Submitted by
fasteddie_0008
a Downhiller
from Gallup NM Date Reviewed: July 31, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Probaby the gamarco trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Albuquerque NM Bike
Strengths:
The frame i like it dammit it strong and durable.
Weaknesses:
Right now i would say hmmmmmmmmmmmmm maybe the front forks.
Similar Products Used:
This is my first real mountain bike and i like this brand.
Bike Setup:
Everything is stock i have had this bike for 9 years and i never rode it at all!!!!!!!!!! I wanna put some monnnnay into it and i'm broke which sucks and i just broke my chain so yeah dam dam
Bottom Line:
I think this is the best bike 4 me i swear i rode a cannondale and it didn't feel the same so yeah
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
lorne
a Cross Country Rider
from perthshire,Scotland Date Reviewed: January 26, 2009
Favorite Trail:
glen finglas,trossachs
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
stuart wilson cycles
Strengths:
as they say...a real bombproof bike(frame)i love it!! great handling and comfy over rough terrain.this bike goes up steep slopes great,the gears are great.bike nice&light to carry when needed.a great buy!!
Weaknesses:
front suspension needs to be stronger
Bottom Line:
a real great buy for the price,i got this for half the price.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kenny Hatten
a Cross Country Rider
from Hattiesburg, MS, USA Date Reviewed: March 3, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Ghost Trails
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Moore's Bicycle Shop
Strengths:
Bombproof frameset, neat little features such as hydraulic brake line guides, and it tracks straight as an arrow over the roughest terrain. I bought this bike new back in 2000, choosing it over a new GT I-Drive that had pathetic part spec in comparison, and have never looked back. This bike has been my off-road rig, commuter, and all around do-it-all bike. It has been through long distance and long duration use that probably would have killed any other bike in this price range, and it keeps coming back for more. Right now I'm commuting 18 miles one way to work on it, and it rocks over these rough roads. Another thing I like is that the frame color doesn't cream "STEAL ME" like the brighter and more flashy paint jobs on other bikes. These bikes have travelled under the radar for years, and are a helluva bargain for the money.
Weaknesses:
Some of the cheaper parts gave out after a few years, but I expected that, and planned to upgrade this very worthy bike from the beginning.
Similar Products Used:
Never owned another FS/XC rig. This is the only one I've ever needed.
Bike Setup:
Rock Shox Pilot SL Air, stock RST rear shock, Hayes HMX-1 Disc Brakes, Easton Monkeylite CF handlebar, Shimano Deore disc hubs with Sun Rhynolite rims, Terry Liberator saddle, Thomson 110mm stem, Azonic Headlock, Old Man Mountain Sherpa cargo rack, Michelin Transworld City tires.
Bottom Line:
If you can find one of these bikes, BUY IT. They aren't the most popular bikes in the world, but I hardly ever see them for sale, which tells me that the people who own them know they've got a good thing. If you like having the latest and greatest thing in mountainbiking, these solid but kinda dated frames ain't gonna float your boat, but if you love pure, gutsy performance and super reliability, then get one of these frames and go to town on it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Anthony White
a Weekend Warrior
from Antelope, CA USA Date Reviewed: July 16, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Auburn
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$280.00
Purchased At:
Used from friend
Strengths:
Frame is actually light and very strong. Geometry allows you to set it up for light DH, All Mountian or XC. Comes with a decent crank and has gides for hydo brakes. It is a very agile bike, easy to toss around and maneuver on single track.
Weaknesses:
Stock components dont do this bike justice, rear shock doesnt give full travel and the front Marzochi is to soft and doesnt have enough travel. Would like it if I could get more travel from the rear shock.
Similar Products Used:
First real full suspension bike
Bike Setup:
Magura 120mm-160mm Wotan front fork, crane creek headset, Shimano hydro disk with 8" F/7" R. Romic D at rear 4.5" travel. Shimano SPD 520 pedals. Less angled stem than stock (performancebike brand). Asonic Outlaw 20mm front and QR in rear wheels with 2.3 tires. Shimano XT Low Rise rear deraileur and XT rapid shifters.
