Submitted by
eshullett
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas, NV (us) Date Reviewed: October 24, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Bootleg
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Strengths:
So far everything but the fork. I did watch a friend go down hard and brake off the brake lever.
Weaknesses:
The tora 302 is not I say again is not made for any kind of jumps or drops. Other then that nothing, now just upgrading things to shave some weight.
Similar Products Used:
Hardtails
Bike Setup:
Still upgrading
Bottom Line:
I am very happy with this bike. Its strong and can take a beating(not the fork). If you are new to f/s bikes this is a good bike to buy and upgrade as you go. The bike has good handling and is smooth(after you change the fork).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
X_er
a Weekend Warrior
from Newhall, CA Date Reviewed: October 15, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Any (esp with lots o' trees)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$340.00
Purchased At:
ediscountbike.com
Strengths:
Bought as frameset only (came with headset and Fox Float R shock). Besides the great price, I bought this frame for it's overall great reviews from publications and owners. Everything said is true. A fantastic handling all mountain/X-country handling bike that can hold its own while decending a moderate downhill. DB did its homework on this frame design. While it soaks up the hits with its low center of gravity and moderate 6 inch travel suspension hardware (rear), it's still a descent climber. A nice looking package that I would highly recommend.
Weaknesses:
Weight is the only thing I can thick of. BUT, for a mass-produced frame, that's such a small issue. And it's one that you really don't feel when riding it.
Similar Products Used:
Mongoose Tescali
Bike Setup:
DB Mission 1
XT 8-Speed
Truvativ Fire X GXP Crankset 170mm FIREX
Nashbar Platform/Clipless combo pedals
Mavic Cross Ride Wheelset
Kenda 2.35
Hope Saw-tooth Floating Rotors, 183mm/160mm
KORE Carbon Fiber Stem/Bars/Seat Post
Fox Float RLC 32 140mm
Fox Float R Shock
Bottom Line:
It soaks up the hits with its low center of gravity and moderate 6 inch travel suspension hardware (rear), it's still a descent climbing and x-country bike. A nice looking package that I would highly recommend!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
LynnMAmtnbiker
a Weekend Warrior
from Mssachusetts Date Reviewed: August 30, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Downhill trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Ediscountbikes.com
Strengths:
Looks great
Great on descents
Climbs well for the travel.
I use it for downhill quite a bit and have had nothing but positives.
comes with great parts..
Weaknesses:
weight.. 34 lbs.. has its advantages on downhill it eats up the descents and handles any terrain with ease.. but when not at the MTB park it can be a little heavy on climbs.. i dont really have any complaints but i could see where a little lighter bike would benefit me in the back woods climbing etc. i would not want it too light however. definitely worth a demo dont let the weight turn you away. i love this bike.
Similar Products Used:
A trek and a kona both demod.
Bike Setup:
2007 stock setup.
Bottom Line:
This bike will blow your mind and especially for the price, the stock setup is great.. i keep thinking i want to change something out of boredome but have no complaints or reasons to do so. I saw a couple of reviews that did not do this bike justice so i had to give it a proper review.. this bike is great i have had no issues with it i ride it quite a bit and quite hard. I use it at the park for downhill as well as in the local woods and have no issue with this bike in either regard. love the way it looks as well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
back2ujim
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco, CA Date Reviewed: April 4, 2009
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Super plush pedalable bike, affordable, Propedal shock, nice pivot hardware, durable wheels, Hayes hydro disc brakes, Deore/XT shifting.
Weaknesses:
Overall weight, Rockshox TORA 318 fork, no shock lockout
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Enduro, Azonic Propulsion
Bike Setup:
Mostly stock w Fox Vanilla 140 r, longer FSA seatpost, and some sweet platform wellgo pedals.
