Customer Reviews

Diamondback Wildwood Deluxe Men's Comfort Bike (26-Inch Wheels)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Are all the reviewers employees of Diamondback?
4 Five Star reviews on the same day?

Paulie G. is clearly the marketing director for the Diamondback - just check out their website and blog.

Don't abuse the system.

Edit: Paulie G.'s review removed, leaving 3 Five Star reviews by Diamondback employees.

Just received the bike today, quick shipment. This bike does NOT come with assembly instructions. The outside of the box states: "IMPORTANT NOTICE: This bicycle to be sold in an assembled and adjusted condition only." A list of required tools is listed on the outside of the box, which include some specialized bicycle tools, not your standard Home Depot stuff. My local bike shop wants $60 for assembly. Keep this in mind when deciding on your purchase. If I decide to keep this, once it's assembled I'll update this post and let you know how it is.

UPDATE: I had the bike assembled, had a chance to ride it for only about 15 minutes (lousy weather the past few days). Best bike I have ever had, no question. Comfortable ride, smooth shifting. Was a great deal at $199 with free shipping, plus the $75 I paid for assembly and a kickstand.

I got this bike today via FEDEX. It was waiting for me when I got home from work. After reading the reviews here, I was a little worried that assembling it might be beyond me. It was partially disassembled as the other reviews have stated, but I was pleasantly surprised.

If you have any mechanical aptitude, or you are fairly comfortable doing normal operator maintenance and adjustments on bikes, you won't need to get a professional to assemble and adjust it. Here is what you have to do to assemble the bike.

1. You have to install the (quick-release) front wheel and hook up the front brake.
2. Screw in the pedals.
3. Slide the handle-bars into the frame and tighten the post. Adjust the handlebars.
4. Inflate the tires.
5. You may have to adjust the shifter tension a little.
6. Slide the seat into the post and tighten the quick release. Adjust the saddle.
7. Adjust your brakes, seat and handle bars to suit you.
8. Add your front and rear reflectors.

I decided to time myself to see how long it took to assemble it. It took almost exactly 40 minutes to assemble and another 30 minutes to get it adjusted the way I like it. I was in no hurry and could have done it in half that if I were rushed. Not too bad. It even comes with a wrench and a hex key set (since most of the hardware is adjusted with hex keys).

The wheels were true, the gears, shifters, cranks, rear wheel, and almost everything were already assembled and perfectly adjusted (except for the front shifter, which needed the cable tightened slightly). If you are worried that you will get a box of parts the way it sounds in some of these reviews, don't worry. It went together easily with no fuss.

It doesn't come with a kick-stand, so you will need to order one if you want one. I installed a Schwinn adjustable kickstand and it works perfectly on the longest setting. Schwinn Adjustable Kickstand

It also has no fenders, cargo rack, lights, horn etc. Those items will have to be installed and are not counted in my assembly time. I have a light set, speedometer, rack and set of panniers I intend to install this weekend, but I don't anticipate any trouble. All the hardware on this bike are excellent quality and look durable.

Here is a tip for beginners: Get yourself some thread locker (or even nail polish) and use it on every screw you ever touch with a wrench. A drop of thread locker will save you a lot of grief by keeping everything from vibrating loose on the road and still allows you to unscrew the bolt later. I swear by it. Loctite 262, 6 ml Thread-locker

So, what is it like once you assemble it? It's just great!

First, I bought the Extra-large frame and was surprised at just how BIG it is. It is extremely comfortable to ride and cranks smoothly and easily. I took it out for about an hour and abused it a little, riding it like a Mountain Bike on some easy trails. It performed perfectly. The tires are not as aggressive as a mountain bike, but they dig in pretty well in dirt and sand. They are mostly built for street use and are very smooth on pavement. (You can inflate these tires up to 65 pounds. Mine are inflated to 60 PSI and that seems perfect to me.)

It's very light for it's size and the frame is solid. It has a granny gear that will allow you to climb almost anything and keep up with your buddy on his mountain bike. Your top gear combination is not as fast as a racer, but moves you along easily at 25mph if you have the muscle and wind. It shifts smoothly, handles hard curves like a street bike and stops on a dime.

Also, it's comfortable to ride. Your knees get some relief from the angle of the seat post and It has front shocks and a shock absorbing seat post that makes riding on trails or bumpy roads incredibly comfortable. The seat itself is comfortable, unlike most bikes. This bike is lively enough to jump curbs effortlessly or ride a wheelie if you are so inclined, but it's almost as stable as a cruiser. It strikes an excellent balance.

If your only experience with bicycles is with a low end Huffy or Walmart special, you are in for a treat. This is a quality bike that rides like one that costs much more.

If you are inept with tools or simply uncomfortable adjusting a bike, taking it to a bike shop for assembly and adjustment is a good investment. But don't just leave it there. Watch a real mechanic adjust your bike once and you will be able to do it in the future. Everyone who rides a bike should know how to do minor repairs and adjustments, so watch a professional and ask questions. You will enjoy your bike (any bike) a lot more if it's adjusted to your body and riding style. This bike is more adjustable than most, so learning to do it yourself will make it even more enjoyable. You might want to change some of the settings for different kinds of riding.