Bottom Line:
Bike is setup mainly for all mountain, but can actually handle light down hill and is awesome to ride. The bike climbs very well with this setup and flys going down the mountain. It would be nice to have 5 or more inches of travel in the rear, but I couldnt be happier with this bikeand setup.
If you can find one of these and can afford to put a few better prarts on it, GET IT! You wont regret it.
5 chilis for value, 4 since you have to upgrade some things and are limited on rear travel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
B P
a Cross Country Rider
from England Date Reviewed: March 29, 2007
Favorite Trail:
picos mountains spain
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Pauls Cycles
Strengths:
Bullet proof. Very versatile. Not too heavy.
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Gary fisher mullet giant NRS
Bike Setup:
Rockshox J3s, FSA cranks and BB, Shimano mechanical discs, Alex rims on deore hubs
Bottom Line:
Had this bike for 6 years. It has been completely thrashed and everything has been thrown at it. Jumps, singletrack, freeride, downhill, XC. No problems whatsoever. Excellent
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Weir
a Cross Country Rider
from Ballarat Vic Aus Date Reviewed: August 31, 2006
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Strengths:
Good solid frame i'm over 200 lbs and i havent had a problem with it.
Weaknesses:
Not able to fit long travel shocks.
Bike Setup:
Sun double track rims, dice hoodoo hubs, marzochi mz fork, hayes mech disc brakes, truvative splined cranks.
Bottom Line:
A very good and reliable bike that doesnt mind getting an absolute hammering. A little on the weighty side but im big so i dont care. All round fantastic ride.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Downhiller
from Crescent City Date Reviewed: February 4, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Little back yard trail goes from the top to the bottom
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
back country in 2000
Strengths:
the bike frame and geometry great ride
Weaknesses:
suspension link gets loose half way through my hour and a quarter downhill bike bash
Similar Products Used:
dakar sport, gt hard tail, kona hard tail, trek fuel, giant nrs
Bike Setup:
stock no changes
Bottom Line:
smooth and fast, best feel on the trail of any bike I have ridden including the latest 2005 bikes. I always go back to the diamondback I love to go fast and hard down trails this bike gets me to the bottom and begs for more I will never get rid of it and it can never get enough. If you like to beat up the bikes and yourself this bike will make it through anything and is the bike for you.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
tim upston
a Downhiller
from oxford Date Reviewed: June 20, 2004
Favorite Trail:
astonhill
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$200.00
Purchased At:
race meeting
Strengths:
frame can be used for xc or downhill or 4x,hose guides good,four bar linkage very good
Weaknesses:
none really, apart from maybe being able to fit a rear shock with more travel.
Bike Setup:
marzocchi jnr ts 170mm,pig headset,amoeba bar 6061,stem and headlock,hope spacers,truvativ hussefelt cranks and c/ring,race face evolve bb,v8 pedals,wtb speed v seat,fnt wheel mavic ex721 on deore hub,rear mavic 521 on deore hub,deore 9 spd derailleur,rear hope m4 185 rotor,front shimano mech disc 160 rotor,lx 9 spd shifter 03,maxxis high rollers 2.35.deore rear cassette,stratos tr1 rear shock 5-6 travel,intense odi lock ons.truvativ twin roller chain device
Bottom Line:
as you can see from my set up it can be used for dh/ or freeride,never had any problems with it ,very strong frame which will take some very good parts that will last.i have raced this bike at Aston hill on all tracks with no problems,it is a bombproof frame that can be set anyway you want really!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK Date Reviewed: January 26, 2004
I got the frame of eBay a few days ago, once it was in my grubby paws i noticed it is quite a heavy frame, luckily all the bits I was going to put on the bike where all carbon fibre from my K2/Proflex 4500, so she is a respectable weight at the moment.
The frame is absolutely bombproof, I havent had a lot of time to throw it about but I am pretty sure it will take a lot of abuse with very little complaint. The hydraulic cable guides are brilliant (why cant every bike come standard with these?) so there is no need for cable ties. The rear strut is quite wide and you can fit up to a 26x2.4in tyre, I have had to replace the frame bushes but they are easily available from Diamondback and a cinch to install.
