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Diamondback
Response Sport
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Submitted by
D-Wes
a Weekend Warrior
from Bakersfield,ca, usa
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Toads | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$289.00 | | Purchased At: | Lbs | | Strengths: | Frame, kenda tires, rims | | Weaknesses: | Spinner fork, seat post, derailers, pedals | | Bike Setup: | New pedals, bb7 brakes and levers, new seat post | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for price, getting new derailers and fork soon, I have the 2009 response sport in white | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DannyBoy1
a Weekend Warrior
from ca
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt.SweeetTits | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Chalet | | Strengths: | 1. Price ! this this is strong, good looking, better components then the Rockhopper. Big fat tires, strong double wall rims, good shifters, nice seat. looks like it will last forever. | | Weaknesses: | The Pedals, but i dont slip that often. the handlebars are a little to wide. shifts a lil slow. it is kinda heavy, but once you upgrade the tires/forks it will be greatly improved. | | Similar Products Used: | Just a cheapo at walmart. | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now. Ill wait however long for something to break 1st. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike to get into MTBing the right way, dont waste your money at walmart like i did, pluss this bike is on sale for only $399.99 at most places. thats just too cheap to pass up. You will have to adjust the derailleurs because its a lil tricky for the folks at SPORTS CHALET! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dozer
a Weekend Warrior
from Clinton Township, MI USO
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Macomb Orchard Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | Great bike a a great price. Purchased last of 2008MY stock which was on sale at Dicks in early sping (March). Good level of componentry for the price. I'm a big guy (6' - 0", 325 and ride this bike on rough terrain trails without a problem. | | Weaknesses: | Strongly agree with poor pedals. Replaced with Diamondback Aluminum MTB pedals...don't understand why DB would use cheap pedals. One son has DB response sport and also replaced pedals.
Cinnamon color leaves something to be desired, but, heck I didn't buy the bike for the color. Rear disc brake did take some wear in until rubbing stopped. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with additon of front and rear light kit for night riding (loss of DST doesn't cut into my riding time). | | Bottom Line: | Recommended buy. I can see fork will need replacement after more riding. Kenda tires are good grip and wear well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
landblue
a Weekend Warrior
from Claremont CA
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Webb and marshall | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks sporting goods | | Strengths: | frame and | | Weaknesses: | the front and back derailers suck and they when you pedaling hard it pops and seat post cant stay tight. the spinner edge fork is pitiful it has no adjustment and in cold weather it doesnt move at all. recomend replacing the fork after 3 months or so. and the pedals suck too. also the disc rub on the pads and it makes a ding sound the discs are hard to adjust to stop the dining. | | Similar Products Used: | dimondback response comp, specilaized hardrock. | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | only buy if you can fix a bike well because lot of problems. ok for the price | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SterlingGold
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern VA
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | W OD | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$375.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | I'm 6.4 250lb and the 22' frame is very comfortable for long rides (40+ miles). Shifter is accurate. Low gears provide great challenge even at steep decline. front fork works well on paved road. These are my first disk breaks and I love them. | | Weaknesses: | a bit on the heavy side, cables run under the main bar which makes it harder to mount on bike rack. | | Bottom Line: | Would buy again and strongly recommend! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cajun1
a Cross Country Rider
from Shreveport, LA USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Monkey Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$479.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Super Strong Frame, Kenda Tires, Weinnman Wheels | | Weaknesses: | A bit on the heavy side, Saddle won't stay tight, probably more of a problem with the seat post than the saddle itself. | | Similar Products Used: | Wal-mart Mongoose but nothing similiar about it...the mongoose sucked. | | Bike Setup: | Basically stock, added a cat-eye computer and underseat bag. Will upgrade parts as I break them. | | Bottom Line: | I looked all over for a decent entry level bike. This one came with the best bang for the buck. Almost got a specialized hardrock but the diamond back came with better brakes, better shifters, more front fork travel, and double wall rims. Some people don't like the spinner fork, but I haven't had any problems and it really smoothes out the ride. Not alot of adjustment but I really don't need any. I'll upgrade the fork when this one wears out. This bike is strong as an ox and totally upgradeable. I would recommend this product to anyone looking for an entry level xc bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
defiedvitali
a Weekend Warrior
from MA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Savoy state forest | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Diamondback | | Strengths: | Sturdy frame + lifetime frame warranty
Disc brakes
Thick grips
Sram X4 drive train
Bars / stem /
| | Weaknesses: | FORK! its a hefty P.O.S. No dampener, bottoms out too easy, makes a loud clunk when you pop the front wheel up.
Brake levers - tooooooo long
Wheelset - weak freehub, cheap hubs, so so rims
8spd - I prefer 8spd vs 9spd but upgrading the drive train to nicer shifters creates a whole new problem with having to buy a new chain, cassette, dérailleur etc
Seat - it creaks and feels like concrete
Pedals - they are more of a novelty haha, its DB's way of saying buy nice pedals
| | Similar Products Used: | 08 Hardrock, 09 Response Comp, | | Bike Setup: | avid fr-5 levers, Odyssey pedals.. more to come | | Bottom Line: | First off I am a bike tech at a local Dicks and purchased the Response sport because it was in my current price range. Its my go to bike for anyone interested in entry level mtb, and have yet to see a frame come back in over 4 years cause of a defect or crack. Don't get me wrong for the $450 price range I don't think you can find a better value. Everything on the bike works, and will work fine untill it breaks. If a comoponent breaks within a year you either upgrade it or get it warrantied. Diamondback has one of the best warranty departments I have yet dealt with. The shifting could be crisper, the wheels could be stonger, bike could be lighter etc. BUT NOT FOR THIS PRICE. Shop around and compare specs to other brands like giant, specialized, cannondale.. I am certain you will come back to DB.
