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Submitted by
PiZauL
a Downhiller
from Baltimore, MD
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Loch Raven | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | Price, Durability, Appearance, Decent Components (at the price) | | Weaknesses: | Rear Shock feels like a pogo stick, the front fork is OK but a better one wouldn't hurt. I know when I was a noob I kept landing with the front wheel first and was b*tching about it bottoming out, now I rarely do so since I land correctly. Handle bars have to be changed if you do any jumping, the steel bends easily after a season or 2 of hard landings. I had the alivio derailleur and hanger bent somehow when I went over a log, I ended up upgrading the hanger and derailleur to a deore which has been great. I notice a lot of chain slap when going down hill, and the derailleur really takes a beating against the frame (could be a derailleur design/spring problem though). Pedals need to be changed also, the plastic ones on there ended up cracking on me and had terrible grip when they got muddy/wet. And lastly, this thing is pretty heavy, but I really don't have a problem with that as it will prepare me better for my next bike. | | Similar Products Used: | Low End Walmart/Target bikes, friends Motobecane bikes | | Bike Setup: | Deore Derailleur, Easton Handlebars, Lizard Skin Grips, Lizard Skin Chain Guard | | Bottom Line: | Its a bottom end full suspension bike that gets the job done. Haven't really had a major failure after all the abuse I put it through (riding through 2-3 ft of water, mud, 4ft drop offs, rocky downhills with some jumps, falling off bike and having the bike go down the hill as some examples). You can find great deals on used parts and make this a decent budget all mountain/downhill bike. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
thagr8one78
a Weekend Warrior
from Greensboro,NC,USA
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Wild Turkey, Gboro, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | Takes a licking and Keeps on ticking. | | Weaknesses: | Yuo will have to chang out all stock parts. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek Hard Tail 15year Anniversary | | Bike Setup: | Dick Brakes, Shimaro Dick Brakes, derailluer, gears | | Bottom Line: | If you are seeing if you want to get into riding trails, get this bike. Once you start riding it every weekend, be prepared to have it in the shop by the start of every week. The bike has a strong frame, but for a 6 foot 280lb guy thats solid muscle... this bike cant take a pounding. Ive switched out the pedals 4 times (rubber to steal, to toe straps to toe clips) Tacoed both wheels twice, changed out the derailleur 4 times (Just couldnt take the beating... Broke on me 3 miles into a trail, and I Was taking it easy) had to get the gears tightened every weekend. Im scared to take it off a big jump, cause it creaks alot when I jump a stump. I just broke the derailleur clean off and the repair shop couldnt find a replacement for it. I had to order one online, and I took off the derailleur completly and went to a single gear...
The Only thing i havent changed out are the Brakes.. they work Great!!!! My next bike will be 1500k... trust me... this is rediculous. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
3rdnE
a Weekend Warrior
from Chula Vista, Ca
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$275.00 | | Purchased At: | Costco | | Strengths: | Good Bike for the Price. | | Weaknesses: | a a bit heavy, needs gear modification, Pedals need to be replaced. | | Bike Setup: | Sram Shifters, x-5 deraileurs, Chen Shing tires, SR Crank, KS rear shock, Spinner Grind 1 front forks, Tektro IOX dick brakes. | | Bottom Line: | I just started in the sport and I have been shopping around for a starter bike. this beats any other starter bike in the same price range. comes with Sram shifters and x-5 derailers and disc brakes. more than likely will be upgrading parts on it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
billbill357
a Cross Country Rider
from worthington, ohio, usa
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Phase 2 (havent been to Vultures Knob!) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | From a friend | | Strengths: | Newer version has a somewhat sturdy frame/forks. It's handled everything I've thrown at it pretty well so far. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy frame! Rear coil bottoms out often even with a lot of tightening! pedals broke after jumping it so i bought some 25$ big earls and they look like the belong on the bike | | Similar Products Used: | wall mart bike | | Bike Setup: | everything is stock except the pedals and a bontrager seat | | Bottom Line: | Great entry level bike but the weight can be annoying at times. I would recommend it to the newbie because its pretty rugged | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
comlag
a Weekend Warrior
from Glendale, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Cherry Canyon, LA Canada, CA | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Station, Hig | | Strengths: | Strong frame. If you put a little effort into building up this bike, it will not steer you wrong. | | Weaknesses: | Its heavy and stock drive train isn't to climber friendly...or maybe I'm just a wuss. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Sram X.7 Drive train, Marzocchi AM2 fork, Progressive 5th element Air rear shock, Truvativ Husselfetl crank, Avid Juicy 3(rear)/Juicy 5(front) | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike if you plan on building it up. Some things, in my opinion, NEED to be replaced.
