Strengths: This is a fast, strong, all around badass bike. I think the suspension is original as I bought the bike used.
Weaknesses: None so far
Bottom Line:
Rides like a champ. Love the dual suspension! I've taken my share of falls & the bike holds up much better than me. I'm glad I put on the H-Bar. It has incredible control, power & comfort.
Similar Products Used: Buddy's Police bike. That's also a Diamondback.
Bike Setup: Replaced my riser bar with H-Bar. Replaced rapid fire shifters with brake/shifters. Original owner replaced seat w/ Stella Italia numb nuts seat. But I still love it.
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Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Springville, Utah
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2006
Strengths: When you setup this bike using proper tires, forks, etc., it can really take a beating and come back for more! Very, very tough bike!
Weaknesses: Would be nice to be replace the Fox Float R with a Fox Float RP3 for the rear suspension, but I think the RP3 is just a bit too big.
Bottom Line:
I've used and abused this bike for the last 5 years and figured it was finally time to give a review of how this bad boy has done over the years. Setup the way I currently have it, it has performed flawlessly in terrible conditions (coldest ride - 2 degrees Farenheit, rain rides exceeding 30 miles, downhill abusive rides at Snow Bird Ski Resort and hot baking sand 'n slick-rock rides in Moab). I cannot complain. The bike is solid as a tank, and I love it!!! During the 5 years I've owned it, I've had to completely switch out most of the original componentry that came with the bike, but this bike just keeps on serving up great adventures and taking the hits. Because of all of the use I've given it, I'm beginning to see a little more sway in the rear end as I crank up a climb, but I'm told that DiamondBack sells a bushing replacement kit that can solve the problem. Other than that, this bike just keeps on going! Awesome bike!
Bike Setup: 2001 DiamondBack XR1 - Marzocchi Marathon XC forks (80-130 mm), Koski Engineering handle bar, Thompson seat post, Terry Men's Liberator Gel saddle, Fox Float R rear suspension, Shimano XT drive train and shifters, Avid V-breaks, Ritchey OCR Rims, 26x2.1 WTB Velociraptor Race tires, Yeti Grips, Bontrager pedals w/clips.
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Submitted by
RICHARD
a Cross Country Rider
from vail, arizona
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2003
Strengths: Good base-line bike to start with.
Weaknesses: Factory spec'd parts are garbage
Bottom Line:
Once you build it right nothing stops this bike. It can leap over a four foot cactus in a single bound! It carves up singletrack like a crack addict gobbles up crack. Taken it to the ski lodge many times and it will do low-level-mid-level DH action (hence the disc brakes). Pretty-much the only stock this on the bike is the frame. I have to to around 28 pounds. The bike is a frankenstein but I finally have it like I like it. Bike is an excellent choice for the ridser who has graduated from the Wal.Mart tanks and is lookin for more. They don't make them anymore but if you find one avaiable, check the frame over real good and if it's cool, then buy it. I rate it as 5 flamin' chilis for value but only for becaues it isn't as light as I would like it to be.
Bike Setup: Sun Ringle Singletrack wheels, Chris King hubs, Shimano XTR / XT drivetrain, Avid Medch Disc brakes, Fizik Seat, Egg Beater pedals, Fox Float RLC, Rock Shox Psylo Race, IRC Mythos, ODI Clamp-On grips, Monkeylite DH bars, Easton Seatpost.
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Submitted by
Mitch Nye
a Cross Country Rider
from Wrightsville,PA
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2002
Strengths: Lightweight xc with good specs great value
Similar Products Used: First XC/FS Had Schwinn Mesa GSX
Bike Setup: Panaracer Pyro Huchinson Python WTB Headset Time ATAC pedals
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Submitted by
chris
a Weekend Warrior
from rancho santa margarita, ca.usa
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2001
Strengths: Outstanding bike..i love it...everything in this package outperforms expectations..Air shocks front and rear the best...handles very well down hill..i changed the straight bar (stock) to sychros riser bar..for more stability and upgraded to chris king headset..overall..thats all the modif..i think i need for a great ride
Weaknesses: tires..from reading reviews..i immediately changed tires to michellin comp lite S....had no problems since then.