All in all, a good buy, but I would be careful what you put on the bike as it could end up quite heavy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
derek
a Cross Country Rider
from rensselaer, ny usa Date Reviewed: September 4, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$400.00
Strengths:
frame and the ability to upgrade
Weaknesses:
the mag r fork was nice when i bought the bike but is seriously in need of a stiffer spring. the components are OK at best and the wheels just suck.
Bike Setup:
x-links framw with manitou black elite 100/120 fork, fox float r rear shock, ryno lite wheels laced to LX hubs.
Bottom Line:
this bike is one of the best ive ever been on. im 160 lbs and i beat the livin snot out of this bike and ive never had a problem with it. other then rather cheap components, this bike could esily be of of the best bikes for aggressive XC/DH riders like me. BUY THIS BIKE!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ben
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW, Australia Date Reviewed: January 10, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$600.00
Purchased At:
Sydney Cycle Centre
Strengths:
Value, Look
Weaknesses:
Original Forks RST381
Similar Products Used:
Raceline, Specialized
Bike Setup:
RockShox Psylos, Avid Discs, Big High Roller tires, Truvitiv cranks, deore rear.
Bottom Line:
My first dual suspension bike and its great. The standard front forks had to go as did the head set. The psylos are great on this bike. I can take 4 to 5 ft drops with ease. Best value bike around for entry to mid level riders who want a bike that can be XC, Freeride or Downhill.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
eddie brown
a Cross Country Rider
from stamford,lincs, england Date Reviewed: September 14, 2001
Favorite Trail:
rutland water
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$250.00
Purchased At:
rutland water cycles
Strengths:
all round quality (especially the gear mech, and shift)
Weaknesses:
uncomfortable saddle (but thats easily replaced!)
Similar Products Used:
v link
Bottom Line:
an absolute steal at the price!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Seven Janes
a Weekend Warrior
from lexington, Ky, America Date Reviewed: August 11, 2001
Favorite Trail:
capitalview park
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
Bennett's cycle shop
Strengths:
for the money it is the best bike that I have tried out.
Weaknesses:
a bit heavy, but it will only make me ride better.
Similar Products Used:
speacialized.
Bike Setup:
stock except I have rolf satelite wheels and a bontarager seat.
Bottom Line:
this is a great bike. I am a rather big guy and I ride the crap out of this bike, I love it. there is nothing more to say.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dangman
a Cross Country Rider
from sydney, australia Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
ABC bikes liverpool
Strengths:
i upgraded most of the components to the ones below. i bought the bike for the frame as it is one of the strongest frames that you can get for the money.
Weaknesses:
a little heavy overall but then again who cares?.
Similar Products Used:
Giants warps, cannondales, gary fisher
Bike Setup:
marzochi Z5 (front) RST rear, deore (cranks, front deraillier, shifters levers) XT rear derailer, tioga tires (factory) and alex rims
Bottom Line:
this bike really rocks. the frame is as solid as anything and the handling is like a dream. the front marzocchi has got to be the best fork out there for the price. the XT rear derailler is a godsend. fellas, put in the extra dollars and get the better components as theyre really worth it. am going to upgrade the front brake to a hydraulic disc and then possibly the rear when i have more money because the V brakes seem to damage the rims:(. otherwise this is a very nice and plush bike to have without spending an arm and a leg so you could brag how much your bike costed.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Neil Macdonald
a Cross Country Rider
from Elgin, Moray, Scotland Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Glenlatterach
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$450.00
Purchased At:
Junners of Elgin
Strengths:
Frame design
Weaknesses:
Cheap components, wheels, tyres, etc
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Stock, apart from the cheap disc brake at the front which was changed for a v
Bottom Line:
Even though I've said the level of componentry is a weakness, I knew that when I bought the bike. It was bought for the frame, and for future upgrades when things wear out, which they haven't done. This bike, especially at that price is exceptional value for money. It does everything asked of it, and a little bit more. My first taste of full sus. and I love it. It's the only way to ride. It makes you faster, and it's more comfortable. The only problem I have is, when I crash now I'm generally going a LOT faster than before. THE BIKE ROCKS. BUY ONE!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from England Date Reviewed: March 6, 2001