1)The suspension on the bike is horrible
Even if you can only get some Darts on there, it will make a world of difference
2)I didnt like the configuration of the 24-34-44 chainrings and the rear cassette wasnt up to my liking either.
If you plan on spending a small investment on this bike, it will give you much more in return.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
charlie123
a Downhiller
from usa
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | craigslist | | Strengths: | the frame i think is sturdy it has shimano components it definitely beats bikes that you get at walmart i ride this thing every where the first few days i had i put 30-40 miles on its real sturdy for a 300 dollar bike | | Weaknesses: | the pedals are terrible i eventually had to get new ones also the rear shock is not the best im thinking of getting a rear fox air shock. its a bit on the heavy side | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | for the price of this bike is great its a good beginner bike it beats all the cheap mongooses that you could get at walmart. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
musicislife
a Weekend Warrior
from Connecticut
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | grayville | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks | | Strengths: | cheap | | Weaknesses: | the shifters get screwed up way to easy, suspension sucks, brakes suck, in the first 3 months i had it the frame cracked and they gave me a new one, and just recently with the new bike the frame cracked again, very annoyed with the bike in general | | Bike Setup: | i put a marzocchi drop off3 on it and a fox float and changed pedals and other small stuff | | Bottom Line: | Overall i am mad i got it, i purchased it when i first started riding and am now realizing i need something much better, would not recomend it to anyone who does anything more serious than trails near there house. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adrian
a Weekend Warrior
from
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | SANTOS TRAIL HEAD | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$340.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | very strong | | Weaknesses: | I hate this bike everything is a peace of crap! | | Bottom Line: | The first ride My saddle broked and peddles too! My cassette is broke and my paint on the bike has worn off!!!! I had a inlinement That did nothing I had to replace the disc brakes toooooooooooooooo!!!! I hate this bike!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tesshin-Socho
a Cross Country Rider
from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 19, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Diamondback Factory | | Strengths: | Strong frame and durability of it for the price. excellent for riders who are getting into MTB. can take alot of abuse
easy to lightweight the bike with just a few parts | | Weaknesses: | Cheap parts, not surprised why.
Promax discs are not good at all!! A part that must be upgraded!! shifting on the rear Alivio are slow. the rear shock is a bit soft. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback Recoil & comp. | | Bike Setup: | Shimano Deore rear & front derailleurs, 08' Fox Float R fork, Kenda Kinetics 2.35, 8 inch front discs, Specialized alloy handlebar, Evo stem, Hayes & Tektro Calipers. Shimano hubs. | | Bottom Line: | It's only $400. but the frame is built STRONG. just upgrade a bit and it would be a very good XC/DH bike. I race with higher end bikes ex: Giant, Trek, Kona etc. and I could always keep up. some parts are good that comes stock on the bike, and they sure are tough. would be an excellent bike to those who are starting out and are looking for cheap bikes that perform well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Upstate Basher
a Downhiller
from Naples, New York
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Chutes & Ladders | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks Sproting Goods | | Strengths: | Rock solid frame. Rear shock relativley solid. Tires last forever and have awesome grip on a variety of surfaces. | | Weaknesses: | Fork, bars (bent after hard landing) Grips twist after 1 day of hard riding. | | Bike Setup: | Truvativ DH Bar, Syncros 80 AM stem, Sunline grips THE fender, continental gravity tires | | Bottom Line: | This is a solid bike for the price. It can take lots of abuse. I have done many drops and stair jumps and ride lots of DH and ladders and stunts and have had very few problems with this bike. Frame holds up nicely and the fork, although it bottoms takes the repeated bottoming. With a few cockpit upgrades this bike is a perfect bike for someone who wants to or is just getting into black diamond/northshore style riding. Superb all around bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Garfield16
a Cross Country Rider
from San Antonio, Texas
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | OP Schnaubel | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | a very plush ride, great brakes for 350 bucks.