I fell in love with this bike on sight. I am extremely glad I bought it.
This is a sweet ride!

I ordered this bike after I scoured web sites, read tons of reviews, and hunted down best prices. Amazon had the best deal on the web. I was a little concerned after reading some of the reviews here (especially about assembly - I am a handy guy around the shop, but I was kind of expecting a box of loose parts!)

After super fast shipping (I ordered on Jan 15 - a holiday weekend, and the bike arrived on Jan 20), the not so intimidating box appeared on my front porch. The box was intact with no damage, and upon opening it, all of the components were well packed and protected.

Upon further investigation, I was relieved to find my new Diamondback Wildwood looking just like a bike from any retailer. The only assembly required was to put on the front rim, install the handlebars, route the front brake cable, install the seat post and pedals, and inflate the tires. The only tools required were an allen wrench set, a 1/2 inch combination wrench, and a phillips screw driver. Total time from when I got everything laid out to completion: 30 minutes (minus interruptions from kids).

In regards to the function of the bike: I am a 6'3" 205 Lb guy. I have had a couple of back surgeries, and I hurt most of the time. The back was the biggest criteria on selecting a bike. I am not familiar with the "comfort" bikes, as I have not seriously ridden since I was 17 -a long time ago. I rode an older Diamondback Wildwood that a friend owned. The geometry truly relieves a lot of the stress on your lower back. I ordered a large -19"- frame. The handlebars are set just above their lowest setting, as is the seat post. In this configuration, the bike is perfect for me. I would say that anyone in the 6'1" to 6'5" range, weighing between 180 and 220 would find a large frame just right. I was considering the XL frame -21"-, as the bike I tested before ordering mine was a medium -17"-, and seemed just a little smaller than I would like. I am glad that I ordered the Lg.

I have only ridden the bike around the house, as it is getting too late to hit the road for a real test, but I wanted to put out my opinion on the bike so far. Just on the test ride, it is smooth and feels good. All of the components are great quality, and easily adjusted (even shifting and braking systems.) I am extemely pleased with my purchase thus far, and will post another review after the family and I hit the road a few times.

Oh, by the way, I am a U.S. Marine - Not a Diamondback employee. Just wanted to make that clear!

I build and sell these bikes at work, along with other competitive brands. This bike was around fifty to a hundred and fifty bucks more throughout the year, but now that the '10 models are coming in all the '09's are on sale. This is diamondbacks top of the line comfort bike, the trigger shifters are a huge advantage over the grip shifters on cheaper models, as well as the frame, derailleurs, and really all other componentry.

Basically this bike is selling for what the all steel model goes for, and is much better then it. As long as it is assembled and tuned by a competent mechanic this will be great for leisure rides. One issue I have noticed on this and other diamondbacks is the rubber dust cover on the rear cone nuts sometimes rubs against the hub shell and makes a kind of humming noise, but nothing a little grease can't fix.

I didn't get mine through Amazon, but I wanted to express my opinion on the bike...I've had it less than a month, and have probably put about 40 miles on it. (I have a 1-mile course mapped out in my neighborhood, and I do 'laps'--about 4 or 5 miles a day, when I have the time--I'm home recovering from back surgery...) I did a lot of internet 'searching' and considered many different bikes--at a wide variety of prices--before deciding that this model was "the most bang for the buck"
The GOOD: lite-wght aluminum frame; quick-removable wheels; Shimano components with EZ-trigger shifters, instead of the revolving-type; front-fork suspension + suspension on seat post; fairly comfortable seat; versatile tires that are smooth & an easy ride for road use, but still have enough edge-tread if you find yourself going through grass or a dirt trail. (Don't get me wrong--these ain't 'mountain-bike' tires that you can go traipsing through the woods with....) This is a COMFORT bike--mine has a 19" frame--but other sizes are available-- and comfortable pull-back handlebars, great brakes, and an Shimano Althus deraileur rear-gears (7), when coupled with the 3 front sprockets, makes it a 21-speed...(you'll pay more to move up to the fancier-grade components; like an SRAM X3 or Alivio or Deore gears;) but I have no problems with how this thing shifts, and anything more than 8 or 10 gears are all I ever use anyway...(I rarely drop out of the big front sprocket) and the brakes work just fine.
I installed a rear Pletscher-style rack (and a bag to carry stuff) and better pedals with add-on toe clips, but my dealer threw in the water cage/bottle + a kick stand. Since it was professionally 'tuned -up' at the bike shop where I bought it (It's a 2009 model--DB doesn't make the Wildwood Deluxe for 2010) great deals can be had--if you can still FIND one! Don't be afraid of this bike--you can spend $200 MORE, but it's questionable if your money merits a "200 better bike"!!! My brother-in-law paid around $800 for a top-of-the line- Trek 7500--and my bike will do everything that his will....(and my rear cables are safely run THROUGH the downtube, and his are just tacked to the outside of it; where they can be more easily snagged and broken)
The only Negative I found is that it doesn't have those little threaded studs on the pipes under the seats--those are useful for attaching a rear rack or fenders--but that can be remedied but using those plastic wrap-around clamps with BOLTS--a minor concession to modifications; but not as easy as having the threaded studs. BUY THIS BIKE--you won't be disappointed...If you put it together yourself, I'd still let a bike shop adjust everything--it's worth spending a few bucks to make sure it's all up to specs....ride safe!
I consider Diamondback as Raleigh's less-exalted 'cousin' (kinda like how people always regarded "Lincolns" as BETTER than "Mercury's"; but they are really all "just Fords" & use a lot of the same parts!) Just about ALL of these bikes are made in China, so how much difference is there....REALLY!?! Are higher grade Shimanos worth paying an extra $200-$300 for a something that's basically a "FUN" item?? I'm very happy with my bike....

