Originally Posted by
k_allison510
And I don't know a whole lot about the diamondback brand. Is it comparable to my entry level Jamis?
Both Diamondback and Jamis are what I refer to as 'second-tier' LBS bikes - - brands that legitimate bike shops carry to give them a price-point selection below their more expensive flagship brands. Although DB's distribution seems a bit less controlled than Jamis - - in that you'll see their entry-level models in big box sporting goods stores.
Originally Posted by
ColinL
The cheapest FS bike worth owning will have either platform or lockout shock . . .
I'll take issue with that. A decent rear suspension design usually negates the need for either - - especially lockout, which (IMO) is the most overrated, unnecessary feature that exists in rear shocks. The cheapest FS worth owning (again MO) is the Giant Yukon FX, which has neither Giant's Maestro linkage nor a platform shock. Probably not the most efficient single-pivot design to be fully-active but a worthy bike nonetheless.
But I do agree that there are probably better candidates than the DB linked above.