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Submitted by
heyanimal
a Cross Country Rider
from north wales,pa usa
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | still lookin... | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Purchased At: | craigslist | | Strengths: | So far the frame is light and strong. already hit some nice jumps with no problems.. | | Weaknesses: | none so far but i would like recommendations on upgrading the deore components.. | | Similar Products Used: | genesis anaconda, specialized | | Bottom Line: | Love this bike..it fits me perfectly.. I'm 49 and nobody can keep up with me...bring it, young bucks... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fortcampbell
a Weekend Warrior
from Clarksville, TN, USA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Strengths: | Pretty much the whole bike. | | Weaknesses: | Can't ride anymore due to back condition. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | DIAMONDBACK VERTEX TR BIKE
Bicycle Type Mountain bike, front suspension
Sugg Retail $1,400.00
Weight 25.0
Sizes 18"
Colors Black
Frame & Fork
Frame Construction TIG-welded steel
Frame Tubing Material True Temper TT Lite, double-butted
Fork Brand & Model Manitou Comp
Fork Material Aluminum, triple-clamp crown
Rear Shock
Components
Component Group Shimano Deore XT / LX
Brakeset Dia-Compe 987 brakes, Shimano Deore XL levers
Shift Levers Shimano Deore SLR Plus LX
Front Derailleur Dia Comp 987
Rear Derailleur Dia Compe 987
Crankset Shimano Deore LX HyperDrive-C, 22/32/42 teeth
Pedals Avenir
Bottom Bracket
BB Shell Width
Rear Cogs 7-speed, 11 - 28 teeth
Chain KMC SS-90, 1/2 x 3/32"
Seat post Bontrager Titec 191, 27.0 mm diameter Sakaf Superhand 7CC
Saddle Avenir
Handlebar Avenir
Handlebar Extensions Avenir
Handlebar Stem Tioga AL-2
Headset 1 1/8" Dia-Compe Kontak Aheadset SA
Wheels
Hubs Shimano Deore STX
Rims Mavic M230, 32-hole & Ritchey Vantage Comp
Tires 26 x 1.95" Tioga Psycho kevlar
Spoke Brand DT stainless steel, 2.0 mm double butted
Spoke Nipples Brass nipples
| | 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.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
djcarman
a Weekend Warrior
from Syracuse, NY
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Georgia back roads | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Perry (Ga) Pawn Shop | | Strengths: | Light weight, rugged and maintenance free. Performed pre and post season PMs, lubes and balance and have gotten my moneys worth. | | Weaknesses: | Discontinued | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing close | | Bike Setup: | old school | | 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) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harry Braunstein
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn, NY
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Montauk- serpents back | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1275.00 | | Purchased At: | Long Beach Bicycle | | Strengths: | Strong and light frame Responsive yet compliant. Cool looking. Fast | | Weaknesses: | discontinued | | Similar Products Used: | I've ridden many mountain bikes. Litespeed Ocoee is very nice, but its not Crystal. | | Bike Setup: | Replaced all components except for the Ritchey seat. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a
from Arizona
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | I have tried many different MTBs from friends and family. | | Bike Setup: | old school | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy harper
a Cross Country Rider
from nottingham
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2006 | | 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 | | 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. | | 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:) | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
el ray
a
from the midwest
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | 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" | | Bike Setup: | Manitou X-Vert, disc up front | | 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... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Weekend Warrior
from Norman, OK USA
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$875.00 | | Purchased At: | Acme Bikes, Katy, TX | | 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! | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | I've replaces with Avid V-brakes, XT levers and rear derailleur. Also new riser bars and forks. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Molly M
a Cross Country Rider
from Athens, GA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike store in Lake Mary, FL | | 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. | | 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)! | | 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 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston Texas
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | memorial park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn I think | | Strengths: | Great bike riding up hill. Very responsive. Light weight | | Weaknesses: | I've some problems with crank arms coming lose during riding. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary fisher, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Good except handelbars are to low, stem needed to be adjusted. Mantibou comp shocks. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Racer
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Tiger Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | friend | | Strengths: | Great geometry, it is very responsive and lightweight | | Weaknesses: | no replaceable deraileur hangar | | Bike Setup: | Rock shox judy xc, xt everything with a few remaining lx stuff | | 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! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony Lloyd
a Weekend Warrior
from Sheffield, UK
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Somewhere in Norfolk | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Loads. Came down to choice between the Kona Cinder Cone and this. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, + acer SPDs, Green Wildgrippers, lightweight hubs. | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bubba
a
from Carrboro
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Can't pick just one | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$850.00 | | 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 | | Similar Products Used: | oodles | | 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 | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe McFalls
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything with lots of climbing and great views (mainly national forsest) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Steve's Bicycles and Sports | | 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. | | Similar Products Used: | Lightspeed Pisgah, Specialized Stumpjumper pro | | Bike Setup: | Vertex TR steel (best frame material hands down). xt rear der., xt front der, lx splined crankset, profile design stem, avid sd5 brakes, xt rapid fire/brake levers, spinergy spox wheelset, 11-28 xt rear casette | | 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. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Racer
from Little Rock, AR
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Wildcat Mountain, Ouchita National Forest, AR | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Paul's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Light-weight steel frame (yes...steel), Durability, Frame geometry | | Weaknesses: | Anything Tioga | | Similar Products Used: | Various similiar Gary Fisher, Specialized, Schwinn, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Exvert fork
V-brake upgrades
Hutchinson Gold Python tires
XT rear cogs
Ritchie clipless pedals
Rolf Satellite wheels | | Bottom Line: | I bought my Diamondback Vertex TR in 1996 as a '95 closeout. I am STILL riding and racing it (MTB and Adventure) after over 5 years. I must be the only one at most of the grueling AR MTB Series races with a steel bike! There is no ride like it! People are always very surprised when they lift it and find it only weighs in at currently 24 lbs.
