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Diamondback Topanga

MSRP $ 399.99
# of Reviews 14
Average Rating 4.29/5
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Submitted by taylorchris a Weekend Warrior from canada
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2009
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $350.00
Purchased At:sport check
Strengths:Disk breaks all around, light frame
Weaknesses:Can't really think of any...could have been cheaper maybe
Similar Products Used:Bianci-Thin Blue Line
Bike Setup:Have slicks on it as I do alot of city riding
Bottom Line:Great bike great price...did alot of research on other bikes such as Gary fisher,FHS,Trek and Giant...this bike has all the others have and then some..
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Joseph a Weekend Warrior from Athens, GA
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2004
Favorite Trail:N. GA.
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $400.00
Purchased At:Athens Cycling
Strengths:Bang for the buck. Solid, easy and responsive. Other brands a bit more expensive with similar attributes. Reliable shifting and drivetrain.
Weaknesses:Bottom bracket needed work from squeaking, but only lubercation. V brakes didn't work well on muddy trails; they had trouble stopping on downhills. Frame a bit heavier than others.
Similar Products Used:Giant Yukon
Bike Setup:Replaced seat post due to massive wreck (bike ok!)with shock post (just ok). Replaced stock rims with Sun Ringle Disc Jockey wheels and mechanical Avid disc brakes. Replaced foot cages with power straps.
Bottom Line:Kick butt setup. For those not so nimble the disc brakes provide a great range of stopping power in any conditions (including mud, water, and blood). The frame is solid and with MANY wrecks holds well and nothing breaks that shouldn't. I highly reccommend a disc break setup if you can upgrade to it. The frame is a bit heavier than others, but hey... can't have it all, right?
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Mitch Kruger a Weekend Warrior from Gillette, Wyoming
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:Hazelton Road
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $399.00
Purchased At:ACME Bicyles
Strengths:very lightweight, has good suspension. I like the geometry of it. The components are great
Weaknesses:a very, very minor clicking in the highest gear might need adjusted again.
Similar Products Used:trek 900, diamondback sorento, diamondback ascent
Bike Setup:front suspension the Judy II 3 inches of travel
Bottom Line:I like this bike, I took it up a 3 mile 10% grade highway the second after i bought it, and i made it alive
great light weight frame ,
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Mike Ragan a Cross Country Rider from portsmouth, va
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:street and paths around my house
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $350.00
Purchased At:Scat Bikes
Strengths:The adjustable Judy TT shock, alivio components, light-weight, strong frame.
Weaknesses:break levers and gear shifters are all one piece. Diamond back headset and handlebars. Chain ring is one solid piece.
Bike Setup:Factory components, added profile design bar ends and panaracer smoke / dart tires.
Bottom Line:So far the Topanga has been an excellent bike for the money. It has given me no problems on long rides and is extremely light weight compared to what I am used to. Anyone looking for a nice, solid, midrange bike should definitely consider the Topanga.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Shane a Weekend Warrior from Germany
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003
Favorite Trail:The one I am riding
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $399.00
Purchased At:Military Exchange
Strengths:Frame geometery upgrade capability OUTSTANDING PRICE!!
Weaknesses:One piece chainring set, shifters brake levers one unit. If one goes out you have to replace all/both.
Similar Products Used:Cannondale M300 (twice), Trek 950 Single track, KHS Montana comp.
Bike Setup:Factory
Bottom Line:I have been mountain biking for 16 years, sometimes near professional levels. I bought the Topanga because I was limited on choices being overseas in the US military. However this is by far the most responsive, comfortable, and well built bike I have ever ridden or owned. As components wear out I will upgrade but no need to change anything until it goes out. This alluminum frame and fork set up is far more responsive and comfortable than even my Cannondale. I reccomend this bike for anyone entry level to borderline obsessed, short of a sponsorship there are few better values.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Josh Fithian a Weekend Warrior from Kansas City, MO, U.S.
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $300.00
Purchased At:Dicks
Strengths:Great geometry, strong frame, sharp colors
Weaknesses:Broke a lever but that's a good reason for upgrades
Similar Products Used:Trek, Gary Fisher
Bike Setup:Easton EC70 carbon flat bar, Kore Lite3 stem, XT shifters, Mavic X317's with Deore discs, Avid mech. discs, soon to be XTR deailleurs & cranks.
