Submitted by
PabloVTA
a Weekend Warrior
from Ventura, CA.
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2010
Strengths: light and nimble
Weaknesses: a bit flexy in the BB.
Bottom Line:
bought it new, used it a hand full of times, but it's too flexy for me since I'm 6'4" and north of 260#. Would be a great city bike with slicks and a different stem.
Looking to upgrade the forks and stem and get some riser bars, or maybe just sell it and start with something more burly. If I were 6'3" plus and under 200, this would be the ticket. I'm willing to sell it now.
Similar Products Used: genesis anaconda, specialized
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Submitted by
fortcampbell
a Weekend Warrior
from Clarksville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2009
Strengths: Pretty much the whole bike.
Weaknesses: Can't ride anymore due to back condition.
Bottom Line:
This bike was a new purchase in 1996. I only rode it about 6 months before having to store it because my spinal fusion surgery was not a success. It is a great bike and in my opinion, a one of a kind. I would recommend this bike to anyone wanting a most reliable and great trail bike. I wish that I could still ride mine. I will be posting mine on the marketplace because I can't ride it anymore.
Submitted by
djcarman
a Weekend Warrior
from Syracuse, NY
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2008
Strengths: Light weight, rugged and maintenance free. Performed pre and post season PMs, lubes and balance and have gotten my moneys worth.
Weaknesses: Discontinued
Bottom Line:
Bought in "almost brand new" condition, at a small pawn shop in Georgia. Best bike I have ever owned, hundreds of trouble free miles! Great for back roads, unmarked forest paths, hills and Georgia swamps (Millitary style hashes)
Submitted by
Harry Braunstein
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn, NY
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2007
Strengths: Strong and light frame Responsive yet compliant. Cool looking. Fast
Weaknesses: discontinued
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike in '94 or '95 when it just came out. Her name is Crystal and she's the best! We've been so many places, she's the best and I love her! She's been abused (so many crashes including being hit by two cars) and remains strong. She's showing a little bit of rust which is to be expected after being ridden in so many wet and salty environments. I'm so crazy about my bike she's even slept in the same bed as me.
Strengths: WCF: Excellent concept for standard MTB frame that seemed to lose market share to more radical dual-suspension bikes in the mid-90s. Someone should bring back the idea.
Bottom Line:
This review concerns the 1995 Vertex WCF - a truly unique frame where carbon fiber tubes up front are combined with a steel rear triangle. I've owned this bike for 12 years now and it is my only mountain bike. Immediately, I upgraded to Shimano XT. I also added V-brakes when they came to market without any problem. I have been mountain biking riding and racing since the mid-80s, so I also "retrograded" to a non-suspension fork and thumb-shifters. I ride extremely remote places and rely on the ruggedness of my bike. Suffice to say that I love my Vertex. I have taken it on some of the most technical trails without fail. The frame geometry seems perfect for my medium build and it rides very smoothly (remember I use a stiff fork). It is also very light which makes carrying it over impassible AZ terrain quite easy. The main problem is that Diamondback seems to be a thing of the past so a replacement seems to be an impossibility for now. That said, I see little signs of wear on the frame even after years of riding. If you come across a Vertex WCF on ebay, scoop it up before I do.
Similar Products Used: I have tried many different MTBs from friends and family.
Bike Setup: old school
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Submitted by
andy harper
a Cross Country Rider
from nottingham
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2006
Strengths: The frame is the smoothest i've ever ridden. the carbon tubes seem to absorb at lot of small vibration, but the steal joins make it a rock solid ride.
Weaknesses: It was way before the days of V-brakes, so you need to ride 2.0" tyres or under to get your wheel off if you're on v-brakes. There is also no replaceble rear mech hanger, if you ride hard & crash heavy.
Bottom Line:
Best bike i've ever riden! Sure, i've ridden some new rides with disc brake which are great, but for the ride of your life, this is the frame to have. I've had the frame just over 10 years now & it's had some use too! I purchased as a 1995 "last season special" in a sale in 1996 for £825 (after riding my mates & falling in love) & i've never thought about replacing it. I can't explain the ride - it's like having suspension comfort & strength with the nimbleness & incredible lightness of a hard-tail. you just feel very safe on it - like you can throw it about anywhere & it will never let you down.
Favorite Trail: The Ridge off the top of Ladybower, Peak District
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At: broadribs cycle store
Similar Products Used: Marin, Kona, Specialized, Orange - none are the same though!
Bike Setup: It came with an LX/Xt mix, I upgraded to full XT & changed every other componant on the whole bike except the frame, only to have everything stripped off it when i was in the gym one afternoon :( I've still got the important bit - the frame & I've just re-built it again thanks to a bit of scrounging & a generous mate with spare bits:)
Strengths: I bought this frame for $50 on ebay. WOW. What an amazing bicycle. The ride is so lively and fun, it's the most fun bike I've ever owned. I can't say enough about this frame - It rocks.
Weaknesses: Rear tire clearance designed around cantilever brakes (HA!) and of course there is no disc mount, so tire clearance is limited to under 2.0" - However I have mounted a Panaracer Fire XC 2.1 on the back by deflating it, mounting the wheel, and then reinflating it. Other than brake clearance, there is no frame clearance problem for a 2.1"
Bottom Line:
Good luck finding one of these. I found myself a $50 hidden treasure, and may never go back to aluminum FS bikes again. Steel is real baby, and SWEEEET...