The only big let down about the bike is the fork, sure its got 120mm of travel and looks great but its heavy as all hell. The lack of a dampener makes for a jarring ride, but i wouldn't call it a flaw maybe just a nuisance. The reponse comp for $200 puts you in a whole nother game. TORA 289 FORK , X5 9spd, nicer crank, better rims(same hubs tho), alloy pedals, avid bb5 disc and fr5 levers. So if you considering the sport and cant possibly shell out the cash for the comp, go for it you wont let you down. If you can save up the extra cash and spring for the comp youll be able to put of the upgrade bug a little longer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
vcortes
a Weekend Warrior
from San Juan Puerto Rico
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | La Calle | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Stop | | Strengths: | Frame, brakes,crankset | | Weaknesses: | Fork (5.1 lbs),pedals,front derailleur, whell set & tires | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Mavic Crossride wheelset & WTB ExiWolf Tires, Rockshot Recon Sl 2009, Shimano 520 pedals, stem & handlebar Trutaviv, seatpost Raceface Ride & Brake level Hayes | | Bottom Line: | Best entry level @ bikes $400 to $500 dollars.I do the modifacation to decrease pounds on the bike. I recomend this Product to any one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wrksuxgoride
a Weekend Warrior
from Manassas, VA USA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | fountain head, 29 by battle fields | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks | | Strengths: | frame rocks,disc brakes handle nicely, kenda tires hook up great in off road conditions, im small guy and this bike handles effortlessly thru the woods....love it | | Weaknesses: | pedals are paper weights, cranks could be better...2009 model comes with better crank setup and derailers...fyi | | Similar Products Used: | specialized hard rock, mongoose al. | | Bike Setup: | 2008 (blue)new fork,new seat, just got 2009 (white)w/felt studded pedals, new seat....rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | looked at k2, iron horse, & specialized.....still went back to DB simply because of bang for the buck out the box and upgrades are of course endless....can build a trail monster easily. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CRnFOXrider
a Weekend Warrior
from Valencia, CA
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Sport Chalet | | Strengths: | smooth shifting, excellent beginner brakes | | Weaknesses: | seat is horrible, pedals are cheap | | Bottom Line: | Be wary that some things are going to need upgrades. However, this is an excellent bike to build up. I have the 20" frame for the 09 Response Sport and it is very sturdy and light...I've put some nice clip-ins on the bike and I am looking into hydraulic brakes and a new front fork. Other than that, this is a great hardtail frame even for more serious riders. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Willjones
a Weekend Warrior
from Syracuse, NY
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$330.00 | | Strengths: | Rock solid frame, descent brakes and an overall smooth ride. | | Weaknesses: | Horrible seat and cheap pedals | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 3500 | | Bike Setup: | Stock 08 black Response Sport | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike for anyone. If you are not a racer or an extremist MB rider, this is the perfect bike for a weekend warrior like myself. It comes stock with alot of solid components that will not need to be replaced anytime soon. Great bike even better price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Morpheus239
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale Hts, IL
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | IL Prairie Path | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Nice frame. Great price for entry bike with disc brakes
| | Weaknesses: | Pedals are the worst
Spinner Forks are OK but make all sort of rebound noise. | | Bike Setup: | 2008 DB Response Sport
Rock Shox Dart 2 100MM G2 offset with lockout
E3 Titanium seat
Wellgo B-25 pedals | | Bottom Line: | I am just getting into mountain biking and did not want to spend a lot of money. After looking around I loved the DB Response Sport. After riding for a while I sort of got upset at the forks. I am a old time BMX rider from the 80s and I still like to jump (just smaller jumps now). I went with the 2009 Rock Shox Dart 2 G2 100mm which is also a entry fork but way better than the spinners. The next thing I have to change is the derailleurs. After that I think is a dang good entry level MT bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bzimm84
a Weekend Warrior
from Dekalb, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | STC Little Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Blue Moon Cycles | | Strengths: | The price for a 2009!! The frame is great and looks really good. The Kenda rubbers are great and so are the Weinmann rims. The Hayes brakes are pretty good too and the levers are not bad. The Truvativ cranks feel real sound and have had no problems. The WTB seat is also pretty comfortable compared to other MTB seats. The SRAM shifters I am not that fond of. The style of both triggers underneath is just not for me, but they work fine. The SRAM rear derailer is fine to. Great bike for the price. I bought a $500 dollar bike and I received a $500 dollar bike not a $1500 dollar bike. A great bike if you want to start MTBing and not spend a fortune. | | Weaknesses: | The spinner Edge AL-1 forks are pretty nice for normal biking, but when you get into some bumps they are not that smooth. The worst thing on this bike is the Plastic Pedles. This is the only area that I think DB skimped out on. If you order a L or XL you might need to get a longer stem. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock Comp | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now, until I break something. | | Bottom Line: | Awsome bike for the price and I would recommend it to anybody. For the level rider I am it suits me perfect. Except for the Plastic Pedles. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
philb3131
a Weekend Warrior
from Thousand Oaks, Ca
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything Local | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great frame sturdy as any, 6061 boxed alum. Love the way it feels, more of an upright position than I am used to. Spaced well. Shifts well at rear cassette. Finger shifters much faster, cleaner, less bulky than thumb shifters. Seperate brake and shifting components. Makes is easy to upgrade either. Avg weight, not too bad at about 32 lbs. Nice colors, black on black for me. Disks and calipers are fine, will do the job. Shock is entry level, works well for me on either street or dirt. Can adjust stiffness to match terrain. | | Weaknesses: | Paint or clearcoat quality is bootleg. Scratches with the slightest touch. Did they use an effing rattle can?? Front sprockes shifting is a little iffy, a little clunky. (Crap delailer?) Uphill shifts not so clean either. Pay attention gets a little dicey. No rebound adjust on shocks also finger adjuster is a little stiff (maybe thats normal). That about it I guess. No big problems, easy to tune or replace weak parts. | | Similar Products Used: | Unknown | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now, wait for stuff to break. | | Bottom Line: | I love it!! But its my firt mtn bk of anykind so I dont have much to compare to other than my wifes mtn bike which is about 10yrs old and resembles a road bike more than a modern mtn. The thing is to me, for $500 OTD its a good deal for a great "entry level" bike. If you are just starting out like me I think its a good fit. Many modern ammenities. Sure some of the parts arent the highest quality but I knew that going in and also had a budget to keep. If you buy from the LBS, the warranties will probably come in handy. I got life on the frame and a year on everything else so I will make sure the bike takes some punishment. The bike is easily upgradeable too. Last thing, just look at it. Effing beautiful. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
diamondback08
a Downhiller
from North Carolina
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks sporting goods | | Strengths: | very gret bike overall. Sturdy and very lighter. lighter than my diamondback joker BMX bike wich is half the size!