very sturdy frame, and a rippin' descender. | | Weaknesses: | a crappy rear shock, it has no pedaling platform, so it is extremely inefficient on out-of-seat climbs. (its an okay climber if you stay in your seat) it is also a crummy climber because of its 37ish lb. weight. Also the Shimano Alevio drive train is sub-par for this bike. | | Similar Products Used: | ... | | Bike Setup: | dicks did a pathetic job setting the bike up. Cable hoses werent attatched to the frame and the brakes werent properly set up. | | Bottom Line: | good bike for the money. the major problem was the rear derailer. It got ripped off the bike frame for no apparent reason, and didnt shift well before that. but, for paying $350, it is a great bike with a plush 5 inches of travel and disc brakes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mohn821
a Cross Country Rider
from Reading, PA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Guryea, skyline drive | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | Frame and shocks take a good beating. tires are nice size. good shifters and rear breaks | | Weaknesses: | stability and weight... crummy shock... | | Similar Products Used: | iron horse/ roadmaster | | Bike Setup: | 26 x 2.35" tires, dual disk brakes, fully adjustable fork w/ lockout, shimano 28 speed shifter/ brakes, front/ rear mud fenders | | Bottom Line: | From PA down to NC, the quality of the bike changes from store to store. Some have cheap shifters and forks, while others have high quality equiptment. My bike is GREAT for what i do with it. Landing 15' jumps is a little rough, but for long huals it holds up great if you take care of it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati, OH USA
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | Strong frame, good brakes, and its a good ride | | Weaknesses: | Fork broke after 3 months, derailleur hanger cracked | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Hardrock | | Bike Setup: | RockShox Tora 302 Coil U Turn, 9 speed cassatte, and 08 Deore Shifters | | Bottom Line: | its a good starter bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Taylor Hibbert
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, Texas USA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$282.00 | | Purchased At: | dick's | | Strengths: | cheap | | Weaknesses: | be prepared to spend money | | Similar Products Used: | redline bmx | | Bike Setup: | stock: new R.D. Shimano XTR: new chain: tora rock shock fork | | Bottom Line: | bent R.D. first month; chain rusted out first month after left outside; chain rubs on F.D.. Bike shop fixed brakes! New XTR R.D. shift Much Better! Bike lighter with Tora Fork. Bike rides good. Next: new wheel set. Just be prepared to spend money.....frame seams solid. Not bad for a cheap bike. Going to get a better/lighter set of wheels. Rides good enough. Spent so far $300 on the bike in repairs and up grades. (fork was given to me) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam Kaufman
a Weekend Warrior
from Santa Clara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | theofframp | | Strengths: | cheap, sturdy, can take a beating, pretty reliable components, two years same tires. for the money its a good bike. dont expect a lot. if you are looking for something to take out and do light mtn biking go for it. do not get this bike if you are rocking up hills. not a good idea for that. be prepared for walking it up. | | Weaknesses: | weight, not a climber | | Similar Products Used: | giant warp ds3, my next bike will be the specialized stumpjumpter comp | | Bike Setup: | bar extensions, tuffy liners, beefy tubes (in two years never flatted) | | Bottom Line: | good bike for the novice. all around happy with it and it did its job. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
adam
a Cross Country Rider
from 291 haven way
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks | | Strengths: | strong frame, cheap | | Weaknesses: | doesn't climb well at all, heavy | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | it's a cheap ineffective downhill bike shaped object. lousy for xc, not structurally sound enough for dh, has poor pedaling efficiency,and is all around a bad bike. not even being starved for cash and being new to the sport is an excuse for buying this bike. if u have no money go hardtail cause a good hardtail costs alot less than than a good full suspension, and if your just starting out riding a hardtail will improve ur chops alot faster. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ike meister
a Weekend Warrior
from colorado
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | lots | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | ted's | | Strengths: | the frame is beastly strong. cheap. solid. | | Weaknesses: | bad rims, chain will occasionly slip when hitting big bumps. heavy. | | Bike Setup: | changed rims seat and pedals. rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | ive had this bike for maybe 3.5 years. its stod by me through alot. i bought cause it was the cheapest bike i could find with disk brakes that i thought might be ok. its hevym but suck it up. the fork and shoks are definitly not that good, but they can take alot. u need to change the rims, cause i broke mine within a month, but it is definitly an amazing bike for the money, ans is an excellent bike for beginers who want to try a bit of everything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jordan
a Downhiller
from sunnyvale
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | santa :P | | Strengths: | strong as hell!! i am 15 had it for 3 years, i am just getting crazy with it, finaly the rims are tweeked after 3 years!!! strong frame, bike can take some crap for being cheep and being with in the boudnries, can bottom the thing out like 100 times a day and its cool. i went thhrough 3 cranks in 1 month on one of my bikes and yet to budge these!! tires rock, crank rocks, | | Weaknesses: | derailer- i only have 3 gears... i ride it to school and screw around when my bighit3 is in the shop, brakes are ehh, forks suck!! lol , seat!! cant sit lol, | | Similar Products Used: | giant pistol 2-gay, demo8 friends, bighit3:) mine, sisters new dimond back isnt as good, cannondales | | Bike Setup: | stuff | | Bottom Line: | bomb ass bike for beginers, kids screwin around, pple who dont want to spend time taking care of bikes. u can trust it will take care of your kids, its amazing how well it handles. great bike cant go wrong, i still love it but kill it lol | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a
