2013 Diamondback - Part 1
Diamondback Bikes invited us out to check out their new bike lineup for 2013 in beautiful Park City, Utah. With over 400 miles of trail right from the door, it's no wonder why DB pro rider Eric Porter chooses Park City to live and recreate. Diamondback hosted the event at Eric Porter's house, which had a new pumptrack and dirt jumps sculpted just in time for the product launch.
We arrived in typical fashion at a hotel a few days before the event. Although we're most comfortable in a tent, this particular hotel appeared to have a few added bonuses from sleeping under the stars. The 5-star St. Regis Deer Valley Resort defines luxury, and we were surprised they would tolerate shenanigans from a bunch of dirtbags. Waterfalls in the pool, cozy hot tubs, TV's built into the bathroom mirror, yada yada, yeah, it's nice. But there is one unique feature of the St. Regis. When guests arrive, their car is valet parked and they enter a small building that houses the funicular - a cable-pulled car that travels up tracks on the mountain to the hotel. Lined with leather seats and walls and open on three sides for stunning views of surrounding Deer Valley, the funicular is the grandest of all first impressions. We knew we were in for a real treat.
First things first, we got our shred on at sunrise. Park City trails are fast and flowy. Short travel is ideal to take advantage of the undulating hardpacked singletrack. Fortunately for us, Diamondback has an extensive collection suitable for just that. We didn't encounter anything steep uphill or down, but at over 7,000 feet elevation, if you're pushing hard you'll be sucking wind.
After a little break-in ride, we headed to Eric Porter's house to start prepping for the launch. DB product manager Tyler Bestwick did most of the grunt work to get the truck unpacked and the show assembled. Watching it all come together under the direction of marketing manager Jon Kennedy and brand manager Michael Brown was polar opposite to watching public highway construction. Although they appeared to have little idea of how to assemble their show, there was no shortage of work, and it all came together like clockwork.
Kelly Mcgarry arrived from Crankworx France just in time for the show. Somehow he fits his bike into a duffel, and when it comes time to resurrect the beast, he claims it's a bit like giving birth. Kelly took charge of the construction aspect of the event, wielding his chainsaw like a battle axe. In the down time, he enjoys computing. Lots of computing.
When it comes time for work, Mcgazza is on point. Bro'ing down with the locals is just part of the job. Then it's on for a long day in front of the lens. Park City local photographer Justin Olsen was on hand to gather video footage for the DB product launch. We all worked together to create some solid visuals for your enjoyment.
Ted Morton of Kamloops, BC won the Pinkbike/Diamondback essay contest and his prize is a stay for himself and a friend at the St. Regis for the DB bike launch, as well as a new 2013 DB bike of his choice. Like a true gentleman, he chose to bring his girlfriend, Keri, to the luxurious resort. Ted and Keri were wowed by the hotel and anxious to get on the fast trails of Park City.
Saturday, July 21st was the official showing of the 2013 Diamondback bike lineup. The entire mountain bike collection in all it's glory was on hand to behold, including a fleet of demo bikes to choose from. The weather was a gracious complement to the intimate event and the DB staff put on a solid product showing. To say that Diamondback has stepped up their game during the last couple years is a vast understatement. The new DB's feature a level of refinement on par with the top tier brands, and nearly all feature a component spec superior to competitors. DB's 2013 lineup varies from 26" and 29" offerings in the 4-6" travel range for the Knucklebox suspension bikes, as well as a few hardtails, all in 142x12mm rear axle size. Stay tuned to Pinkbike.com during the next few days to get an in-depth look into a few new DB models, as well as three separate chances to win one of three different bikes!
After the product tour it was time to hit the trails on our choice of Diamondback mountain bike. Eric Porter was the man with the plan and had a long, high-elevation ride in store for us to escape the heat of the low-land. There was no debate that a shuttle up to 10,000 feet for a long tour of the Wasatch Crest Trail would be the best route for our ride.
After a long day in the saddle, Porter hosted a mexican barbeque with grilled tacos and lots of fresh salsa at his ranch. We must have been lucky ducks because right after getting off the trails, the skies briefly unleashed a storm. Fortunately, the high desert dries quickly and for dessert we hit the pumptrack and dirt jumps right into some beautiful evening light.
![Pinkbike contest winner Ted throwing down at the Diamondback 2013 product launch]()
![Mcgazza with a huge Flip-No at the Diamondback 2013 product launch]()
From our impression, Diamondback is well on it's way to the top for the high-end market. You'll be hard pressed to find as fine of folks as we did at the 2013 Diamondback bike launch. It's all smiles, all the time. Everyone works hard at playing hard and it shows in their passion for and commitment to the industry.
As our time at the Diamondback 2013 bike launch comes to an end, the coverage does not. Stay tuned to Pinkbike.com throughout the week to get the inside scoop on several product models, as well as some Pinkbike exclusive sneakpeaks of new products and three opportunities to win one of three 2013 Diamondback bikes!
Diamondback.com
We arrived in typical fashion at a hotel a few days before the event. Although we're most comfortable in a tent, this particular hotel appeared to have a few added bonuses from sleeping under the stars. The 5-star St. Regis Deer Valley Resort defines luxury, and we were surprised they would tolerate shenanigans from a bunch of dirtbags. Waterfalls in the pool, cozy hot tubs, TV's built into the bathroom mirror, yada yada, yeah, it's nice. But there is one unique feature of the St. Regis. When guests arrive, their car is valet parked and they enter a small building that houses the funicular - a cable-pulled car that travels up tracks on the mountain to the hotel. Lined with leather seats and walls and open on three sides for stunning views of surrounding Deer Valley, the funicular is the grandest of all first impressions. We knew we were in for a real treat.
 |
 |
 |
First things first, we got our shred on at sunrise. Park City trails are fast and flowy. Short travel is ideal to take advantage of the undulating hardpacked singletrack. Fortunately for us, Diamondback has an extensive collection suitable for just that. We didn't encounter anything steep uphill or down, but at over 7,000 feet elevation, if you're pushing hard you'll be sucking wind.