pretty much comes ready to go hit the trail as soon as you buy it. | | Weaknesses: | pedals were plastic, i suggest getting some metal studded ones for better grip. | | Bike Setup: | evrything pretty much the same except for pedals and brakes. | | Bottom Line: | great bike, would recomend to anyone | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MOTOvated490
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Cottonwood Valley Red Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike World | | Strengths: | Great ergos (very comfy seat), shifters and derailleurs work fine for low end. Good entry level bike! Great solid feel on downhill trails with the exception of the soft forks. | | Weaknesses: | Very heavy bike!!!! I figure the forks are there only for looks and not function. Seals will not stay in forks and there is no adjustment on them either. Front brake barely works even after adjusting. Headset pops when loading or unloading the forks. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Fuel EX 8 full suspension....wish I would have put in a little more dough and got this one. Lesson learned :) | | Bike Setup: | Setup? Adjuster on fork does nothing! | | Bottom Line: | Great bike if you can pick it up for around $300 but would NOT pay over $400 for it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
diamondback_hardtail
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bass Pro Shops | | Strengths: | Great frame, nice strong wheelset, good brakes | | Weaknesses: | pedals, derailleurs(front and rear) | | Bike Setup: | Redline platform pedals, and couple of bottle cages, other than that completely stock | | Bottom Line: | Its a great frame with crappy parts. I have been replacing things as I go and having laid down almost 1500miles with it since december '07 I have had quite a few disasters. Snapped the stock pedal in half while racing(disaster). The derailleur cannot hold up to forceful pedaling it just gives out. I am surprised at how well the shock is holding up though, I actually thought it would be the first thing to give. On top of that it has a real appeal to it for a $500 hardtail. I have the '08 model in black and people at the races compliment on it everyonce in awhile. Soon to come full sram drivetrain cus my pistons are destroying that shimano junk =). Btw best buy for the buck in my opinion. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Surfmus
a Weekend Warrior
from Kissimmee, Florida USA
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos Trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$360.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Authority | | Strengths: | The Frame is strong, and very comfortable, Good Brakes, Geometric fits perfect for my height and weight, amazing color and the shape and decals are nice. The Tires are strong, great track, and holds any terrain. Best of all, the price is amazing. | | Weaknesses: | The Fork shoots back when Jumping, got to remove the pedals for clipless the day of purchase, and the chain bounces and hit the frame making a too much annoying noise. This is fixable with a chain stay. | | Similar Products Used: | I can't tell, I always had Diamond Backs | | Bottom Line: | If your are looking for intermediate trails with intends of going a little advanced and aggressive, this is the bike you need. If you are heavy, tall, overall big. This bike will give you the confidence to do it, because is hard. It feels very secure on the trails and jumps. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
clash9898
a Racer
from richmond
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks sporting goods | | Strengths: | amzing frame, love the brakes, tires are my fav ive ever riden on | | Weaknesses: | replaced calipers, short seat post, back deraller needs adjusting way to much, fork adjustment does nothing | | Similar Products Used: | trek mtb | | Bike Setup: | change out forks for an rst titan, panaracer fire xc and kenda klaw in front | | Bottom Line: | exellent for price, few things need replacing, extremely good for a beginer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
conceptnext
a Weekend Warrior
from South Burlington
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Mobbs Valley | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great Frame and brakes , nice color ( black). I am new to mtn biking and have taken mine to most intermediate trails in my area. Handling is great on all surfaces and the bike held up to about 30 hrs of rough terrain without any broken parts. | | Weaknesses: | cheap paddles, front and rear derailleurs. Found rear derailleurs to be a cause of concern during fast inclines. | | Bike Setup: | All stock except pedals ( Crank Bros Eggbeaters Clipless pedals ) | | Bottom Line: | Great hardtail bike for the price geared towards for beginners and intermediate users. Great package with a new set of clipless pedals and new front and rear derailleurs. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mahon
a Cross Country Rider
from Springdale, WA USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$465.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheelsport Division | | Strengths: | Tough frame, very solid. Comfortable controls. I bought the 22" and it fits me perfect at 6'3"/ 249 pounds. This is my first major bike purchase in 7 years. The guys at Wheelsport stand behind what they sell and are happy to make adjustments and replace stuff that falls off. I am very pleased with both the bike and the bike shop. | | Weaknesses: | Derailers have needed ajustment. Rear bearings loose. Lost an end cap off the handlebar. I have put over 450 miles on the bike since I bought it May 25th. This is just break-in stuff. Kenda tires are pretty soft and will be worn out soon. | | Similar Products Used: | 01' Mongoose XR100 | | Bike Setup: | Strictly stock | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike based on the reviews I read here. I am pleased with my bike and the dealer and will likely buy from them again if this bike ever dies. Future upgrades will include: a better derailer system, and harder X/C tires. The bottom line: If you are looking for a quality product and overall satisfaction for an entry level price. This is the bike for you. If you live in the greater Spokane area, buy from the boys down at Wheelsport. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
GI Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Nor Cal
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Authority | | Strengths: | Frame, Disc Brakes, Tires | | Weaknesses: | Front & Rear Derailleurs | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Hardtail | | Bike Setup: | Response Sport | | Bottom Line: | Have had this bike for less than 3 months and do enjoy the bike. It is a great downhill bike. The combination of frame strength, tire grip & breaking power allows for great control on the descent. I upgraded to Shimano SPD pedals for more pedaling stability.
The only problem that I have had so far are the gears shifting on their own occasionally when pedaling over rough terrain. Really bad when it happens on a climb as it can throw your momentum. Will be upgrading the front & rear derailleurs soon.
