Editors Note: Yeah, yeah…..another year end review! Tis the season! So, here are my favorite things that have passed through the Twenty Nine Inches review process during the past year. I want to point out a few parameters that I used for what I chose here.
1. The product had to be in the review process during the time period of December 2007 through to the end of November 2008. Reviews that are currently in process I did not include and will be eligible for my 2009 Top Ten list.
2. They had to be products or bicycles that I personally used during this period. Nothing any of the other Twenty Nine Inches staff reviewed on their own could be considered for my list. This list doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinions of anyone but me, Guitar Ted.
That said, let’s get on with this……
Number Six: Diamondback Overdrive Pro 29″er: Late in the fall of ’07 we got this fine black steed in for testing. We waited out one of the worst winters on record before we finally got to trail test this beast in its natural habitat.
Why It Made The List: The Overdrive Pro represented a new class of 29″er: The “Under Grand Group”. This particular model was the up-spec’ed Pro model, so it topped out just over a grand, but since the frame was identical to the sub-grand Overdrive, we were able to get a feel for what riders would experience aboard the Diamondback 29″ers. This bike also was a departure from the typical “26″er-ish” type handling bikes that we normally see. It is without a doubt a 29″er, and doesn’t try to hide it! For its boldness in handling design and pricepoints, I chose the Diamondback 29″er at Number Six.
My Two Cents: This bike was a really fun bike that shouldn’t have been fun at all. First off, it weighed well over 30lbs. Then add in the fact that it had odd, slower geometry that didn’t match up with the latest trends in 29″er bikes and you would have thought that this bike would have been a real chore to ride. Well, oddly enough, I did have fun riding this bike. It has a solid, stiff aluminum frame, a really stable, fun, relaxed ride feel, and decent spec that also was a bit different than what I normally see. Of course, it isn’t for everyone, and it begs to be upgraded, but the Diamondback Overdrive will surprse you with its quirky, fun ways. I recommend it for riders that crave stability or want in at a decent price looking to upgrade later.
What will the Top Five look like? Stay tuned…..
