newtodismalarky

Have been looking online at the Diamondback Skindog 2010 for my 13 year old son and wanted to know if Diamondback are as good as they used to be. I remember they used to be very solid bmx manufacturers. Also, am looking to buy online, have found the bike here:
https://www.mailorderbikes.com/produc...lid=m1b0s147p0

Am being told it will arrive 85% assembled, does this mean the wheels are spoked?! I have serviced my mountain bike for years, does that mean i'll be able to build and assemble this bmx?

Any help would be great,

newtodismalarky

sorry, had to edit the post because i posetd the wrong link originally!! dam computer!

bornhere

You will probably be able to assemble it, no sweat. They usually come with the tires already mounted even. You will have to attach bars, pedals, wheels, chain and brake cable. Maybe the seat too. If a kid at Wal-mart can do it right half the time, you should be o.k. 100%

michaelscycles

Nothing is as good as they used to be.

newtodismalarky

Thank you for the responses, i've decided to buy the diamondback white skindog https://www.mailorderbikes.com/produc...=m1b0s147p1915 and will assemble myself, but get serviced at my local shop, because they only charge £35 for a full service. quids in!

newtodismalarky

I looked at some other brands but the skindog looked best value for money for the 'look'. thanks for the advice that nothings as good as it used to be! Haha! great line and very true. We must be getting old!

CMcMahon

The real question is: Were they ever good?

Fat Boy

In the day, if you had one with gold stickers, yep...it was that good.

mykesbykes

they were good, I have a diamond back here, all chrome frame/forks and SR parts, nice light simple frame, as for todays, I think they are actually coming out with some nice rides..

although I would have gotten a Redline...

LesterOfPuppets

I remember the names "Diamond Cracks" and "Diamond Snaps" being associated with them in the 80s.

Probably from disgruntled users, but...

mykesbykes

Probably something do with the transfer of frame building from one country to another, quality fell off a cliff and alot of brands started to bust at the seattube/headtube, I dont think diamond back is alone in this, I think alot of companies had trouble with it, the exception being Haro and Free Agent which dodged the biggest problem by wrapping the headtubes, also theres something about chromoly tubing developing cracks, especially the chrome plated types, some say its fact, some myth, all I know is Ive never broken a chromo bmx frame, although I have toasted a Alum Cannondale MTB and a carbon fiber Trek Road. But I have seen a couple broken bmxs in person, a Free Agent, a GT, and Redline and I think they were the products of bad welding, and not soley bad design or materials.

PS: Im rebuilding a Viper at the moment, I think its an 87, and its chrome plated.

RatedZ

Diamondbacks used to be good bikes. Now, I see them in Walli-World, Target, and Dick's Sporting Goods.

I'm pretty sure there are the "real" Diamondbacks, and then the "el-cheapo Walli-World" Diamondbacks. A lot of these el-cheapo models won't even be listed on the websites of the "quality" manufacturers.

Everything is pretty much made overseas now, and I don't think the quality is anywhere near that of what it used to be. I had a GT Pro Performer back in the 80s and the rear of the frame was run over by a work-van. I brought the frame to a shop and had it straightened, and then continued right where I left off; jumping things. It just didn't quit. I'm curious (but not that curious, to know if my wife and my new 2010 GT Avalanches would hold up to something like that. I'm going to say, "No way in Hell."

It's a real disappointment that these "classic" domestic manufacturers have sold out and sent production overseas and quality has suffered. Ironically, these idiot politicians can't figure out why the economy sucks and so many people are out of work...

Greyryder

Back around '01 several well established bike companies were bought by Pacific Cycles. That's why you see them in the big box retailers. Pacific Cycles has long been the company behind the brands sold in places like that. I wasn't aware that Diamondback was one of them. I know Mongoose and Schwinn were. GT was too, but I understand they've changed hands a few times since then, and now back to being a higher end brand.

RatedZ

I'm pretty sure GT is still owned by Pacific Cycles. I went on to GT's website and to the "Careers" section just out of curiosity, and that link directed me straight to Cannondale. I believe GT, Cannondale, Mongoose, and Schwinn are all owned by Pacific Cycles/Dorel Industries.

mykesbykes

Raleigh currently owns DB I think..

ironic it seems but Ill let you find that out at...

https://bmxmuseum.com/bikes/diamondback/

or

https://www.os-db.net