Definitely a great bike for the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RyanCass
a Downhiller
from Conway NH
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | The frame is very strong, the all terrain kenda tires are awesome. The brakes are perfect and the gears are perfect. | | Weaknesses: | I have not found any weaknesses yet. | | Similar Products Used: | This is my first downhill mountain bike | | Bike Setup: | I have not replaced anything on the bike yet. I have the 08 model so i don't think there is any updating to do. | | Bottom Line: | Its and awesome downhill mountain bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Logan
a Weekend Warrior
from midland, ontario canada
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | mountain view jumps | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | total sports midland | | Strengths: | frame looks great and is strong i also think that he brakes are a great brake. | | Weaknesses: | overall a good bike but just not good enough at first when i bought it. | | Similar Products Used: | devinci basher | | Bike Setup: | i have changed every single thing exept for the frame i got new forks, rims and tires, brakes, bars and stem, seatpost, grips, crank. | | Bottom Line: | great bike for starters and people who arre looking for a cheap but strong bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Bartel
a Weekend Warrior
from SLO, California, USA
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Elwood Bluffs, Goleta, Ca | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$425.00 | | Purchased At: | Sunstorm Cyclery | | Strengths: | It looks great (mine's black) and can take a beating on the trail. The bike handles well and is light enough to hop around/over most trail obstacles. | | Weaknesses: | the pedals are cheap, heavy, and plastic, both chain rings are getting a little worn, and the disc brakes needed daily adjustment during the first month of riding. these are pretty easily fixed problems though, and don't really take away from the fact that this is a strong, comfortable bike that eats winding singletracks for breakfast. | | Similar Products Used: | Hard Rock Specialized, Giant hardtail something | | Bike Setup: | Mine is mostly stock still, as I am always short on money. I upgraded to metal Deore pedals, took off all the lame reflectors, and the stickers. | | Bottom Line: | I didn't have much money, and I wanted to get back into trail riding, so I bought this bike after trying out pretty much everything else in the relative price range. Eventually a lot of the parts will get upgraded (chain rings and fork first, probably) but the frame is awesome. The Hayes disc brakes took some patient adjustment over the course of the first month, but once I got them dialed in they work just fine, with no squeaking even when they are wet or covered in mud. I have read some reviews where people say they can't adjust the brakes right, but I think they are just too hasty. show 'em some love and they'll love you right back! the fork does snap a little when you pull up fast, as someone else's review also said. so far it doesn't seem to be a problem though, just an annoying noise. Overall I'm really happy that I bought this bike over the others that I tested. I ride trails every weekend, and to get to work and school every day. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a super sturdy frame with decent stock parts that can be replaced eventually with better components to make a killer trail bike.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brad
a Weekend Warrior
from New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | Strong frame, good looks, decent forks | | Weaknesses: | crank arms, pedals, derailer | | Bike Setup: | all stock | | Bottom Line: | bought this bike to get into mountain biking, only wanted to spend a small amount. i was initially going to go with the iron horse maverick ($200) because i figured i would eventually buy a better one to replace it. i am glad i spent an extra $350, this bike has held up very well.
for a small amount of money, this bike is a great purchase, i also got the warranty from dicks which means i pay nothing when i break it. my only complaint so far is the left crank arm has stripped itself so i am awaiting a new one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy Jakubowski
a Weekend Warrior
from Mesa, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Ehrardts schwinn | | Strengths: | Looks, brakes | | Weaknesses: | Derailleur, pedals... other than that nothing to get mad about | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Disk brakes. Spinner shocks | | Bottom Line: | Well I just bought the bike today, took it on a little trail close to the house and surprisingly I molded right to it. The front shock seemed very loose (I am 175lbs), it may just need to be tightened more. The one bad thing was the shifting, not real bad but Ill probably be upgrading the Derailleur anyways. The pedals are an eye sore and are junk, I am used to the old style bmx bear claws... so pedal searching would have to rely on others reviews.
I took a different one around the parking lot and tried the regular brakes and didn't like them at all, granted I am not used to mountain bikes that well but from riding motorcycles I think the discs are great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Sullivan
a Weekend Warrior
from North Bay Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | hardwood hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's | | Strengths: | Looks are very excellent,with double black and price is ok too!!! | | Weaknesses: | Pedals suck I changed them right away, and Forks are ify, I get a knock from the forks when i pull up hard, Not sure if that is normal for Spinners. | | Similar Products Used: | Marin Bear Valley, Speacilized Hard Rock those are my last 2 bikes | | Bike Setup: | Pedal and grip have been changed and forks most likely will be next, something high endish, and used. | | Bottom Line: | A Great buy for sure, I have own some really nice bikes over my 25 yrs of riding and I ride pretty good, better then average anyways. I bought this bike mainly because I could aford it. Upgrades will come for sure, but so far it has done everything I can throught at it. I not to sure about the forks tho, I ll have to keep pounding them and see!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from KC MO
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | any so far | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$379.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Looks, Ridability. | | Weaknesses: | Kenda tire has a small wobble place in it. LBS said wheel was true just tire was funky. | | Similar Products Used: | actually none...except trailing 10 speeds when i was a kid. | | Bike Setup: | I have the sport model all stock - with Sr Suntour f. derailer and Cane Creek stem. Other than that the rest seems like what everyone else listed. | | Bottom Line: | I really like like this bike! I'm not really experienced yet but I went out and punished it on the trails promptly after purchasing it and its just fine.
I did adjust the things on top of the shocks to take the play/travel out some since I'm 6'4 and 230. I like it stiff cuz I dont like to bounce so much esp. trying to go up a hill. The shocks adjusted just fine for me.