After a little break-in ride, we headed to Eric Porter's house to start prepping for the launch. DB product manager Tyler Bestwick did most of the grunt work to get the truck unpacked and the show assembled. Watching it all come together under the direction of marketing manager Jon Kennedy and brand manager Michael Brown was polar opposite to watching public highway construction. Although they appeared to have little idea of how to assemble their show, there was no shortage of work, and it all came together like clockwork.
 |
Kelly Mcgarry arrived from Crankworx France just in time for the show. Somehow he fits his bike into a duffel, and when it comes time to resurrect the beast, he claims it's a bit like giving birth. Kelly took charge of the construction aspect of the event, wielding his chainsaw like a battle axe. In the down time, he enjoys computing. Lots of computing.
 |
 |
When it comes time for work, Mcgazza is on point. Bro'ing down with the locals is just part of the job. Then it's on for a long day in front of the lens. Park City local photographer Justin Olsen was on hand to gather video footage for the DB product launch. We all worked together to create some solid visuals for your enjoyment.
 |
 |
 |
Ted Morton of Kamloops, BC won the Pinkbike/Diamondback essay contest and his prize is a stay for himself and a friend at the St. Regis for the DB bike launch, as well as a new 2013 DB bike of his choice. Like a true gentleman, he chose to bring his girlfriend, Keri, to the luxurious resort. Ted and Keri were wowed by the hotel and anxious to get on the fast trails of Park City.
 |
 | I'm super grateful to have the opportunity to join in on this trip. Everyone at Diamondback is always smiling and shows a genuine love for riding. - Ted Morton, winner of Pinkbike/Diamondback essay contest. |
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 No time for bike talk in the presence of good food and great company. |
Saturday, July 21st was the official showing of the 2013 Diamondback bike lineup. The entire mountain bike collection in all it's glory was on hand to behold, including a fleet of demo bikes to choose from. The weather was a gracious complement to the intimate event and the DB staff put on a solid product showing. To say that Diamondback has stepped up their game during the last couple years is a vast understatement. The new DB's feature a level of refinement on par with the top tier brands, and nearly all feature a component spec superior to competitors. DB's 2013 lineup varies from 26" and 29" offerings in the 4-6" travel range for the Knucklebox suspension bikes, as well as a few hardtails, all in 142x12mm rear axle size. Stay tuned to Pinkbike.com during the next few days to get an in-depth look into a few new DB models, as well as three separate chances to win one of three different bikes!
 |
 |
After the product tour it was time to hit the trails on our choice of Diamondback mountain bike. Eric Porter was the man with the plan and had a long, high-elevation ride in store for us to escape the heat of the low-land. There was no debate that a shuttle up to 10,000 feet for a long tour of the Wasatch Crest Trail would be the best route for our ride.
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| Ted shreds the ripping singletrack of Park City. His weapon of choice was the DB Sortie 29'r. Never having ridden a 29" wheel, Ted was stoked on the light weight of the Sortie and it's nimble yet stable handling. |
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| Eric Porter and Kelly Mcgarry living it up on the trails. These guys are true ambassadors of the sport. |
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| Matt Jagger won the Bike Magazine contest and like Ted, his prize was joining in on the trip. Both contest winners were very grateful to be included and loved every minute of it. |
After a long day in the saddle, Porter hosted a mexican barbeque with grilled tacos and lots of fresh salsa at his ranch. We must have been lucky ducks because right after getting off the trails, the skies briefly unleashed a storm. Fortunately, the high desert dries quickly and for dessert we hit the pumptrack and dirt jumps right into some beautiful evening light.
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| Eric Porter shows off his real estate. |
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| Kelly Mcgarry with a big flatspin 360 table. |
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| While we're on the subject of tables, few do it better than Billy Lewis. |
Oh yeah, and Ted that won the contest - he can jump dirt with the best of 'em.
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Mcgazza gets inverted in a punchbowl of clouds.
From our impression, Diamondback is well on it's way to the top for the high-end market. You'll be hard pressed to find as fine of folks as we did at the 2013 Diamondback bike launch. It's all smiles, all the time. Everyone works hard at playing hard and it shows in their passion for and commitment to the industry.
 |
As our time at the Diamondback 2013 bike launch comes to an end, the coverage does not. Stay tuned to Pinkbike.com throughout the week to get the inside scoop on several product models, as well as some Pinkbike exclusive sneakpeaks of new products and three opportunities to win one of three 2013 Diamondback bikes!
Diamondback.com
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And wtf is with everyone naysaying the knucklebox design... its a suspension design that works.
No $*$& it looks similar to another companies design. Half the bikes out now use almost identical setubs with only subtle differences in location of pivots and shapes of linkages.
Riding in that locale with such cool people would be a highlight of a lifetime, I cant imagine doing it for a living.
Cant wait to see some pics or vids!
When will companies like diamondback realize it is not good marketing to create videos of your team riding burly dh track with bikes that don't exist to the purchasing public yet.
However, I feel that their continuous downhill prototype teasing is growing tiresome. Rather than Diamondback proving their brand by releasing videos of their current line, it seems that all I see are produced (albeit quality) videos showcasing bikes that I don't have the privilege to buy. I'm not sure how one can argue that delaying the production of a downhill bike for 2 seasons all the while desperately trying to appeal "legit" to the mountain biking community is something worth defending.
www.facebook.com/diamondback.bikes?ref=hl#!/diamondback.bikes