Diamondback Bike Reviews — An In-Depth Brand Overview

Years ago, Diamondback was known for budget bikes, but what’s the situation today? Let’s take a closer look with our Diamondback bike reviews and find out.

Jump to bikes:

• Diamondback Bikes – Different Types
  – Mountain Bikes
  – Kids
• Warranty and Assembly
• Frames and Components
• Bike Sizes
• Best Diamondback Deals

 

Diamondback: Then and Now

Diamondback was founded in 1977 in Washington, USA, as a BMX manufacturer. Initially, they focused only on BMX bikes and sponsored riders, which helped them gain popularity.

In 1982, Diamondback launched its first MTB model called the Ridge Runner. It was their competitor to the famous Specialized Stumpjumper and was one of the world’s first production mountain bikes.

They launched the Diamond Back Racing (DBR) team in 1998, which succeeded on the global mountain bike stage. This saw them win many awards, from the US men’s National XC championships to a bronze medal in the Atlanta Olympics Women’s XC.

Since then, Diamondback bikes have been a mainstay on the recreational mountain bike scene. They own the patent for the Level Link suspension platform, a feature on high-end Diamondback mountain bikes. They also have an extensive selection of hybrids, gravel/adventure, and e-bikes.

 

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Diamondback offers a variety of bike types and price points, from full-suspension MTBs to city e-bikes and 20” kids’ bikes, ranging from $475 to $5,850. However, the brand’s most popular models are mountain, gravel, and kids’ bikes.

• Mountain: Full-suspension, hardtail
• Gravel/Adventure
• Hybrid Diamondback bike
• E-bike
• Kids

In every category, they offer unisex bikes only. In our Diamondback bike review, you’ll see something for almost everyone. Diamondback also has partner brands: Redline BMXs and IZIP commuter bikes. These can be accessed through the Diamondback website.

 

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The largest chunk of Diamondback’s range is mountain bikes for adults and kids. Again, they offer full suspension builds, a fat bike (kids only), and hardtails across a wide price range.

 

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Diamondback Full Suspension Mountain Bikes

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Yowie

The Diamondback Yowie builds are entry/mid-level full-suspension 29ers designed with cycling enthusiasts in mind. If you want to upgrade from a basic hardtail model or an entry-level full suspension model, the Yowie series is for you. The five Diamondback full-suspension mountain bikes available are called Yowie 1, 2, 3, 4C, and 5C, and you can purchase them for $3,100 to $5,550.

See All Models on Diamondback.com

See All Models on REI.com

or read more in our Diamondback Mountain Bike Review

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Release

The Release Diamondback full suspension mountain bikes are great for riders who are not afraid to press harder on the pedals and ride trails more aggressively. You can choose from five models in this line, with price tags varying between $2,850 and $5,850 and a choice of 27.5” or 29” wheels and aluminum or carbon frames.

They are named as follows: Release 1, Release 2, Release 3, Release 4C, and Release 5C.

See All Models on Diamondback.com

or read our Detailed Review of Diamondback Release

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Hardtail Diamondback Mountain Bikes

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Overdrive

The Overdrive line has two budget-friendly builds for light trail riding, one for complete beginners and another for entry-level riders. These 29ers are priced at $750 and $1,000.

They have 100mm front suspension, basic 2x Shimano drivetrains, and hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes, depending on the build.

If you’re looking for an affordable hardtail mountain bike from Diamondback that you can use to practice skills or ride for fun on the weekends, the Overdrive series is a good choice.

See All Models on Diamondback.com

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Hook and Line

The Hook and Line families are two similar models built around the same frame, so they are put in the same basket. Again, they’re entry-level models perfect for commuters or recreational riders.

Each family has one build, priced at $815 (Hook) and $900 (Line). They both have the same aluminum frame and 27.5” wheels coupled with front suspension, basic 1x or 2x drivetrains, and disc brakes.

See All Models on Diamondback.com

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Hatch

The Hatch is a Diamondback mountain bike intended to simplify things as much as possible. There is currently one model available, called the Hatch 3. This is a budget hardtail priced at $775.

The Hatch can be perfect for weekend cycling warriors and those who want to do mixed-terrain commuting. The wheel sizes are progressive, meaning small frames get 27.5” wheels while larger frames get 29ers.

See All Models on Diamondback.com

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Haanjo

The Haanjo Diamondback gravel bike series is made for those who live for adventure. This family has four models in total, perfect for taking the path less traveled.

If you frequently ride on gravel and light singletrack and you want a bike that goes fast on the road, Diamondback’s Haanjo series is available from $1,000 to $2,950.

See All Models on Diamondback.com

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See All Models on Diamondback.com

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Metric

The Metric hybrid Diamondback bike includes three entry-level builds (1, 2, and 3) ranging from $625 to $975.

This is a more sporty, fast, and nimble hybrid with larger 700c wheels and fast-rolling Vee Tire Zilent 35mm tires. It has wider 3×8 or 3×9-speed gearing and comes with rim, mechanical, or hydraulic disc brakes, depending on the build.

Choose this model if you fancy urban speed over off-road capability.

Union

The Union is a hybrid Diamondback electric bike with two builds to choose from. This is another high-speed Class 3 e-bike with a powerful Bosch 85Nm motor.

