Diamondback mtb bargain??

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Diamondback bargain??







Hi All


Suppose I should have posted this before I bought it but….


Just taken delivery of a new MTB

2009 Diamondback Apex

£499 down from £850

Going to use it mainly on off road tracks and paths, nothing too major, I normally do recreational trails around the surrey hills etc


Are there any glaring mismatches in the spec – still a little budget left if any obvious upgrades are needed/would make a big improvement.


Fair price or not?? I’m a little out of touch now days…


Thanks in advance for any advice


Spec:

Frame
Alloy Vectra hydroformed frame

Forks
RockShox Tora 302 Solo Air, Rebound and Lockout

Rear & Rear Derailleur
Shimano SLX

Shifters
Shimano SLX 27 Speed

Chainset
Truvativ FireX 3.2GXP

Bottom Bracket
GXP

Freewheel
Shimano 9 speed cassette

Headset
Sealed Internal

Stem
FSA Gap

Handlebars
FSA XC-282

Front & BackBrake
Quad QHD-1 Sting hydraulic disc brake

Rims
WTB Dual Duty XC

Front & Rear Hub
Shimano 525

Tyres
WTB Motoraptor Race

Saddle
WTB Pure V Cromo

Seatpost
FSA SL-280

Pedals
Alloy flats

Grips
Diamondback Lock on



Link to Paul’s Cycles



http://www.paulscycl...id=m1b38s2p1886

 

[Cubist]

It's very good spec for the money. It would have been pretty fair at full MSRP!

A mental totting up from someone who is currently buying all the bits to build a bike, is that you have probably paid for all of the parts except the frame at RRP.

The forks are a huge improvement on any that you'll normally find on £500 hardtails, in fact some bikes don't see Tora quality forks until you get nearer the grand mark.

The SLX kit is very vogue and bombproof. The 525 hubs are currently gracing Orange Crush hardtails at 1300 quid. The crankset is very capable for it's pricemark, and will be seen on most 750-1000 hardtails.

The brakes are no-nonsense Taiwanese capable sort of things, so no worries there.

For paths and so on you have bought yourself a very capable bike.in fact I would have no hesitation riding red trail centre style stuff on it. So, you now owe it to yourself and the bike to get out there and hoon it round some gnarly stuff.

I can't comment on the frame, and the tyres, I suspect, will be its weakest point. Wear them out and fit some Continental Gravity or Slash if it's muddy.

Bargain indeed.

 

[Cubist]

Been racking my brains to see what I would upgrade if I had some budget left. Depends how much!

Merlin Cycles are currently doing some amazing deals on Avid Elixir brakes. at £130 to £150 for a pair with rotors. If your Quad ones aren't amazing, that's where I'd start (after fitting decent rubber that is!)

If you're into XC style riding, how about some Fulcrum Red Metal 10 wheels for less than £140, (Evans, Wiggle)

SLX chainset upgrade, triple or double and bash for £90 incl BB at Chain reaction and Merlin. Awesome value.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Cubist - thanks for your time and advice!!

 

[battered]

Sounds great. I wouldn't be looking to upgrade unless you enjoy spending money for the ssake of it. Use the thing, wear a few bits out, then look to upgrade. If anything is really rubbish, you'll know and can junk it. As an example I bought a second hand Kona Kula which is very similar spec level to yours, and it came with some horrible cheapo tyres. After one crash in the wet and another episode where I ended up on the wrong side of the road in a fence I stopped trying to persevere with it and fitted some decent rubber. Revelation, it now flies down reds and the only limitation on black runs is my own skill level and fitness post injury.