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Diamondback XSL

MSRP $ 1099.99
# of Reviews 4
Average Rating 4.5/5
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Submitted by Mike a Weekend Warrior from Mill Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:Benham Falls Loop, Bend, OR
Duration Product Used:Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid: $32.00
Purchased At:Tahoe Bike Shop
Strengths:Plush Suspension, Price
Weaknesses:Weight, Pedal Bob
Similar Products Used:Trek Liquid 20 (tested), Specialized Enduro Pro (on its way!!!), Tomac 98 Special Comp(Rented on same trip), Klein Palomino, Gary Fisher Cake (tested), Rocky Mountain Slayer (tested), Marin Wolf Ridge (demoed), Marin Mt Vision (tested), Giant NRS 2 (tested)
Bike Setup:Stock except for a Spec Body Geometry seat
Bottom Line:This bike was a fun ride coming down after six miles of climbing. It jumps rocks and logs confidently. However, it was a pig going uphill. Any time I stood up while climbing the thing would bob and lose traction unless I pedaled and weighted the tires perfectly. It also had a 'Race' model sticker on it. This thing really doesn't seem well suited to any type of racing that I am familiar with. It's a good value for someone looking for a decent mild trail ride, though.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:3

Submitted by OldGuy a Cross Country Rider from Midwest
Date Reviewed: December 3, 2003
Favorite Trail:all of them
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $700.00
Purchased At:online auction closeout
Strengths:Disk brakes, Frame,
Weaknesses:The seat sucks, came with only clipless peds and I hate those so I bought new ones the day I got it.
Similar Products Used:Trek and another Diamondback
Bike Setup:Stock right now but the seat has to go
Bottom Line:I bought this whole bike for what it would have cost me to upgrade the brakes, fork, cassette and wheels on my other bike. I rode it for a week and then went back to my old bike, wow the difference was more than I thought it would be. I had to replace the rear brake cable since the stock one kept sticking even after I took it apart and lubed it. Other than that and the seat which is rock hard it's been great. At first I did not like the Judy C fork but after adjusting the preload and riding it more Im pretty happy. It is stiffer than my old one on the small hits but way better on the big ones. This bike also climbs WAY better than my other bike, no bob at all.
I would give it 5 chilis for overall but keep in mind you may need to personalize some things.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Mike a Cross Country Rider from Raleigh,NC
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2003
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $700.00
Purchased At:Cycle Logic(Ed is Awesome!)
Strengths:Price, full Deore,
Weaknesses:weight
Similar Products Used:Trek, Gary Fisher, Kona
Bike Setup:Deore throughout inc. disk brakes, welgo pedals, EA 70 bars,Bontrager stem seat(fs2000)seatpost, MTB Velociraptors(wet) Hutch' Pythons (dry)
Bottom Line:Awesome! half the price, twice the value - D'Back has made an awesome comeback since being bought by Raleigh...great bike, I ride a lot of roots, rocks and singletrack and I can stay in the seat without being an organ donor...the balance is fine and makes the weight tolerable even on steep stuff, Diamondback started most of this stuff years ago and has a history of winning-I like bein' part of it!
See ya' at the top!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Mike a Cross Country Rider from Raleigh,NC
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:Regency, Hogs Run
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $700.00
Purchased At:Cycle Logic (Ed is Awesome!)
Strengths:Full Deore XL top to bottom, disc brake set,cranks et al.
great ride! weight, balance -price!! ($400 bucks less than anything of equal set up, online,local bike shop etc)
Weaknesses:none yet
Similar Products Used:Trek, Gary Fisher, Kona
Bike Setup:Stock + Easton bars, Wellgo pedels, Bontrager s2000 seat,Alex rims, MTB velociraptor tires(wet) Hutchison Python (dry)
Bottom Line:Nothing close for the price, has everything I need for pretty serious single track, lotsa roots out here in NC and I can stay in the saddle under power and not flinch, I have a Trek 4900 hardtail with upgrades that can rattle my bones if I try to even think about puttin' my butt on the seat...the XSL just bops smilin' along !
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5






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