Both builds have 10-speed Deore gearing, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, and 2.4” Schwalbe tires. However, the premium Union 2 has a bigger 500Wh battery, lights, and Bosch’s high-end Kiox display.

Consider these commuter-equipped Diamondback electric bikes if you have a solid budget and want power and comfort for your urban rides. The prices are $3,750 and $4,300.

See All Models on Diamondback.com

Kids’ Diamondback Hybrid Bikes

Diamondback also makes two hybrid bikes for kids, called the Metric and the Division.

The Metric 24” is a cheap hybrid bike for kids priced at $475 and aimed at kids who ride casually for fun and recreation. This is a basic rim brake bike with shock-absorbent 1.75” tires and 7-speed gearing for easy pedaling on mixed gradients. This 24” bike is best for riders four to nine.

The Division Diamondback 24” bike is a higher-end hybrid and more capable choice for young kids (between 54” and 61”) who like to mix day-to-day riding on pavement with some light off-roading on dirt or gravel paths. This model has more powerful mechanical disc brakes and wider 2.125 Kenda tires.

See All Models on Diamondback.com

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Are Diamondback Women’s Bikes Still Available?

In the past, there was a full range of Diamondback bikes for women, including MTB, road, city, and gravel models. However, the brand has moved away from sex-specific models in favor of a unisex approach. One of the most popular was the Vital women’s Diamondback bike, a stylish Dutch-style city bike, as well as the Haanjenn women’s gravel bike.

This move away from separate men’s and women’s lines has been a common trend within the industry, with very few brands still using this business model. However, there are some female-specific brands, such as Giant’s Liv or Santa Cruz’s Juliana.

If you want to learn more, read our overview of the 15 Best Bikes for Women.

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When purchasing a bike, it’s essential to consider the brand’s warranty and what it covers and doesn’t cover. Diamondback rigid frames have a lifetime warranty, and full-suspension mountain bikes have a five-year warranty on the front triangle and one year for the swing arm.

How does it work?

If something’s wrong with your frame, contact Diamondback. I’ve read that sometimes it’s really quick, and in other instances it takes time.

Your issue must be a result of ordinary usage. If you crash your bike into a wall and it breaks, you may not be covered by warranty. If an issue arises from normal usage, it falls under Diamondback’s warranty.

However, warranty issues are something relatively rare. I’ve never had Diamondback warranty issues because their frames are pretty strong. However, it’s good to know that you are protected.

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One of the most common questions people ask about Diamondback is, “How hard is it to assemble a Diamondback bike?”

This concern is understandable since all bikes bought online come partially pre-assembled. To give you an honest answer, you need some experience to do it properly, but you can take it to a local bike shop if you’re not confident.

Do It Yourself (DIY)

Typically, on Diamondback bikes, you must attach the saddle, handlebar, and wheels and adjust the gears. The last step is the hardest in most cases. It’s not particularly challenging, but it takes time and practice to get it right.

Let me point out all of the steps and things you need to do to assemble a DB bike:

1. Open and remove everything from the box. Find the box containing all of the small parts and cut all zip ties holding things in place
2. Insert the seat post into the seat tube and tighten the saddle
3. Attach the handlebar to the stem
4. Insert the rear brake clamps
5. Attach the pedals. Make sure they rotate counter-clockwise
6. Check the cable lining
7. Install brake calipers and remove dick brake protective plastics
8. Attach the quick release (QR clamps) or thru-axle through the rims
9. Remove the plastic protector and attach the wheels
10. Secure the wheels and adjust the calipers
11. Adjust the front and rear derailleurs
12. Finally, inflate the tires and find the right saddle height and handlebar position. Check every bolt and nut on your newly assembled bikes!

 

If you’re having trouble, you can always bring the bike to your local bike shop. Also, the Diamondback’s assembly instructions will help you.

There are also ready-ride series for those who don’t want to assemble their bikes after purchase. With these models, you just need to attach the seat, the front wheel, and the pedals, a two-minute job.

 

 

Let’s compare Diamondback with a few competing brands.

Diamondback has been around for several decades. Yes, Schwinn has a longer history, but compared to Trek and Scott, Diamondback has similar experience in the industry. In addition, I regularly see discounts from Diamondback, more often compared to other better-known brands.

When choosing between brands, you want to look at the components first. If you compare the price and spec, the weight, and the reviews from customers online, you’ll get a good idea of which bike provides better value.

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Bottom Line

Diamondback has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a BMX manufacturer. Today, it’s a household name in the biking world, known for its high-quality, affordable mountain bikes, e-bikes, kids’ bikes, and gravel bikes.

This brand has something for most cyclists, from recreational adventure riders or those looking for a reliable commuter bike to serious mountain bikers.

Diamondback mountain bikes are particularly noteworthy, with models like the Yowie and Release offering some serious bang for your buck. Likewise, the Haanjo gravel bike is widely recognized as one of the best models for the price.

The brand also has a range of kids’ bikes, so the little ones aren’t left out, and they offer a small selection of e-bikes and hybrids.

One thing’s for sure: Diamondback’s commitment to quality and competitive pricing hasn’t wavered over the years. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned veteran, you can’t go wrong with a Diamondback.

With a wide range of prices, they’ve got options for every budget. So, if you’re in the market for a new bike, Diamondback should definitely be on your shortlist.

See All Models on Diamondback.com

See All Models on REI.com