Strengths: it has great gears, and the brakes are just amazing. the tires are really nice, they are good for trails, and road.
the suspension is really nice, and it is aluminum so that makes it really light for when you are moveing around.
Weaknesses: it just dose'nt have a bash guard, but thats not the biggest deal.
Bottom Line:
is that the bike is great for almost anything, and it can get you around to places.
Submitted by
crossclimber
a Weekend Warrior
from Halifax, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2008
Strengths: Great Componetry for the price. Most excellent Geometry, fits tall guys. Low price allows lots of upgrades!
Weaknesses: Heavy front fork. Cheap crank. I bought it at Dicks and felt like such a cheapskate. Support your local bikeshops!!!
Bottom Line:
I've had this bike for a while now and even tho there isn't much left of my original bike other than the frame that is what really sold me anyway. Its super light, crazy durable, and fits a tall guy like me. It climbs like a goat and nimble enough to flow down technical terrain. Wonderful for those wanting an entry bike into XC riding and it won't hold more advanced riders back (after a few upgrades).
Similar Products Used: trek mtb, walmart bike(my 2nd bike form when i was 7)
Bike Setup: changed fork for a rst titan air with remote lock out, front kenda klaw rear panaracer fire xc
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Noh 937
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 26, 2008
Strengths: Great frame, and decent fork and components for the money.
the best bang for the buck. the orange that comes on the frame is absolutely awesome. but it chips easy so becareful. the kenda klaw tires that it comes with are real good on the wet dirt and mud. as well as hardpack. but can be alittle loud on the concrete, but still a good high roller. another good aspect of the bike is that its a really good hill climber. much better then fullys. also, taking it off some jumps in the dirt park at DON, it works pretty well considering its not really built for it. if you put on slicks, it could be a real road warrior as well. DISC brakes needed adjusting but that was easy, and it worked beautifully.
Weaknesses: the forks heavy, but that can be changed. and the chain really can eat up your frame. tape it up or put the cover on that part of the frame, or your gonna get white marks all over it. pain chips easy, and the big Kenda Klaw tires are really good on dirt....not for getting back home.
Bottom Line:
pretty much the most bike you can get out of your dollars.
one of the best value quality bikes you can get, and recommended to anyone.
pretty much anyone who is looking to ride in the dirt of anykind, (downhill, XC, DJ, FR, Shore) you can do it all on this bike. if your looking for efficiency and personal upgrades to really customize your bike to perform like a 4000 dollar bike, this is your bike. just don't buy it if your going to do cross country marathons...and just make sure you keep your baby clean, taped on the chainstays, and away from things that could chip the paint.
having a good lock is a good idea too;)
Submitted by
Chris P
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne,Vic,Australia
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2007
Strengths: Mine is a Topanga Sport not comp. Only difference is sport has shimano mech disks and Truvativ fiveD cranks. Great value 4 money. Good stoppers. Shocks work well for me. Good cassete and rear derailleur(xt).
Weaknesses: Seat, but this changes for everyone. Stem can rattle when landing a big jump. Chain eats at paint unless frame is taped.
Bottom Line:
Great value for money. ( i got mine for half price Au$524). Good strong xc bike that handles well around town. Tyres could be changed to better suit riding style. All components function properly after two years.(only had the bearings in the hub replaced due to myself not tightening the quick release properly).
Similar Products Used: Diamondback Vectra Sport, Giant Alias
Bike Setup: Marzocchi MZ comp(82mm). Alex ace-18 rims. Tektro levers with shimano mech disks. Sram cassete. Xt front and rear derailleurs with deore shifters. Truvativ fiveD cranksets. Adura seat. Diamondback frame, hubs, stem, handlebars and seat post.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Caribou, Maine, USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2006
Strengths: This bike is great for just about any cross country rider that is on a bike at least three times a week. I ride my bike to school almost every day and it is great for in town use. I also use it for aggressive biking on the trails and it is great for any tree roots and loose dirt.
Weaknesses: The Rockshox Judy TT is only good for about 500 miles. After that the oils inside start to come out on the stanchions and it freezes right up. The Truvativ FiveD Crankset could also use some changing after a while.
Bottom Line:
Get this bike. It has great components on it and the bike looks sharp. And you can get it all for a very low price. Just don't let anyone named TIM ride it.
Bike Setup: Rockshox Judy TT Fork, Shimano Deore Levers, shifters and front derailleur, LX rear, Hayes HMX2 Disc Brakes, Truvativ FiveD crankset, Alexrims DM21, WTB Weirwolf Tires and Sram cassette and chain.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Cam
a Weekend Warrior
from Wollongong, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2005
Strengths: Great front and rear derailer (Shimano Deore XT), trusty forks, solid frame, awsome brakes.Does everything from uphills to steep downhill and even jumps. A great bike but time for me to move onto a dualy.
