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Is Diamondback Hook Worth It?

Diamondback is known as a dependable mountain bike brand that consistently produces quality bikes. If you are on the fence about purchasing a new bicycle, my Diamondback Hook Review will give you all the information you need to make an informed choice, whether you are planning on purchasing diamondback bicycles or some other alternative.

Mountain bikes can vary a lot on quality and durability so you need to find the best one for what you need. As it can be an intensive off-road pursuit, you’ll require a bike that is going to last without needing replacement parts too often while providing comfort and enjoyable experience.

In this Diamondback Hook Review I’m going to show you the features of the Diamondback Hook mountain bike, the pros, and cons if any alternatives are out there and finally if it is worth the money.

Diamondback Bicycles Hook | eBay

This is a GREAT choice is you need a durable bike to withstand rough tracks and off-road riding, lightweight to offer decent speeds, and also good traction and control especially on rough and loose surfaces.

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Diamondback Hook specifications

Frame 6061-T6 Butted Alloy for 27.5″, 1 1/8″ Head Tube, Formed Top and Down Tube
Fork SR Suntour XCM 120mm Travel, 30mm Stanchions, Coil Spring w/ Preload Adjust
Front Derailleur Full ISCG-05 Chain Guide w/ Roller
Rear Derailleur SRAM X3, 8 Speed
Chain KMC Z82, 8 Speed
Tires Vee Rubber Crown Gem 27.5×2.3″
Brakes Tektro Aries Mechanical Disc, w/ 160mm Rotors
Handlebar Diamondback, 750mm Wide, 15mm Rise, 31.8 Bar Bore
Seat DB Sync’r Saddle

Core Features of the Diamondback Hook

Core Features of the Diamondback Hook

This Diamondback Mountain Bike is designed for mountain biking and going ‘off the beaten track’ so it offers a variety of different features to help make this as enjoyable an experience as possible.

Suspension

Biking over rough terrain is going to be bumpy at the best of times but with a quality suspension system, the impact of shocks, bumps, and drops is going to be significantly lessened.

While you can add suspension kits to most mountain bikes, it is even better if the one that comes with it is good enough for you to enjoy biking down remote trails and bumpy ground.

The Diamondback Hook has an SR Suntour XCM 120mm suspension fork, 30mm Stanchions and Coil Spring w/ Preload Adjust which gives you a smooth ride. It is able to absorb shocks and bumps on the trail really well.

If a trail bike has a poor suspension system this means more you’ll have to work harder however the Diamondback Hook ensures that you not only have a smooth ride but you shouldn’t suffer from the fatigue of using a below-par suspension kit. You can adjust the suspension to your preferences as well which is a great feature.

Frame

The frame of the Diamondback Hook Road Bike consists of:

  • 6061-T6 Butted Alloy for 27.5″
  • 1 1/8″ Head Tube
  • Formed Top and Down Tube w/ Integrated Disc Brake Tabs
  • Progressive Geometry
  • Internal Dropper Ready

It provides a durable ride even when going on bumpy and uneven trails. Due to its aluminum frame, it is equipped to withstand some rough and ready biking.

Its progressive geometry combined with the fact that it is pretty lightweight is ideal for a fast ride while ensuring you remain in control. It looks good too and has a real minimalist design that will appeal to many people. The one drawback here is that there is no water bottle holder which can be a big disadvantage to some mountain bikers.

Brakes

It is all well and good having a lightweight frame for fast speeds coupled with various gear options (which I’ll look at below), but you need to be able to stop safely. Hence why quality brakes that give you complete control are such a crucial part of a mountain bike.

This is especially true in rough terrain where stopping power is more important. It isn’t likely to be a flat and smooth surface you will be hitting the brakes on.

The Diamondback Hook mountain bike comes with Tektro Aries Mechanical Powerful Disc Brakes and 160mm Rotors and they have proven to be very powerful and will allow you to stop quickly and safely. Even if you are going at fast speeds and on bumpy trails, these brakes do a fantastic job of slowing you down.

They are very responsive and provide a high level of control. This is important for beginners and people who are new to mountain biking and who this model is mainly aimed at. If you need to stop quickly and suddenly you can, while if you need a more gradual slow down you can do that too.

Wheels and Tires

The Diamondback Hook has Vee Rubber Crown Gem 27.5” tires that provide pretty impressive grip and control when biking on rough and uneven terrain.

While they maybe aren’t the best on the market for biking in wet conditions (although they are far from the worst) and other options are out there, they still offer stability and traction that is great for the price. The tires are the right width for off-road mountain biking and you will get good performance at faster speeds as well.

You shouldn’t have any noticeable skidding with these tires either and they are purposely designed for off-road terrain.

Other features

Other features

There are some other features with the Diamondback Hook that you should be aware of.

Gears

There are a total of 8 gears on this hardtail bike which are designed to give you a high level of control during your outdoor pursuits.

The different gear options will give you the right control depending on the circumstance for example going uphill, downhill, riding on a flat surface, or over bumpy hills. The SRAM Drivetrain allows for a smooth transition through the gears.

While the 8 speed gears might be a bit limiting for some more experienced mountain bikers who would perhaps welcome more options, this bike is very much designed for beginners and occasional users. With that in mind, the gears on the Diamondback Hook are ideal for this group.