A brilliant bike for the money, the best you can get for the price, It looks great and handles brilliantly. The brakes can be un-reliable if you are unlucky enough to have your bike shipped with green pads for your RST disks, if you have see if you can get hold of the light blue pads, you will notice the difference. The bike may seem a bit heavy to those XC lightweight lovers but that can be easily solved with a few component upgrades. If you are into more competitive XC riding think about saving some money and gettin some early upgrades or even think about gettin the DBR XR series. But overall this is a great bike and I can't find any faults! a great buy!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
David Lindsey
a Weekend Warrior
from China Lake CA Date Reviewed: February 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
all of them
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
bills bike Hanford CA
Strengths:
Good Looking (black) upgradible
Weaknesses:
none
Bike Setup:
stock (for now)
Bottom Line:
I put 500 miles + on it in the first year both street and off road and other then a few flats great bike. Forks/shock's are at the lower end still not bad for a first bike. Plan on several upgrades forks,disk brakes,biger tires,and peddles..
check it out www.homestead.com/davidlindsey/fattire.html
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
La Mika
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX, USA Date Reviewed: February 23, 2001
Favorite Trail:
The NUT
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At:
Oshmans
Strengths:
Frame. Handling. Ability to upgrade later.
Weaknesses:
None. Very reliable bike.
Similar Products Used:
Royce Union hardtail (55 Lbs).
Bike Setup:
Stock.
Bottom Line:
Outstanding bike to start with. Very good handling. I am a 200 pound "Fat man on a D-back" and it's held up very well. The stock components function better than expected and the bike will be easy to upgrade when I have the $.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brandon
a Cross Country Rider
from Byron Center MI Date Reviewed: February 5, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
galyans
Strengths:
pretty light, nice deore derailors, love the manitou magnum R front fork. very strong frame, good design
Weaknesses:
nothing so far
Bike Setup:
stock for now
Bottom Line:
for 500 bucks i dont think you could find a bike half as good as this one. i've tested out many different bikes such as cannondale super-v's, schwinns, and gt's and they all rank within pretty close range of each other, yet the diamondback was significantly cheaper. i would highly suggest this bike to anyone interested in mountain biking and or downhilling. it's great for all levels of riders.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
steven atwood
a
from johnstown, oh Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
white mountains
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$599.00
Purchased At:
Galyan's
Strengths:
Super Price. Paid only $599 for a season clearance. OK travel on shocks, great X-frame. OK components. Good looker.
Weaknesses:
Low end tires, wanted LX or XT derailers and brakes.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Comp, Trek
Bike Setup:
Will dump front shocks for Judy, will upgrade derailers, brakes, tires and seat. Added briefs & toestraps.
Bottom Line:
After finding this bike at Galyans for $599 I cancelled my layaway of a specialized bike costing $999 with same set up. For the price I do not think I could beat it for any bike. Will upgrade the minor low-end items and still be under $950 for a super bike that is just a little on the heavy side. My current hitch rack also does not carry the x-frame very well and will have to be upgraded. While the weight is a little on the heavy side the shocks and frame support my 215 lb body well. I am 6'3" inches and the large frame is just a little to small for the flats and easy trails, but works well in the hills & steams. I had to quickly replace the seat post clamp with a quick release in order to be able to adjust the seat heights for the quick change from hilly terrain to smooth trail riding. On hard hits, the frame shock bottoms out and it doesn't seem that I can adjust that out. Stock seat sucked and needed upgraded. Pedals needed upgraded right away. Still this bike works well and will work for me for the next 3-4 years or as long as I can keep up with my son and his European ride. (At least my tires have normal, standard valve stems, instead of those stupid undersized valves, which no pump ever fits).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Sven
a Cross Country Rider
from Gallup, NM Date Reviewed: October 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Dry Fork Loop or Pete's Wicked
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
Local Bike shop (Scoreboard)
Strengths:
*Excellent value & very worthy of upgrades *Stable as a Clydesdale *It's beautiful
Weaknesses:
*Heavy (but it IS the entry level model & a bargain at that, so it's really unfair to call this a weakness)
(Black / black color scheme) w/ 00 Judy Race; Time ATAC alium pedals; Syncros EA 70 bar; Bontrager seat post
Bottom Line:
I love this bike! Maybe I was a bit harsh on my early review after just one month (my wife has a stock X-link, with the Manitou Magnum R and she is very happy with it; the Judy Race is quite BOB-y). Plus, the Deore shifters actually turned out to be pretty good. So I was wrong. (I'm still plus / minus on the tires, though these are easily replaced).
