diamondback bikes-opinion?

[mkidd]

Hi Everyone, I did the danskin and another sprint tri last year on an ancient Trek mtn bike, and I promised myself I'd get a road bike this year and am debating between a used C-dale Synapse or an entry level new Giant OCR 3 or maybe even stretching my budget up to a Trek 1.2 as my LBS suggested.

I saw this for sale locally for $200. Does it look worthwhile? He doesn't know what year, and he says he just got it tuned up and spent $100.

I would love a great bike, but I also don't mind a using decent used road bike for another year or two and saving for a really good one. Truthfully, anything will feel like a major upgrade after the mountain bike.

But I do want to make sure I'm getting something decent b/c I spent $100 on my used Trek mtn bike and in retrospect I feel I overspent.

Any help would be appreciated!

[breezy]

I put 1500 miles (in one year) on a 8 year old Diamondback hybrid and finished off that season with a century (5000ft of climbing). Never had a single problem. Crashed it once and it came through without a blemish. I would say that Diamondback makes a solid bike.

I did buy a Trek Pilot 5.0 after that season because, like you, I wanted a road bike.

[lauraelmore1033]

I put 1300 miles on my diamond back hybrid in one year as well. Had a problem with breaking spokes, but am a very heavy rider, so that was really above and beyond the call of duty for that poor rear wheel. I'd say Diamond back is a good solid bike. I had fewer problems with it than I did with my Raleigh. I must also say that was one forgiving drivetrain (now that I know better than to do the things I did to that bike...)

[elk]

How did it feel to ride it?

[Flybye]

About two years ago I was trying to make a decision between the Giant OCR 2 and a Diamondback. I researched reviews online of the particular Diamondback that I was considering and decided against it based on the reviews. I remember that there were a lot of troubles with the wheels staying true. I ended up with a Giant and was extremely happy.


That's my $.02 on the Diamondback.

[mkidd]

Hi guys, Thank for the feedback.

It's funny mention the Giant. I just called the LBS where the Diamondback owner said he had it tuned up and they could not confirm or deny--and they of course proceeded to to sell me a Giant OCR# over the phone.

I had actually been looking at them last week, but I'm conflicted b/c I don't know if I should spend $500-$600 on an entry level like an OCR 3 now, or buy a cheap used bike and get a much better bike after saving a year or two like an OCR 1 or a good C-dale or Trek or Specialized.

I live in NY on border of MA. The MA LBS last week (of course) thinks a higher quality bike really does make a big difference over the OCR3, and the NY LBS guy today thinks the OCR3 will keep me happy for several years.

Any thoughts?

[mkidd]

And yes, Flyebye, I noticed in my reseach yesterday that the Diamondback Expert does not have great reviews. This one seems to be a 2000 too, and while I love the idea of recycling and reusing, and don't feel I necessarily need a brand new bike, I keep hearing about "trickle down technology" and wonder if I want one quite that old.

And I also wonder if I should spend the $500-$600 on a used Trek or Specialized that's only a year or two old but better than a new OCR3.

Maybe I'm overthinking the whole thing.

[TsPoet]

And yes, Flyebye, I noticed in my reseach yesterday that the Diamondback Expert does not have great reviews. This one seems to be a 2000 too, and while I love the idea of recycling and reusing, and don't feel I necessarily need a brand new bike, I keep hearing about "trickle down technology" and wonder if I want one quite that old.

And I also wonder if I should spend the $500-$600 on a used Trek or Specialized that's only a year or two old but better than a new OCR3.

Maybe I'm overthinking the whole thing.

Actually, Elk had a very important question - how do they feel to ride? I know test riding can be a pain (or a pleasure, depending on your personality), but it is WELL worth it. I was trying to decide between a Specialized and a Trek based on reviews, etc. I knew what size in both fit me... Then I rode each and found that my heels hit the chainstay on all Trek bikes, and I rode all of them the shop had in my size, regardless of budget.
So, ride them - you may find that regardless of the reviews/reputation, there might be a design feature that will just make you reject the bike. Conversely, something in the design of the bike might make you love the bike and/or brand.
As for the comments about wheels and truing, also remember that you can swap out components. In fact, if you rode the Diamondback (for example) and really liked it, you could upgrade it as funding becomes available rather than buy a new one. New wheels, new components... if you find a bike that fits well, upgrading can allow you to keep the fit while still improving the machinery, at least up to a point.
Just my 2cents, which is worth about 0.2 cents with inflation.

[mkidd]

Thanks for bringing up the fit issue again, which is one reason why I've been thinking of *not* buying used. I like the idea of a real bike fitting you'd get at a LBS. It's still a bit too snowy and icy to test ride, but I sat on the OCR3 last week and liked it. I used a friend's old Giant for 2-3 weeks last year and I liked that as well.

I guess some parts of my question on whether the extra money for a nicer bike will depend on what they feel like when I ride. I'm just worried that with only 1 season of riding behind me I won't be able to tell. I'm worried that in year or two I'll wish I had saved for a Ruby or a even a Synapse 3.

With regard to the diamondback specifically, I wrote him to see if I can check it out next week. I figure if it goes before it wasn't meant to be...