I have, of course, replaced many of the original wear items (I am on my 4th front fork, third rear wheel, etc.). I have punished this bike and loved it. It is still in great condition after thousands of trail and race miles. The bike has proven to be bullet-proof.
It is not the most comfortable touring bike...the geometry is meant for fast, hard riding. Fast is, however, what it has always done best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George DiUbaldo
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellington
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Street | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1780.00 | | Purchased At: | Henry's Bicycles | | Strengths: | Indestructible yet light weight | | Weaknesses: | Stock tires should be kevlar. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback Zetec, Apex | | Bike Setup: | Manitou Comp, kevlar tires | | Bottom Line: | Better than the Zetec and the Apex. This is the best bike I've ever ridden. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pepster
a
from H-town
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Memorial | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Ones Cycles | | Strengths: | Light, Strong, Light, Strong. Very responsive. It feels very alive. | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Gary fisher, Univega, GT, ParkPre Team 925, Specialized. | | Bike Setup: | Profile Racing TRIALS Crankset, Kevlar Serfas Gator tires, High end stuff | | Bottom Line: | BEST Hard tail for your money. If you want a light, aggressive, strong frame, this one uses the best double-butted aluminum, well welded. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Flyn' Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from West Virgina
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Satan's Nephew | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Country Roads | | Strengths: | Sweet ride, not too harsh, yet stiff. really tractible, corners well and handels nicely all around. | | Weaknesses: | Only my worn out cassete. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback Zetec, Diamondack Ascent TR, Trek 8500, Mongoose dx 5.3 | | Bike Setup: | Diamondback Vertex TR (true temper), Sram rocket shifters, xtr rear derailure, xt front derailure, avid speed dial 1.9 levers, avid single digit 5 brakes, mavic 138 wheels with deore hubs (soon to be replaced with mavic 517's and xtr hubs), coda bar and stem, thomson seat post, serface ARC saddel, coda clipless peadals and a manitu mars super (well, really it's an elite with anti-bob, so it's just the same as a super, just doesn't have the decals.) | | Bottom Line: | I haven't had me my bike long, so i may still be partial, but it's a super sweet bike, it really beats the Zetec hands down, i owned the Zetec but traded it to a guy for this bike, i found out about it through my trusty source at country roads bike shop in new martinsville, wv if you ever are in that area stop there, the man will treat you right, back to my review, as i said i've not owned the bike long but my friend Crazy Caleb has a diamondback ascent TR (which is similar to my vertex) and he's really liked the thing and he's had it for quite a while, and it's held up to his abuse amazingly enough, he's one of those guy's that the bike shop hates to see comin'. but my vertex climbs soo much better than the zetec, or any of the bikes i've rode for that matter. and the best part is how light the bike is. it's nearly as light as my brother's trek 8500! and my bike is steel! so i'm very pleased with it's performance and feel, so i'll give it a 5. i think that this would be a good ride for a XC fanatic or race who likes the feel of steel, i wouldn't recomend this to a new rider because i think before you invest this much into a bike you aught to figure out which you like better, steel aluminum, titanium, ect. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a Weekend Warrior
from Pgh.Pa.
