Submitted by
bill
a Cross Country Rider
from nh Date Reviewed: October 30, 2001
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
local shop
Strengths:
Good frame construction, decent parts for the price, cheap.
Weaknesses:
Kind of heavy, some crappy parts such as wheels and seatpost.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Stock so far, other than new pedals.
Bottom Line:
For the price a pretty decent bike. Climbs okay, and decends pretty fast. okay components too, if you upgraded you could have a pretty nice free ride bike but if you have the money get a better bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Blair
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, N.C. Date Reviewed: July 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Brown Mountain
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$675.00
Purchased At:
Local Shop
Strengths:
bike is still together!! and i have burned it pretty bad. clips and breaks almost gone but everything as durable as expected.
Weaknesses:
supsension seat....
Similar Products Used:
specialized stumpjumper, bridgestone mb5
Bike Setup:
currently everything stretched
Bottom Line:
if you can ride but don't feel like paying for all of the BS this is your bike. i owned it for a month before entering my first race and won!! since, i have entered 2 more taking 2nd on my last. i spent more than twice as much on my last bike and can't tell the difference. don't let anyone (shop employee) talk you onto another ride. definitely the fastest downhiller i have ever owned.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Will Lyons
a
from Lexington, Ky Date Reviewed: June 24, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Strengths:
I'm a pretty new biker, but I got a good deal on this bike, and so far am really pleased. It climbs well, and is fast downhill, and takes small jumps pretty well. I like the fork, but would prefer something a little lighter. Pretty good components for its price.
Weaknesses:
I think the wheels suck, my rims are bent, the tires are bad, and the hubs aren't great. Apart from this I havn't had any problems, accept that the rear derailler hanger is a little bent, and the bottom cog wheel on it broke.
Similar Products Used:
couple other bikes, trek 6500, schwinn moab
Bike Setup:
All original parts but I'm gonna get new wheelsets.
Bottom Line:
For the price, a great bike, especially if you get it a little cheaper. I havn't been biking for long and this is my first decent bike, and I love it. I have a friend who used to race and he said he'd take it over most other hard tails anytime (especially since its cheap). Sure there are better bikes out there for higher prices, but this bike is a lot for your money. I don't know how this would do for racing or anything (I havn't gotten that far yet) but its sure great for bombin around trails, both uphill and down. The 4 is just becase the wheels suck so much.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barclay Yates
a Weekend Warrior
from Hendersonville, NC Date Reviewed: March 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Dupont, Cascade Lake Area
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Bikeways, Hendersonville, NC
Bike Setup:
Changed to quick release seat post and a pair of extended toe clips, due to my bad foot bones.
Bottom Line:
3 months after purchase and 15-20 rides I am getting used to what the bike can and can't do. Fast downhill with very good control. Takes drops of a few feet well. Climbs good.
Wears thru brakes fairly quickly due to fast tendancies of the bike on downhills.
So far everything is holding up well.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barclay Yates
a Weekend Warrior
from Hendersonville, NC Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Dupont, Cascade Lake Area
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
Bikeways, Hendersonville, NC
Strengths:
I like the rock shock and I have found the travel is a little much for my riding style so I have lessened it with the adjustable shock dials. Weight transfer on the frame is good for climbing if the shock is stiff. Like the shifters.
Weaknesses:
Wheels weren't true when I got the bike, not bad off but not true. Stem feels low on steep decents.
Similar Products Used:
Looked at Univega.
Bike Setup:
Changed out the stem for a slightly higher rise stem to help in the descent department. Changed the clipless pedals for toe clips. Clipless just doesn't fit quite right.
Bottom Line:
Overall I really do like the bike. I have been out on 4-5 rides in the last month and am still tinkering with components. Example, seat shock is nice but when you need it you usually aren't on the seat anyway. My old bike is a Yokota. Climbs like a son of something but doesn't have a front shock and is 10 years old.
I do like the Apex and the price is very reasonable. Some of the spec parts are not great but they can be replacd as they break. The price I paid was way under the usual retail.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ramsés
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas, NV, USA Date Reviewed: December 21, 2000
Favorite Trail:
wherever i can avoid cactuses and rattle snakes from southern nevada to northern mexico =)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$650.00
Purchased At:
bikeshop website with promotional offer/code
Strengths:
STIFF/FAST frame, AVID brakes, suspension seatpost, Shimano drivetrain, riser bars, worthy components for its price range.
