Affordable downhill Bikes

Diamondback had been showing prototypes of their aluminum-framed DB8 downhill bike practically four years ago, long ago when gravity bikes had only one wheel size. Through that time, as they had been threatening each spring that pre-production variations would in fact be manufactured and sold towards public, Diamondback proceeded to rub the DB8's geometry and suspension system, and more recently, they redesigned the 200-millimeter-travel framework for 27.5-inch wheels. When we were notified that the Diamondback ended up being likely to debut manufacturing version at Whistler Crankworx, we jokingly labeled their particular pleasure and delight due to the fact DB-L8.

Puns aside, Diamondback's Jon Kennedy showed us the 2015 DB8 and said that framesets are in stock and that total bicycles is going to be shipping this October. The debut associated with DB8 will give dyed in the wool Diamondback fans much to revel about, and its very reasonable (for downhill) $3500 USD car or truck should place the well-appointed gravity racer squarely from the radar of potential customers who may understand little concerning the brand. Diamondback supplies the frame with a DB seatpost, FSA headset and a Fox DHX RC4 Kashima surprise for $2500 USD. Sizes tend to be "long" and "quick, " because of the two sizes sharing the same geometry, with the exception of the small’s 22-inch as well as the large’s 23-inch top pipe lengths. Weights were not provided in the launch.

Specs
Launch Date	2015
Cost	$3500
Travel	200mm
Rear Shock	Fox Van RC, 9.5"x3.00, 400lb spring/short, 450lb spring/long
Fork	RockShox Boxxer RC 27.5" 200mm vacation
FSA - 57-1
Cassette	Shimano Tiagra, 12-28
Crankarms	Shimano Zee
Chainguide	FSA Gravity chainguide
Bottom Bracket	Shimano
Pedals	DB4L Platform CNC, w/replaceable pins, sealed bearings
Chain	Shimano HG54 10-speed
Rear Derailleur
Front Derailleur	NA
Shifter Pods
Handlebar	Diamondback Probar, 785mm, 15mm rise
Stem	Diamondback Direct Mount, 31.8mm
Grips	DB4L "Lock on" Kraton
Brakes	Shimano Deore, 203mm F/180mm R rotors
Wheelset	Diamondback OEM spec
Hubs	Novatech
Spokes	Stainless steel, 14-gauge
Rim	Sun Ringle Inferno
Tires	Kenda Honey Badger, 27.5" x 2.4"
Seat	Diamondback Race, M-series
Seatpost	Diamondback, 31.6mm

Building

Diamondback constructs the DB8 framework from 6061-alloy aluminum. The suspension system comes from Diamondback's "Knucklebox" system, which utilizes a rigid, triangulated single-pivot swingarm to push a downtube-mounted surprise through ingredient linkage. Apparently, the two Knucklebox backlinks create a rising shock price to buffer G-outs and large occasions, while keeping the mid-stroke supple so that you can maintain traction. A lot of the DB8's suspension strategy is intended to help keep the mass regarding the framework focused as little as feasible. The Fox Van RC coil shock passes through a forged-aluminum tunnel and supports low regarding the downtube, and also the linkage is very small aswell. Cables and hoses tend to be routed externally to facilitate quick component modifications on battle day, apart from the ultimate run of housing into Shimano Zee back mech' that is threaded inside upper swingarm tube maintain it out of difficulty in a collision.

(Clockwise) Frame-mounted rubberized pads protect the hand and mind tube area from harm. a look-down the Honey Badger tire shows the DH8's synthetic demi fender designed to mask the suspension linkage from crud. The two-stage Knucklebox linkage multiplies the power involving the single-pivot swingarm in addition to shock. The chair tube tunnel provides comfortable access to the DB8's suspension and assists to keep its size reduced in the framework.

Details, like intelligent cable and hose routing, frame-mounted rubber fork-tube bumpers and a separate mudguard to protect the exposed rear-suspension linkage supply the DB8 credibility inside professional ranks, and its own geometry appears great too. Stability must certanly be improved by its 64-degree mind perspective, which will act like it’s a qualification slacker, because of the bigger tires. Chainstays are on par at 17.75 inches (451mm) and its particular 68-degree chair tube position should help the DB8 feel focused while descending high trails. The bigger wheels provide for an eight-millimeter base bracket fall, which will boost cornering traction and help the DB8 get right up and over rocks. Rear axle spacing is 150 millimeters plus the bottom bracket is threaded, therefore most clients can move a common elements if they so desire. As mentioned earlier in the day, Diamondback provides the DB8 framework in two top pipe lengths - 22 and 23 inches (559 and 584 millimeters) - so the wheelbase lengthens by 30 millimeters, even though the all the other numbers continue to be the exact same involving the two choices.

(Clockwise) A Fox Van RC coil surprise provides 200 millimeters of rear-wheel vacation. Diamondback's good-looking direct-mount stem tops the DB8's RockShox Boxxer RC fork. We such as the Shimano Zee drivetrain, but wonder why DB opted Deore-level brake system. The chainguide is an FSA Gravity Light.