Bike Setup: easton handlebar, cane creek thudbuster, avid mechanicals, serfas seat, bontrager stem, lizard skinz
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Submitted by
Alexander
a Racer
from East Greenbush, NY
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001
Strengths: Great components for the price, good control, great climber, a great XC-racing bike for $1000.
Weaknesses: Bad Diatech disk brakes, cheap suspension seatpost, rough on steep rocky descents (but it's an aluminum hardtail, so that's expected).
Bottom Line:
A great bike. My first Diamond back, and I love it. It has a component list matching good bikes costing $500 more. Full LX/XT drivetrain with Avid levers. A solid Marzocchi Z4 fork. A comfortable SDG Satellite saddle (that I've seen on sale for $80!). The bike is a little on the heavy side, but is still a great and efficient climber.
The only problems I ran into were with the disk brakes and the seatpost. To get all the great stuff in at that price, they had to skimp on something. The mechanical Diatechs would not work from the start. On both brakes, one of the pads wouldn't release and would continue dragging on the disk. And they always, always, squeeled. They shrieked like baby pigs being put through a meat grinder. And I couldn't even lockup a wheel with all that disk brake power. I replaced them with Avid V's, and the bike is lighter and I have more braking power and control. And as for the seatpost, I just broke it a couple of days ago. The suspension just fell apart.
If you ride Cross-Country, wether you're a racer or a weekend warrior, go out, bike the bike, and you'll love it. It handles well, climbs great, and moves fast. But be sure to have the shop replace the disk brakes (and wheels if going to V's) with V's or hydrolics. And probably the seatpost too. Most shops will do it for free (or a very small price). Replace the brakes, and this bike will serve you well.
Bike Setup: Swapped WTB SpeedDisk wheels with Mavic CrossRide's, Diatech disk brakes with Avid 2.5 V's, and WTB EnduroRaptors with Michelin WildGripper Comp S's. Currently replacing seatpost with Thomson Elite.
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Submitted by
Mark Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Corpus Christi, TX
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2001
Strengths: Great components, very sturdy, handles like a charm. Nice Avid mech disc breaks that stop on a dime.
Weaknesses: The saddle and seat post need a fixin'. The grips aren't good. Little bit heavy.
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I got an excellent deal on this bike. Overall, it's a wonderful bike. You can't go wrong with a Zetec Comp.
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from huntsville, tx,usa
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2000
Strengths: This bike has a really great frame. I am tall and i had to get a 22 inch, and the weight is pretty good. It is really fast and the Marzocchi shock is incredible.
Weaknesses: The seatpost shock sucks and I had to replace that with a rockshox post. The factory post broke and DB replaced it with the rockshox with no hassle. The disk brakes stick, but again DB replaced them with a set from Dia-tech that they claim fixes the sticking problem. I haven't had any problems with them yet.
Bottom Line:
This bike is priced great! I got an absolute steal on it at 850 bucks. Diamondback will work with you on warranties with no hassles. The factory setup is great lx/xt components with avid SD 1.9 levers. If you are looking for a hardtail that can take a beating and looks great, you need to find this bike and at least try it out. You will love it.
Similar Products Used: GT Timberline. With a lot of new stuff added.
Bike Setup: I have kept it pretty much stock except for the seatpost which is a rockshox.
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Submitted by
tim marton
a Cross Country Rider
from marlboro ny
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2000
Strengths: this frame to say the least is extra stiff with plenty of clearance and the right angles. great component package with discs and xt lx and a marzzocchi
Weaknesses: the discs need alot of time to break in and you really need to play with them to dial them in right. the suspension post is worthless completely worthless.
Bottom Line:
the bike is great except for the seatpost. the bike holds a great line downhill or in the mud. the bike climbs like a monkey on crack and the discs work great for diving into corners or jetting through log ridden singletrack(just adjust them and have some patience. this is the perfect ride for a traditional cross country rider or a aspiring free rider that is on a budget
Bike Setup: stock setup minus the post and cranks both replaced with race face xy post and a set of raceface turbine lp's
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Submitted by
Kyle
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2000
Strengths: Effective design, easy on the eyes. Not too shabby on the weight although the disc brakes add a bit, they still stop on a dime.
Weaknesses: None as of yet.
Bottom Line:
This thing flies, first Diamondback I've owned and quality all the way. Only thing would be to cut the weight back a little bit if your critical about racing. Also might wanna swap out the disc brakes with hydraulics.
Bike Setup: Swapped out the tires for a pair of blue Panaracer Fire XC Pros. The handlebar is a Raceface Air Alloy. The seatpost is a Control Tech, and slapped some Titec Mag '99 Bareneds on that puppy.
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Submitted by
Phil Reece
a Cross Country Rider
from Albany, NY
Weaknesses: Riser bars need to be replaced for those of us real Cross-country riders, mechanical Diatech calipers have a tendency to lock up, WTB tires need to be replaced, not an Easton frame - but still very good.
Bottom Line:
The discs NEED to be replaced with a nice set of Maguras or Hayes, and if you don't like the weight of a suspension seatpost you might want to replace it. Other than that, the bike is tight, light, nimble, and responsive. By the way, it looks HOT!!! Go check one out at your local Diamondback dealer. For $1100, you can't go wrong with this bike!
Similar Products Used: 1999 Zetec Comp (2000 blows it away!)
Bike Setup: WTB tires replaced with blue side-wall Panaracer Fire XC Pro Kevlar tires, Koskei riser bars replaced with Profile straight bar, Tomac stubby bar ends (115 grams), Profile Kage