from Spokane
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Minnehaha | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Purchased At: | Inky's Bikes | | Strengths: | Good chunky tires. Solid Frame. Excellent Price. | | Weaknesses: | No real weaknesses, though like everyone else said, it is a little on the heavy side. I also managed to crack a pedal as well as break the seat. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Stock. | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent bike if you are looking to get the biggest bank for your buck on an XC bike. It has done everything for me from commuting, jumping, to single track riding (and even a LITTLE downhill, though not reccomended). The condition of the bike has held up great, but it does require frequent tune-ups to keep the shifting smooth. It has dealt well with my abuse for a year, and I'm hoping to get a few more years out of it. If you are looking for a solid XC bike but don't have a ton of money, this could be the best option. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a
from la california usa
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Great bike the bike is great for offroad and on road. I love it. | | Weaknesses: | the pedals keep cracking and the gears slip some times. | | Bottom Line: | Overall it is a great bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Winterpark | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | PRICE!!!! and it will not break! | | Weaknesses: | Pretty much the whole bike is weak. The fork is really bad and the wheels feel cheap. But for $300 what do you expect? | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Get his bike if you don't have any money (like me). At least you get to ride. It's very heavy for XC, but just suck it up and ride the beast. I rode mine for a week in Fuita, CO and the Winterpark downhill bike park. The ride was kinda rough, especially the downhill park, but not a single item broke, and it was still a lot of fun. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steven
a
from new york
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | my home made trails | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$320.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks sporting goods | | Strengths: | i've had this bike since summer 2004 and it has held up great | | Weaknesses: | fork, rear shock, | | Similar Products Used: | coil ex '07 | | Bike Setup: | rock shox judy XC fork, tough shock rear shock, bunch of other crap i put on it | | Bottom Line: | this is a good bike for 350$ but dont go overboard | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee Hurt
a Weekend Warrior
from Chester, VA
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's | | Strengths: | Great frame for the price--Strongbox helps reduce twist that usually occurs on lighter frames--Good components based on the price(Promax disc brakes), Kenda tires are great on or offroad. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailleur should have been upgraded due to problems and lots of adjustment needed to reduce chain rub--Better stock chainrings would have also been nice. | | Similar Products Used: | None. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the exception of Shimano clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Overall, I really enjoy the bike. After road racing for about 6 years and not being able to keep up with the cost of new technology, this bike was a steal for the number of components that come stock. I looked at a Specialized Hard Rock that was only front suspension & no disc brakes and was $100 higher. I am finding myself riding at least once or twice a day and loving it due to the freedom that I didn't have with a road bike. Despite the extra weight, the bike is responsive and the suspension soaks up the bumps on big trails. Great bike overall.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
doug campbell
a Weekend Warrior
from irmo, sc
Date Reviewed: September 5, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | harbison forest | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$495.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | Like everyone else on here the price is what sold me. | | Weaknesses: | after two years of riding on average two times a week it is starting to feel loose. Also the shifting gives me some trouble, and it creaks and moans more than I do on big uphills. | | Similar Products Used: | none. this was my first bike | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I have really had a great time with this bike and for the price I cant complain a bit. It has held up very well, I am a 200 pounder and have tons of miles on the bike. I highly recommend this as a good starting bike. Im about to upgrade to a Giant Reign 2, but I will miss this bike and I think it has been a good one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Downhiller
from San Jose, California, USA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Saratoga Gap | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Craigslist.com | | Strengths: | Very strong frame. | | Weaknesses: | V-brakes, small shocks, very heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Cinder cone | | Bottom Line: | This bike was great until I sold it. It was very nice for jumping but not muck else, just to ride across the neighborhood was a huge work out. I do not recommend it for xc. If you want a good dual suspension dirtjumper, then this is the bike for you, just don't take it off drop offs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Albany, NY, USA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Great product for the price! Solid frame, good tires and disk brakes. | | Weaknesses: | It's a bit on the heavy side...but what do you expect for $400? | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi AM3 fork, Fox Van R shock, Wellgo MG1 pedals, Thompson stem, Sette carbon riser handlebar. | | Bottom Line: | I feel that this bike is a great deal for someone just getting their feet wet in the sport.....manageable price of admission, and you can upgrade as you go.