Bottom Line:
if you get a hold of one of deez..you lucked out..its an awesome deal..ive crashed many times and lately endo going over a picnic table...the bike will definitely last far longer than you will..beat it on single tracks, staircases ravine type downhill, climb however steep..this STEED will take whatever...take pride in your accomplishments...it wont let you down...
Similar Products Used: specialized stumpjumper/ GT 2.0,4.0
Bike Setup: stock other than above changes
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Submitted by
Joe Mauma
a Cross Country Rider
from LR, AR
Date Reviewed: August 19, 2001
Strengths: Top spec. parts for cheap, you'll break a motorcycle before you break the frame, both shocks, handling, 4" or 5" of burly travel under 30 pounds!
Weaknesses: heavy frame (28 lbs complete bike), uncomfortable bars, brake cable is held on by zip tie (???), no pivot bearings, asthetics (looks heavy and clumbsy), tires are too slick for the kind of riding the frame encourages.
Bottom Line:
This mass produced high end Taiwanese bike is all about value. You can buy a build kit or, for the same price, you can buy this bike and get a sid xc fork, a frame, and assembly free. As for the complete bike, it is summarized in one word: "combo." The frame could double as a lightweight downhill sled or freerider, but it has parts such as air shocks, a flat bar, and racing slicks for cross country. It does everything well, but I guess it doesn't do each job quite as well as a specifically designed rig. So who does it work perfectly for? This is a bike for cross country riders for whom a good trail isn't the equivalent of a gentle dirt road like many of these racer boys ride. I sometimes burn through all 5 inches of travel on roots, six inch loose rocks, curbs, staircases, and landings. Then I ride another ten miles. I'm 5'11", 185# and I've broken a few bike frames, bent a few rims, and blown a few tires, but after putting the XR1 through much worse (because it lets me!), I haven't harmed one part and I don't even have to worry about ever breaking this frame. That's my idea of value!
On the downside, if you want to reduce the bike's 28 pound heft, all that's worth upgrading is the seatpost and the frame. Most of the other parts are within a couple grams of the best stuff a sane person would pay for. Also, I bought the bike thinking it had ball bearings at all pivot locations - it does not. I'm waiting for the slop and squeaking to start but it hasn't yet. The WTB tires will wreck your arse if you're not careful (esp the rear) but they are lightning fast. The bar flexes like it's made of wood, and yet it rattles your hands to death. It bobs, but really only if you've got the rear shock pressure way too low.
If you can't talk yourself into buying this bike, promise that you'll use the quality components someday when you can afford a designer frame. Then you'll end up just keeping it like me. Besides why pay a weight penalty for a 2.5 or 3 inch suspension bike when you can pay maybe a pound or two more for a 5 inch suspension bike. Value again!
Weaknesses: Tires, Rear Linkage Squeaks after a wet ride.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks, especiallly at the price. In early January, it wass on sale for $899 plus another 20% off. I wasn't even in the market for a second bike, but the SID XC was staring at me from a pile of Huffys, and I couldn't resist.
I have crashed a number of times and hardly even scratched the paint. It's pretty light too. If there are any more left overs out there, snap them up. The bike is well worth 1.8 to 2.3 times what I payed.
Similar Products Used: First Full Suspension Bike. Turned Moab 3 into Commuter and backup mountain bike. Also demoed GT I-Drive and Cannondale Jekyl and Raven.
Bike Setup: Stock plus Geax Hook & Warp tires from Moab 3, Supergo wireless computer, Trek Bar ends & lots of Lizard Skins.
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Submitted by
james roe
a Weekend Warrior
from elmhurst, ill
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2001
Strengths: this bike handles great, it reminds me of my old bmx bike. i normally ride a med frame but baught a small due to the long top tube length, turned out to be the right decision.
