Strengths: Awesome components, super strong frameset, beautiful finish, perfect weldment.
Weaknesses: Rim brakes, if that's a weakness in Arizona?
Bottom Line:
Never needed adjustment after initial derailer cable stretch, for three years! Rode continously, week after week, for 3 1/2 years. Best production bike built in the last ten years, they don't make them like this any more.
Bike Setup: Shimano 757s and a Flite saddle, otherwise everything kept stock.
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Submitted by
Jacob Kilgore
a Weekend Warrior
from Mooresville, NC USA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2004
Strengths: Very Light, Very fast bike. I tweaked out the head set, KrisKing, added a Fox front shock and upgraded everything to Sram X.0 derailer and grip shifters.
Weaknesses: I really couldn't pick out any weakness. This bike is what I like, aggressive and tight.
Bottom Line:
Great all around bike, XTC on wheels and supermods made it lighter and faster. A true Downhill performer on the singletrack and slopes alike. Too bad I am out growing it; AH..Fatherhood:)
Similar Products Used: Many GT-I drives I ride are about the same, I love the NRS-2 very nice... the rear lock out on the DBR helps to keep the tail stiff when you feel like getting a little loose and then switch quick for soft impacts.
Bike Setup: Full suspension supported by a FOX Float up from and a Strata air on the back. Chris King headset; Sram X.0 components and XTR, Gripshift for easy access. Low pro nobbies for fast dry sufaces, MTB saddle, Maxxis Rims and Lots of Love.
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Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Simi Valley CA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2001
Strengths: Love the lockouts, use them on all uphill. Upgraded to Mavic X-517 rims. First time using clipless pedals, Ill never use anything else. Frame is bullet-proof (broke my last one in half, Ill leave the company nameless). I dont know what everyone else is saying bout the weight but it's lighter than anything I looked at in the bikeshop.
Weaknesses: I blew a bushing in the forks within the first month(manufacturer error) got the new Mars Super in exchange, which seem to be quite a bit stiffer. Got to loose the tires, the Geauxs just dont stick in the turns. Switched to Panracer Fire-Red. I tend to be hard on the downhills so I upgraded rims and spokes to 36 gauge.
Bottom Line:
Super stiff when the bike is not locked out, seems a 'lil bit wobely in the rear when it is locked. The forks may be OK on other peoples bikes but blowing a bushing in the first month usually is'nt a good sign. Love the clipless pedals, easy to get in and out of and great for conserving energy on those long rides. For a 5'10" guy the stance is perfect. Never had any complaints about the rear Fox Shock. If you like bombing the downhills upgrade to heavier rims however no complaint about the old. The tires may be OK for anywhere BUT so cal dry trails. Anyone who has expierence on a hardtail should have no problem switching to this bike.
Favorite Trail: Chumash to Rockey Peak to Hummingbird
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher-Sugar
Bike Setup: Titec Bar Ends, Mavic X-517 w/ 36 gauge, Panracer Fire-red
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Submitted by
Kyle Siems
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2001
Strengths: Overall design is great. I've always been skeptical of full suspensions until this bike. The lockout in the rear shock makes uphills a breeze. The weight is also a bonus considering the dual suspension.
Weaknesses: The componetry is rather pathetic for the price.
Bottom Line:
Being from Missouri, I was a little weary of the need for a full suspension, and I still see it as more of a luxury than a necessity. Still, this bike has made a believer out of me. The weight and durability allow for extremely diverse capabilities and performance. Off the production line, the bike has amazing potential. Unless you're willing to put in the extra work, you'll be happy with the original product. But, if you decide to pour some extras into it you'll be extremely satisfied.
Bike Setup: Sram 9.0 shifting, XT brakes, White Bros. fork
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Submitted by
mike fusaro
a Cross Country Rider
from seattle,wa
Date Reviewed: October 23, 2000
Strengths: This bike feels super plush and steers extreamlly well. The vanilla float with lock out.
Weaknesses: Avid brakes suck. For msrp of $2500 you would think dimond back could afford to put on crossmax and save some weight. The Manatou is a great fork if this were a hard tail. I would like to know who chose the component set up for this bike.