Changing out the shock and fork made for a huge improvement, but that isn't to say you can't have fun on the stock setup. Someday I'll upgrade to a lighter bike with a more sophisticated suspension design, but for now the Coil EX 07 is exactly what I need. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Weekend Warrior
from Dayton, oh, usa
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Power line | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | Great frame, new strongbox design this year, looks like industrial grade. Nice Kenda tires, and spokes. Great price for a low end dual suspension. Nice low end disk brakes, which are much better than any normal brake. | | Weaknesses: | Low end components. Chain has slipped a couple of times, but nothing to stop me from riding. | | Similar Products Used: | K-mart bikes as a kid. lol | | Bike Setup: | All stock. For now only upgrading pedals (transitions bikes stepdown), grips (ergon mp1), and later possibly the crankshaft, and front fork. | | Bottom Line: | This is my first dual suspension bike, and for the price, i couldn't beat it. I did a lot of research on it, and read all these reviews before me, and for my budget, and experience, all trails were leading to dicks to grab this bike. I don't mind the heavy frame, I will only make me a stronger rider in the future. Overall, i am satisfied with this bike, and am thoroughly enjoying it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Pearl City, HI USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | waipio/mililani | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | garage sale | | Strengths: | headtube, BB, frame | | Weaknesses: | Forks. Shock(if you can call it that), derailluer hanger | | Similar Products Used: | n/a | | Bike Setup: | RockShox Judy2(a bit better than the factory fork)
LX/Deore(single speed) | | Bottom Line: | Change the forks, and rear shock...add some Azonic outlaws, and some Juicy brakes...and you will have decent ride(not recommended for tall(6-2+) riders doing downhill-geometry is not quite right)-unless you are a ballzout rider. For a real adventure...change out the rear triangle from a DBR Moto '06 model and do some custom metal work to make it a four link. You might just have something....Good for beginners, takes hard hits...but will creak and moan after a few really hard ones...holds together well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clark
a Weekend Warrior
from West Virginia
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | All Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Overall frame durability, cost effective for beginners | | Weaknesses: | Weight (This bike isn't a climber at all), Forks (Started leaking oil after a few months), Rear Shock (Blew it within the first year) BUT REALLY IT WAS ONLY $350 YOU KNOW IT'S NOT GOING TO BE PERFECT | | Similar Products Used: | This was my first Mountain Bike, upgraded to a Teocali Elite | | Bike Setup: | Stock, with Crank Brothers Egg Beaters | | Bottom Line: | I wanted to try my hand at getting off the road. For the price it was a real reasonable starting point at only $350. If I didn't enjoy the sport I wouldn't be out that much (hardly anything considering the prices of other bikes). This bike handled just about everything I wanted to try from some DH to XC. If you are like me and wanting to try alittle bit of everything this bike is right up your alley. Especially if you are just getting started this bike does decent at AM riding but doesn't specialize in any one particular style. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Engel
a Weekend Warrior
from Boston
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Gravel Gorge | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | Very Nice standard Box, Kenda tires.. | | Weaknesses: | bad fork | | Bike Setup: | Marzocci 2 bomber 2007 fork system Rock Shox rear U Turn shok
| | Bottom Line: |
If you are going to hit big jumps i recomend getting a better fork and for even bigger jumps get a better rear shock. If you are a person who goes dirt jumping alot i recomend this bike if you cant afford a Banshee or something. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Holy Jim Trail, El Toro, CA | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Warehouse, Vista, CA | | Strengths: | Great frame, durable brakes, Kenda tires | | Weaknesses: | sub-par components, i.e. weak pedals, chain, fragile sprockets, gears can slip a bit....... | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Faith 2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for DMR V12 Platform Pedals, and Revel 426 ROCK SHOX | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bike for starting out on! It is a great deal for what I paid for it. Bike is easy to handle and is very forgiving when getting technical and handles downhill with ease. It is a little heavy on uphill and the components might need an upgrade after you wear them out but the bottom line is the bike does everything I need it to and is a great value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JUAN
a Weekend Warrior
from BRONX
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$499.00 | | Purchased At: | WESTCHESTER BICYCLE PRO SHOP | | Strengths: | GOOD LOOKING BIKE, STRONG FRAME | | Weaknesses: | FRONT FORKS, REAR SHOCKS | | Bike Setup: | MARZOCCHI BOMBER 3 FORKS, FOX VANILLA REAR SHOCKS | | Bottom Line: | DIAMONDBACK COIL EX O7 IS A GOOD OVERALL BEGINNERS BIKE. EVEN WITHOUT THE CHANGES I MADE I WILL RECOMMEND THIS BIKE TO ANYONE. IT IS A GOOD WAY TO BUY A FULL SUSPENSION BIKE THAT CAN BE UPGRADED SLOWLY, AND NOT PAY A FORTUNE FOR IT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lars
a
from Raleigh,NC,USA
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Durable, Brakes provide good stopping power, decent fork | | Weaknesses: | Rear shock
The rubber cones on the brakes that prevent dirt from getting into the brakes move against brake mechanism while braking causing the brake pads to "self adjust" while braking.