Weaknesses: tires are fast but are useless if gummed up. im not to happy with the brake cables either their a bit rough.
Bottom Line:
if you cant ride all the technology in the world wont help you.
Similar Products Used: last bike 1992 trek 8500, rock shox mag21.mavic 36 hole 281 rims.
Bike Setup: stock except titec hellbent seatpost.
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Submitted by
Ryan Fleming
a Weekend Warrior
from Endwell NY USA
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2001
Strengths: Sid suspension,swapable linkage for travel,price
Weaknesses: wheel base, Feel like I am laying flat on the down tube sometimes on rolling terrain
Bottom Line:
This is my first full suspension. I spotted the x-4 by diamondback almost 2 years ago and said that is my bike. For the reasons of price, components, suspension and frame. I didn't like the flat downtubes of most dulies and wanted one with round tubes. I saw the xr1 about 8 months ago at Dicks SPorting Goods {yes at dicks} and was impressed but did not want to spend 1450 duckets on a bike. Then in aug. I saw that it was on clearance for 999. and then went in a week later and it was down another 100 so I immediately looted it and have been lovin it since. the only things I did to it so far was change the tires , the saddle, and to solve my so called weakness I threw the riser bar on and it made all the difference. Dicks bike dept was numb and dumb and I did most of the adjustments myself and a buddy help tremendously in getting me fitted and I think this bike will definitely give me years of great riding.
Purchased At: Dicks {where they live up to there name}
Similar Products Used: specialized fsr,gary fischer joshua
Bike Setup: stock lx and xt components, titec hellbent riser bars, wtb stem and saddle, avid 1 v brakes, sick sid xc front and sid rear, wtb velicoraptor tires
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Submitted by
STEVE HAWTHORN
a Cross Country Rider
from READING,BERKSHIRE,ENGLAND
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2001
Strengths: FRAME,WHEELS,GROUPSET,LOOKS(uk bike comes in a really nice ferrari yellow....coooll!)PRICE, BOUGHT AS 2000 CLEAROUT AT BEGINNING OF NOV 2000 FOR £599.95 ($900.00) LIST PRICE £1,099.00 ($I,650.00). TRACKS VERY WELL(depending on tyre/conditions) WITH LITTLE OR NO BOB, CLIMBS IMPRESSIVLY, ACCELLERATES VERY WELL .
Weaknesses: NONE REALLY, TYRES(RITCHY Z MAX) GREAT IN DRY CONDTIONS ESPECIALLY ON HARD PACK AND FIRE ROADS BUT NOT TOO GREAT IN WET SLIPPERY CONDITIONS ,BUT YOU CAN'T PLEASE EVERYBODY ALL THE TIME. MY BIKE CAME WITH MANITOU MAGNUM FORK WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY UK SPEC WHICH ALTHOGH MANITOU'S BASIC FORK IS STILL A VERY GOOD PERFORMING PLUSH TRAIL FORK (would have preffered the magnuum r and paid a bit more but happy with what i got for the moneywithout a doubt)
Bottom Line:
GREAT BIKE AT A GREAT PRICE. GET IT SET UP RIGHT FOR YOU AND IT REALLY GIVES ECELLENT COTROL OVER TECHNICAL STUFF (just switch the tyres for wet conditions -roots especially).WELL BUILT FRAME THAT WON'T FLINCH WHEN THE TRAIL TURNS TO DOWNHILL BLASTING. AIMED MORE TOWARDS TRAIL BLASTING/ALL-DAY RIDING RATHER THAN OUT AND OUT RACING BUT COULD PROBABLY HOLD ITS OWN IN A RACE WITH A FEW WEIGHT SAVING UPGRADES, BUT AS ANOTHER REVIEWER SAID ``THIS BIKE IS SWEET'.