I have the 22 inch frame and love it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martinez
a Weekend Warrior
from Northern California
Date Reviewed: March 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Usually non-bike trails in the backcountry | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$460.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS (Local Bike Shop, for those of you who are new to the bikes) | | Strengths: | Super strong/beefy frame, nice geometry, pretty decent wheels, 14 gauge spokes. Looks awesome in black. I can pull off some trials moves with it while on the trail. | | Weaknesses: | Very heavy, cheap components. However, if you want a strong bike, it will have to be heavy, of course. Components can be easily upgraded. I'm skinny as hell (5'11, 140lbs) and can do bunny hops with this bike. Also, I can pick the rear/front wheels up as I rock the bike back and forth while in a stationary position without much of a problem..so if my skinny ass can do that on this heavy bike, then the weight can't be that bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback Overlook and trials bikes. | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Diamondback Response Sport. Everything is stock, except for the pedals and tires. | | Bottom Line: | I love this damn bike. I do general mountain biking, so I do a little bit of everything. I've taken this thing up in the local foothills both up and down, taken routes that were full of twigs and small tree branches, through mud, sand, and the bike is still holding up very well. I don't like going to the local bike trails because it kind of takes the whole "adventurous" feeling away, so I go out and explore the back country. I can also pull of some trials moves while on the trail with this thing, so that's a big plus for trials riders looking for a hardtail to explore with (just make sure you get it one size smaller, though). Great beginners bike. Nice thing about this bike is that you can upgrade it with better components, and you'd have a kick ass hardtail with the same capabilities of higher end models. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Downhiller
from Swansea, MA
Date Reviewed: February 25, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | DSG | | Strengths: | Hardcore Frame,decent rims, good tires | | Weaknesses: | front derailleur, front fork is junk | | Similar Products Used: | IronHorse Warrior 1.3, DB outlook, DB CoilEX, Iron Horse Warrior Team SE, DB sorrento | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the exception of Rock Shox Front fork and soon to be replaced rear and front deralleur (xtr) | | Bottom Line: | Bottom line is, I am a bike tech for Dicks and I have gone through every single bike that the store sells. I had a hard time choosing between the Warrior 1.3 and the Coil EX and the Response XE. I ultimately chose the XE because of 2 factors:
1. I would need to replace the rear shock on the coil ex as well as the front fork because they give too much play and would eventually break after a short period of time (fixed these a few times already)
2. The warrior was nice and had great components (rock shox dart 1 fork, viativ crank, xtr shifters and rear derailleur) but the frame didnt feel solid like the xe.
As a tech i will admit, some of the components suck, but they're very reasonable to replace or upgrade to. But honestly i love working on this bike. its big, beefy,fun, and most of all durable and sexy as hell.
so basically i have ridden everything that is on the market currently in my store and i have to admit for the money this is the best offering.. If you want a lighter frame get the Iron Horse.
and people, honestly if you go to dicks, GET the warranty. its 40 bucks for a year and yes, your bike might be out of comission for a short while but its worth it when you go to pick up your bike and the bill is $0 bucks! i WORK there and i bought a warranty for my bike cause basically i know i will bend rims and i WILL destroy derailleurs, as long as they are covered, i can order them and do them myself.
so in conclusion, get this bike it will not dissapoint, get the warranty cause its worth it, and TALK TO YOUR TECH! i have alot of past experience with bikes so i didnt require too much training with the job. if the kid your buying the bike from seems like a moron, DONT GO THERE...go to the dicks a little farther down the road to the expert and have him sell you or tune othe bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Frederick, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Gambrill State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Super solid frame, killer looks, decent components, nice price! | | Weaknesses: | Only decent components, stem, front SRSuntour derailleur! Other than that, nothing! | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock Comp, GT Avalanche 2.0, Iron Horse Warrior 3.0, Iron Horse Maverick, …….etc | | Bike Setup: | Stock components, Easton Vice Stem and Easton EA70 Monkeybar handlebars. | | Bottom Line: | I always loved the look of this bike, but never would have bought it unless it was on sale! Lucky for me it was on sale at Dick’s for $300. I have only had it for a month, but I have ridden the hell out of it! Everything is holding up well to this point! The only real problem I have had was changing out the stem and bars! The hex screws on the stem are very cheap and the head on all 4 screws were striped after on turn of the allen wrench. I ended up having to cut the threads with a grinder in order to remove the stem. Lame!
I will also be changing out some of the components, starting with the front derailleur. It is very low end! The rear Shimano Alivio derailleur will do the job for now!
Overall I would recommend this bike if you can find it on sale!!! If you have to pay the $400 to $429 original price, I would strongly recommend looking else were!
I only gave the bike 4 flamin' chilis, because for the list price of $400-$429 it is not the best value! You can almost always find them on sale though!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harve Bernardo
a Downhiller
from San Diego, California
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Witangi | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Wharehouse | | Strengths: | Gorgeous, Lightning-Quick, a King on the Dirt, a King off the Dirt | | Weaknesses: | Once every other off-road ride chain responds about two seconds slower than usual | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Kula, Marin Pine Mountain | | Bike Setup: | Local Bike Shop | | Bottom Line: | As a kid I owned a Diamondback Octane 24' and it was as American and lovely and Crisp as an Apple Pie sitting on the windowsill of a Colonial House. And my new 2008 Diamondback Response Sport seems to just sweep it away like dust. It has all the old rustic looks and charm with a new set of modern frame material and brakes and gears and suspension and I could go on forever. It is a Sean Connery with Pierce Brosnan gadgets. Most bike companies can be summed up with one word. If you want a 'fast' bike, buy a Specialized. If you want a 'tough' bike, buy and iron horse. If you want a 'well-priced' bike, buy a Huffy. But if you want a 'Perfect' bike, you simply must have a Diamondback Response Sport. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daryll Hendrix