Fork isn't very adjustable. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for rear shock and pedals, FastAce BS-20RC shock and Shimano M545 pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike may not be the best top notch quality bike but it is a great bike for getting into the sport of mountain biking. This bike has performed amazingly for me. It did require a few adjustments, like a new rear shock and pedals. Also as mentioned above, I had to trim the rubber cones on the brakes to keep them from adjusting the brake pads everytime I brake ... but that didn't bother me too much. Taken it on some pretty rough trails and it has held up nicely. The SR Suntour fork has performed better than I had anticipated, but it would be nice to have rebound control. If you are getting into mountain biking, this is the bike for you ... or if you don't have a lot of money and looking for a good bike. If you take care of your bike ... it will take care of you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
isaac radner
a Weekend Warrior
from pueblo, co, usa
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | peakes trail, breckenridge | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | tires are excellent, disks are good for feathering. strong frame. | | Weaknesses: | heavy, not good climber. Disks don't have much sudden stopping power. gears catch when shifting on steep climbs, or sometimes shift on a big bump when going fast | | Bottom Line: | gnarly bike for beginners. Very tough. great for only 500$.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from North Carolina USA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks | | Strengths: | Price, can't beat the buck. A great starter. | | Weaknesses: | Everything is priced for the conservative pruchaser so the Components are in line with the dollar, don't jump Mt. Everest with it people, but a nice set of bumps and root hopp'n is alright. | | Similar Products Used: | Rockhopper, Specz stuff | | Bike Setup: | Mostly stock, changed front fork (Ebay'd it on a good deal), blew out rear shock so I changed to beefier dualie system, hybred and stiff (I'm abusing it all the time, Spanky-Spanky baby)but it holds the line well in spite of this. | | Bottom Line: | If you have a few beans and want to test the waters on your manhood/womanhood mountain bike skillz, this is a great choice. Forget all the other junk you've read above, you know how much money you're going to spend and if it's in this range you know what type and stlye of ridd'in you'll be doing. You'll be fine. All the other drop doggs and 24-7 dirt burgers know this isn't the bike for them.
Ride freak'n on everyone go NOW! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dan mack
a Weekend Warrior
from ithaca ny usa
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | dicks | | Strengths: | cool looking. brakes | | Weaknesses: | front fork | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | I bought it to ride on the roads cause it has disk brakes, and they work better than rim brakes even if they arent the state of the art model. besides it looks waycool junior.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
AJ
a Weekend Warrior
from Burke, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Low price, strong frame, strong wheels, nice mix of components for such an inexpensive bike. Handles very well. Climbs better uphill if you set the rear shock stiff. Shifts well when you need it. Brakes are a huge improvement over V-brakes on the rim. | | Weaknesses: | Couple of cheap components. Handlebar is steel and I bent it, but the forks didn't bend!!! Brakes are low end disks, but tons better than any rim brake. Fork is too soft, doesn't have a ton of travel, doesn't have much adjustment, but otherwise ok. | | Similar Products Used: | Ironhorse and Nishiki hardtails. | | Bike Setup: | First upgrades are clipless pedals and a new aluminum bar. | | Bottom Line: | A great value, but not a hard-core $2000 mountain bike.
This is sort of the bottom of the market for a full suspension bike with disc brakes. Some compromises had to be made (inexpensive fork and rear suspension, inexpensive disc brakes), but overall, it is one heck of a value for $350 on sale. In fact, to do better, you will likely have to spend $550 or $600.