Similar Products Used: OTHER BIKES OWNED/USED BUT NOT MUCH TRIED THAT WAS SIMILAR BUT READ PLENTY OF REVIEWS ,SO BOUGHT THIS PURLEY ON 2 LEADING MAGAZINE REVIEWS FOR THIS PARTICULAR BIKE (of which i hold great faith because of unbiased views)
Bike Setup: CAME WITH NICE LOOKING VETTA JETT RACE SADDLE (way too hard for all day riding) SO REPLACED WITH GYRO FIZIK NYSENE (excellent saddle) ALSO DITCHED SPD PEDALS AND FITTED SHIMANO MX30DX PLATFORMS. SWOPPED STOCK AVID `V' BLOCKS TO FIBRAX. FITTED T.H.E. XC FRONT FENDER WHICH WORKS BRILLIANTLY AS WELL AS LOOKING COOL. ABOUT TO SWAP TYRES TO EITHER PANRACER FIRE XC OR THE NEW TRAILBLASTER.
I love this dulie. I got mine on closeout so I got a great deal. LX all around exept for the XT rear der. Koski stem and bar. avid single digit brakes. The best part of this bike I think is its super rigid. Its also bombproof with tons of tubes that are all oversized. Of course the huge frame makes it somewhat heavy but with lighter parts on on it its actually kina light. The WTB Racing Raptors Have little traction but very low rolling resistance. like i Said great bike.
Submitted by
Steve Price
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenfield, Indiana
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2001
Strengths: SIDS shocks, components, price!!! got it on closeout
Weaknesses: As all have said, tires!
Bottom Line:
Just got this bike, wow! Galyans had all their 2000 bikes on closeout. It retailed at $1450, Galyans had it for $1299, then put it on clearance for 999.97 last month. Now they have added an additional 20% off and it's mine! I just had to post this. What a value at that price. Check your local Galyans and see if they have one.
Weaknesses: weight - it's he forks - tend to blow through travel quickly definately lightweight XC fork
Bottom Line:
Really nice bike, its my first full bouncer, it steers like the titanic though that could be because its a 20" frame. When i last had a bike it was a 17" GT Avalanche which rode like a hare, fast light and twitchy. The comfort and extra stability are great for bombing round the trails and the long distance rides which which i get more of south of london. Pity about the forks which are too soft for a large frame and 75kg rider. You'd think that the OEM kit for a large bike would include the heavy rider kit.
Bike Setup: UK Stock - Comes with Manitou Magnum/Fox Vanilla Ritchey ZMax Tyres
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Submitted by
Shawn Fels
a Downhiller
from Corvallis
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2000
Strengths: The sid's are plush and still stiff enough to get good power while climbing. the wheel set is great, nice components.
Weaknesses: tires, tires, tires.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for the money. I am starting to race and it is holding up great. I am a rider in oregon. there is tons of mud and logs and these tires just don't cut it. I am going to change to michlin wild grip knobbies soon. I love this bike!!!!
Submitted by
ES
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland, CA USA
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2000
Strengths: Great suspension for the downhill part of XC riding. Nice handling in tight singletrack.
Weaknesses: Tires are useless. Riser handlebar makes climbing difficult.
Bottom Line:
On tight rocky singletrack without extreme uphill this bike performed beautifully and I was able to cut 10% off my best time (using hardtail) without trying hard. On any downhill the bike was a dream, though it's still a fairly rough ride on extreme ruts and rocks. But this is supposed to be a XC bike and it is just not set up to do technical or extreme uphill. You need to change out the riser bar for a flat one. Standing on technical uphill will do you no good as it bobs too much. Traction on uphill was not good but it's hard to tell how much of that is from the abysmal tires! The price is nice but it's a false price cause you must replace at least the tires and bar. Also I am 5'10" with long arms/legs and the cockpit of the medium felt cramped. This is a fantastic step up from a hardtail but for marketing reasons or whatever, the bike is not set up to do what it's supposed to do.