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Norman, OK USA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2004
Strengths: It's the best mountain bike I've ever ridden. I'm a heavy rider (6'2" and 205 lbs.) but the frame is great, responsive, and strong.
Weaknesses: I've has some problems with the rear cassette, but that's not the frames fault!
Bottom Line:
This is simply the best bike I've ever ridden. I see other mtn bikes all the time that are cool, but I can't seem to part with this bike so I just keep upgrading. I'll ride it until the frame snaps in two.
Bike Setup: I've replaces with Avid V-brakes, XT levers and rear derailleur. Also new riser bars and forks.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Molly M
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004
Strengths: No problems after almost 8 years of MANY kinds of riding (logs, curbs, roads, dirt, gravel, etc)....it has become my favorite.
Weaknesses: I've tried to think of one but I just can't.
Bottom Line:
I am a research maniac, and look into every aspect of anything I buy before I buy it. Well at least big ticket items. Buying the DBR Vertex has been the only exception to this rule of mine; I just loved the clean ball burnished aluminum look and decent component group when I bought it. It has been everywhere with me since I purchased it in Florida 7 years ago, and if I ever found another for sale anywhere, I would buy it because I LOVE IT SO MUCH! I guess you'd understand if you've ever had the "perfect" bike. It's hard to believe I was a wee 15 years old at the time of purchase. If anyone out there finds a DBR Vertex (1995) EMAIL ME & I'LL BUY IT! acemjm@aol.com
Bike Setup: Came stock with LX everything...upgraded to XTR/517s, XT components, Manitou Mars fork, XT V-brakes....changed everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) except crank and seatpost. LOVE THE FRAME! Thanks to D at Performance Bike in IL for encouraging my upgrading habits (and the deals)!
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Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston Texas
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003
Strengths: Great bike riding up hill. Very responsive. Light weight
Weaknesses: I've some problems with crank arms coming lose during riding.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for the money I paid for it. I bought a bike to last and this is it. I get alot of compliments with this bike. If you can find one get it...Strong aluminum frame.
Strengths: Great geometry, it is very responsive and lightweight
Weaknesses: no replaceable deraileur hangar
Bottom Line:
Sorry to hear about the guy that got his stolen, that sucks. I picked this bike up from a friend that needed cash. He paid $1200 back in 95 and its the 7005 aluminum polished frame. He lived on a boat so it got a little corroded but I pulled everything off of it and polished it up. I have since added all xt to it, new intense tires,fork, saddle and I have ridden many other bikes and I still love this one the best.So many times I have gone to the bike shop thinking I'm going to kick down and buy a new one and even the new hard tails don't feel like this one does. Did I mention it's really light and strong. I ride a 20 mile loop once or twice a week and it's full of huck jumps, logs and this baby just flies over it all. I will not get rid of this bike until it dies!
Bike Setup: Rock shox judy xc, xt everything with a few remaining lx stuff
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Tony Lloyd
a Weekend Warrior
from Sheffield, UK
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2002
Strengths: It's the DBR WCF version. It's the best bike I've ever ridden, by a long shot. It does exactly what you hope it'll do, regardless of whether it's physically possible. Goes where you points it, faster, and smoother than you think it rightfully should be able.
Weaknesses: You can't get them anymore, and Mine was stolen yesterday. I'm in mourning.
Bottom Line:
Oh woe is me. It's been stolen. I'm gutted. I just don't know how to replace it. I've lived on the thing for 7 years, and I really don't know what I'll do now. Wonderful bike. I can remember trying it, all those years ago in the carpark of the bike shop. I was 14. I'm now 21, and it's gone. I'm heartbroken.
Strengths: Lightweight, strong and fast frame, solid original parts spec, good geometry
Weaknesses: stiff ride, a little flex in the seat stays when hard on rear brakes
Bottom Line:
Today is a sad day. I have been riding this bike since I bought it in 95 and it has been a most trusty steed. Unfortunately due to it's extensive use and a small dent in the top tube am retiring it from off-road use. I am putting the original LX parts back on and it will now be my "around town" bike. It is not the most comfortable bike I've ever ridden but the stiff frame sure makes it fast and with the Girvin fork it always goes where you point it. I raced it for the first time this year and took first which is a testament to how great this 7 year old bike is. At the time I bought it I could not find a better value for my money. Now all I have to do is pick a replacement to fill it's big shoes.
Bike Setup: remaining stock parts are LX front derailleur and seat clamp almost everything else upgraded to XTR/9.0 level, USE seatpost shock, Girvin x-link elite fork
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Submitted by
Joe McFalls
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002
Strengths: This bike was spec'd great out of the box for the price I paid. I have many thousands of miles on this bike and only rebuilt one complete time. Climbs like a mountain goat, geometry is perfect for cross country riding/racing.
Weaknesses: The company that made this bike no longer exists. The pretender that took its place will most likely be next on the auction block.
Bottom Line:
This is best bike diamondback ever built. I will ride this frame as long as it will allow (I hope until I am very very old). It is an age old story for mountain bikers everywhere once you find something that is outstanding you had better buy a dozen of them because next year they are going to make them better. This bike is perfect for the cross country rider/racer who puts in many miles on both single track and forest service roads. I can't think of anyone who would not benefit from owning this bike.
I'm a father and my 13 year old daughter has been using my Rocky Mountain 17" Rocky Oxygen Race (hardtail) bike for a few rides and seems to like it especially from the cheap no-na Read More »
