Review #4 – Diamondback Mission 3 from Dirt Rag #142
The Mission 3 likes the steeps
Vitals:
Cost: $1300 frame and fork, $3750 as tested. Weight: 34 pounds www.diamondback.com
Eric McKeegan tests the top dog in Diamondback’s Mission line, the Mission 3, which is built to favor the descent-loving side of big mountain riding Modern all mountain bikes designed for big mountain riding can handle climbing chores almost as easily as they do descending. (Of course, it’s up to the rider to provide the power and/or mojo.) That said, some bikes are built more for the climbing side of all mountain, and some are set-up more for the steeps. The Mission 3 is one of those, with 2.3″ tires front and rear, and up to 150MM (5.9″) travel front and rear. Unfortunately, all this rough-and-tumble capability comes at a price in weight, the Diamondback Mission 3 tips the scales at 34-pounds (15.4 KG).
Like a good all mountain rig should, the Diamondback Mission 3 encourages chutzpah and aggressive riding. Eric found himself taking the rough way home, plowing through rocks and roots and looking for jumps. The bike also proved worthy in the park, and handled his trip to the indoor park with guts. The bike also features the Truativ Hammerschmidt system up front (an integrated system including the front sprockets, shifter and crank arms.
- TAKE-AWAY BOX Why it may be your next Big Mountain Ride: It’s got the goods for the rough stuff, you like speed Why it may not be for you: Weight, if you’re more into climbing or tight singletrack
Components highlights: The Fox RP23 rear shock works well with the Knucklebox suspension system to keep the center of gravity low, eat up small and medium bumps and deal with the occasional big hit. Up front is a new Fox 32 TALAS RL
, with 3 travel settings, 110, 130 and 150 MM (4.3″, 5.12″ and 5.9″) with a functional on-the-fly adjustable lever, giving the rider some good options depending on the trail. Shifting: SRAM X.9 rear derailleur
and shifters, Truativ Hammerschmidt. Stoppies: Avid Elixir CR 185 f/160 r. A nice touch is the carbon Easton handlebar, the Easton Monkey Lite CNT.
Read the whole Dirt Rag Review of the Diamondback Mission 3.
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