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | This review is for the Response 'XE' which is sold at Dick's exclusively, but is almost identical to the Response Sport. The bike has a solid frame and a solid set of rims. The fork is pretty average for bikes in this price range. It is absolutely least expensive entry level MTB with disc brakes that I could find. | | Weaknesses: | Many of the components are lower quality than other brands at this level. Such as the Shimano rear Acera derailleur and the Shimano C-050 front shifter as well as the hub set. The bike shifts very rough compared other bikes in this price range (I purchased the bike for $300 on sale, but the sticker said it was originally $500), which are equipped with Shimano Alivio shifters. The Hayes MX4 brake set is decent but the rotors are of a slightly thinner gauge that of competitor's brake sets at this level, such as Tektro IO, Avid BB-5, as well ad the Shimano BR-M415. I think the rotors are more prone to warping, as my bike had a problem with a warped rotor. My wife has a bike with the Tektro IO's, those rotors are much stronger and the brakes feel more responsive. | | Similar Products Used: | I tried the Giant Rincon, Giant Yukon, Specialized Hardrock, Cannondale F7, Trek 3700, Trek 4300, Trek 4300 Disc, Haro Flightline Sport, and some other bikes by Novara, Gary Fischer, and Kona. | | Bike Setup: | All stock parts. | | Bottom Line: | If you buy this bike, make sure you by it from a local bike shop with a qualified bike tech. And make sure you buy the Response Sport and not the Response XE. The response XE is a stripped down version of the Sport missing some of the quality components, which are replaced by cheaper ones, only sold at Dick's. Dick's it not an good place to buy this bike because if you have a problem like mine, a warped rotor that constantly rubs, Dick's bike technicians do not have the proper truing tools to correct the problem, neither do they stock parts in order to replace the warped rotor. Especially do not buy the bicycle protection plan, as they do not stock parts, your bike will be out of commission for weeks until it gets fixed, assuming they can figure out the problem. Every replacement part for your bike will have to be special ordered. If you still really want to buy the XE, don't pay any more than $300, and thoroughly check the bike for flaws because their bike techs won't catch them. This bike is good for someone who is willing and able to do their own repairs and is just looking for a bottom line price. Other than that, look at your options in a local bike shop. I think that Diamondback bikes are on the same level as all of the other competitors when it comes to entry-level bike quality. I just think they should be purchased at a shop with qualified technicians and good customer service. I ended up using my bike on trails for a few weeks and then returning it. I'm going to look into a Cannondale F7 C02 Disc or a Specialized Hardrock Comp disc. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
B J
a Weekend Warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | local BD shop | | Strengths: | Frame, stem, hubs | | Weaknesses: | components, brakes | | Similar Products Used: | BMX | | Bike Setup: | custom single speed, specialized compound tires (f+r), rear rim/spokes, trials seat, specialized grips, monty pedals, marzocchi comp airs | | Bottom Line: | preety good bike for the cost! I ride park, and the thig whips out 360's prety well, pops well, and has a good feel after upgrades. the stock components ar preety bad. Forks bent after 6 weeks of some riding and minor DJ/park riding, grips were wasted, tires were getting low on tread, and the cranks sarted making noises. otherwise, it held p preety well. If your looking at a good bike to get into minor trails, wheelies, and play riding, this is a good bike, but be ready to spend about 300 into forks, the biggest problem I had. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jordan
a Cross Country Rider
from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | renaissance (Charlotte, NC) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's Charlotte, NC | | Strengths: | mine is an '07 response comp and it is as solid as a rock! -no need to say more. | | Weaknesses: | a little heavy, but you have to give a little weight to get the strength. | | Similar Products Used: | xc hardtails | | Bike Setup: | stock - marzocchi comp forks, avid 5s etc. | | Bottom Line: | bottom line- if you want a bike thats about as good as a hardtail gets but half the price this is one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wyatt
a
from Bakersfield, CA
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | Sports Chalet | | Strengths: | I think the looks are the biggest strength. | | Weaknesses: | I haven't found any yet. | | Bike Setup: | Stock 18" | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great for a beginner who wants to have a good time. I absolutely love the bike. It also looks outstanding. I would Definitely buy another. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas
a Weekend Warrior
from San Jose CA, US
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$440.00 | | Purchased At: | Hyland Family Bikes | | Strengths: | the frame is amazing, no flexing, very strong, but a bit heavy. it also looks pretty sweet. | | Weaknesses: | most of the components, but my biggest complaints are the pedals, grips, tires, and shocks. | | Bike Setup: | stock, except for a velociraptor front tire cuz I pinched the stock one. | | Bottom Line: | this bike is great, especially for beginners or people who aren't hardcore mountain bikers. I just got back from northstar, and I easily rode all the trails except the black diamonds, plus I've only been mountain biking since I got this bike. like everyone else is saying, rock solid frame, but crappy components. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Downhiller
from VA, 7OH3
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$412.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | frame is rock solid and geometry is great for a hardtail that you can mess around on and do some trick s on. | | Weaknesses: | stock parts are heavy and not too good. i pretty much bought the bike for the solid frame. the brakes are good for a while but then start to suck. especially when its rainy, honestly they are terrible in the rain, but again what can you expect from mech. disc. | | Similar Products Used: | countless hardtails | | Bike Setup: | onlyt thing left stock on bike is the seat post, which will be gone soon. full XTR group set, RS pike for, ritchie wheels and hubs, truvativ hussefelt bars, truvativ team stem, xtr 9 speed cassette, deore xt crank, orry grip(sick slip on grips) chris king headset, xtr shifters. | | Bottom Line: | overall if you deck out this frame with somehigh end parts you can tear up some of the higher end hardtails out there, the frame on this bike is sick, i cant seem to brake it even after falling 15+ feet down a water fall(only thing messed up were xtr brake levers) put a nice fork on there like the pike and your set. its great. i love this bike, but coming this weekend all my great parts are being swapped over to my freeride 6 inch travel frame...HELL YEAH...although back to stock for the DB. bye this bike, its great for beggingers when its stock but can easily be made into a serious off roading hardtail that can handle anyhtign you throw at it, from 10 foot 15 foot table tops to 4 and 5 foot drops without a problem. although i did that stuff with all the upgraded parts, im not to sure if the stocks could handle some of the abuse i put the bike threw........but its great, get it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick diaz
a Weekend Warrior
from ellicott city
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | camels den | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$470.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks | | Strengths: | really strong frame, the seat is pretty comfortable,good grips, awsome kenda tires but upgrades on the tires would make it better. Awsome shock handles the terrain very well. over all the bike is a good xc bike for your money. | | Weaknesses: | the rear derailer flips into other gears over time by itself( which pissed me off)..No waterbottle holder to begin with.. which was expected. | | Similar Products Used: | other bikes i cant remember | | Bike Setup: | 8" hayes rotor on the front. bontrager water bottle holder..... | | Bottom Line: | really good bike.. can use upgrades if u can spend the money..If u dont plan to ride tails dont buy it.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JD Tucker
a Racer
from Cumming, Ga, United States