Bottom Line:Bottom of the line parts are gonna break so this bike is perfect for the daily rider who likes make anything better.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by PR a Weekend Warrior from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2002
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $299.00
Purchased At:Dick's
Strengths:Light weight bike for the money. Good components. Great bike for the serious weekend rider who rides trail/pavement. Sharp looking bike.
Weaknesses:None yet. Only had bike one month.
Similar Products Used:Specialized, Giant.
Bottom Line:Great bike overall! Handels well on trails. I looked at other bikes with similar components, and the price was $50-$100 higher.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Rick a Cross Country Rider from Wrightwood, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2002
Favorite Trail:San Gabriel Mountains
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $400.00
Purchased At:bike shop
Strengths:Forgiving and easy to ride with an excellent upgradeable frame and more than adequate components. A true value for the MRP of $399.99 for an entry level bike. The brakes will stop on a dime.
Weaknesses:None found so far. However I would like to see it with clipless pedals.
Similar Products Used:None
Bike Setup:factory
Bottom Line:I'd do it again in a heart beat. It's perfect for the recreational/sport mountain biker wanting to get away from it all without leaving an empty wallet or melted plastic at the bike shop. For the money, it's a great way to enter the world of mountain biking without a heavy investment. I've got a new friend.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Mikeski a Weekend Warrior from Cary, NC
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2002
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $299.00
Purchased At:Dick's
Strengths:Great components for the price.
Weaknesses:None found yet.
Similar Products Used:Trek 4300, 4500
Specialized Hardrock A1, Comp A1
Bike Setup:Stock
Bottom Line:This bike has many of the same compenents as the 4500/Comp A1 machines.
Topanga - $299
4300, A1 - $375
4500, Comp A1 - $425
You make the call.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Tom a Cross Country Rider from Wilmington, NC USA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:I live on the coast...
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $318.00
Purchased At:Dick's
Strengths:Light frame, good components.
Weaknesses:Stock stem and handlebars, hubs, Tektro brakes.
Similar Products Used:Dept. Store bike upgraded with Alivio components.
Bike Setup:Stock except Alivio brakes.
Bottom Line:I came from a heavy steel framed bike. The aluminum was noticeably lighter. The Rock Shock Judy TT easily handled all the roots and ruts that the coastal NC trails can throw at it. I will post more when I have ridden more.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Matthew Garrett a Cross Country Rider from Jacksonville, AR, USA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2002
Favorite Trail:Potowatami
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $400.00
Purchased At:Galyans
Strengths:Stong aluminum frame stands up to the day to day abuises of my life. Set up is perfect componants wise. Fork is ok for the price.
Bike Setup:Factory
Bottom Line:AWESOME is the only words that can describe is bike. Everything down to the colors is perfect. I would recomend this mountain bike to any and everyone that is considering on buying a new hardtail for a low and descent price.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Eric Hoefer a Weekend Warrior from Schenectady Ny USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2002
Favorite Trail:Woods behind my house
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $465.00
Purchased At:dicks sporting goods
Strengths:Frame is tough handles on a dime worthy to keep a few years and if you want to upgrade it its easy to do so.
Weaknesses:The fork that came with it was kinda blah. (mine came with a rock shox jett)
Similar Products Used:None yet
Bike Setup:Topanga with Rock Shox Psylo xc titec hellbent flat tracker bars titec big al stem titec Carbon seatpost Rockwerks clipless SPD pedals Hutchinson mosquito front tire and a Performance topo semislick rear tire.
Bottom Line:I Love it couldnt be any more than i wanted in a beginner intermediate bike. I got to do many upgrades rather than buy a new bike. this saved a lot of money for me. bottom line well worth the money paid.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Trevor Motzny a Cross Country Rider from Illinois
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2002
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $390.00
Purchased At:bike shop
Strengths:none
Weaknesses:Too heavy, non responsive fork, they use 7000 series aluminium which should not be welded therefor making a very unsafe frame
Similar Products Used:Giant Yukon
Bottom Line:stay away from any aluminium frame diamondback, i've looked around for a different hardtail and found much better values in other brands for the same price.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Matt a Weekend Warrior from Alabaster,Al
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:Oak Mtn State Park
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $400.00
Strengths:Rockshoxx Judy TT is great compared to what I have been on,Alivio components are excellent,Kenda tires have yet to let me down.
Weaknesses:None as of yet
Bike Setup:Factory
Bottom Line:For the money,a great ride for cross country,o.k. for downhill. Money well spent.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5






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