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Edited November 21, 2022
at 03:27 PM
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https://www.diamondback.com/bikes...ync-r-4520
Versatile — that's what's always made our progressive trail bikes popular. These are bikes that are as at home blasting down trails alongside long-travel, full-suspension bikes at they are surfing mellow sections of singletrack. The Sync'r is our top of the line, do-it-all aluminum hardtail. The heart of the bike is a low-slung frame that's both playful and confident. We've hung the Sync'r chassis with equally stellar components that include a RockShox Recon RL suspension fork with 140mm of travel, a SRAM SX Eagle 1×12 single-ring drivetrain with a wide 11-50 gear range, powerful Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and our own Diamondback AL35 tubeless-compatible wheelset.
The Sync'r holds its own with no-nonsense hardtail precision and all-mountain capabilities, making it a great choice for any mountain biker.
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I had a Marin San Quentin with decently wide 27.5x2.5 tires, and it was notably easier to flip and hop than my 29x2.4/2.6 bikes. Yes, the total diameter is not dramatically different, but the gyroscopic effect is as the wheels get not just a bit lighter, but also smaller in diameter.
Also on people commending on it being short: yes, it is not the longest of bikes, thus I've commented above it is "decently modern". Its geo is corrected for what it is tho. If you were to measure where your CG (waist) will be on this vs. a San Quentin vs. a Norco Torrent when seated, differences are not that dramatic, as seat post angles are slacker on the Diamondback.
Sure, the Torrent is much longer overall, but this is a benefit for those that push the bike and are putting lots of body english towards the front in order to weigh the bike properly and get the traction from the front tire. The Torrent will also be a challenge around tight switchbacks going both up and down, as the bike feels "too long" and the short stays allow you to lean forward A LOT to allow for the bike not to wheelie. Definately not the bike for 35mm long stems IMHO, or at least with this layman and the steep ups in SoCal trails! There is a reason the bike is speced by Norco with a 50mm stem, duh. Finally, there can be "too long" a bike. IMHO, HTs at 480mm reach + 150mm fork travel is too long for me at 6'. Remember, HTs effectively lengthen as the fork compresses into its travel.
This Sync'r will reward a more casual riding and forgive a less aggressive position, that could result in front-tire wash-outs on "aggressive" bikes. The geo will not be cramped, it is shorter because the bike is not as DH focused as a Torrent or Honzo ESD, and in my book, this is a good thing: people that ride blues and greens don't need the above, and people who ride blacks and double blacks, do not look into value HTs to ride them.
This is the bike to get if you were aspiring to get an Axum and ... change everything, only you get to keep almost everything and will end up costing you less $.
Those that nit-pick on the Sram SX...sure, it is Sram's worse 12 speed drivetrain but at the same time, it is a decent 12 speed drivetrain. You cannot buy the parts of this bike for $750, even used. It is a pretty good value.
Those that claim that this is not a beginner friendly bike are ... I don't know. People Ι dissagree with.
This is a 27.5 bike and easier to throw around than a 29er, but IMHO shorter riders have extra reasons to look into a 27.5 (29 wheels are a bit overwhelming for casual riders). Too bad M is out of stock.
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On the other hand, my derailleur hanger is also bent, so the shifting is out of whack. Not surprised and there was zero protection on that side of the bike. I have the alignment gauge, which I've used successfully in the past, but going to contact CS to get a replacement hanger anyway.
Some notes:
Not sure how this helps, but I think you may be good with your XL. It's a fun bike! Hope it works out!
I am 6 feet tall and ordered the L. Personally the bike feels a bit on the large side for me, but maybe it is something to get used to.
Mine came with 2.8 tires.
Also, not sure how much difference this will make, but the NX Eagle cassette (PG-1230) is made of better quality steel and is a bit lighter than the SX Eagle cassette (PG-1210). A couple of online shops have it on sale for $55.
Did you see this reddit? Not really a clear answer here, but since some people don't get this issue I think it's likely setup related even if shifting seems spot on.
https://www.reddit.com/r/bikewren..._fix
Update: cassette already came! They sent me an NX too. It's 13/50 instead of 11/50 but I can custom gear it by mixing with the SX.
Edit: it's an 11/50, I just didn't realize the final gear is packaged on the back of the cassette.
I noticed the NX has an aluminum spider for the tall gears, SX has a stamped steel spider. I think the gears are all identical machining and material otherwise.
On another note, I put together the bike today but the brakes are rubbing on the rotors no matter how I adjust. Might be the new set of pads need some breaking in but is anyone else having brake rub on the rotors? The rotors are pretty true but not perfect.
If there is still a rotor rub, try this method - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWmlK5Q
It's easier to do it with a tool (i.e. Hayes Brake Pad & Rotor Alignment Tool or something similar and much cheaper), but the idea is the same. If the rotor is bent considerably (unlikely in your case), you will have to straighten it using the rotor truing fork, or get a new rotor.
If there is still a rotor rub, try this method - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWmlK5Q
It's easier to do it with a tool (i.e. Hayes Brake Pad & Rotor Alignment Tool or something similar and much cheaper), but the idea is the same. If the rotor is bent considerably (unlikely in your case), you will have to straighten it using the rotor truing fork, or get a new rotor.
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You definitely do not need to replace the oem tires to run tubeless, though the specialized on the rear was way easier to inflate and had no sidewall seepage. Specialized is definitely a better quality tire.
You definitely do not need to replace the oem tires to run tubeless, though the specialized on the rear was way easier to inflate and had no sidewall seepage. Specialized is definitely a better quality tire.
This is my second MTB and my first one was actually pretty good, a Diamondback Overdrive Pro 29er (Fox float fork with 100mm travel, Shimano Deore and XT components, but because I am on teh shorte side and sized for a small frame bike, the 29 inch wheels was not a good fit. Found out more about geometry and how the sync'r has more slack in the headtube angle so I am looking forward the the adjustments in the ride.
Now I have to sell off the first MTB, the overdrive pro....
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