Diamondback 2001 Podium

Price Paid:  $500.00 at roadbikereview.com

Favorite Ride:
Beech Mountain area

Bike Setup:
team fuji road and cyclocross bike durace and ultegra mix

Summary:
Great bike at cheap price. Bike snobs think the disk breaks are cool, but they weigh a lot. You can really throw this bike around and not worry about hurting it, great fun on technical downhills.

Strengths:
with a little bit of time and love, this bike can really lighten up and be great for racing, mine is down to 20lbs

Weaknesses:
doesn't come small enough, with original wheels is very heavy, 23lbs

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $205.00 at e-Bay

Favorite Ride:
Cimaron

Bike Setup:
campy 8 speed. spingey rev x wheels, selle italia seat, rithcy stem and bars.

Summary:
This is a great looking bike. It is light and tough. I raced with it for one whole season so far and I am pleased. I have it set up with campy 8 speed chorus, fsa 175 cranks and race with spingery rev x's. I was surprised at the quality especially at the price I paid.

Strengths:
Great looks. Light weight, even better with a carbon fork. Easy to carry on my shoulder. Fun bike.

Weaknesses:
The geometry takes a bit to get used to and it feels a bit twitchy at low speeds (8-10 mph). I have it set up the same way as my road bike, so I can really notice the difference. I did put wider bars on this than my road bike, and sometimes I feel like I have to steer the bike rather than have it steer itself in the corners.

Similar Products Used:
specialized allez and kestrel raod bikes

Price Paid:  $200.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Angeles Crest Forest

Bike Setup:
Diamondback frame/fork, Campagnolo Daytona components, Empella Frog-Leg brakes, TruVatic cranks, Vel

Summary:
Nice light cyclocross ride. Handles really well in the sandy stuff. Fits over my shoulder nicely for portage. Surprisingly tough paint job. Frame resists dents well. Too bad they stopped making this bike after 2001.

Strengths:
light weight, stable handling, tough paint, stiff in the sprints.

Weaknesses:
A little bit hard to get the rear wheel in & out in a hurry.

Similar Products Used:
Redline Conquest, Empella bonfire, Cannondale cross frame.

Price Paid:  $600.00

Favorite Ride:
yes

Summary:
This bike is tough. Great commuter handles the off road, dirt gravel, beautiful 105 and ultegra shifting. Fast and light too. I commute 6 miles to mall and except for 1 flat tire no prob.

Strengths:
design, components, durability.

Weaknesses:
wish it had a carbon fork

Price Paid:  $699.00 at DFC Cycles, Lubbick,

Favorite Ride:
Capitol Peak Trail

Bike Setup:
Shimano 105, Avid Mechanical Disc Brakes.

Summary:
This is a great bike with a great component package and not to mention clean lines and great looks.

Strengths:
Very stiff and responsive. Works well in tight spots. Looks trick with disc brakes.

Weaknesses:
Disc brakes and road lever do not mix well!

Similar Products Used:
Redline Conquest