The Diamondback Bicycles 2014 Overdrive Sport Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels is a great mountain bike for the price! This bicycle looks nice from a cosmetic perspective and disc brakes and a quick-release seat adjustment are cool features. The tires are 29 inches and work great for most any type of terrain, including roads as well The front suspension can be adjusted to best suit the terrain. Although the components are not high-end, they definitely work well. For a mountain bike well below $1000, this one is hard to beat! It'd be great for anyone looking for a good workout and/or explore trails and such outdoors.
The Diamondback Bicycles 2014 Overdrive Sport Mountain Bike packs a punch in terms of value and affordability donning a performance oriented package spec’d on a frame built to withstand punishment from the trail. The improved 2014 6061-T6 Aluminum Overdrive series frame boasts of newly formed top and down tubes, a machined headtube, and forged drop outs with a replaceable derailleur hanger. These features give you strength where it’s needed while shaving weight so you can go a further faster, and with less energy exerted.
The Geometry is spot on. The ever so sloping top tube provides ample standover clearance for a 29” wheeled rig. A 71° head tube angle and a 73° seat tube angle create the perfect XC/trail geometry. The 440mm (17.3 inch) chainstays equate to an extremely snappy rig and the ability to easily get the front wheel off the ground – something that not all 29ers can be boast.
There’s no denying the rock crawling, root crushing power of a larger wheel. Making the largest of obstacles the smallest of matters is a defining trait of these muddy beasts. By offering decreased rolling resistance, increased traction when cornering and improved ground clearance, one ride upon one of these massive behemoths is sure to sway even the staunchest skeptic.
The Diamondback Bicycles 2014 Overdrive Sport Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels is the ideal beginner to mid-level 29er balanced with value and performance. The SR Suntour XCR-LO with 30mm stanchions gives you 100mm of travel for the perfect amount of cushion up front and a speed lock feature to assist with rebound control. Add in Shimano Hydraulic Disc brakes with 180mm front and 160mm rear rotors and you have one of the best in class values for any level of 29er.
Shimano 8spd Rapidfire shifters and Acera front and rear derailleurs give you smooth shifting performance in tandem with the SR Suntour XCR crankset (22/32/44t). Add in Diamondback SL-7 double wall rims with WTB Wolverine Comp tires and you can ride this bike over pretty much anything.
The Diamondback Lazer Series 31.8mm low rise handlebars and custom DB AL6061 stem coupled with the DB Micro Adjust seatpost and Race saddle round out this incredible package.
The Diamondback Bicycles 2014 Overdrive Sport Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels is an economical means of getting into a new 29er. Whether it’s your first 29er, you’re just “testing the waters”, or whether you want to add a new steed to the stable, you are sure to be satisfied.
Diamondback Bicycles 2014 Overdrive Sport Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels Highlight
- Butted 6061-T6 Aluminum Overdrive 29r Frame
- SR Suntour XCR-LO 29 100mm travel Fork
- Shimano Acera rear derailleur w/SLM-310 8spd rapidfire shifters
- 32h Diamondback SL-7 Double Wall Rims
- Shimano BR-M395 Hydraulic Disc Brakes
Diamondback Bicycles 2014 Overdrive Sport Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels Specs
- Frame is 29 inch 6061-T6 butted aluminum, with formed top and down tube and a machined headtube
- Suspension is SR Suntour XCR-LO, 100mm travel fork
- Front derailleur is Shimano Altus M370, Rear derailleur is Shimano Acera M390 (9spd)
- Shifters are Shimano Altus 9-speed rapid fire shifters
- Rims are 32h Diamondback SL-7 double-wall rims
- Brakes are Shimano BR-M395 hydraulic disc
- Tires are Schwalbe Rapid Rob, 29 inches by 2.25 inches
- Crank is SR Suntour triple chainring (44/ 32/ 22)
- Sizes are 16 inches, 18 inches, 20 inches, and 22 inches
Diamondback Bicycles 2014 Overdrive Sport Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Tires work great on a variety of terrain
- Front suspension is adjustable
- Components are reliable and functional
- Brakes are efficient
- Easy to assemble
- Tires have great traction
- Multiple size options
Diamondback Bicycles 2014 Overdrive Sport Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels Cons
- Seat is uncomfortable
- Rear derailleur needs readjusting
Diamondback Bicycles 2014 Overdrive Sport Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels Conslusion
Strengths: I have ridden this bike pretty hard for 5 months. The frame has held up just fine, all of the Diamondback parts are of high quality, well designed, well built, and sturdy. Low bottom bracket height and steep head tube angle make for a great ride on flat flowy courses and a good climber. The XCR is a good fork as long as it is stripped and cleaned every couple of months. It really does track quite well after a good cleaning. The brakes, while they have some minor quality issues they stop the bike a hole lot better than any V brake I have ever tried. The wheels convert to tubeless pretty easily and honestly have not caused me any troubles. I liked the original saddle but it wore in about 2 months.
Weaknesses: If you ride as much and as hard as I do than almost all of the 3rd party components are weaknesses. Especially the drive train. My bike was mixed and matched with low end Shimano and Sram parts which is normal for this price range. The 3x8 Altus/Acera setup never shifted smoothly. Even after a tune-up. In 5 months I have replaced every single drive-train component on the bike. I will tell you that the crankset was torqued on so hard that it had to be skinny wheeled in half to get off. The M395 brakes are cheaply made but functional.
The geometry is a little awkward, to clear the big rear 29er tire and achieve the low BB height they put your seat tube way too far forward. The seatpost has a rear offset to help but its not enough. Downhill riding will wear you out pretty fast on this bike.
Bottom Line: I have had a lot of fun on this bike. Its sprints well, corners well, is very stable on flat terrain and can be very fast with the right tires. It handles downhill just fine but it is very taxing on your upper body. I don't plan to get rid of it any time soon. In 5 months I have spent $262.00 on upkeep (not upgrades) and have around 35 bench hours into her. It will make a great loaner bike when I upgrade.
If you are looking for a trail worthy biking option that will not burn a hole in your pocket, then the Diamondback Bicycles 2014 Overdrive Sport Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels is just the bike for you. This well designed 29er is composed of an aluminum frame, hardtail suspension, and double-wall rims, which will ensure that you can roll over any obstacle with ease.
The Diamondback Bicycles 2014 Overdrive Sport Mountain Bike with 29-Inch Wheels is an excellent bicycle for the money! It doesn’t have high-end components but this bicycle is built like a tank! It also looks nice too! Some of the best features are the quick-release seat post, disc brakes and front suspension fork. The 29-inch tires do a great job on all types of terrain. For anyone looking for an excellent workout that is easy to ride anywhere, this is a great bicycle to consider. I’ve been riding bicycles my entire life and started with mountain bikes. For the past few years I’ve been riding rode bicycles exclusively but have recently switched back to mountain biking, due to so many people texting while driving. It’s not safe to be on the road anymore on a bicycle and this bicycle is great for dirt trails, paved cycling trails, etc. Mountain bikes also provide a more intense cardio workout in my opinion. They tone legs better than a rode bike in my opinion too!. One of the best things about a mountain bike is being able to enjoy a quick and intense workout vs. a longer duration road bicycle workout to receive the same health benefits.
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