything else I've ridden does.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TODD
a Weekend Warrior
from LOUISIANA Date Reviewed: November 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
ANYTHING I CAN RIDEON
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
THIS FRAME IS THE BOMB. I HAVE NOT FOUND A FRAME THIS GOOD FOR THIS PRICE RANGE ANY WHERE. ALSO THERE WERE LESS THAN 100 X10s SOLD, I GOT THIS FROM A DBR COMPANY REP(THE X6 SOLD WELL DUE TO THE PRICE).
Weaknesses:
AGAIN I'LL HAVE TO SAY THE WHEEL SET. I TACOED THE FRONT LAST MONTH. SHMANIO SHIFTERS FELL APART SO I CHANGED TO GRIP SHIFT.
Similar Products Used:
C-DALE TREK PRO-FLEX/K2 GIANT ROCKY MOUNTAIN ETC.
Bike Setup:
RIGHT NOW IT HAS: 2000 MR. T QR-20 FORK MAVIC DEE-MAX WHEELS SRAM ESP 9.0 8speed THOMSON POST SERFAS ARC SEAT TIOGA DH TIRES FORMULA PRO ISSUE BRAKES XT CRANK AND F/DERAILER AZONIC BARS AND SHORTY STEM.
Bottom Line:
I POSTED THE FIRST REVIEW ON THIS BIKE A YEAR AGO, NOW I AM BACK TO GIVE A UP-DATE. WELL, IT IS STILL THE BEST TRAIL BIKE I HAVE BEEN ON! I HAVE DONE A LITTLE OF EVERY THING ON THIS BIKE, TRAIL RIDING, DOWN HILLING, XC (EVEN DID A RACE), AND THREW SOME SKINNY TIRES ON AND WENT ON A GROUP MTB ROAD RIDE. I HAVE USED IT FOR EVERY THING. JUST SWAP OUT THE FORK AND TIRES AND YOU CAN GO FROM XC TO TRAIL BIKE TO FULL DOWNHILL. IT IS A GREAT BIKE!!!! I GAVE IT FIVE PEPPERS BEFORE AND A YEAR LATER IT STILL GETS FIVE!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tucan
a Weekend Warrior
from jacktown ky Date Reviewed: November 20, 1999
Favorite Trail:
bandy creek, t
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
super plush,rear shock, group
Weaknesses:
flexy wheel set, grips
Similar Products Used:
trek y-11, kona u'a
Bike Setup:
stock except for grips and T.H.E fender ride-on cables
Bottom Line:
simple put this rig kick serious ASS. FIVE BIG PILES OF DONKEY DO
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross-Country Rider
from Agoura Hills Date Reviewed: November 1, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
extremelt plush. super stable handling.
Weaknesses:
heavy
Similar Products Used:
outland vpp
Bike Setup:
6 travel link, race face cranks, shorty stem, marzocchi Mr.T QR 20, hayes, mammoths, intense 2.35 tires.
Bottom Line:
I turned mine into a downhill bike after running it as a freerider for a while. still pedals fine and there is nothing that shakes this bike up. light enough to toss it around, bomb proof enough to run over anything or handle any kind of drop off.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JiVe
a Racer
from SACTO, CA. Date Reviewed: September 5, 1999
Favorite Trail:
EAGLE mt.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
all
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
none this good!other than my friends ventana.
Bike Setup:
very cool
Bottom Line:
I have one, so should you!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ron
a Weekend Warrior
from Fresno, CA Date Reviewed: August 25, 1999
Favorite Trail:
willow creek
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Awesomely smooth travel, bulletproof frame and rear suspension, brakes stop NOW and are consistent, COLOR
Weaknesses:
tall front fork for climbing, takes some getting used to.
Similar Products Used:
GT LTS, I-drive, Cdale Super V and Raven, Santa Cruz Heckler, Giant ATX
Bike Setup:
RCR rear shock, Full 99 XT, Hayes Disc w/Hugi hubs, Marzocchi Drop Off fork, Kore stem, Hell Bent bars, Titec Spost, Flite saddle
Bottom Line:
This bike is the best all around bike I have ever ridden. Once it's dialed you feel no bumps and for all this it climbs really well. What an awesome suspension setup! Frame geometry, brakes, and suspension travel on this bike just let you scream down trails! An amazing value for the bucks. Can be set up for any rider/style.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sasman
a Downhiller
from Ottawa, Ontario Date Reviewed: July 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Bromont,QUEBEC
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Plush, linear travel Adjustable Great value for the coin Ultimate free-ride Fully worthy DH ride
Weaknesses:
The only thing anybody could criticize on this bike is it's weight.(Between my buddies and I we have had it set up from 33lbs. to 38lbs.) If that's your main concern, buy a carbon hardtail. You are going to have to sacrifice light-weight in order to get a juicy ride like this.