Bottom Line:
This is one of the plushest riding frames I have ever road. I give the frame 5 flamming chilis but the groupo choice a 2, excluding the XTR stuff. Although review seems harsh I would recomend this frame to anyone. Please do not judge this review from my spelling I may be a bad speller but I am pretty sharp.
Similar Products Used: fsr,santa cruz bullet,giant,rocky mountian,trek fuel,schwinn 88,everything
Bike Setup: race face,monkey bar, marozocchi fork,etc...
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Submitted by
Howard Rosen
a Cross Country Rider
from Arvada, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2000
Strengths: Great overall frame design. You have to start with a solid foundation, and DBR gives that to you.
Weaknesses: Fork (Manitou really can't figure this "suspension" thing out). Wheels & Tires. Brakes (Advids are for lower end bikes).
Bottom Line:
I've been riding for more than eight years. Never thought of owning a full suspension bike. Then I tried one this year. Sold all my hardtails after just one ride on this bike. Upgraded the suspension for more plush travel. Was so happy, I bought one for my wife. We're both happier now. I gave this bike 5 Flamin' Chilis for what it is now. Not for when I bought it.
Similar Products Used: First full suspension bike. (Sold all my hard tails.)
Bike Setup: Full XTR front to rear. Chris King wheel set with Panaracers. Ti where possible (seat post, handlebars, etc.) Judy Racer front fork with 100mm travel. Converted rear shock to 4.5 inches of travel. Carbon fiber barends.
Strengths: stable, light and plushed for xc racing. not as heavy as the their x-links frames, which is made for recreation due to its weight. v-link are designed for racing.
Weaknesses: no sealed bearings but who cares, the rear it still suspense smoothly and effortlessly.
Bottom Line:
this is actually a v8 with is the same as a v3.2 and i race the bike for 2 seasons and loving it. even thought it is not set up for downhilling like others but it can handle it just as well. you point and it tracks like a beauty on water. climbing this rig is just amazing. if you have the leg muscle, this rig graps the dirt so well that u will climb like a mountain goat. i won a couple of races too over those hardtail teeth shattering riders. it feel so nice beating them on my bike that i been just grin at them to rub it in :)
You know DB don't make these bikes anymore so if you can get your hand on one, get it. It is destined to be a classic. I been trying to get a back-up V-link for awhile now. If you know anyone who is willing to part with theirs, drop me a line.
Similar Products Used: specialized fsr xc, sc heckler, lightspeed fs (yes they do make fs too), x-link
Bike Setup: xtr full w/ x-rays gripshift, raceface stem w/risor bar crossmax, manutou carbon fork, flite saddle, kore post
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Todd Borman
a Cross Country Rider
from Reno, NV. USA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2000
Strengths: Awsome all the way around! This is one bike that can handle all you can give it. Be all you can be, and have fun shooting down your favorite mountain's single track. The XTR components are worth the price. Lock out on the front and rear shock is a huge advantage, reducing bounce on the up hill climbs.
Weaknesses: Tires, I put Hutchinson Python Gold's on mine and it made a huge difference.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks!!! Diamondback did it again. If you like to do it all from rolling hills to rockin down single track on your favorite mountain range, this is the bike for you.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale's of simular price range.
Bike Setup: All stock, exept tires and new grips. There is not much to upgrade.
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Submitted by
Ryan McCarthy
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2000
Strengths: Need to sell the one I have, will part for $1499. Hardly ridden, no scratches, Less than 3 miles on it. Product strenghts (as far as I can tell with ridding it such a short amount of time) Great specs, Fairly light weight.
Weaknesses: Could be lighter Hate WTB seats. Like XTR levers more than Avid, But Avid are okay.
Bottom Line:
Wonderful bike, but I need to sell it I liked the V-8 I had last year. The XR-8 is a fine example of a well built bike. Size is a large, and it's in showroom condition. E-mail me if you want to know more. Rhino850@yahoo.com Thanks, Ryan.
