Thoughts on Diamondback Podium Vitesse Disc?
 

I'm looking to buy a racing road bike sometime in the somewhat near future to compliment my 'cross bike. I was at first planning to buy a frame and build it up myself, but then I ran across the Diamondback Podium Vitesse Disc. It seems to be very solid value, as the frame is the same as the Equipe and it has Ultegra throughout. This would be only $500-700 more than building up a China frame, but it has the reputable name of Diamondback behind it and I really like that.

Has anyone ridden this bike? If so, would you recommend it? My understanding is that it's somewhat in the middle of the aero range but still pretty comfortable.

Bike Radar did a review on the Equipe, and rated it fairly positively (although that was for the rim brake, not disc brake).

I'm still a couple of months out from buying a bike, so I have time to review other options, including Canyon (they're finally coming to the US!) so I would appreciate any feedback y'all may have.

I'm not sure this will be my final bike purchase (n+1, right?), so if it's not 100% perfect I think that's fine because it seems that its value is well above all the competitors right now. However, if there are serious defects compared to Giant, Specialized, or Cervelo, I would consider spending $600-1,000 more on one of the other bikes.

How reputable name is Diamondback? How reputable name is any of the brands considering most of them have had multiple recalls because of defects...

If you're going to have only one bike, I would get something more versatile. Canyon Enduro for example. Something that could be taken offroad, comfortable ride, with some aero benefits etc.

Looks nice though. Good luck with it.

Reputable in the sense that they issued the recall to begin with and would work with you to resolve it. The China bike manufacturers would in all likelihood never issue the recall to begin with.

I already have a cross bike for my all-round stuff, so I'm looking to branch out into a racing-specific frame now.

I like Diamondback and I've ridden both Podium and Century and they're both great, comfortable bikes. If you like it, it's a good choice. The Century is a fast, light endurance bike, so if you're looking for something more comfortable, the geometry on it is considerably more relaxed.

What's the street price? With Ultegra, hydro, and Ardennes Plus LT wheelset, it's certainly outfitted nicely. And while Giant is typically a very good value, they chose not to bring in an equivalent (Adv Pro 1 Disc is Di2), so not an apples-to-apples.

As the owner of a DB, I don't think that it has the cache of some of the major brands, and resale value may hurt because of that, but I don't doubt the quality of the bike.

Definitely lacks some cache but its nice kit. I have a DB full suspension mtb and it is a great value. I did have one warranty issue with it and they were easy to work with. Doubt you'll have any luck getting warranties on China non-name carbon.

At $3K shipped it seems like a good value.

Yup, it's just over $3,000 with shipping.

That's a pretty good value, considering you wouldn't want/need to switch out the wheels. If it fits, I'd strongly consider it.

Disc brakes injure and one day will kill.

I don't think you'll be disappointed at that price for that equipment. It's a light, stiff bike.. rides well. Heck, the Optum race team rides those. At the very least it'll be a talking point at any races or group rides you go on because you don't see many. I'm not a fan of disc brakes, but that's just a personal preference.

That's about the funniest thing I've read in a while.

You must have missed this thread:


https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...ers-again.html

I would argue that rim brakes are more dangerous because I just had a friend crash a week ago because he couldn't brake going down a steep gradient in the wet. That is far more likely to actually kill someone than disc brakes.

How can cyclocross, which has far more crashes, run disc for so long with no problems?

Indy is just kidding - no need to invite the ridiculous arguments in your own thread.

Oh. Seems the joke's on me as I read a little of the thread and left. Didn't sleep much the past few days so my sense of humor is non-existent for a few days. Sorry to everyone.

Thanks for the feedback on the bike, everyone! It seems like I found a winner and will likely go with the Podium, assuming Canyon doesn't unveil a crazy special deal when the come here.

Heh, "when" is right. I hope they finally get on with it, but I am not holding my breath.

Yeah, I hear some nightmarish stuff from Europe of 6-8 month delays after purchase ....

They're supposed to start selling in July here but given their track record, maybe I'm better off getting them for my third bike.

That's the spirit!

That's a bit silly. Having said that, I can see why you might not want them in racing. I haven't raced in a few years so I don't know if they are allowed there yet. I think they got banned from the pro peloton after someone was injured by one in a mass crash.

However if you're not racing disc brakes are fine IMO and have some mechanical advantages.

If I may resurrect this thread, the Podiums are 25% off until the 25th with the discount code TOC. That's in addition to the corporate discount. I just ordered the E'tape Disc for a total price of $1121.24.

• Coupon code "TOC" is not valid.

edit: Only works on Podiums?

Yeah only on Podiums

Rally is auctioning off their custom-painted, top-of-the-line, race-ridden Diamondbacks during the Tour of California with the proceeds going to charity. Ends Saturday: https://rallycycling.com/news/inspired-bikes-3/

That's pretty cool. Looking at those bikes I see they're all rim brakes. What's weird is that the E'tape Disc I got is on sale for less than the rim brake version is. That's the main reason I chose the disc bike.

Great deal - wish it was SRAM