Bottom Line:
This is a bike you can ride to the top of a mountain with enough left in the tank to take advantage of a frame that dares you to push it on the descents. In order for me to take advantage of this bikes Fox Propedal shock and actually ride this bike I had to get a longer post, as the stock one is pretty short, kinda silly not to advantage of the uninterrupted seattube. Pedals great seated, out of saddle gets mushy, but come on, six inch bike. The fork on mine started making horrible clicking sounds on my second ride. Rockshox crap. I have had terrible luck with their products and service over the years. I got a bro deal on a Fox(which all the new ones come with), and couldnt be happier. If you have the money, spring for the higher end models with lockout and a little less weight, but this bike can rip for under 2G.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Classicrock256
a Weekend Warrior
from NY Date Reviewed: March 24, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1300.00
Purchased At:
BikeWorks Gloversvil
Strengths:
I have had this bike for a year and love it since the day I got it. Solid frame and solid suspension are great for really pounding down north eastern trails. Climbs well and the Kenda Nevegal 26" 2.3 tires handle the shale rock and slippery trails well. You can really bomb around corners on this bike.
Weaknesses:
A little on the heavy side, but if i was not looking to work I would not be biking. I wish the 2007 model had Fox front suspension like the newer models, but the Tora still gets the job done.
Similar Products Used:
a couple cannondale's
Bottom Line:
Frame & Fork
Frame Construction TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material Butted/Hydroformed Aluminum
Fork Brand & Model Rock Shox Tora 318, 130mm
Fork Material Steel/aluminum, single crown
Rear Shock Fox Float R, 6"
Components
Component Group Shimano Deore
Brakeset Hayes Sole w/7" rotor front/Hayes Sole w/6" rotor rear brakes, Hayes Sole levers
Shift Levers Shimano Deore
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore, top swing
Rear Derailleur Shimano LX
Crankset TruVativ Blaze 3.1, 22/32/44 teeth
Pedals MTB Alloy Platform
Bottom Bracket TruVativ Powerspline
BB Shell Width Unspecified
Rear Cogs 9-speed, 11 - 34 teeth
Chain SRAM PC-971
Seatpost Easton EA30, 30.9mm diameter
Saddle WTB Pure V Sport
Handlebar Easton EA30 riser
Handlebar Extensions Not included
Handlebar Stem Easton EA30
Headset 1 1/8" threadless Zero Stack
Sette XE Curved Alloy Bar Ends (after market)
Wheels
Hubs Front: Alloy w/CNC Disc Mount, Rear: Alloy Disc Cassette w/CNC Disc Mount
Rims Sun Ditch Witch
Tires 26 x 2.30" Kenda Nevegal
Spoke Brand Stainless steel, 14ga. (2.0mm)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DavidNeiles
a Cross Country Rider
from Chattanooga, TN Date Reviewed: September 4, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Raccoon mtn
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$1400.00
Purchased At:
Dick's Sporting Good
Strengths:
This is a good bike to start with for the money, Yes it is heavy but you are getting good parts for the price. The frame and rear shock is the same of the mission 2( I Own one). The bike will get you into all mountain riding and you can upgrade parts and make it what ever your dream is. (For the guys below) who had issues with paint scratches and other crap. WTF. I understand shipping issues, but get real. (200+ lbs in the rear shock and you weigh as much as me 155lbs!! try to use about your weight in psi, I use 150 psi and weigh 155lbs) I use all my travel and it is plush and not too soft. I mean if you say you work at a bike shop and have actual experience, you must be having bad luck or a case of the stupids, I am just saying, If you scratch your bike that much you are just not taking good care when riding or maintain your bike, I have not had any issues with paint since I pro-dealed mine in april 08, I have been riding it several times a week for months, And being a experienced mechanic for 10 yrs and selling Raleigh and Diamondback for years, They have a good rep and take care of all my shop's and customer's warrantys like I was family. DB is a good company on the rebound and will be a force to to recon with in yrs to come.
Weaknesses:
Just weight really, 34 lbs. Can't beat the price!!Frame would be hard to break. 5 yrs warranty on frame!!