Weaknesses:
Heavy Judy XC, cheap/heavy seatpost IF you don´t care for a suspension post.
Similar Products Used:
Raleigh M600, Schwinn Moab 2,3, Trek 6500, 7000.
Bike Setup:
Stock plus Manitou SX-R with anti-bob lever and Cane Creek C-2 headset.
Bottom Line:
Apex is fast and stiff. I couldn´t afford a worthy steel bike around $800, so I went all out for the fastest/stiffest bike in that range and upgraded the suspension. The World Cup Geometry frame from Diamondback outdoes its competition (Trek, Schwinn, and other top names) in speed and stiffness, yet still under $1k for a whole bike. The rise bars are a plus, though the lengthy top tube might make you want to get a shorter stem. The WTB Raptor tires are alright around the desert here, but I know the wheels will need changing soon, but that´s okay because this bike is worthy of some Mavic Crossrides or something alike. Though there are some components that are not too great, this is the best bike to get to upgrade because of the price. The Apex´s long-tubed frame and geometry plus its long riser bars are reminiscent of BMX, which is why I bought this. If you like Diamondback´s BMX and are looking for their philosophy of fun/fast bikes, get one of these! If you´re looking for more cross country type of bike, concentrating on climbing and long stretches of constant cycling and no fun, go for a Trek or Schwinn.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justin Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Springfield, MO Date Reviewed: October 20, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$500.00
Purchased At:
Galyans in KC
Strengths:
Solid component mix. Good fork and drivetrain for the money.
Weaknesses:
Weak wheelset. Hubs and rims are sub-par for its class. Tires are useless.
Similar Products Used:
Rockhopper, Stumpjumper, Giant Iguana, and too many Schwinns
Bike Setup:
Rockhopper with King headset, Manitou SX shock, Grip shifters.
Bottom Line:
This is my roommates bike. He got a great deal on it so it was an A+ for value. My roommate is not a heavyweight at 165lbs., and does not torture his bike like some. But after only five months the wheels are way out of true. The tires are the biggest downside though. The ones his bike came with (some Sedona crap) can barely grip pavement. Overall I would say buy this bike and slap on a new wheelset and you will have a great intermediate level ride. Four flamers for value if you paid $850.00. My roommate gets 6 for paying $500.00
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jason Jack
a Weekend Warrior
from Worthington Pa. Date Reviewed: August 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
moraine/deer lakes
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
solid frame & enjoying judy xc,nice components for the price. avid brakes are excellent & suspension seatpost is a surprising + (i didn't think i would like it.)
Weaknesses:
nothing to report so far, keeping an eye on the rims.
Similar Products Used:
schwinn badlands (owned) schwinn moab elite (ridden a few times) giant 800 (ridden a few times) specialized stumpjumper (ridden a few times) i went from old schwinn badlands with bottom line components & supension to the apex (feels like i traded in a yugo for a corvette!!)
Bike Setup:
all original so far. rock shox judy xc, shimano deore crank & front derailler, lx rear derailler, avid brakes
Bottom Line:
Very pleased with the performance & price. i tend to be hard on bikes & in the month and a half that i have had this bike it feels like a keeper. if you you ride serious and have to stay under a grand this bike is worth buying.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from Aptos, CA Date Reviewed: July 9, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Frame, fork, drivetrain, good components for price
Weaknesses:
none
Bottom Line:
I just ride on weekends and didn't want to spend over 700. This was the best bike I could find in that range. It has all good components and is very rigid. This is a very decent machine.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike Bolen
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsburgh Date Reviewed: April 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Bavington State Game Lands
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Brakes, Drivetrain, Fork, Frame
Weaknesses:
None found yet
Similar Products Used:
Giant Boulder (1991)
Bottom Line:
This bike was a gift so I'm not sure what it cost. Overall it is an excellent Cross Country bike. The components are solid and the frame geometry gives the rider a good postion. The WTB tires do not clear mud as well as my IRC Mythos so that will be one change. Overall I'm very happy with the bikes performance and set up.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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