Strong very good frame, absolutely excellent at absorbing road shock, gives the feel of a much more expensive frame.
Cons:
Frame is a bit on the heavy side. Cables rattle at the front end but this can be remedied easily with a plastic zip tie and or some tape. Stock pedals are cheap.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
I''ve owned the 2011 Diamondback Response Mountain bike for 3 months and I must say, for a bike that I purchased at Dick''s Sporting Goods Store for $330., this thing rides like a LAZER! I am very impressed with the overall quality of the bike as an entry level mountain bike. I have previously owned much more expensive mountain bikes equipped with XT and this entry level bike from Diamondback gives them all a run for their money.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Zac - 8/19/2010 11:15:41 AM
Pros:
I really like yhis frame. I got it from a friend with frount derailer and crank for $40. I put all my parts from my old bike on it and it works like a dream.
Cons:
None so far.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
An aftermarket fork is a great idea (i have a marzocchi bomber mx pro) just upgrade components.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Norkulous - 3/13/2010 11:47:33 AM
Pros:
Price, obviously. Tough frame, out of box brakes are pretty responsive.
Cons:
Derailers are if-y, shocks are very soft even at their stiffest settings.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
I haven''t owned a bike in years, but recently got back into riding a little. My cousin owns both a Trek 4500 and a Cannondale, (both of which for the most part still have all their factory accessories, and I''ve gotten pretty used to them.) So I was pretty weary of getting the Response, but it was the best I could do for the money. I have to say though that I''m real pleased with it. I really only ride on roads and light trails, so i''m pretty confident that i''ll get some life on the factory parts. The frame, despite being heavy, is pretty solid, suspension is a little too soft, derailers are a little noisy and will need perpetual attention, brakes are ok. This bike is a perfect starting point, and over time with some aftermarket parts can be pretty comparable to some higher end bikes. Definitely not good for expert trails right out of the box though.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by john - 10/17/2009 9:11:50 PM
Pros:
great frame breakes are awsome for being racing v-breakes. prefect for someone who wants a jump bike
Cons:
rims aren''t that great i''ve had to re-true them twice now.
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
just get a new set of rims and the dike is great
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Phoenix383 - 5/28/2009 8:21:18 PM
Pros:
Durable frame, love the stronger handlebar bracket, great shifters and brake levers. Strong double walled rims and beefy tires ensure great traction on trails. thicker and stronger handle bars and seat post offer a more secure feel for the ride. Bike can take a beating.
Cons:
Front derailer is crap, had to replace min from the begining. Front cranks on alot of the 08 models were defective with warped sprokets. Front for designed for entry level trail riding. Bike is heavy. The pedals are garbage, replace them right away with something stronger. I broke mine on the 4th ride on an intermediate trail. Crank arms often need tightening
Time Used:
1 Year
Comments:
I have had this 2008 Diamond Back Responce for a year. Pay close attention to the crank and front derailer. The front fork on the bike says clearly what its intended for. there are three different models of the responce. Responce, sport, and comp. each one has a different set up to better suit your riding needs. Pay close attention to the labels. As with alot of products out there its not perfect but it is a great bike for beginers and intermediate riders. Has potential to be a very good bike to anyone willing to spend the money.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by MS - 4/8/2009 1:50:37 PM
Pros:
Brakes, looks and overall quality
Cons:
heavy other than that no problums than that
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
really good bike for only 350
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by nick - 10/1/2008 7:45:26 PM
Pros:
I have been riding trails with this bike for about a year and it has held up ok.
Cons:
You have to do a preride check before any major ride because some parts can come loose easy. I have not been impressed with the fork that came with this bike.
Time Used:
1 Year
Comments:
overall I have liked this bike a lot so far and it is a good bike for someone who is just getting into mtbing.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by mknight - 4/6/2008 7:36:04 AM
Pros:
Solid bike, good price for a bike you can kick about on. I am novice s the extra weight I dont mind coz I can't compare..
Cons:
I had to 2 new rims when I dicovered pictures from really baddly drilled spoke holes.
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
Just ensure that you check everything when you buy, including the rims, take the tyres off.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by fergie - 1/14/2008 6:46:40 PM
Pros:
Great bike Good for jumps, stairs, and any other terrain you wanna put it on
Cons:
The brakes are not all they could be.
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
This bike is a great bike and i would tell anyone that is thinking buying a bike to grab a hold of this ope before there gone.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Morty - 9/23/2007 8:32:49 PM
Pros:
Frame is bombproof.
Cons:
Entrylevel components,but what do you expect for under 300.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
I've taken this bike all around San Diego county,downhill,drops,jumps you name it i've done it. At 230# I think it's held up pretty well. The only thing is the shock and the components are not that great.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Squarehead - 6/23/2007 1:59:51 PM
Pros:
Sturdy construction, classic colors, fast and good all terrain bike.
Cons:
Paint chips easily, fork bends when tightening wheel.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
I like the bike just for farten around on local trails, and stairs, and other jumps you can fly off.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by grimmer 22 - 5/4/2007 6:27:01 AM
Pros:
wicked bike the travel is awsome on it i would highly recommend this bike to any mountain rider or dirt jumper
Cons:
the only thing i do not like about this bike is the derailer
Time Used:
1 Year
Comments:
get it now for 350$ i think
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Bangbus - 10/25/2006 10:07:02 AM
Pros:
On sale at sports authority for $299. Sale ends 10/28/06.
