neorad

Ok, so I'm the millionth person to ask for advise about buying a first-time mtb... bear with me, please.

I just visited a cycle shop and threw down my vitals to the salesman; I'm 31, 190 lbs, 32" inseam, looking to buy a reliable, but not fancy mtb in the $500 range for moderate trails and some in-town riding.

He immediately took me to the Diamondback Topanga; 7005 alum frame, 4" Rockshox Judy front end, 27 spd Shimano w/ Deore derailer. He made a good pitch, but I'm far from done with my research.

So here's what puzzles me. In reading lots of forums (here and elsewhere) I NEVER hear anyone talk about the Diamondback line of bikes. Are they that crappy or obscure, or am I just shooting cheaper than most other posters?

Also, I'm hearing lots of great things about Rockshox and Shimano for components. Are they that reliable, or are there other just-as-good alternatives?

Thanks for any help!

Kev

I don't know anything about the diamond back bikes, for the $500 price range you can find some nice Giant, and specialized bikes. You really only have two options for the drive train (derailleurs/shifters).. Sram and Shimano both are really good. Now for crankset quite a few options out their from other companies. Rockshox they make some good forks, also some very low end ones.

Maelstrom 

Your drive train is going to be fine. The shimano parts will be suitable. Diamonback's aren't really talked about because they are a 'low' end bike. It doesn't mean that they suck for everyone but they fly a little low on the radar to justify talking about them with the bike porn drool feeling most of get. You will find most under 1000$ bike don't get a lot of talk time as the differences are pretty insignifigant.

As for the rockshox...good company wth some decent xc forks. At 190pnds you may be too heavy for that fork bought stock so be sure to get stiffer springs and turn the preload all the way in...

It is a fine bike. Really the number 1 question you should be asking yourself is it comfortable. How heavy is it, will you enjoy riding it. (I guess thats three questions) For a starter mtb it will be fine as long as you love it

khuon

What a difference ten years makes. I remember when Diamondback was a fairly well recognised and regarded name in the bicycle industry.

Maelstrom 

I understand they still make good bmx's...but really the only place to buy them here is department stores.

a2psyklnut

Diamond Backs are good bikes like Mael stated, they do have a nice full squish bike too. Problem is, they have reduced circulation. Don't know why! Very few dealers are "stocking" dealers (around here anyways). I think they have targeted the "entry to mid level" riders and don't really produce anything really high end like they used to. I'd say they are similar in cost and quality to another BMX Co., that got into Mtn bikes, Haro! Haro doesnt' really produce any really high end stuff. One XC full squish (Werks), but rather concentrate on the mid to lower stuff. Does that make their bikes bad? No, they're really nice, they just don't feel they can compete with the High Zoot companies out there!

Enjoy
L8R