The bike is starting to go on a diet, but this is actually fun and satisfies that Y chromosome "tinker" factor. Remember to support your LBS (oops on the bar & post).
Overall, the X-link performs superbly on our local rocky, sandy (and often very techincal) single track. This bike is uber-stable and very responsive. A terrific bargain and ultra-worthy of weight reducing upgrades. Did I mention that it is one beautiful machine?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Sven
a Cross Country Rider
from Gallup, NM Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Quaking aspen
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
* Full suspension set-up for under $1000 * Same frame as rest of X-series (even the XR-8) * Much lighter than the '99 DBR X's
Weaknesses:
* Manitou Magnum R fork * Shifters feel (and are) fairly cheap * Kenda Klaw tires cheap & not ideal for Southwest riding
A most excellent bike for the price, with high-end frame and tons of room for upgrades. My bike shop upgraded the fork from square one (to the Judy Race). The bike's (relatively) light and rides like a dream (so far--I'll be back with a review after 4-6 months). Sure, the tires and shifters are low-end, but what do want for only $799 (stock, plus the difference for the Judy)? Bottom line #1: a great value for those who want full suspension but don't have $1300-1800 to spend; Bottom line #2: This bike rocks and makes me want to ride more, and that's what it's all about, right? Buy it (but change the fork).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
t at
a Cross Country Rider
from dallas Date Reviewed: April 29, 2000
the wheel set warped under the crushing weight of 75 lbs 11yr old son (I bought the bike for him)on first ride,truvativ crap,I mean crank chain sucks like nobodys bidnes,heavy,heavy,heavy
Similar Products Used:
d-back v-link,xr1,xr8,
Bike Setup:
Magnum R fork, RST rear shock, Shimano Deore drive train except truvativ crap, riser bars, platform pedals with straps (removed)
Bottom Line:
Our son graduated to middle school and this was our gift . He's been waiting three years for this bike. He had $900.00 to spend. We got the bike for $799.00 and he had enough left over for a new Giro helmet. He could of had a realitively light weight hard tail but opted for full suspension with plans of lightening bike as time goes on. This is an excellent idea because this is the same frame as the top of the line XR frame. If you consider buying this bike, consider a crankset and new wheel set as the first things to replace. They don't work and weigh a ton. Otherwise, I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining, but this is a dynomite bike for the money. The wheel set is the part that bothers me the most, our son only weighs 75#'s and bent the rim, the first time out. If you have limited funds, diffinately buy this bike. But if you can afford it, step up a couple of levels and buy the XR1. Much less wieght and a better wheel set.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
john banks
a Downhiller
from new zealand Date Reviewed: April 15, 2000
Favorite Trail:
makara mountain bike park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
for under 1500 NZ$ this was excellent value, and the bike just flies!
Weaknesses:
none, except mechanical disc brake broke on 2nd day, RST, and supplied rims not very good
Similar Products Used:
first dual suspension bike bought
Bike Setup:
rst 381el front fork, rst front mechanical disc brake, rst 22 rear shock, diamondback handlebars and stem with ok crank
Bottom Line:
for this price it is a great bike, and if you want to start taking those trails at twice the speed have no fear, buy the x-link
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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