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Heritage Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$305.00 | | Purchased At: | Play It Again Sports | | Strengths: | Great solid frame. When riding it rough it feels as thought the low end components will fall off. Riding this bike is like riding a bike in a dream, painless and nothing goes wrong. Smooth, sleek and simple bike design. "Keep it simple stupid. Looking at the bike doesnt tire you out mentally, and Ive gotten alot of comments on it. Ooh and I love the green color that the 07' come with. | | Weaknesses: | Majority low end components and total bike weight is a bit heavy. Weight is made up by dreamy feel, and ridability. Steel bars, steel stem, steel seatpost, alivia rapid rise derailler(that was confusing to race with) and some heavy, beafy 14 guage spoked wheels. Need I say more? | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn mesa, GT Avalanche, Ironhorse Maverick, some hardtail Mongoose cant remember name, Mt. Fuji Pro. The closest ride would be the Avalance 1.0 but I would choose the DB hands down over the GT. Also Schwinn Mesa is okay, although feels 'flaky' | | Bike Setup: | DB 6061-T6 heat-treated / OS / butted aluminum frame w/ Strongbox Headtube, 120 mm travel fork RST Gila?? Factory calls for an Aheadset although mine has a Cane Creek headset? Not sure why. Bottom Bracket is sealed cartridge and Truvative X-Flow crankset. Derailler f is acera and r is rapid rise alivio. Shimano EF-50 Rapid Fire 8spd shifters and SRAM PG-830 8spd Cassette (11-32t) Ill swap that for 9spd xt cassette and xt shifters. Wheels are 32 14 guage spokes, aka heavy. | | Bottom Line: | I like it, rides like a dream and I have plenty to upgrade keeping me busy. In fact Ive already got the carbon riser bar and new Easton stem laying next to it. Later, Ive got wrenching to do. I used to race on a Mt. Fuji Pro upgraded with full Xtr including discs. This bike rides so much better than that one and complains less too. Just let me make some upgrades and I wont even remember the Fuji like you forget a thorn in your hand. All you remember is it wasnt any fun. Best handling and riding hardtail I have ever ridden, even in all my monthes working in a bike shop. I bought it last night at 6:30 and raced it this morning. Lost my first race ever but the rapid rise shifting messed with my head and I just couldnt get the front derailler dialed properly. I lost and dont even mind. If you're shopping around go ride one of these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Saindon
a Weekend Warrior
from New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | FOMBA | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Benson's Ski and Sport | | Strengths: | The frame!, great price, good components for price. | | Weaknesses: | bottom bracket makes cracking sounds(probably from abuse) fork freezes up during temperature changes, and wieght is a problem for some but not for me. | | Similar Products Used: | DiamondBack Outlook, Specialized Hardrock Pro | | Bike Setup: | '06 Stock except wellgo pedals(clipless on one side cage on the other) | | Bottom Line: | HOLY SH*T!!! this passed every expectation i had when i bought it! i though i would just use it on the local singletrack... but i was able to take it to skateparks and backyard dirt jumps with 10 foot gaps! i can't belive how much abuse i have put this bike through and the only thing i ever had a problem with was that one of the plastis stock pedals cracked when i hit a tree. It will stand up to 3-4ft drops to flat and be fine!! I haven't even bent a rim yet after 2 years. also it is great on the singletrack and I plan on entering a XC comp with it. Get this for your all around bike! but if you are worried about wieght you can change a few parts(handlebars, seatpost, ect) but if you are REALLY worried about wieght don't get it. GREAT BIKE!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
S M
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Frank's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Solid ultra-strong frame, smooth gearing, excellent brakes, decent shocks... very cheap for the parts on it. Looks slick, minimal graphics. | | Weaknesses: | Handlebar, pedals, weight. Very heavy. Beefy 35lbs. | | Bike Setup: | Added DB bigfoot pedals, Titec Hell Bent handlebar, Schwalbe Big Apple tires. | | Bottom Line: | This is a good starter bike, and for decent parts, minus the ones mentioned above, $400 is a steal. People are surprised at how cheap this is, and it looks badass. The Pluto Silver is beautiful, a dark metallic blue grey. Fortunately I live in a ground floor apartment, lugging this up stairs would kill me... this is a burly hunk of aluminum. The frame looks to be a bit over-designed, I think from the specs to actual final product something may have been altered, because the top tube and down tube geometry look mucher fatter than they do in the product pic. If you want a SUV of a frame, this thing is solid and near indestructible. If you want a light bike, look elsewhere. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Klutho
a Weekend Warrior
from jOY, IL
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks | | Strengths: | quick response on the shifting. nice gearing for hills and dale. brakes work excellent. tires are heavy duty for desert or mud. suspention is resposive and sure. great color of paint on frame. i like this bike alot. good buy!
| | Weaknesses: | heavy, heavy, heavy. no stock bar ends. no water cages. | | Similar Products Used: | none. this is my 1st hard tail. have used full suspentions in the past. | | Bike Setup: | the staff at dick's was very competent and caring. | | Bottom Line: | i like this bike alot. a great bike for the price. and did i mention the weight? it's a beast to haul! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian price
a Weekend Warrior
from redlands ca.
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | around town | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | sport chalet | | Strengths: | nice light frame and good price | | Weaknesses: | forks, bars, pedals, crank bolts, wheels, bareings | | Similar Products Used: | ?????? | | Bike Setup: | marazociy forks, new pedals, bontarga head set and bars, mavic wheel rear, new head set bearings, no front deraler with the teeth cut off third ring for make sift bash gard. | | Bottom Line: | cheep price for learnig but componits wheak i broke the crown on the forks have another $500 put into it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan Gano
a Weekend Warrior
from Lexington, KY
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Capital View Park Frankfort, KY | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$335.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Strongbox frame looks and rides amazing. RST fork smooths out roots and rocks. Disk brakes are a complete revolution from rims. Rapid-Fire shifters. WTB PureV saddle is soft enough to ride but hard enough that you can feel the trail. | | Weaknesses: | Strongbox frame is heavy. Heavier than cheaper Diamondbacks I've ridden. Kenda Klaw XT's? Swapped for IRC Kujo DH's. No metal pedals. | | Similar Products Used: | DB Sorento, IronHorse Maverick Trail DS, Coil EX, etc. | | Bike Setup: | Stock plus metal pedals and IRC Kujo DH's | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the price. It's always fun to pass the guys on the Giant or the Trek. I got it at the end of last summer and rode it hard ever sence. Never had any trouble other than minor adjustments. It has been my entry level bike. Now I'm looking to get the new Mission 1. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich Sack
a Cross Country Rider
from Trabuco Canyon, CA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Modjeska Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | Extremely tough butted aluminum "kinesis" frame that looks soo cool (especially with the thick "strongbox" tubing) This frame has perfect geometry for All Mountain long travel forks. This bike climbs so well with a long travel fork and handles like a dream downhill. Frame weighs around 5 lbs, but is so strong (very light for an all mountain frame). I'm 6'3 and weigh almost 190 lbs and mash it downhill, over jumps, etc. | | Weaknesses: | It says Diamondback on it - some people may think that you are crazy riding this brand of frame - until you blow by them up and down the hill. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Stumpjumper FSR. GT Zaskar LE. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Strongarm II cranks, Marzocchi FR SL ETA | | Bottom Line: | This is a diamond in the rough. I've been riding and racing for over a decade. This is a California designed frame that is welded over seas to make it cheap with excellent geometry. Buy the frame on ebay for less than $100 bucks and build it up with a long travel fork. This frame has been abused and looks perfect. This frame is a cross between downhill and cross country racer. If you can have just one bike - build it around this frame! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Harris