Date Reviewed: June 13, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Still searching for it | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Rock Solid, can be ridden thru anything. Trust me, I have done it, or at least tried it. | | Weaknesses: |
Discontinued | | Similar Products Used: |
No other carbon bikes | | Bike Setup: |
WCF with Comp shock | | Bottom Line: | I think this is agreat bike and the deal I obtained on the purchase was outstanding. If I had to chose between my car and this bike, the six speed Legend coupe might be missing from the garage. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walt Brand
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Rapids MI
Date Reviewed: May 7, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
This is the 1995 WCF version: Light, simple, strong, reasonable cost,
carbon provides some damping, lightweight steel rearend is lively, dropouts and BB threads are steel (takes abuse), intelligent cable routing | | Weaknesses: |
Rear triangle has the undamped resilience of good steel but not the smoothness of carbon fiber, and your butt can tell the diff. Steel still rusts. | | Similar Products Used: |
Giant/Cadex CFM-3 (full-carbon lugged frame) | | Bike Setup: |
Bought as frame from LBS ($250). LX parts, SunRace TurboGrip shifters (not bad!), RS Q21R shock (used), Araya TM18 rims, Tioga CitySlickers, old Profile carbon bar. Pyramid Cloud 9 saddle. Used as urban warrior vehicle. | | Bottom Line: | The last of the carbon-for-the-masses bikes, and the cleverest by far. One can only imagine how cheaply they could've marketed a full-carbon frame using the automated techniques they developed versus the cut-and-paste handwork still used in other carbon frames-- if only the WCF line had been a marketing success! Hats off, carbon fans; a great idea passes. LBSs might still be able to get a frame from Diamondback for you if you ask nicely. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bozeman
Date Reviewed: May 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Dry creek, Bogus Basin | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Incredible ride, stiff where a xc should be, climbs like a goat, nimble on single track, cheep for partial carbon, trick idea! | | Weaknesses: |
has been discontinued, major shame! No replaceable deralure hanger. NONE otherwise. | | Bike Setup: |
WCF 2.1, same frame as Vertex WCF, just lower end components, which I upgraded. | | Bottom Line: | I am rating the frame, since mine came with kind of low end components. Frame is great, one of the best XC I have ever encountered. Fairly light, incredibly strong, I have ridden this thing everywhere, abused it way too much, and its still like new. Love the steal carbon combo ride characteristics, strong, durable, stiff, yet not harsh ride, very fast! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T-bone
a Weekend Warrior
from IL
Date Reviewed: April 7, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Bottom Line: | This bike is freakin awesome. The bomb. Thats all. This is my first MTB. I bought it used about 2 years ago as a starter bike (it's a 95). It had decent components, mostly lx with canti's, Manitou Comp, and crappy x-rays. Since then I've uprgraded EVERYTHING but the frame itself. I had planned on buying a new frame eventually, but this one is cool looking (its polished aluminum w/very simple, plain decal),lightweight, and totally bombproof. I've abused this bike to no end and broken practically everything on it and the frame only has one small dent on the underside of the downtube from the bike rack when I ride it to campus. If your lookin for a used frame and you find one of these, jump! No kidding. 5 stars for the frame, 3 1/2 for the stock components. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A Hay
a cross-country rider
from Carrboro NC
Date Reviewed: March 10, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my Vertex since 95 and have been very pleased with it so far. It has taken a lickin and kept on tickin. I find it somewhat hard to believe that Spliticus cracked the frame but then again I have seen people break just about everything. The only thing stock left on the frame is the stem and cranks. The best upgrades have been the V-brakes and Gervin X-link Elite. I also just got a U.S.E. XCR suspension seat post which has brought much needed relief to my aching back. Overall great frame, looks cool too. Needs a replaceable derailer hanger though. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard Styron
a cross-country rider
from Branson, MO
Date Reviewed: November 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got an aluminum Vertex frame, used, with a Ritchey Force-Lite bar, Control Tech stem, Quadra-21 R fork (with Englund air cartridges), Bontrager seat, post, Aheadset, and LX bottom bracket for $250. I have ridden it on just about every terrain imaginable for 6 months, and I have to say I am very pleased. I have ridden it of 6 or 7 foot drop offs repeatedly, wrecked hard, and basically abused it, and it has stood up to all the punishment i have put it through. I have two other friends with the same frame, and we have the same opinion on it. The only qualms I have with it are no hea tube gusset and no replaceable rear derrailleur hanger. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dicky D
a cross-country rider
from Newburyport, MA
Date Reviewed: July 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the 95 Vertex TA, which is made out of Easton Elite 7005 Tubing. Bottom line is that this bike kicks some serious ass, if you know what I mean? Seriously, the frame weighs practically nothing, it's super stiff, looks damn cool, and doesn't need that much upgrading. Too bad DBR stopped making this bike after 1 year and renamed it Zetec and changed the frame around etc. I'm still in the process of tricking mine out, but I'm getting there. The bike only weighed 24 lbs stock, it weighs something like 22 now. Definitely recomend buying this bike if you can find it. Happy Trails! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Gonzales