Similar Products Used:
Marin FRS Santa Cruz Heckler
Bike Setup:
I bought the frame on it's own and spec'd my dream free-ride bike. I have a Marrozochi Mr.T with a 20mm thru-axle up front; Formula disc in front, Avid Arch Supreme in the rear; Race-Face cranks; SRAM ESP 9.0SL Drivetrain; SUN RYNO-LITE wheels; Michelin Hot S rubber Profile bar & seat-post; 636 pedals...etc
Bottom Line:
This frame rocks. This bike is 2 bikes in one. Crazy no-compromise free-ride, or full-on DH. Two of my buddies have them and we all have it set up different. Very linear travel, super juicy- and adjustable. With the negative travel I have in my Mr.T paired with the plushness of the rear travel, this thing hooks up and tracks like you wouldn't believe. Handles real smooth. Climbs unbelievably well for the amount of travel. You are basically getting an Intense Uzzi DH for a less obscene price. I reccomend this ride for hard-core free-riding and/or DH.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Troll
a Weekend Warrior
from Louisiana Date Reviewed: May 5, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Plush-o-rama, but can still climb like a billy goat. Strong frame!!
Weaknesses:
A little heavy. Weak wheel set, too much flex.
Similar Products Used:
DBR V-link C'Dale Super V Trek Y-22
Bike Setup:
I just changed tires for xc trail (Panaracer SS,SK)and dumped the XT shifters and XTR rear derailer for 9.0 SL ESP parts (thats just what I'm used to so I switched)
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks! I love the travel. It smoothes out any trail. It is a bit heavy but you can still climb any thing (once you learn to live with the tall fork). It made me a better climber on my other bike. Enough with its up hill performance, lets talk ripping down hill! I've had mine up to 50mph on one hill (no mountains around here), It is so plush that it lets you forget about bumps and just bomb!! Hell, I liked the ride so much that I started riding it on our trails instead of my cross country bike. The extra weight made me stronger and the plush ride let me try new lines. I feel that it has made me a better rider. If you want a do anything bike and don't mind a little extra weight then this is your bike!! It costs a little more than a Intense UZI frame (just the frame) I paid 2300,but you get a complete bike ready to ride. You can get a X-6 for even less and its got the same frame, just no rear disc and no Z1 fork.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Larry O
a Racer
from East Islip,NY Date Reviewed: April 22, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Plattekill mountian
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Plush as hell,tracks great stable at all speeds, smooth as a chicken
Weaknesses:
heavy,
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale super v, specialized fsr, scwhinn 4 bANGER, trek vrx
Bottom Line:
Looking for a bike that rocks anywhere! This is it. It's a little heavy but taht just makes you better. This bike rocks everyplace. single track, downhill, jumps, and anything rough. One of the smoothest rea ends I've felt next to the intense and cannondale. (these are the only one's that have bearings) If you don't care about wieght this bike rocks. It even climbs rough stuff nicely.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Greg Harrington
a weekend warrior
from Nor Cal. Date Reviewed: March 8, 1999
Bottom Line:
This bike is so plush,it rips.The formula discs stop NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way more fun than my old heckler.A great trial bike.This bike is as ciose to a downhill bike that will still climb up as you can find anywhere.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
todd
a
from weekend warrior Date Reviewed: December 23, 1998
Bottom Line:
I just got my X-10 last week! I have done some playing on it this week, but due to real crappy weather I've only been on the trail once. This bike is so plush!! I have a '98 V-link and it feels like a hard-tail compaired to the X-10!! I love the brakes! It was real muddy when I rode and they worked great!! I do need heavy springs for the Z.1 fork, it still works great with the stock springs. I can ride off things I would not have tried on my other bikes (c-dale super-V, giant H/T, DBR V-link). The bike is a bit heavy but it was not built to be a cross country bike, but if you must it can be done. My usual ride is a pretty rough corse with several 42mph drop-ins and a 50mph run. The bike ate up every thing I threw at it. On one drop-in that use to scare me I could have sworn I heard the bike laugh and say this is all you've got? I was realy suprised at the way the bike handeled. I thought my V-link handeled well but it is slug compaired to the X-10! Now as far as cross country goes the V-link kicks the X-10s rear end, however if you want a bike that can do a little down racing, some fun trail riding and non-competitve cross country riding then this is your bike.
Overall Rating:
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