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfield, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | AAFES | | Strengths: | Absolutely awesome bike. I have been riding it hard for two years and now have decided to upgrade this most durable MTN bike. Very easy to upgrade, just decked out with all Deore LX (no reason to go crazy with $$$) probably will keep this bike for another 4-5 years. This bike takes all sorts of punishment. Great for road rides as well, however, change the tires! If you can find this model at a good price, BUY! | | Weaknesses: | Bottom bracket is a little weak, headset durability is lacking, if you need to take a link out of the chain, don't! Just change it. | | Similar Products Used: | HM, Cannondale, GT | | Bike Setup: | absolutely perfect and definately worth upgrades as part wear normally | | Bottom Line: | Best value for money Diamondback has ever produced. Great low end groupo will last you long enough to research upgrades. Upgrade? Definately! This bike will last you years! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh van Raay
a
from Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Lysterfield | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$600.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle super store | | Strengths: | the rims are awesome, done massive jumps on them and havent even buckled. rst forks are pretty good but sieze up in cold weather. and textro disc brakes are good for price paid for bike. | | Weaknesses: | crank must go broke after 5 rides. watch for back disc rubbing on frame. tyres are crap must upgrade them to tioga factory xc. | | Similar Products Used: | apollo, giant rencon. | | Bike Setup: | deore drive train, rst gila t5 forks, tioga factory xc tyres, textro disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | great bike if you want to start getting into mountain bike riding. but if you have the money upgrade crank forks and brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Newhall
a Weekend Warrior
from Lynn,massachusetts
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks | | Strengths: | Tough bike made strong, brakes work great definetly worth the money. | | Weaknesses: | cheap crank definently needs to be replaced | | Bottom Line: | good bike for the loot , Great for novices | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Tan
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Trail 15 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | KT Wong Bicycles | | Strengths: | Comes with great, strong rims, and the frame can take thrashing. The Hayes MX-2 mech brakes are decent. Alivio rear deraileurs works a treat. My chain never derailed through my period of usage. | | Weaknesses: | Mediocre fork, 60mm travel. Front deraileur needs to go. Stock parts are pretty heavy | | Bike Setup: | Diamondback response sport with Fox Forx Vanilla R 100. Full XT groupset bar the crankset which is an LX item. Rims are still the DM21s as they are one reliable pair of rims for XC riding. | | Bottom Line: | Get this bike is you want to stand away from the usual bandwagon of Konas, GTs, Giants etc. It performs just as well as the other more established brand rivals and even better in some aspects. Precise steering makes for good control. Riding position is second to none. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric R
a Weekend Warrior
from Huntington Woods, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac / Stoney Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Very lightweight, braking system would have probably held up nicely if it weren't for a bent rim (front remained very strong). Its a nice bike for cross country, trail riding, and even light jumping | | Weaknesses: | Bad bend in the rear wheel probably from casing it on a ledge in the first month or two I got the bike: stretching of rear brake cable and un-even wear of rear brake pads followed... (I admit it was abuse)
For trail riding the "road strip" on the tire made climbs a bit difficult (see bike setup)
I pretty much tore this bike to shreds. I even popped the rear tube from a jump, dropping 4 feet to the ground (cleared landing ramp)
Grips wore out after 6-7 months (one season) - see my review of the Diamondback Double-Up Low Pro Grip: http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Grip/product_87734.shtml | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stuff (I use it for urban, dirt, trail and xc) | | Bike Setup: | Stock, new tires w/o road strip discarded from a complete - WTB Primal Raptor (both are 2.1" wide), upgraded derailler: Shimano Deore XT (freebee from friend) | | Bottom Line: | I loved this bike: easy to maneuver, lightweight and efficient if properly assembled and maintained.
Dunno if you guys got this, but Dick's assembled mine with the stem angled downward... weird. I flipped the stem.
Also, try playing with the fork internals: My new bike replaced this one, but when I recently did a rebuild, there are two spacers sitting on the bottom that create 30-40mm of dead space on the stantions, maybe try longer spring/foam element... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam
a
from anchorage AK USA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | to many to name | | Weaknesses: | none to name | | Similar Products Used: | ironhorse warrior | | Bike Setup: | factory | | Bottom Line: | i have only had the bike for six months and have no problems yet if u want 2 downhill not your bike if you want a nice reliable bike this is for you | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Nichols
a Weekend Warrior
from Altus, OK
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | haven't found it | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Jone's Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Strong frame, good wheels and tires, rapid shifters work great, smooth, and reliable; handle bars are good and can be adjusted to fit your ride style. | | Weaknesses: | Can't really find a weakness after 3 months. Even after jumping off of boulders. Not the lightest of bikes but still easy to carry across a creek. You'll pay a lot more for lighter bikes! | | Bike Setup: | go to the web site for full set up description. www.diamondback.com. I have not altered stock components. | | Bottom Line: | This bike comes with a good stock set up that includes good disc brakes, good drive train and shifters. Great bike for the money and cheapest way to get into a bike with disc brakes.
I don't hesitate to push this bike to limits to see what it is made of. It's a DiamondBack! It will hold up to punishment!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ryan olsen
a Weekend Warrior
from clarksville, tennessee
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | rotary park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | bikes and moore | | Strengths: | great handling, light weight with awesome control and smoothness. excellent for on the road or trail ridiing.oh and did i mention the stock disc breaks?come stock with some great gripping tires | | Weaknesses: | stock plastic pedals kind of drag. other than that i have not ran into any other problems yet. | | Similar Products Used: | schwinn mesa, trek | | Bike Setup: | just stock setup exept for the pedals i did do an upgrade to SPD | | Bottom Line: | great bike for a great an awesome value, highly recomend this bike for beginners and novices.excellent for trails or urban assault. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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