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Submitted by
mtnwing
a Racer
from Tinton Falls, NJ, USADate Reviewed: May 7, 2010
Strengths: Stand over height. Stiff transfer of power to the pedals. PlushWeaknesses: Design robs energy when you stand up on the pedals. Needs to be retrofitted with a platform shock to improve performance. Those who reviewed above and stated that carbon is "springy" or stores energy are clueless and don't know what they are talking about. Carbon itself has nothing to do with this. Carbon fibers can be configured in infinate ways to tune the handling of a particular frame. This is because it is hand placed in a mold and fiber orientation, number of layers, and type of carbon and resin all play a role in the feel. Two carbon bikes of the same size and geometry will feel totally different if the lay up pattern is changed during manufacturing. To say categorically that carbon is springy is a false statement. This bike does not store energy and buck people. That has to due with other attributes like shock tuning and brake forces most likely.Bottom Line: One of the nicest looking carbon bikes from the 90's. Carbon work was beautifully done. Suspension design was average at best and poor when standing due to pogo pedaling input, but can be improved with an upgrade to a platform shock. Great bike for women who prefer a bike with more stand over height.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Similar Products Used: Nearly every FS bike from the 90's. GT LTS, iDrive, Intense, Schwinn Homegrown, Cannondale super V, etc
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Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tony Lujan
a Cross Country Rider
from El Paso, TXDate Reviewed: May 20, 2002
Strengths: Super plush, no pedal feed-back because of concentric BB, neat design whith cables and shock inside frame, lots of top tube clearence.Weaknesses: Not as pedal efficient as other new designs. Kind of hard to adjust rear shock because of its location.Bottom Line: Its an excellent bike for long excursions and for rough terrain. Not the best bike to race. Very plush and excellent lateral stiffness, strong maintenance-free concenctric pivot, cool looking with excellent cable routes. It is less efficient than the santa cruz SL... but it's definetilly more plush, and there is no pedal feed-back. You can get it now (frame)for $399 on Jensonusa.com Make your choice.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$799.00
Purchased At: Jensonusa.com
Similar Products Used: Bianchi hard tail, trek carbon, Amp B4, Santa cruz Super light.
Bike Setup: XTR, WTB, eston, azonic, speedplay, canecreek, race face, etc...
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
gaupo cortez
a Racer
from laguna beach, caDate Reviewed: August 30, 1999
Strengths:
smooth ride, pedals well on flat ground and is nimble in on single track.Weaknesses:
In decreasing radius turns the carbon frame @ the BB/swingarm tends to wind up and store energy which then recoils and makes the bike want to stand up or high side
For being carbon the bike is a little heavy.
Climbing anthing steep was a problem as the FOX float air shock installed is too soft at factory recommended preassures. Due to the concentric pivot point the swing arm wants to pull up towards the seat tube with every peddle stroke. The temporary fix was to over inflate the FOX shock so the rear end was semi locked out which makes the bike handle terrible every where else. A coil shock may work better.
shock set up was difficult as the shock is housed inside the frame.Bottom Line: The concentric pivot lends itself better to a DH application. But as a DH rig the Diablo's suspension is too short and the carbon fibers springy charicteristics make it unstable in high G turns and speed.
As a X-country bike it is good in moderate terrain as long as there are no steep hills or G out climbs.
As an all around play bike it's weight to material to cost ratio is out of wack with other choices in the market like the Specialized M1 series.
This bike may have been a good idea 5 years ago but the market moved on, sorry.
Favorite Trail:
San Juan
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Similar Products Used:
cannondale raven
intense m-i
intense uzzi
intense lazer
mountain cycle
Bike Setup:
FOX float R air shock
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bruce Doherty
a Cross-Country Rider
from Cape May Court House, NJDate Reviewed: April 27, 1999
Strengths:
Nicely finished product with a strong feel. Easy to set up for varing terrain.
Great climber...Weaknesses:
Stock set upanticipates that the Diablo
will be used for more downhill than
x-country....not really a weakness...Bottom Line: Without predjudice...might be in the top ten bicycles that I have owned in my cycling lifetime...I'm 52 and a bicycle store owner.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Similar Products Used:
Specialzed FSR, Jamis Dakar , and
Jamis Dakar Pro
Bike Setup:
Stock, other than a new stem to correct
my riding position.
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Reviews 1 - 4 (4 Reviews Total)
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