Cons:
Dont know yet, but I got it on sale
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
Just bought this bike yest. So far so good.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by shit - 10/11/2006 3:31:23 PM
Pros:
its the worst bike ever the forks are shit the frame is heavier the my dads truck
Cons:
it just shit plain shit the bike is crap the rims bent in no time
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
its just crap crap crap crap crap crap
Rating:
Recommendation:
No I would not recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Gary - 10/6/2006 8:47:48 AM
Pros:
Frame, looks, value.
Cons:
Build quality, brakes, forks.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
I have owned this bike for over 3 months now (see the other review by Gary) and it has done nothing but rattle and sqeak.
I am constantly having to re-adjust the front wheel as it becomes lose. The back brake caliper has worked itself lose and I get a horrible sqeeking noise and an awful vibration whenever I use it. Not to mention having to oil the wheels to stop them squeaking!
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by dwnhiller1217 - 10/5/2006 8:23:35 AM
Pros:
I have the '06 Sport and love it. Can take a good beating. Good disc brakes, very responsive
Cons:
No really big ones. I think it shifts a little crapy sometimes. The front fork is ok, but the adjustments don't seem to do a whole lot.
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
Overall, I love this bike. I got a ton of good stuff for the price and does very well off-road. On-road is pretty good as well.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Justin - 9/13/2006 12:25:22 AM
Pros:
Price, quality, features.
Cons:
Crappy forks, squeeky breaks, and iffy shifting.
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
Mine is a 2005 Responce Sport. I've been riding it around, to work and back averaging about 5-10 miles a day. It's been great, the forks spook me a little since I tend to jump, bunny hop, and wheelie everywhere I go.
Would suggest upgrading the forks asap, and changing out the pedals. Everything on this bike has been great.
I am an intermediate rider, 6' 200# and grew up (since 1974) riding BMX bikes so I'm hard on bikes.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by mur - 9/4/2006 6:15:42 PM
Pros:
Response is awesome for the price because the frame is strong and light and you can upgrade parts but still keep the frame
Cons:
The brakes and shifters suck balls.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
My brake pads wore out after about 10 hours of riding all together. The shift for the gears stick constantly and always have to be readjusted after each ride. But the response is awesome for the price
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by Gary - 8/2/2006 8:26:29 AM
Pros:
Great suspension, even better brakes. Fun to ride, can throw it round a bit. Gears are nice and quick, can achieve 26mph full belt, even faster down hill or with the wind behind me.
Cons:
Suspension settings don't seem to do anything but that might just be me being a newbie. Seems a bit heavy but I don't have much experience with bikes.
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
Very happy with my purchase, would buy one again.
Rating:
Recommendation:
No I would not recommend it to a friend
Submitted by anthony - 7/6/2006 1:21:43 PM
Pros:
Cheap, Fast, Gears are great, looks nice, very fun ride!!
Cons:
Brakes wear fast
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
Overall this is an awesome bike to buy for the price. It is great for intermediate riders still getting the feel for hardcore riding.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by yojoeschmo - 1/21/2006 4:05:45 PM
Pros:
great click shift, cool lookin frame
Cons:
a pretty heavy frame so its hard to wheelie on, the brakes are shit, they wear out early
Time Used:
Less Than A Month
Comments:
good for trailing, its heavy which isnt good, otherwise its good
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by jmlro - 8/11/2005 1:26:31 PM
Pros:
very strong but yet light weight, handles well
Cons:
shifting and brakes
Time Used:
1 Year
Comments:
I've gone in the blue mountains, the desert, over jumps, in the skate park, and in extreme mud with it. I have also
gone 30 mph down hill.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by SouthernPainted - 11/4/2004 12:15:58 PM
Pros:
Very solid bike, lightweight, good frame; strong wheels and excellent tires for rocks, loose dirt, all terrain really. Very good hardtail for biking
Cons:
Mine has shifted a little strange at times, although I think that's just the tuning; So far I haven't found any major flaws
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
I have really busted some trails with my Response. It has held up very well and even in the worst weather/terrain. The frame has held up to a few pretty sketchy crashes and so far all components are working as they should. I am looking forward to a LOT more riding on this particular bike.
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by SouthernPainted - 11/4/2004 12:15:51 PM
Pros:
Very solid bike, lightweight, good frame; strong wheels and excellent tires for rocks, loose dirt, all terrain really. Very good hardtail for biking
Cons:
Mine has shifted a little strange at times, although I think that's just the tuning; So far I haven't found any major flaws
Time Used:
6 Months
Comments:
I have really busted some trails with my Response. It has held up very well and even in the worst weather/terrain. The frame has held up to a few pretty sketchy crashes and so far all components are working as they should. I am looking forward to a LOT more riding on this particular bike.
No disk brake mounts on chainstays, front fork a little stiff. 24 (instead of 27) speed. Lower-end Shimano components (Acera).
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
I love my Response! For a sub-$400 bike, it's great. Taken it onto the trails and haven't had any problems, even on the exremely rock technical sections. Plan on upgrading to disk brakes, but only on the front, and to deore or better components (Comes with Acera).
Rating:
Recommendation:
Yes I would recommend it to a friend
Submitted by atarpine - 10/24/2002 1:22:06 PM
Pros:
Very strong frame, Shimano components, gearing great for all terrains, shocks swallow large bumps, jumps, etc. very well. Good tires, grip rocks, roots, loose soil fairly well.
Cons:
Shocks could take the smaller bumps better. Rigid frame shoots straight through your bum, especially on road more than off.
Time Used:
3 Months
Comments:
A really good bike overall. Have the 22" frame since I am 6'4". At 230 lbs it handles my weight well. Very comfortable for my size. Not too heavy either. Great for a new person. A lot of bike for the money, a great value.