I have ridden some very technical trails and have done well compared to people riding bikes 2 or 3 times the price. If you're a beginner or on a budget, this is a great bike for a full suspension. Won't break your budget, works well, holds up well. I have no regrets about buying this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Bradford
a Racer
from Lexington, Kentucky - USA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Capitol View Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$350.00 | | Purchased At: | Dicks Sporting Goods | | Strengths: | Insane frame strength, great beginner bike, price can't be beat, this is the bike I really learned how to bike on, and now I am I die-hard Diamondback fan, even after owning over 10 high end bikes. It can take a load of crap, and keep on ticking, cheap and easy to fix and maintain, perfect bike to learn on, or learn how to work on. | | Weaknesses: | Weight. Deraualler Hanger sucks bad. Get a better one. Tires are Kenda Klaw XT, they're decent for a start. Alivio Shifting with easy-fire -- upgrade immediately to Deore with rapid fire alivio combos. Brakes a little weak even for cables, and the suntour fork isn't very adjustable, but that's ok for a bike of this price. Excellent deal, can't beat it! Beginners, start here! | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar 3.0 XLT, DBR SL Super, DB Response Comp, Cannondale Prophet 4000 | | Bike Setup: | Standard--w/IRC Trailbear tires, alivio rapidfire brake shifter combos, deore rear w/8 speed, marzocchi mz III | | Bottom Line: | Great Bike. Start Here. Have Fun, Get Out And Ride, Enjoy, Upgrade it a little, trash it, and get a better bike when you've outgrown this one. Campus junkies, beware, too much bike to leave laying around, it looks too cool to bike stealing idiots, and will be gone in a flash if you don't keep a close eye on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Tequila
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Good frame, Good dampend rear shock, disc brakes, geomtry | | Weaknesses: | KInda heavy. Fork is not very reactive to small hits. | | Similar Products Used: | Many | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harry Thaung
a Weekend Warrior
from Pleasanton, ca United States
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | The Ridge& Cow trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Dublin Cyclery | | Strengths: | Strong,Kick ass handling,Nice big Chunky Tires, Good Suspension,Disk brakes stop you fast and everything is really strong. | | Weaknesses: | The gears tend to slip a bit (but i minor derailler adjustment will fix that) It is a big heavy but not too heavy. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant,Specialized etc | | Bike Setup: | Stock but would like to replace rear shock for somehting adjustable. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike it can handle the uphills. inspires very confident handling. gear ratios are set just right. suspension can cushion those bumps brakes can really stop you and the double wall rims are a plus. One thing i love is the tires good both on and off road but if your climbing you want to lower the tire pressure cuz you can get some slip. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
andy fry
a Downhiller
from ventura, ca usa
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | romero canyon... | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | nex | | Strengths: | Rides like a tank! cant seem to break it? Took it through a very narly canyon at night, hiting things, and all kinds of tourture, still in one peace! | | Weaknesses: | Very heavy!, but its a cheap down hill bike.. Its not an all mountain bike- due to its suspention set up, it does not climb! Brok chain, bent the bars, brakes could use alittle work.. like better ones... | | Similar Products Used: | nothing.. Not walmart.. even though the price is close.. | | Bike Setup: | Stock set up, nothin it realy needs, unless broken? Its the closest thing to a real down hill.... | | Bottom Line: | I bought it cus I didnt have 2000 bucks for anything desent, and I wanted to go out an crash thrue the woods, its got disc brakes 3.5 iches of travel, in the rear, the front fork works- so I make due! If you complan about it, then your not think about the price of this bike..a real dh fork costs more! for thinking a 400 doller(retail) mountain bike would be sick, it is very good for what it is! Mine was smaller it would be better... I. E. 20 inch too big! If your just an average person with a low budget buy it cus it works, but dont go climbing.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sawyer
a
from amarillo, texas,u.s.a
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | dead mans drop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$349.00 | | Purchased At: | bike korner | | Strengths: | great suspension and breaks | | Weaknesses: | heavy, hubs no good, chain slips | | Similar Products Used: | wal-mart coil ex is way better | | Bike Setup: | stock, no good | | Bottom Line: | me no read! you get what you pay for, but overall if you are a beginner this is the perfect bike if you are on a low budget, ohterwise go with a specialized.buy it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant Walker
a Weekend Warrior
from Texas
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Cameron Park, Waco TX | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Sports | | Strengths: | Big tires are awesome and for the money it is an ok bike | | Weaknesses: | I cracked the frame on this bike after only 10 months of riding. The components are crap and the rear swing arm design is terrible. I am a mechanical engineering major and this definately could have been thought out better the bike flexes at the swing arm joint under heavy torque like hill climbing. | | Similar Products Used: | Walmart bikes hahaha | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | For someone starting out it is an ok bike, but I am purchasing a specialized EPIC. Rule of thumb with a full suspension is don't spend less than $1000. I would save money to get a specialized diamond back just doesn't cut it when it comes to this kind of bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gilbert Rupert
