Mountain Biking - diamondback

I was a Dick's Sporting goods yesterday, and saw what appeared to be a great deal. They had a Diamondback (topenga I think) for just under $300, originally $440. It had Shimono Deore deruelers and shifters, the Rockshock Judy TT fork, v-brakes, with I'm pretty sure disc brake mounts for future upgrade, an aluminum frame (but not 6061 it was 7001 or something) It had a pretty cheap looking crankset though. Anyway, I heard that Raligh made the Diamondback, so do they have good frames? Would it be a cheap frame for upgrading or should I continue on my path for a specialized? just wondering.

http://www.mtbreview.com/reviews/2003_hardtail/product_121472.shtml

There's are two reviews from people who bought their DB Topangas at Dick's Sporting Goods also

I have a DB Apex 2003. I paid $625 for mine and I think I got a big bang for my buck. I don't plan on upgrading for a couple years, but I'm not a bike guru or anything either.

Not a bad bike by any means. I still prefer Specialized bikes. However, I know a lot of people with this bike and don't have any complaints.

L8R

I would not buy a bike from a Dick. But my first MTB was a diamondback and I got good service from it until I bent the front fork. But that was in the days of NO suspension.

I looked at this bike. Seemed decent enough, but I ended up going with a Specialized Hardrock and have no regrets. I would be careful buying a bike from Dicks though. I have heard lots of stories of bad things going wrong because of poor assembly by Dicks.

It's all according to how much you plan on riding it.... A couple of guys @ work ask me for my opinions about brands to buy, and just knowing them, I sometimes suggest a "cheap" bike, figuring they'll lose interest in a couple of months... My first 2 mtn.bikes were DB's. 1) Ascent EX, 2) Axis TR , and I loved both for what they were. DiamondBack entered the mainstream sales category a few years ago because of certain business ventures. The "used" to have good bikes several years ago (early 90's), but I can't vouch for them nowadays. Mongoose is another similar company that went WallyWorld bound... (Selling @ WalMart)

One thing to keep in mind if there's a remote chance you may stick with the sport, then buy a good enuf bike so as "it" don't turn you against mtn.biking. In other words if you buy a real heavy, cheap bike, you'll probably quit riding because of the bike. A good, light, solid built bike can & WILL bring great fun X/C riding, no matter what the brand is....

The Bottom Line is this: BUY A BRAND NAME BIKE NO MATTER WHAT !

Good Luck! :>

lol thats a funny picture!

I've been through a couple DB's. I don't know who owns the company now but I got excellent warranty coverage after my first frame cracked. It had a 5 year warranty and I discovered the crack after I had it just a couple months short of 5 years. They replaced the frame with a brand new similar one...

Diamondbacks are good, and that sounds like a decent price. If it fits you then get it. You may want to take the time to check other bike shops as well for more knowlegdable service.

Raleigh and Diamondback are part of the same company. In reality, it's likely either Merida or Giant made that bike.

i had a VLINK and an XTS3 broke both frames at pivot points.xts3 was replacment for vlink.the vlink was the best bike i ever had.if you are buying from a lbs the shop you choose is as important as the bike.here in central va.due to target walmart etc.if you did not buy the bike from them they probably wont work on it.i went to dicks to see how they were and they were NOT good at knowing ANYTHING about the stuff they sell!!!the 'BIKE GUY' was at lunch(10am)and when he got back he just looked at me like please go away i am clueless. dimondback is made in taiwan but so are a lot of things today,they are owned by a big co. but again so are a lot of bikes. the components on the one in question make a good starter to introduce you but you will "outgrow the capabilities"if you are serious about riding.an upgradable frame is a good place to startand that one is worth upgrading to what you want.some will disagree with that but my truck is not "factory original",my home stereo has many upgrades,my house has many upgrades,etc.find a good base from where to start and build around it is my phylosophy.mine is the frame size and geometry as well as durability.if i upgrade parts and break the frame again i can tranfer them to a new frame like before.i have broken shocks,pedals,rims,frames,stems,bars,derailers,spokes,hubs,cassettes,seats,posts,bearings,you name it i have trashed it so i look for a frame then build from it