[superscribe]

Hey all!

Glad to join the forum. I've lurked a little bit, and this is my first time posting. I've downhilled a bit and do a little all mountain most of the time.

So i basically got a really cheap (read: a six-pack of beer) '00 Diamondback X-link. From what i understand they were kind of big back in '99 and '00. I'm not really sure, i hadn't developed a love for falling on rocks back then. Personally, i think the frame is great, because it looks tacticool (which i'm okay with) and it's supposed to be a pretty burly, despite how thin the diameter is.

I'm thinking about making this a project, bike, but I don't know what to do with it. I'm not sure if i trust the Diamondback frame to be a proper full susser.

My first reaction is to ride the thing into pieces, then take the frame and then stick some newer but entry level parts on it and go around corners faster than all the hardtails (what's a little loss in efficiency anyway?)

My second reaction is kit it out with double walled rims and put some more modern shocks and just bear the condescending looks of everyone. Heck i might even swap the diamondback sticker for a Huffy or something.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[superscribe]

sorry, my previous post wasn't very clear

option 1: make it a cheap XC bike i can tool around on.
option 2: bite the bullet and make my new all mountain rig.

 

[zebrahum]

I would put as little money into it as possible and ride it into the ground. Take the money you save not putting fancy parts on it and put it toward an upgraded bike in the future. It will not be some burly big hit bike no matter what parts you stick on it, just ride it as long as you can and enjoy it for what it is.

 

[mtnbiker72]

I would put as little money into it as possible and ride it into the ground. Take the money you save not putting fancy parts on it and put it toward an upgraded bike in the future. It will not be some burly big hit bike no matter what parts you stick on it, just ride it as long as you can and enjoy it for what it is.

+1

The X-Link was a sub $1K full suspension 11 years ago, there is nothing special about it. Put as little as possible into it and have fun, save your $$$ for a new full suspension down the road.

 

[superscribe]

Thanks for the advice. I was told tha the frame used in the x-link is the same frame used in the nicer x-4, and x-6, (even the old xr model) As a result, I figured the thing was pretty quality.

On these older full suspension bikes (the cheaper ones) what's the first thing to wear out anyway?

 

[zebrahum]

On these older full suspension bikes (the cheaper ones) what's the first thing to wear out anyway?

I suspect it is a bit of a time bomb. My guess is that the shock might go first, but there's the strong possibility of a frame failure also. Do periodic checks of all the welds and joints of the bike to check for small cracks. Looking at a picture, I would guess that where the seatpost enters the frame would be a good place for a crack to start. Like I said, just ride it until you kill it. You know what's worse than riding a old bike? Not riding a bike at all.

 

[bengxe]

Ive been riding a 2000 X6 frame for about a year now. I bought it on craigslist and built it up with modern parts. Its been a great bike for me, but I dont know about using it for an AM build. I dont think Id go bigger than a 120-130mm fork, since the biggest it came with was a 100mm. I think the biggest problem with this frame is going to be replacement bushings. Mine are still ok, but DB doesnt sell them anymore. If you havent already, you can flip the shock linkage plates around to increase travel to 5".

 

[pfox90]

That's one tricked out DB