How to choose? Giant Anthem X 29ER 1 or Diamondback Sortie 1 29ER or other?

[Sid Post]

I have an old TREK non-suspension MTB that I converted over to a street pleasure ride (rough roads, sidewalks, paths, etc.) that can take a beating and shrug it off. I want to move up to a full suspension bicycle for off road. I don't see much sand and no snow in my future so, I've tried to rule out the "fat tire" bikes. My hard limit on funds is $3K and ideally staying in the $1800-2200 range plus sales tax (%9.1) for a model with good or great components.

I live outside of Tucson, Arizona at the moment but, I'm in the process of moving out to Vail or Sonoita FWIW. I really want to try and stay with Shimano components, hydraulic/disc brakes in addition to the suspension requirement. I'm not a racer and I'm getting older so, no agressive ride positions (i.e. heavy weight on my shoulders from leaning forward).

From checking out a few local places, Fox suspension seems to be preferred by most. I don't know if there is a profit motive behind Fox but, the feedback seems to be an overall superior performance and plusher ride in the rough stuff.

The Diamondback Sortie 1 29ER seems to be a similar bicycle to the Giant equivalent but, it is also a lot cheaper. However, I really haven't found any descent or thorough reviews.

What recomendations do you have? Are there any particular dealers in Arizona I should checkout for good model selections or prices? Am I missing any good "on-line" options?

TIA,
Sid

 

[Maddmatt]

I've got a Diamondback Sortie1, in 26" flavor. Not apples to apples for you, but I believe the frame geometry and components are basically the same. My first full-ride and my first new bike in 10 years (hard tail is a Specialized Rockhopper with hydraulics)

I picked up the Diamondback last spring and have put just over 300 miles on it, all single track - obviously I don't ride as much as I'd like

Overall I'm pretty happy with the DB - here are my impressions:

It's not exactly light - I don't find the weight to be a bother while riding (and if I want a lighter ride I could start with myself) but it's noticeable when hanging it up in the garage or putting it on the rack. Not a deal breaker, but at this price range I don't think anything is super light.

It seems pretty tough. I've crashed it hard a couple times, I mean with blood and looking for stuff afterwards. Steep technical descents have been a learning curve, sections I can clean without thought on my trusty hard tail have thrown me over the bars - I think it's because I'm not used to the settling and rebound from the back end. Still getting everything dialed in.

I hate the tires it came with. Kenda Slant Six I think - my bloodiest crash came from the front tire washing out on a loose gravel descent - switched the front out to a WTB Weirwolf that I pilfered from my hard tail - and no more problems on that end.

I love how the rear end sucks up baby heads and roots. There are a couple sections on my regular loop that were just a nightmare on my hard tail, the kind of trail where the sides are always littered with other peoples reflectors, water bottles, patch kits, etc... All the stuff that can fall out. With the DB I can fly (relatively speaking) through those sections.

At first I thought I needed to replace the rear shock with one with a lockout for climbing, but as I've dialed in the pressure (remember this is my first soft tail) I've become better at the climbs. Power delivery is not as direct as it is with the hard tail, for obvious reasons, but that's just more reason to ride harder. For me the benefits have outweighed the power loss.

Now I've decided I don't need a lock out - the rear shock (I believe it's a Rock Shocks AR?) wasn't holding pressure my first couple weeks - I'd put 200 lbs in it, ride a couple miles and it would be down to 130 or so - haven't had that problem for weeks, so I think something in there just wasn't seated correctly at first. Anyway, as I said the power loss has been worth it for me.

I like having the knuckle box down low - bike definitely feels stable in corners, but like I said this is my first soft tail, so I don't have any experience with a frame that carries the weight higher.

Biggest learning curve for me was to re-position my outside pedal when cornering. I've been mountain biking since 1987 and am very comfortable cornering with my outside foot at 6:00 and my inside at 12:00 - had a couple hard smacks on my lower foot as the rear suspension compressed - which lowered the bike's COG, which in turn lowered my foot, which slapped some rocks really hard and fast. The first couple times I said 'that's surprising' in much more colorful terms.

That's all kind of rambling and doesn't necessarily answer your questions - but there's some stuff in there that I wish I knew before I bought my first soft tail. I considered going up to a 29", but like I said I only get a new bike every 10 years or so and have a long and happy history on 26".

Everything said and done, I'm happy with the DB - haven't had any real issues and the improvement when riding the technical stuff, which is what most of my trails are, has been fantastic. That could probably have been said about any soft tail though.

 

[Sid Post]

Thank you! That is really helpful.

 

[p nut]

Never ridden a Diamondback, but they really haven't been on the forefront of anything innovational. Giant's Maestro suspension has always been highly regarded, though. You should try to demo one, if you can. If you can't, going in blindly, I would choose the Giant.

 

[mattiep11]

UM DIAMONDBACKS STILL FOR SALE AT ********"S SPORTING GOODS RIGHT?

So if u wanna a real bike don't get diamondbacks...Yeti, trek/gf,BMF...plenty to choose u will be much happier in the end.. spend it up front so don't have to later..Im rolling this and love it.
2011 Trek Remedy 9.7 Size LARGE (built summer 2012) ***upgraded carbon bars, carbon seatpost, xtr trail clip pedals, XO type 2 derailleur, Maxxis minon front & rear, sdg ti fly saddle***
Specifications
RETAIL Price- $4619.99
Rear Shock Fox Float RP-2
Fork Fox 32 Talas RL
Cassette SRAM PG-1050 12-36
Crankarms SRAM Carbon
Bottom Bracket BB95 Trek integrated Truvativ GXP BB kit
Rear Derailleur SRAM ***NEW SRAM XO type 2 (built in chain tensioner)
Front Derailleur SRAM X.7
Shifter Pods SRAM X.7, 10 speed
Handlebar ***CONTROL TECH VENOM CARBON RISER ***
Stem Bontrager Rhythm
Grips ***OURY LOCK ON GRIPS***
Brakes Avid Elixir R
Wheelset DT Swiss M1800
Tires ***NEW MAXXIS MINION DHF 2.5"x26"
***NEW MAXXIS MINION DHR 2.35x26"
Seat ***NEW SDG FLY TI rail***
Seatpost ***KORE CARBON ALL IN ONE ***
Pedals *** BRAND NEW XTR TRAIL CLIP***

 

[mattiep11]

My TREK REMEDY 9.7

 

[just eric]

Guess you missed the part about the OP wanting to stay in the $1800-2200 range...

My hard limit on funds is $3K and ideally staying in the $1800-2200 range plus sales tax (%9.1) for a model with good or great components.

 

[Sid Post]

TREK's are nice but, that REMEDY 9.7 is pretty spendy.

 

[mattiep11]

Grab a used one or an 8 or 7 series.. last year model and he will stick in the price range..

 

[mattiep11]

So the other end of the spectrum,, we got this last years model, $800 included tax.. has decent parts, and i upgrade her parts with my lighter ones as i build my 9.7.. she loves it easy to work on and have had no problems with it.. so u dont need to go all out like me.. but hers is reasonable. we use are bike like cars here in telluride so i can justify mine when i use it five days a week to get me around town and to and from work riding some downhill trails... and general work outs for xc riding and dh park riding...