a Weekend Warrior
from Boumholder
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | St.Wendel Technical trail MTB2 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$399.00 | | Purchased At: | AAFES | | Strengths: | Good solid frame.Great tires, handles awesome on technical downhills. Everything else.... | | Weaknesses: | ....the components suck...especialy the brakes and the paint does wear off easly. Abit heavy,sucks on climbs but its what you get for a 400 dollar bike.... | | Similar Products Used: | Specialize | | Bike Setup: | Sofar only replaced the rear shock with DMN STY-10RC...everything else comes later... | | Bottom Line: | I've taken the bike on some technical trails here in Germany and it has'nt done me wrong yet... Replace all the components and you got yourself a kick ass bike. If your into building things up then this a good bike to start with... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allan
a Weekend Warrior
from Vacaville
Date Reviewed: November 12, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | North Burma @ Annadel | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$299.00 | | Purchased At: | AAFES BX | | Strengths: | a strong bike, seems to be very stable, no bobbing or anything. so far, the gears and the brakes have worked well. | | Weaknesses: | so far the paint seems to scratch easily and is a little on the heavy side. (30-31 lbs.)? | | Similar Products Used: | Montague Hummer Bike, Specialized RockHopper, K2 | | Bike Setup: | Stock (so far) | | Bottom Line: | I told my friend to buy it because I noticed that the people at the BX put the wrong price for it, pretty stupid. Basically, it seems like a good bike to start a person off with, and it has decent specs good enough to make a amateur rider confident with his ride while on the trails. with a small budget and high hopes, this is a must buy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jeff petitt
a Weekend Warrior
from Suffolk, England
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Thetford Forest (Only one that's close) | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | AAFES BX | | Strengths: | This bike has a solid frame and the full suspension is adequate for most areas, barring huge drops. The geometry (ride position)is set up fairly well and the large tires help in the mud. | | Weaknesses: | The paint on this bike chips if you sneeze on it. Hubs are so poorly sealed that they are infiltrated with mud and water after the first puddle, hubs loosen up often. Disc brakes are nice but require more maintenance tham v-brakes.
Lower cable housings are right in line to be filled with mud and water each and every time you ride on anything but a dry trail. (Which is not very often in England!)Looks good, but falls short in some component areas. Upgrades improve the weaknesses but place it in a price range with other bikes that simply require less maintenance and provide better performance. Will definitely go with Specialized next time. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for addition of new pedals (factory are cheap plastic with metal cages). New hubs are now required. | | Bottom Line: | Looks more expensive than it is, performs at a lower level than the price suggest. Buy it if you love maintenance, and not riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Goodlet
a Weekend Warrior
from Lakeland, FL, USA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Carter Rd. -or- TOE | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn | | Strengths: | This bike rides like a Ford Truck. Nothing gets in your way without being trampled. I have used this bike quite a few times now without any major problems, although my rear wheel did get bent once. I really like the tire size, its a lot easier to conquer the trails with these. Great disc brake set-up. | | Weaknesses: | A little to heavy. Chain slips when changing gears sometimes. | | Bottom Line: | I recommend this bike for someone on a lower budget. But, for the price, you cant beat it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cj szoke
a Weekend Warrior
from lakeland
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | alafia | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike Barn | | Strengths: | Excellent value! Good bike for the buck! | | Bottom Line: | The review from Dragarian from India is obviously for another bike. This is not a $1700 bike, but a very solid bike for the money. I have no problem keeping up with much more expensive bikes on the trails, doing everything they can do. I am 240 lbs. and the bike carries me just fine even on jumps. But I wouldn't recommend big drops. This is a $500 bike, but a very good one! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Caleb Rose
a Weekend Warrior
from Utah
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | The Twist | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$550.00 | | Strengths: | Great Ride, rear suspension is very smooth and front fork has enough travel to make it comfortable. The frame if light enough to carry it (if you have to). It shifts very smooth and quick. | | Weaknesses: | The chain has a tendency to come off if you get the wrong gear ratio. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper 02' | | Bike Setup: | Shimano XTR Disc Brakes, Shimano Deore Deraillers 24 speed | | Bottom Line: | Overall this is a great bike and so far it does everything I want it to do. I've always been somewhat of a Specialized guy, but when I tried this bike I decided to go with it and it works just as good as my other bike. lf your thinking that diamondback isn't as good just try it and you'll see | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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