Customer Reviews

Diamondback Steilacoom CCX Cylcocross Bike (2011 Model, 700c Wheels)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this review I would like to first mention the fact that as of writing this bike in particular is selling for at least $900 on other online retailers, I picked mine up for about $600 for the 56cm here in Amazon. (I noticed the price varies for the frame size, not sure why, conspiracy maybe?)

The Frame: Sturdy Cyclocross type which is surprisingly light and employs a svelte hydroformed top tube with a flattened bottom and top mounted cables for comfortable shoulder carrying, as a proper 'cross bike should. The rest of the frame tubing utilizes a few similar and interesting touches too, it seems to be a well thought out frame. The Two real stars in the package are the Easton EC70 X carbon fork, of which I find to be an incredibly smooth riding piece, and the Cannondale engineered BB30 bottom bracket which to me feels much stiffer than Shimano's current outboard bearing BB setup. I know it sounds sacrilegious, but it's pretty darn stiff and it feels like it helps transmits power the rear wheel better even with the so called "entry level" FSA Gossamer crankset. Mad science indeed.

The parts: Here's where the cost savings were made, not that I'm complaining. The drive-train is covered by the Shimano "Sora" 9spd group which isn't bad at all, it's just not the "lightest". Stopping duties are done by an inexpensive and respectable pair of Tektro CR720 canties, they seem to work just fine as I've yet to plow into a tree, light post, or heaven forbid, a car. The low rolling resistance 700x32 Kenda smallblock 8 tires roll with "Equation CX20" rims looped in them and although I never heard of that brand it may be because I'm just ignorant, but they roll just fine. Oh, and the affixed Novatec hubs are of the sealed bearing sort which is always a plus. Handle bars, stem, and seat post are of the Diamondback "DBR" label, which is their house brand. No biggie unless you're brand conscious and want to REALLY impress your friends, or if you do enjoy the finest componentry that your federal reserve bank notes can purchase. My opinion? I like them, they work and look the part, but the seatpost micro-adjust mechanism is rather crude, I'm just whining because my other bike has an EC70 post and I really favor its fine adjustment setup over the DBR.

In retrospect I was in the market for a good cyclocross bike and needless to say I'm very happy with this one and plan to use it extensively in future. For a relatively inexpensive and discounted bike that uses all current industry fabrication techniques, including that sweet BB30, the price seemed pretty fair to me... That's just my ten cents.

Oh, and here are some specs, because specs are cool:

Sizes
50cm, 53cm, 56cm, 59cm
Frame
DBR CX Fully Butted 7005 Alloy Competition Cyclocross Geometry, Formed Top tube w/integrated Headtube
Fork
Easton EC-70X Carbon w/Alloy Steerer
Rear Shock
N/A
Cranks
FSA Gossamer Cross BB30 46,36t
Bottom Bracket
BB30
F. Derailleur
Shimano SORA, 31.8
R. Derailleur
Shimano Sora 9spd
Shifter
Shimano Sora Dual Control 9spd
Brake Levers
Shimano Sora Dual Control 9spd
Brakes
Tektro CR720 canti
Gear
Shimano HG50 9spd (12-25t)
Rims
20h frt / 24h rear Equation CX20
Tires
Kenda small block 8 700x32
Pedals
test ride (NOT a brand, the bike comes with no pedals...)
Handlebar
DBR Drop Bar Road 31.8
Stem
DBR 3D forged, +/-7 degree rise 31.8
Seatpost
DBR Performance Post, Alloy Micro Adjust 27.2mm
Seat
DBR Performance Road
Headset
Integrated "Cane Creek" Size Drop-in ACB 1 1/8"
Colors
White
Chain
KMC-Z99
Hubset
(F) 20H Alloy, Sealed Bearing QR (R) 24H Alloy, Sealed Bearing, Cassette, QR
Spokes
White 14g Stainless Steel
Grips
DBR Cork w/Gel
Extras
Owner's manual, Chainstay Protector, Clear Coat, H20 bottle mounts

(All specs pulled from the Diamondback.com website)

Update: I upgraded the wheelset and installed slicks! The new wheels are "Neuvation R28A's" which were a HUGE improvement over the stock ones, the tires are of the "Kenda Caliente Pro" model. I'll write a review for the tires at a later date 'cuz right now I'm too lazy. I will say this though; they're a pain to install when new. Cheers!

this is a good bike for the money, if you are looking to try cyclocross racing or just want to ride unpaved bike paths this bike is a good choice,especially for beginner racers. Good on the road too,just change tires.

this was the best buy/investment i have made in some time. I love the bike, i was lucky to find a cyclocross (which i was looking for, for months) in my size for such a reasonable price with great components. the bike is great as i took it to my local bike shop and they put it together the next day and i was riding it around quickly. Only thing i wasnt a fan of was the high tread tires (but thats just personal preference) as i planned to do more stret riding then anything, so i switched out the wheels. This is my first bike since i was 10 so its not anything super fancy, but for the price and what you get its a great buy. If you're looking for a cyclocross, and they carry your size dont pass this up!

I was looking for an affordable CX bike and purchased it in large part due to the positive comments of first reviewer here.

I echo most of his sentiments about this bike. At the price it is selling for, its a good deal. Amazon's super saver shipping was very prompt and the bike arrived ahead of schedule

In terms of assembly, the bike was much closer to finished than I had initially expected. The levers were mounted on the bars and bar tape was installed. After removing everything from the box, installing the bars on the stem, the front wheel in the fork, and the seat post pretty much completes the major assembly. The only final assembly that may be tricky for the complete novice would be stringing up the front cantilever brakes.

As for set up, the front and rear derailleurs both needed adjusting of their high-low travel limits and the cable tensions set. If you don't know how to do this, you'll have to budget in a bike shop tune up. You will also need to adjust the position of the brake pads against the wheels. Additionally, the wheels were ever so slightly out of true. I don't have a precision truing stand, so eventually I'll pay to have this done. The deviations were slight enough that I haven't worried too much about it.

I am just barely 5-10 and opted for the 53cm frame. I had to use a zero-offset seat post I had laying around to close up the cockpit just a tad. I also installed a favorite old saddle after a couple hours on the stock WTB. I was prepared to be very disappointed in the Sora 9 speed group that it comes with, but after a proper set up, it shifts surprisingly well. I suppose the Sora stuff makes a lot of sense if you are going to be riding this bike off road. If you bounce the thing off a tree, a broken Sora brifter will be much cheaper to replace than 105 or SRAM equivalents.

The bike rides well and is a lot of fun on horse trails and not-too-technical single track. All in all, I am very happy with my purchase. I would have given a full 5-star rating had the derailleurs been set up and the wheels true on arrival, but these are minor things.