Bike Setup: Stock, except different seat and grips
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross-Country Rider
from Boulder CO
Date Reviewed: December 28, 1999
Strengths: Strong frame Adjustable travel Good components
Weaknesses: Manitou fork Bushings in suspension are not sealed Brakes
Bottom Line:
This bike is great, I was a little disapointed in the weight but it has held up well. The fork is ok when it is not at Manitou for months(see review there). To run the 4.5in travel it needs a longer travel fork to balance it out. Bike has been a blast to ride and bulletproof except the fork. It is not Diamond Backs fault the fork is crap, so it gets 5 chilies.
Similar Products Used: none, nothing ive tried is as good
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross-Country Rider
from Nevada
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1999
Strengths: rear shock
Weaknesses: too heavy for racing and slow, bad geometry design. Notice how sluggish compared to M4s?
Bottom Line:
Ok bike for recreational use only, but can't be used for racing even though we change the wheel to lighter wheelset from a M4s. For racing, you can't beat the Specialized M4 FSR and Marin Mt.Vision Pro. Give it a five for recreation but a 1 for racing = average 3. Not bad of a bike.
Similar Products Used: M4, AMP, SC, GT, Marin, DEAN, Klein
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from Germantown, MD
Date Reviewed: August 10, 1999
Strengths: great components perfect amount of travel for trail riding fairly uncommon
Weaknesses: yes, virginia, it's heavy hard to fit those tires have GOT to go!
Bottom Line:
Sizing: At 5'9 with 30 inseam, i felt stretched on the medium. The small felt much better, but I got the med. anyway. Why? $700 off the retail price. That justified buying the Monkey light short riser bat that improves the balance without shortening an already very short stem. Still, if in doubt, go for the small. Ride: Definite learning curve. The (stock) front tire slides out on a constant basis. The fork is kind of harsh and tops out alot, even after tweaking all the ajustments, even the dumb as hell compression thing that requires yanking the thing apart. I think the bike needs more travel in front to balance out the 4.5 you can get in back. Overall: The weight factor- I don't think DBR actually weighed a production bike. We all know that the Crosslinks weigh more than advertised. Also, the XT cassette weighs more than the XTR. That might account for some of the discrepancy Fun factor- My friends are finding it harder to keep up, and I'm finding it harder to keep from laughing out loud at the end of the ride!
Bike Setup: some carbon here & there Bontrager tires
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
don
a Cross-Country Rider
from phoenix
Date Reviewed: July 31, 1999
Strengths:
sweet component pkg.for the $$(2,200)
Weaknesses: brick like wilderness trail saddle...geax tires(stickers best friend in AZ) no bar ends...need to purchase pump for fox shock
Bottom Line:
Bottom line is I cant believe I own such an kick --- bike. I had the XR4 on hold but decided to splurge on the XR8.Yes it came in about a pound over the falsely advertised 25, but in the end thats fine with me,it just means I have a slightly over-built bullet proof frame that will serve this week-end warrior for years to come.The stiff frame provides alot of giddy-up on out of saddle sprints and climbs.The Manitou forks and Fox shock both have preformed well so far.Also the front and rear lock-outs are a nice feature.Get one if you can...good luck getting a deal as good as mine!
Bike Setup: standard...added titec carbon-100 bar ends
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bubba
a Cross-Country Rider
from Carrboro, NC
Date Reviewed: June 25, 1999
Strengths: Value Basically ready to go from the box Good components Shock lock-out
Weaknesses: Uncomfortable grips No disc mount on the fork 25 lbs...NOT! Fork lock-out doesn't Limited seatpost adjustment
Bottom Line:
Being my first dualie I am duly impressed. I tried seven other bikes before buying this one. I thought the FSR XC felt the most responsive and have the best ride but the shock lacked enough damping (can you say pogo?). I coudn't find an FSR S-Worrks/M4 so that was a moot point. Despite not being 25 lbs (and I'd like to see what components they use to get it to 25 lbs) you don't really notice the weight. The ride is plush yet stable. It has a nice set of components but what's up with those grips, Kmart apparently had some extras. It would be nice to have disc tabs on the fork, more adjustability with the seatpost and the lock-out knob is apparently for show only. As for a rating it's between a 4 and a 5 but to counter-balance reviewers like the one who rated it but never rode it I am giving it a...
