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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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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.
But yeah, the market has shifted upwards. Even Walmart Huffys are $600 now.
What bike has better components and specs for the price?
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Probably. I'm 5'10" and have a medium Diamondback Release 3 and I'd probably be better off on a large.
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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.
Even so a 27.5+ is probably up there with a fatbike in terms of overall versatility especially for new riders. I need another bike like I need an extra hole in my head & wallet, but if I was in the market I would give this serious consideration.