Similar Products Used:
Lots
Bike Setup:
The stock setup for the 07 model
Bottom Line:
Buy this bike if you don't have 2G's to spend and want a bike to do it all. XC, Downhill, whatever
Be ware of haters. Represent DB. You'll love the stable amazing handling!!! sorry 4 chilis for weight. But good buy for the money again.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe H.
a Cross Country Rider
from Bakersfield, CA, USA Date Reviewed: August 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Rancheria Rd.
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
Sport Chalet
Similar Products Used:
Marin Quad XLT, Ibex asta, Kona stinky
Bike Setup:
Damaged right out of the box.
Bottom Line:
I work in the bike dept and am having a huge issue with this bike. I had two M-1's, a 19" and a 17", both right out of the box with the exact same problem. The boxs were soaked through with oil from the fork and the rear triangle was bent. The rear wheel was so far over the the sidewall of the tire was dead center with the seat tube. The boxs were undamaged and after speaking with diamondback and rockshox I found out that diamondback new they had a batch of bad forks and never sent out any notice or recall. They wouldnt let me email pics of any of it. They didnt care. They tried to fight warrantying them even. Having been fed up with diamondbacks India made freewheels on there cheap Outlooks, I am very disappointed with there whole line up. We have even more problems with the Dart 3 fork on the overdrive 29er. Rockshox is paying to have the forks replaced and shipped to us...Diamondback still wont help us.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
byrl
a Weekend Warrior
from El Paso TX USA Date Reviewed: September 18, 2007
Favorite Trail:
negotiator
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Awsome ride characteristics! The geometry kicks ass and fits my freeride all mountain style. weight.
Weaknesses:
This thing is made like a tin can. I have cracked and severely bent two in just three months. I work at a bike shop and know how to run bikes so I know its not me. I weigh 140 and run the shock at 215 psi!? Customer service seems to somewhat resistant to the idea of giving me another frame. We shall see.
Marzocchi 66, travativ chain guide, single track wheels...
Bottom Line:
While it lasts this bike does it. Rides like a dream just wish that they could build it to last.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
devin
a Weekend Warrior
from los angeles ca, usa Date Reviewed: July 23, 2007
Favorite Trail:
dead cow
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
jones bicycles #2 san marino
Strengths:
Climbs slowly but surely, goes down like a bat outta hell, soaks up all but the worst stuff.
Weaknesses:
tora fork flexes really bad when pushed- needs through axle fork.
Similar Products Used:
06 reign 2, kona coiler deluxe.
Bike Setup:
stock with spec. enduro saddle.
Bottom Line:
a great ride that can pretty much get you anywhere you want to go-if you are persistant. I recommend this bike to anyone who likes decending, but doesn't mind climbing to get there. not five chili's cause of the fork.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
byrl
a
from el paso, tx, usa Date Reviewed: July 13, 2007
Marzocchi 66, travativ chain guide, single track wheels.
Bottom Line:
bomb freeride bike that you can peddle anywhere.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SOS
a Cross Country Rider
from Utah Date Reviewed: April 15, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Versatility
Weaknesses:
Can't buy a frame only version
Bottom Line:
This is one of the best all purpose bikes I've ever ridden. I was a bit skeptical about it at first, but five minutes into my first ride all doubts were laid to rest. It climbs well, decends well, and looks #$%& cool in my living room! I think for the price it is one of the best 6" all mountain bikes out there. If you want a true trail bike, look no further!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Downhiller
from Ocala, FL Date Reviewed: March 15, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$1800.00
Purchased At:
Village Bikes
Strengths:
Bomb-proof Construction. This is one hell of an abuse bike!
Weaknesses:
Weight of course
Similar Products Used:
Haro WERKS
Bike Setup:
Azonic Platforms and a Truvativ Hussevelt Stem
Bottom Line:
If you're looking for a no kidding all around good bike that is versatile and durable - look no furhter. This is the most bike you'll ever get for your money. With a quality mix of burly components this is a true free-ride all mountain bike. It may be a little heavy, tipping the scales at over 31lbs. However, don't be scared, the weight is good for you and will build character...plus chicks dig dudes with big legs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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