diamondback road bikes

[GuyContinental]

Vastly improved over the last few years- owned by the same group as Raleigh, Chinese built, but some nice bikes in the high-end range. I was looking at the CX bikes- they looked like a decent deal for the groups and materials. That said, I think that it’s a lot to ask snobby cyclists to pay high end-dollars ($8500 for a Podium 7) for a brand that is sold at Dick’s Sporting Goods. DB was once a strong brand sold through LBS channels, they “sold out” and went for the big box business only to find that business impossible to maintain. Now they are spending big bucks working their way back into the cycling consciousness…. while still trying to hold on to the high end of the low end business. So, bottom line- if you don’t mind the brand issues, the bikes seem to be a decent value.

Anyone actually ridden them?

[mstone]

Yeah, you can’t make money selling at the big boxes. Companies keep trying, then getting burned. DB is trying the strategy of selling junk at the mass market retailers and selling visually similar but higher quality bikes through other channels. This is obviously confusing for consumers, who don’t get why one bike costs twice as much as a similar bike at a different store. (For example, the wall mart version may be high tensile steel and the bike store version aluminum at half the weight.) You need to pay a lot of attention to the specs and make sure you know what you’re getting. It may be that the big box version is the right one for someone, but they need to make sure they’re paying for that and not thinking they’re getting a great deal on the bike store version.

[PotomacCyclist]

I got back into cycling in 2008-2009, so my only experience with Diamondback bikes was walking around Sports Authority and seeing the $200 bikes in their bike section. They also seem to have a lot of promotional sales on Amazon. When I was first looking to get an adult bike, I couldn’t help but notice those prices. But when I would read online reviews, I would get scared away from the brand.

I was surprised to see that DB was a sponsor of the triathlon club this year. They showed up at the annual meeting in person. The company rep spoke about their new time trial/triathlon bikes. I was even more surprised to learn that the suggested retail prices were in the $3,000 to $9,500 range, I think. I was most surprised to learn that the company was offering up one of their time trial bikes as one of the raffle prize drawings, the top-end model! Who won it? … not me.

They are also offering to sell their tri bikes at cost to members of the club over the next year.

That’s all I have to say about that.

[hozn]

I would not hesitate to buy a (high-end) Diamondback. My full-susser mtb was a DB Sortie frame that I bought for $550 new on eBay. It was a wonderful frame — great anodized finish, great suspension technology, didn’t break … I have only read reviews of their road bikes, but it looks like you can get some great deals from pricepoint or promotive w/ Strava “team”.

[vvill]

I’ll always have a soft spot for DB since my first LBS (non K-Mart / yard sale) bike was a Diamondback Outlook. It was eventually stolen from a train station back when I used to multi-modal commute to university. 26″, SIS, rigid fork, probably cheap components and frame materials but it still rode so much nicer than anything else I’d previously owned.

My impression was that DB was making a comeback as an online-only, lower price option with the same quality/specs as more boutique brands. They even sponsor higher level road racing teams (and apparently tri too). The problem I found is that the prices don’t actually seem much lower, as others have noted. So the price difference isn’t really worth the lack of LBS support (unlike say, bikesdirect/Nashbar/etc where the prices are significantly lower).

[Anonymous]

ok, thanks everyone. The bike is used (ish). Some 2014 demo bikes are posted on the facebook used marketplace group. One of them might be my size, is in my price range, and is built w/ a *much* better component group than I otherwise have any hope of affording. I’m not a brand snob but I was nervous about an expensive bike in what I think of as a wal-mart brand.

[DaveK]

Those are good bikes and great deals. If one fits you, buy it. You won’t find deals like that in a long time.

[Anonymous]

As per DaveK’s instructions.

@DaveK 101472 wrote:

If one fits you, buy it.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7167[/ATTACH]

[ShawnoftheDread]

@acl 101602 wrote:

As per DaveK’s instructions.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]7167[/ATTACH]

So every December you’re going to buy another in a series of increasingly nice, tiny bikes? I endorse this plan.

[hozn]

Beautiful bike! And Di2?!

[Anonymous]

@hozn 101605 wrote:

And Di2?!

…much better component group…

(my old lady wrist and supposedly healed broken finger are looking forward to it)

[americancyclo]

Got an email from db today about their “Alternative Road” deals. How’s your bike holding up?

[Anonymous]

@americancyclo 143174 wrote:

Got an email from db today about their “Alternative Road” deals. How’s your bike holding up?

The front shifting has recently developed an intermittent issue possibly a loose connection or something not currently diagnosed (took it to spokes belle view last week and it behaved perfectly for them they suggested i take it to quaker lane that has all the di2 diagnostics stuff but i haven’t had a chance). That’s likely a shimano/di2 issue not a diamondback one, though i suppose it could be related to the initial assembly if something wasn’t put together entirely secure? Other than that i’ve basically had no problems with it. Bottom bracket repacked with grease once, one new chain and cassette, normal stuff. Got about 5700 miles on it, all kinds of weather. I am happy with it.

[Author]

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