First Look: Diamondback's Affordable Downhiller - the 2015 DB8

Diamondback was showing prototypes of its aluminum-framed DB8 downhill bike almost four years ago, way back when gravity bikes had only one wheel size. During that time, while they were threatening each spring that the pre-production versions would actually be manufactured and sold to the public, Diamondback continued to massage the DB8's geometry and suspension, and more recently, they redesigned the 200-millimeter-travel chassis for 27.5-inch wheels. When we were notified that the Diamondback was planning to debut the production version at Whistler Crankworx, we jokingly referred to their pride and joy as the DB-L8.

Puns aside, Diamondback's Jon Kennedy showed us the 2015 DB8 and said that framesets are in stock and that complete bikes will be shipping this October. The debut of the DB8 will give dyed in the wool Diamondback fans much to revel about, and its very affordable (for downhill) $3500 USD sticker price should put the well-appointed gravity racer squarely on the radar of potential customers who may know very little about the brand. Diamondback offers the frame with a DB seatpost, FSA headset and a Fox DHX RC4 Kashima shock for $2500 USD. Sizes are "long" and "short," with the two sizes sharing the same geometry, except for the small’s 22-inch and the large’s 23-inch top tube lengths. Weights were not given at the launch.

---

---

Construction

Diamondback constructs the DB8 chassis from 6061-alloy aluminum. The suspension system is derived from Diamondback's "Knucklebox" system, which uses a stiff, triangulated single-pivot swingarm to drive a downtube-mounted shock through compound linkage. Reportedly, the two Knucklebox links create a rising shock rate to buffer G-outs and large events, while keeping the mid-stroke supple in order to maintain traction. Much of the DB8's suspension strategy is intended to keep the mass of the frame centered as low as possible. The Fox Van RC coil shock passes through a forged-aluminum tunnel and mounts low on the downtube, and the linkage is very compact as well. Cables and hoses are routed externally to facilitate quick component changes on race day, with the exception of the final run of housing to the Shimano Zee rear mech' that is threaded inside the upper swingarm tube to keep it out of trouble in a crash.



Details, like intelligent cable and hose routing, frame-mounted rubber fork-tube bumpers and a dedicated mudguard to protect the exposed rear-suspension linkage give the DB8 credibility in the pro ranks, and its geometry looks good too. Stability should be enhanced by its 64-degree head angle, which should act like it’s a degree slacker, given the larger wheels. Chainstays are on par at 17.75 inches (451mm) and its 68-degree seat tube angle should help the DB8 feel centered while descending steep trails. The larger wheels allow for an eight-millimeter bottom bracket drop, which will boost cornering traction and help the DB8 get up and over rocks. Rear axle spacing is 150 millimeters and the bottom bracket is threaded, so most customers will be able to transfer their favorite components if they so wish. As mentioned earlier, Diamondback offers the DB8 frame in two top tube lengths - 22 and 23 inches (559 and 584 millimeters) - so the wheelbase lengthens by 30 millimeters, while the all other numbers remain the same between the two options.

Diamondback DB8: Geometry Short Long Seat tube length 430mm" 430mm Seat angle 66° 66° Head tube length 120mm" 120mm Head angle 64° 64° Wheelbase 1234mm 1264mm Top tube length 559mm 584mm Chain stay length 451mm 451mm Bottom bracket height -8mm -8mm Stand-over height 765mm 765mm Reach 432mm 460mm Stack 627mm 627mm

Diamondback