Weaknesses: Weight, uncomfortable seat, grips seemed to wear out pretty quickley, short stem.
Bottom Line:
Top bike for a top price, Does anything you want it to, anything from downhill to dirt jumps, this bike has lasted me in various enduro races and rides at downhill tracks. This is a perfect bike for a beginner.Great colour too. Cheers
Bike Setup: Marzohci EXR 100mm,27 speed, Deore hydrolic brakes,Truvati cranks
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ted Marks
a Cross Country Rider
from Carlinville, IL
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2005
Strengths: The whole bike is just such a solid setup for the money and while taking it on a wide variety of trails it performed like a dream.
Weaknesses: The shock just doesn't do it for me on rough trails. I hate the wellgo pedals because my foot keeps slipping. Cranks suck because they creek. The seat sucks it just doesn't feel right.
Bottom Line:
For the money this bike really rocks and it feels like a bike that you might spend more money on. I think this bike would really be sick with a Rocksox Reba fork, and different seat and clipless pedals. Over all value I give it an A.
Bike Setup: Judy TT fork, Hayes disc braks, TruVativ cranks, Wtb warewolf tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
scooter
a Downhiller
from blue mountain australia
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2005
Strengths: strong frame, mostly reliable componance, good value
Weaknesses: tru-vative cranks and bottom bracket are junk
Bottom Line:
in the last 12 mounths i have riden this bike long and hard. i brought this bike to replace my mx bikes and have done everything from long road rides, to downhills even been to bmx tracks but mostly cross country. other than the crap bottom bracket that wore out to soon everthing else has been rock solid. i ride with guys with much more expensive bikes and the topanga does everthing there bikes can do. looking forward to many more trouble free miles from my topanga.
Bike Setup: all stock except lx front derailer and fsa platinum pro bottom bracket
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
George Reither
a Weekend Warrior
from Sylmar
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2005
Strengths: Strong frame, nice frame geometry (for me anyways), very upgradable, looks cool(I think), good components for the price.
Weaknesses: none that I can think of. Well...maybe they should of put a better fork on this thing, although I've had no problems with the Judy TT that came with it. The whole bike is a little heave, but im not really concerned too much with weight. The way my bike is set up, it weighs about 27 pounds. Is that good?
Bottom Line:
I'm sure glad I bought this bike. I was a beginner when I bought this bike, and I think, all in all, I'm a better biker because of this bike (for being a hardtail). I've taken a few pretty hard falls on this bike and the frame is hanging in there better that I thought it would. Perfect beginners bike, and with a few upgrades, could be a perfect intermediate to advanced bike. The Bottom Line: I love this bike. five stars all the way. Ride one first before you judge it (Whats good for me may not be good for you).
Similar Products Used: This is my first real bike.
Bike Setup: Truvativ Team handlebars and stem. XT rear derailleur. XT chain. Sun Ringle Zu Zu pedals. Ritchey slicks 1.4' tires (this is my commuting bike to and from work). Everything else stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jerome
a Cross Country Rider
from Spokane WA
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2005
Strengths: Very light in weight, components are exceptional especially for the overall price paid. Very responsive.
Weaknesses: Stock WTB seat sucks IMO, I changed it the second day of riding. Pedals seem cheesy. Im not sure if this is a weakness, but going downhill at faster speeds the bike wants to float because its so light. (maybe its the tires).
G'Day all
I have a buddy who's looking at getting into MTB and thinking of purchasing a Topanga Comp 06. Anyone beein making a similar decision or had an earlier Topanga?
Pro Read More »
Hello everyone,
I'd like to upgrade the Rockshox Judy TT fork on my '05 Diamondback Topanga Comp.
In my opinion, the bike has a lot of potential. Therefore, changing the fork will Read More »
My '05 Diamondback Topanga Comp is currently sporting a Rockshox Judy TT fork.
It's a great hard tail mountain bike and I'd love to make some upgrades, particularly the fork.
I'm Read More »
Hey guys,
Here is my '05 Diamondback Topanga Comp.
I'm not a hardcore mountain biker so this bike does me justice :D .
I just wanted to know what I can do to it to make it bet Read More »
Hi i need to know what fork exactly came on a 05-06 (not sure the year) Diamondback Topanga Comp. I am having a wheel toe clearance problem with a Answer Mantoitou. Also if you kno Read More »
