Road Cycling - Diamond Back Expert

I'm wanting to get into road cycling. My LBS has the above
mentioned bike for $799, does anyone have any info about
this bike. Is it a good starter bike, or is there a bike better
for around the same price? I really don't want to spend over
a grand. Thanks for any info.

Great forum, lots of great information.

Dont know much about it. Diamond back made solid bikes but Im pretty sure they are out of business now. That would be one major drawback.

I don't know much about the Diamondback bikes, but recently, I've been researching road bikes like crazy. Try this link for reviews on the Expert: Road Bike Reviews (http://www.roadbikereview.com/Road+Bike/Diamondback/MPL_5456_1610crx.aspx)

I test-rode the Giant OCR2 which was a decent bike in that general price range. It didn't fit me correctly, but it might be perfect for you. It's true... it's all about the fit of the bike. Try several and one will strike you as being The Bike.

This past Saturday, I bought a Univega Modo Volare at my LBS. Univega bikes are no longer being made. Raleigh has taken over the name and will honor the Univega warranty.

Just found this short article about Diamondback which leads me to believe that they are probably still making bikes: Diamondback Reintroduces Road Bikes (http://www.totalbike.com/news/article/531/)

Here is Diamondback's web site: Diamondback (http://www.diamondback.com)

Good luck!

The gentlemen @ the bike shop said that Raleigh has bought
Diamond Back. There is a LBS that sells Fuji & Gaint, and in
there add in the phone book it says they offer lifetime free service on bikes. The shop that sells the Diamond Back is alot
closer to my house.

Diamondback is owned by Derby Cycles, which also owns Raleigh, Univega, among others.

I saw a Diamondback road bike at a big box sporting goods store at the mall this past weekend, so they are in production.

I have a '94 Expert, double butted cromo, not the newer amuminum frame, and I think it is great. It had downtube shifers and a 7 speed rearend, so I upgraded with RSX STI shifters when they came out.

I also changed the 52-42-30 to a 52-42-26, and the 13-28 to a 12-28.

Mine has carried panniers on the front and back.

Only complaint is at 35 MPH it starts to shimmy. That may be my fault. I was between sizes, and the thinking at the time was to use small frames and extend the seat post and stem. So it may not have that problem with a larger frame for my size.

It doesn't get much use now. The recumbent is so much nicer to ride.

Tom