Submitted by
jimbo
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango, CO
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2001
Strengths: Great for the $$. Riser Bars nice, Smooth shifting; stays in adjustment. Zetec climbs very well; stable when hauling ass to keep up with the SIK Durangotangs who fly like the wind.
Weaknesses: I have outgrown the fork. Suspension seatpost is so-so.
Bottom Line:
Great all-around bike. Good for aspiring serious rider. not for racing. I am looking into FS, now that it has gotten light enough in my cheap-ass price range...
Similar Products Used: used to have univega alpina pro. then a kona. This bike is of a newer, better generation...
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Fordyce, NE
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2000
Strengths: The Frame is awesome, even though it doesn't have disc brake mounts. I like the drivetrain setup: LX rear, STX fr, STX crank. for the money it was the best setup.
Weaknesses: The wheels are nothing exceptional, but hold up okay. Alivio hubs need to be watched as usual. The Jett XC fork works well in most cases but I upgraded to a Judy Race for more adapability. The Seatpost Shock is a piece of junk.
Bottom Line:
It is a very good bike for the price, but just throw away the seatpost, it does more harm than good. The frame has a little more weight than others in its range, but it can handle far much more.
Bike Setup: Current: all stock except, XT hubs with Mustang rims, Fire XC tires, Judy Race Fork, Bontrager FS2000 saddle, Straight Thompson Seatpost.. looking to upgrade crank & front deraileur to XT in the future.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Westchester IL USA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2000
Strengths: I like the fact that this bike uses aluminum metal as opposed to a hybrid cro mo metal. The Jett XC fork is just at my skill level (intro comp). The Tioga tires are nice and grabby.
Weaknesses: The handlebar stem and bottom bracket seem to creak every now and then even with grease. The tires give some slippage though during easy turns. Cranks need to be upgraded to LX. I extremely disliked the rims that were sold on the bike (alex rims) they kept on creating innertube flats with burrs that I was able to locate among the several burrs left over from manufacturing. NO DISC BRAKE MOUNTS!!!
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is the fact that the Zetec frame is a good base to start from as a beginner athlete planning to compete in the next year or so. And as you become better you can add onto the frame compared to your skill level.
Bike Setup: LX Breaks, Avid Arch Rival 40 (front), Avid 1.0(rear), generic riser bar and stem, standard shifters and drivetrain, Mavic 517/XT Hubs.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brent Wylie
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2000
Strengths: Light and strong frame, cool colours, decent tires, seat post susp., o.k. starter fork. PRICE!!!!!!
Weaknesses: the o.k. starter fork, cruel seat, weak rims.
Bottom Line:
Started into mountain biking last year(99), picked the bike up for a song. Upgraded to XT rear, happy I did. Have since put on XT front as well. The bike handles well and is very predictable. Have had an issue keeping the back wheel true. May be riding a too agressive or just a little to heavy?(200lbs). Also had a nagging cable problem with one of the cable guides, some ty wraps and all is happy. Bought the bike with the XT rear upgrade and a good pair of shoes for $1000, taxes all in(Canadian!!!). I would recommend for any one starting out with the expectation to run your first bike hard for a couple of years.
Submitted by
Carlos Ramirez
a Weekend Warrior
from Davenport, IA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 1999
Strengths: A good combination of price and performance. From the LX derailer, STX-RC crank, Alivo brakes, Tioga rubber, Alex rims, Judy Shock, and suspension seat post(the seat post really adds some value), clipless pedals. There is not once place on this bike that you can call cheap. The frame geometry is great for someone over 6'. Great starting bike with room to upgrade.
Weaknesses: Shock too soft for someone over 240+ lbs. (but what shock isnt?) Aluminum 7005 butted frame instead of a 6061 or a 7001.
Bottom Line:
I got my bike for under $700 and I just couldn't find any bike in my area that felt more comfortable and as well constructed as this one. If I had to recommend a bike for under $700 this would be it. Hopefully the 2000 model will come with 6061 aluminum
Submitted by
Brandon Royal
a Downhiller
from W00DSTOCK,GA
Date Reviewed: June 19, 1999
Strengths: Great shocks, lightweight frame (has lot's of CNC'd parts, and is the same frame used on the Zetec Compe racing bike), smooth shifting LX, suspension seat-post, SDG Compe Bel-Air saddle,DH/XC bars, great brakes, love the sticky Tioga tires, awesome racing colors, and nice Alex rims.
Weaknesses: none...well, it has Alivio hubs, but that's okay.
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike. I think it's a bargain at $700. Try it out
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR (boing-boing)
Bike Setup: RS Jett XC
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
james mccosby jr
a Weekend Warrior
from aurora, colorado
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1999
Strengths: great frame, the CNC machined parts seem to provide some forgiveness to the aluminum.
Weaknesses: i like the suspension seat-post, cause the seat is hard as a rock and pretty narrow
Bottom Line:
so far i am really impressed with the Diamondback Zetec. i have yet to find a problem that i can blame on the bike and the Denver Bicycle Werx went out of their way (changing the handlebar stem - NC) and they gave me a great price, making the bike an even better value
