Comments on: Diamondback Overdrive Pro: First Impressions

By: Effin Haole

Effin Haole — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:21:02 +0000

I hadn’t ridden a bike in over a dozen years and got the itch to hit the trail again. I picked up the Overdrive, not the Pro, and love it. I wanted an affordable bike, and one that would last me more than a few years. I’m a big guy (6′/250) so sturdiness and build quality was important. After all of those years, getting on this bike was like I never took time off. I bought it to take back to HI with me and leave it there to have at the ready (I split time between the islands and west coast). But I decided to take it up to Big Bear for test run or two prior to my trip back to the islands. Well, I was nervous to say the least, but after a few hundred yards down the mountain I felt race ready. In the islands that extra tire size made a huge difference compared to what I remembered those trails being like so long ago. And this was also my first bike with disc brakes – a definite requirement for those wet and muddy HI trails. Instead of leaving it in HI, I decided the extra fee to lug it back and forth was worth it. I use this bike in HI and CA and I really love the handling, especially with the different terrains – from muddy, rooty island trails to dry, hard, rocky west coast stuff. This is my first 29er and it is a dream to ride, a perfect choice for being back in the saddle again.

By: Desert9r

Desert9r — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:17:41 +0000

Damn it, I hate when I see things! it is shimano, even better

By: BunE

BunE — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 20:33:53 +0000

SRAM? The website calls it all Shimano, down to the octolink.

By: mtroy

mtroy — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:04:32 +0000

I will look forward to the post-up of your thoughts on the handling paths that are being followed.

I think 29er are still, if not infants, at least toddlers when it comes to overall design and parts synergy. Fisher is thinking right by way of having forks made to fit their idea of the ideal bike. That takes a bit of pull and $$ to make that happen.

I still think chainstays are too long and headangles are too steep. And, to soapbox a bit more, the “CS lengths are that way to help climbing” is silly. CS ‘s are 18″ cuz it is easy to build them that way and, if it works for the buyer, great. If not, what choice have they had?

I applaud the little guy Lenz and big guy Fisher for tweaking the idea of what a 29er should be. I bet it will take another 2 years or so to get things settled down and reasonable.

But hey, what do I know? Looking forward to what you know, GT.

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:29:26 +0000

Gren: Great question! The extra weight on a 29″er might actually be better than extra weight on a 26″er. Consider the following: 29″ers roll over stuff easier- If you do not have to re-accelerate as much, then the weight isn’t as much of a penalty as it might be on a 26″er. Also, you have better traction with a 29″er, so getting up steeps is actually easier, especially if you utilize the momentum a 29″er tends to generate.

In my mind it is advantage 29″er no matter the weight, as long as weight is equal.

Dream spec? Well, I’m all about acquiring a four inch travel full suspension 29″er, and I am really liking the new XT stuff, so keep an eye out. I think you might be a bit surprised at what it is that is on my radar.