Except for one small piece being missing from the box (disappointing since I couldn't ride it right away) the bike was everything I could ask for.

It does need a fair bit of adjusting since it does not have the usual angles of most bikes and therefore it's a little difficult to get it to fit properly but once it's done it's very comfy for those of us getting a little older but still want to ride.

My only real complaints are that the gears (especially the front derailleur) are hard to change and the "heaviest" gear is awfully light for my taste.

First off, I suggest everyone disregard the non-review by "Brian Johnson." He didn't buy this bicycle on Amazon, he didn't review the bike in any way, and then he leaves a 1 star rating for the bike after admonishing others to "Don't abuse the system." You have to ask yourself why does somebody take precious time out of their lives to read through bike reviews looking for "Fake" reviews, and how do we know he doesn't work for a competing bike company? Think about it people . . . What was his motivation??

Anyway, on to the review . . .

I purchased this bike from Amazon.com with the large 19 inch frame, and I'm here to tell you this is without question the nicest comfort / hybrid bike in the $200 - $400 price range that I've ever had the pleasure of riding. I literally spent 2 months of weekends going to bike shops and big box retail stores to compare every similar bike I could put my hands on in this price range, and this bike beats them all.

The bike I received was well packaged in a large heavy duty box, and most of the bike frame and components had a protective wrap to prevent damage to the paint and other surfaces during shipping. The shipping weight was 41.8lbs, and the bike itself weighs in at 35lbs. The frame is clearly strong and heavy duty with exceptionally good welding at all points. The paint and decals are done well and look great.

During my research I found that practically every bike available in the US for under $400, regardless of manufacturer, is made in one of 2 huge bike factories in China, so in my opinion the only real difference between all of them is what components are used to complete the bike and how well they're set up. This bike uses Shimano Altus components for the rear derailleur, shifters, brake levers, a nice quality Shimano compact crank set, and a Shimano MegaRange rear gear set. According to my research the Altus components are a step up from the Shimano Tourney components used on practically every other comfort / hybrid bike I saw in this price range. The shifters worked perfectly right out of the box with no adjustments needed, and the brakes are more than adequate for this style of bike. The SR NEX4000 fork is very good quality, works really well, and comes with a 5 year warranty. Surprisingly the front fork can be adjusted via a twist knob on the right side of the fork that alters the spring pressure to suit your weight and riding style. The Avenir seat is VERY comfortable, and the handle bar grips are just as nice. This is a truly comfortable bike in every way and when riding you feel like you're on a cushion of air.

Assembly notes - Basic tools for assembly of the bike are included in the box, but there are no instructions for the assembly. The only additional tool you'll need is a pair of wire cutters to cut the excess length from front brake cable once you've installed it and adjusted it properly. You will have to install the front wheel, handle bars, front brake cable, pedals, and the reflectors. It took me 30 minutes to complete the assembly, but I'm highly skilled mechanically. Any do-it-yourselfer should have no problem putting this bike together in an hour, but if you lack mechanical ability I strongly suggest you take it to your local bike shop and have them put it together. Improper assembly can lead to serious injury or death folks, so don't mess around with this!!

If you're in the market for a comfort bike I highly recommend this bike!!

I've had this bike for a few months now and have put around 100 miles on it. I am very pleased with it. It's by far the most comfortable bike I've ever owned.
Assembly was easy. I did a little fine tuning to the derailuers and they have been working great. Will upgrade them if I wear them out. I added front disc brakes, however the stock ones were fine.
I also added a set of Planet Bike fenders and rear rack.

Positives:
1) Aluminum frame
2) Color - better in person than in the picture
3) Very comfortable
4) No immediate upgrades required
5) Very adjustable fit
6) Nice grips, crank, wheels, tires, front shocks, and brakes
7) Long warranty

Negatives - none serious:
1) Adjustable handlebar stem is creaky.
I plan to replace eventually with a fixed stem once I'm sure of the final fit/position.
2) The control cables are silly long.
It took some time to cut the casings down (by about 8") and readjust the brakes and deraileurs, but worth the effort. It looks a lot better.
3) Spring seat is creaky. I'll probably try some lube eventually.

Final - Overall a sweet ride. A lot of bang for the buck.
Nicer than many that I looked at for twice the price.

I enjoy riding this bike. The seat was a little squeaky, but after I lubed the springs the noise went away. It was easy to assemble. I had to install a kick stand because it did not come with it.
Overall, it's a great bike.