You probably won’t get the lightning-fast speeds on flat urban surfaces that you want but again this bike isn’t really designed for that purpose.

Saddle

The DB Sync’r Saddle is fairly standard across Diamondback models and it offers a high level of comfort and durability.

This is particularly important as riding on rough terrain is going to be uncomfortable at the best of times but with the right saddle in place, you can really limit the impact.

The Diamondback Hook does this really well. Perhaps not the best on the market and you will probably have to replace it eventually but for the most part, it offers comfort and won’t need to be switched after a few rides.

Assembly

Not so much a ‘feature’ of the Diamondback Hook in how it performs but rather a benefit of cutting down on the potential for error and the time it will take you to get it up and running.

The Hook model comes 85% already assembled which is great if you are new to mountain biking. The last thing you want is to assemble your bike and head off onto some rough tracks to find out that you haven’t secured something properly.

The Diamondback Hook hardtail mountain bike requires very little assembly when you get it so assembly error is greatly reduced and you can be sure that the main components are all fitted correctly and safely.

Diamondback Bicycles Hook | eBay

This is a GREAT choice is you need a durable bike to withstand rough tracks and off-road riding, lightweight to offer decent speeds, and also good traction and control especially on rough and loose surfaces.

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We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Pros and Cons of the Diamondback Hook

 

Pros

  • Affordable entry-level hardtail mountain bike for beginners and occasional users
  • Great traction and control on rough surfaces
  • Lightweight and minimal design for speed and handling
  • Good suspension to absorb bumps and shocks
  • Smooth transition through the 8 gear speeds
  • Comes 85% already assembled so little room for error

Cons

  • No space for a water bottle holder
  • The saddle isn’t the most comfortable
  • Doesn’t perform the best on roads and smooth surfaces

Are there any alternatives?

Mountain bikes are really varied from beginner models to bikes aimed at experienced and seasoned bikers. There are some alternatives to the Diamondback Hook that you can have a look at if this model isn’t for you.

#1 Diamondback Atroz

Atroz 1 Review

Sticking with the Diamondback brand, the Atroz line of mountain bikes is a credible alternative to the Hook range.

The Atroz 1 is around the same cost as the Hook, while the Atroz 2 and Atroz 3 models go up in price quite a bit. The bikes have many similar features and the Atroz 1 also comes with 8-speed gears although the Atroz 2 has 9 and the Atroz 3 has 11. This line has good stopping power with their hydraulic disc brake too.

The Atroz range is a good introduction to mountain bikes and they are good value for money especially for beginners who are getting a mountain bike for the first time or just ride occasionally and don’t want to spend thousands.

Diamondback Bicycles Atroz | Amazon

This Bike is a good introduction to mountain bikes, plus, great value for money especially for beginners or if you just ride occasionally and don’t want to spend thousands.

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#2 Santa Cruz Chameleon

Santa Cruz Chameleon

The Santa Cruz Chameleon is a bit pricier than the Diamondback Hook however it does offer a well-rounded mountain bike performance.

If you are looking to spend a bit more money on a mountain bike then this is an alternative that is worth looking into. With 12 speed gears, good handling, and a lightweight carbon fiber frame, it provides a comfortable ride.

There is a bit of an issue with the rear wheel spinning when going over loose surfaces so that is something to take into consideration however overall it is a very good bike but will cost you more money.

FAQs About Diamondback Hook

Do you get a toolkit with the bike?

Yes, when purchasing the Diamondback Hook bike, you also receive a toolkit with saddle bag, multi-tool, mini pump, etc. that are usually sold for around $30 separately.

What is the size of the tires?

You can use 27.5″ tires on this bike. The Diamondback Hook comes with Vee Rubber Crown Gem 27.5×2.3″ tires.

Does the Hook come with a water bottle holder?

Unfortunately not, the Diamondback Hook doesn’t come with a bottle holder, however, you can purchase this feature separately online.

Is this suitable for downhill biking?

While it is not a specific downhill mountain bike, the Diamondback Hook has the features to allow it to function pretty well for this type of activity. Although, if you are regularly embarking on downhill mountain biking you may want to consider a bike that is tailor-made for this purpose.

Conclusion – Is the Diamondback Hook worth buying?

Buying your first mountain bike or getting a replacement if you are just an occasional rider is not something to take lightly.

You need a bike that is going to be durable to withstand rough tracks and off-road riding, lightweight to offer decent speeds, and also you’ll need good traction and control especially on rough and loose surfaces.

The Diamondback Hook is a popular entry-level mountain bike that combines comfort, durability and control with a decent price tag as well. While it is more frequently used on cross country tracks, it serves a good purpose as a downhill bike too and can stand up to some of the specific downhill models.

It’s 8 gears will be a bit off-putting to more experienced bikers however for beginners it is perfectly fine. The one big downside is that it doesn’t have a water bottle holder and the saddle isn’t the most comfortable you’ll find but it is OK for repeated use although you’ll need to replace it a bit sooner than perhaps you’d like.

Overall if you are looking to get into mountain biking then the Diamondback Hook is definitely a bike that you should consider not just for its price but also for its performance.

Diamondback Bicycles Hook | eBay

This is a GREAT choice is you need a durable bike to withstand rough tracks and off-road riding, lightweight to offer decent speeds, and also good traction and control especially on rough and loose surfaces.

Check Price
We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

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