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Diamondback Topanga

MSRP $ 489.00
# of Reviews 4
Average Rating 3.25/5
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Submitted by Super Dave a Weekend Warrior from WALES - UK
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2005
Favorite Trail:local coast path
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $100.00
Purchased At:some dodgy guy sold it to me £££
Strengths:erm its being so long i cant remember!

built to last

Geared to go (top speed of 46mph! - what a rush!)

Heavy to build muscles
Weaknesses:I couldnt reach the pedals, many-a-bashed b*ll*ck (i've had this bike since i was 8, but like all things "you'll grow into it" - i never did!)

Replaced bearings all round as ridin in sandy conditions (coastal paths) replacements went square after what seemed a week (originals lasted for about 4 years)

Bent handlebars (several times) (this bike not for jumping!)

VERY HEAVY but makes you strong! so not really a weekness

Pink forks? whos idea was that!
Similar Products Used:this was my first real bike, before this i had a bmx (old skool) and before that a bike with stablisesers - the faster you went the faster you HAD to pedal or lift ur feet off te pedals n watch em spin and to stop u had to pedal slower forcin the wheel to slow down (only a front brake!) it also went backwards which was cool!
Bike Setup:BROKE! replacement 1999 xcr4000 with a few extras ;)
Bottom Line:I've had this bike for like a million years, from boy to man, it built my muscles up to a incredible size and amount of power and no hill was an obsticle and i live in WALES (UK) one of the hilliest parts of the country! This is best geared bike i've ever used - it had a gear where you wanted it - nowadays i find im too powerful for the weedly little gears fitted to bikes and i cant go as fast (fast = adrenaline - adrenaline = best feeling in the world!) which is a pitty

I serviced my bike reguallary and it lasted well, crashed it bashed it, fell off at 10000mph and it bounced (i didnt but hey) took a beating and just kept on goin.

It lasted me my childhood until i finally got fed up with it after buyin bearings almost every week (cheap crap ones - im now a little more educated in things like this) and purchased a full sussers (with wussy gears (for ppl with no muscles!) and a saddle that nearly cut me in 1/2 - still hurts (thanks WTB!)
Its now burried in my garden (shed) along with my parents "used once" bikes!
one day it'll be on antiques road show... or some one diggin for fossils will find it - its how a bike should be!

on average i used to cycle about 100 miles a week (cycling to work and then back the scenic route, so since i was 8(im now 24)... thats about 5000 a year x 10 years of constant use = 500,000 miles (approx, i remember my speedo goin round the clock at least twice) - not bad for a £100 bike!


Its gettin for flamin turds for value for money (as i was 8 and didnt have any cash (that was my xmas and birthday money for two years!)
and 4 for overal rating as it got on my nerves near the end of its eventful life (bearings etc)
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by edward vierk a from Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2003
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $365.00
Purchased At:Bike Pedalers
Strengths:It's lasted since I bought it in early 1990. It's a 1989 model. Last year I had to replace the rims that came with it. I weigh 230 pounds. Since 1992 I've used it as a commuter vehicle to supplement cars and trucks that have come and gone. The Biopace sprocket and cassete are still original, with no slipage.
Weaknesses:The frame was slighly bent near the rear wheel attachment and the back wheel would slip out of the attachment point. I had this straightened, and had no problems afterward.
Similar Products Used:Giant. Specialized Hard Rock.
Bike Setup:Came with some kind of Shimano quick shifters. Unknown rims and tires. Avenir seat. Biopace system.
Bottom Line:I live on this thing. Probably not a great hardcore trail/race bike, but it's served my commuting/screwing around purposes.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Glen Upfold a Weekend Warrior from Cape Town South Africa
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:Tokai - Cape Town
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $400.00
Purchased At:Tony Impey Cycles - JHB
Strengths:Solid frame, quality components
Weaknesses:Wieght, and rims
Similar Products Used:Giant Sedona
Bike Setup:As is new Alivio Rear mech. WTB enduro raptors new saddle.
Bottom Line:This bike has lasted 8 years. With constant off road riding/racing I have only replaced my bb once, rear mech 3 times and cables. It kicks ass on XC, jumping is a no no. I have goton to know the dirt quite well.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Evan a from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:Summit Rd track
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Strengths:light, solid CrMo frame with snakestays and nicely routed cables.
STX r.der. is adequate.
Weaknesses:frame started to rust @ chainstay underside
poor tyres (very terrain-specific Panaracer Duster II's)
centre-pull canti brakes require careful adjusting
Shimano brake pads are terrible
gearshift cables & sheaths aren't slick
Weinnman rims require constant trueing
Alivio fr.der. rattles
Similar Products Used:Milazo Crazy Horse, Specialized Hardrock, Bauer Extreme IV
Bike Setup:std with Ritchey SPDs, barends, still fully rigid
Bottom Line:This bike had a lot of crap stuff on it. The tyres were unforgiveably poor, and I replaced those soon enough with a Specialized Dirt Control/Panaracer Magic DH f/r. With these tyres and SPDs the bike becomes a very fast and light weapon for xc, so long as your technique (& concentration) is up to the rigid front fork. I enjoy kicking hard-tails' butts, but jumping is a no-no. The brakes are OK with aftermarket pads, the gearshifting (Alivio/STX f/r) is slick with aftermarket Jagwire cable and sheaths.
This rigid really loses control on DHs, though.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:2






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