a weekend warrior
from Glendale, NY
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my DBR WCF Vertex for 2 1/2 years. It was all custom built from a swap for a Cannondale M800 I had. The frame is carbon braided and gray fade one of the first. It handles just about anything you throw it's way. From the hard streets of NYC to eating up dirt on the xt trails. I find the combo of chromo and carbon as a ridgit and good shock absorbing ride. I totaly tricked out the bike from wheels to Ti BB. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Capttan Kona
a cross-country rider
from Petaluma, CA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
My best friend, whom we call Spliticus, has this bike. He has only had it for about six months, and cracked a weld on the down tube near the head set. He only weighs 185 lbs, light for a weight lifter, but this bike could not take the pressure. After contacting the shop where he purchased the bike, he found that he is not the only one to experience cracked frames, this must be why the bike was on sale. He is now trying to get a replacement frame from Diamondback. I can not rate this frame high at all. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike McKay
a cross-country rider
from USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
It looks pretty good. I think it would be great for racing cross country. It looks like it has some good components. I would love to have this bike. I think that the suspention is OK and it looks like an al around good bike. If they want to give it to me I would take it. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris Lukowitz
a weekend warrior
from Sayreville, NJ
Date Reviewed: February 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is definitly a great bike. It's super light, the XT derailers do fine for me although I do need to adjust it every so often. My style of riding is fast and hard with as many jumps and bunny hops as I can get in. I am definitly an agressive rider putting a lot of abuse on this bike sometimes because I don't always know what I am doing. I outride my four other partners who ride Cannondale, Trek, and GT and they have been riding longer and should have more stamina. I say get one. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C M
a cross-country rider
from U S A
Date Reviewed: November 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I had my Wcf vertex for one year now and its been great.Very light and a very good climber.For the price it a good buy with great components.I just changed the fork to a judy cross country and put on a pair of ritchey clipless pedals. Rides like a champ!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ed Reed
a cross-country rider
from Fayetteville AR
Date Reviewed: August 20, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I've been riding a '95 DBR WCF Vertex for over a year now and have only positive
things to say about it. This bike was a steal last year at $1200, and with a
few upgrades I've turned mine into a true race-steed. I also can't complain about
the price, since I got mine on a sweet employee purchase deal when DB was trying
to clear some excess inventory... I paid about half the dealer cost on the bike,
so for _my_ money it was the deal of the century.
The frame is not the lightest (3.75 lbs), but it's not heavy either. Lighter than
chromoly, more forgiving than aluminum, cheaper than titanium, more reliable than
a full carbon (OCLV, etc.) frame. Very nice ride quality on this frame, plus
killer looks.
Components: '95 was speced with full LX, with X-Rays and XT derailleurs. Stock
fork was a Manitou Comp, which I've replaced with a Mach 5 SX... honestly, the
Comp is a great shock and performed almost as well as the Mach 5. X-Rays are junk
and were replaced with LX RapidFire. Tires are Psychos, so replace those with
some Continentals, at least the rear one. Add bar-ends and clipless pedals and
you are ready to rock-n-roll.
Retail after my mods would come to around $2000, and it weighs in at about 23.5 lbs.
I plan on adding V-brakes and maybe getting a trick wheelset in the future.
Buy this bike.. great price and a killer frame, just replace the cheesy parts. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Bussiere
a cross-country rider
from
Date Reviewed: May 14, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been riding the DB WCF Vertex for about seven months now and I have
one thing to say. Nice. When I first purchased the bike I was sceptical,
I was getting it at a great discount due to manufacturer overstock and was
told to evaluate it and send back a reply. I new that the idea of welded
carbon-fiber sounded a little gimicky but I was curious. My first bike was
a univega Carbolite, with a lugged carbon frame made by Giant. I always
contested that the Univega was an awesome riding bike , until I rode the
Diamond Back!
The DB comes equiped with XT components and a Manitou Mach 5 fork, all
for about 1200 greenbacks. Quite an outstanding deal for the quality. I
was not entirely satisfied though. First I found the original 95 Manitou
Comp fork way to flexy for my riding style (strong, fast, and with some
observed trials mixed in) so I replaced it with my Girvin Vestor 2. I
also replaced the XT rear derailler with an XTR w/ power spring. I also
replaced the grip shift with XT rapidfire shifters (personal preferance).
Along with a smattering of other upgrades I think its a generally awesome
bike, great for all those seeking the ride of a steel bike with a stiffer,
better tracking, front end. With a better fork I would give it a full five
star rating, otherwise, only four.
| | Overall Rating: |
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