First Look: Diamondback Release 29 and Carbon Sync'r
For 2019, Diamondback have added a 29" model of the Release to their lineup. The bike has 130mm of travel paired with a 140mm fork, and uses the same Level Link suspension platform found on the 27.5" version, with both wheel sizes sharing a similar shock tune and kinematics. It is available in two build options - the Release 2 is $2,700, and the Release 3 is $3,300 USD.
It's made to be a well-rounded trail bike, not an enduro race bike. The theory behind the parts spec was that at whatever pricepoint the bike was bought at, the buyer wouldn't feel the need to instantly change out components. Even the pedals - aluminum with replaceable pins - are set to make the bike able to be ridden hard out of the box. The bike even comes with a shock pump and valve cores for setting it up tubeless.
It's made to be a well-rounded trail bike, not an enduro race bike. The theory behind the parts spec was that at whatever pricepoint the bike was bought at, the buyer wouldn't feel the need to instantly change out components. Even the pedals - aluminum with replaceable pins - are set to make the bike able to be ridden hard out of the box. The bike even comes with a shock pump and valve cores for setting it up tubeless.
Diamondback Release Details
• Intended use: Trail
• Wheel size: 29"
• Rear wheel travel: 130mm
• Boost 12x148
• Aluminum frame
• Size: S through XL
• Price: $2,700 - $3,300 USD
• Available April
• www.diamondback.com
• Intended use: Trail
• Wheel size: 29"
• Rear wheel travel: 130mm
• Boost 12x148
• Aluminum frame
• Size: S through XL
• Price: $2,700 - $3,300 USD
• Available April
• www.diamondback.com
Diamondback's Level Link suspension system is a dual short link design that keeps the chain level with the chainstay as the suspension moves through its travel.
Release 29 Geometry
The Release 29 has a 67.7-degree head angle and a 73-degree seat angle. Chainstays are 446mm and the reach is 427mm on a size medium. Those numbers are quite conservative, but team rider Eric Porter says that they weren't trying to push the boundaries with the geometry; instead, they were trying to make a fun bike that they enjoyed riding, something more versatile than an enduro race bike.
Release 29 Builds
There are two different build options for the Release 29, both chosen to be durable and budget-friendly. The higher end Release 3 is priced at $3,300. The bike comes with a Fox Performance Float DPX2 EVOL rear shock, Performance Float 34 Grip 3 fork, RaceFace Turbine cranks, Shimano XT 11-speed drivetrain, XT brakes, a 35mm alloy handlebar, and KS Lev SI dropper post. The size small bike's post has 125mm of travel and while the other sizes have 150mm.
The $2,700 Release 2 has a Fox Float DPS EVOL LV shock and Rhythm 34 fork. There are Raceface Aeffect cranks, a Shimano SLX drivetrain and brakes, and a KS E30i dropper post. Both models come with 2.3" Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR II EXO casing tires.
The Sync'r Carbon is Diamondback's carbon hardtail, something that product managers and rider Eric Porter, among others, have been pushing for. It's a 27.5+ wheeled design to give the comfort and traction benefits of that tire size, but it can also be set up as a 29er. There has been an aluminum 27.5" Sync'r in Diamondback's line for a few years as part of Diamondback's "Hook, Line, and Sync'r" trail hardtails, but the new carbon version is updated and made to be a little more shreddable.
The Sync'r is designed around a 140mm fork, which gives it a 66-degree head angle. There are chainguide mounts, multiple water bottle mount bosses, and a threaded bottom bracket. Cable routing is all internal except for the brake; to make brake swaps simple and easy and there are guides to keep cable rattle to a minimum.
The Sync'r is designed around a 140mm fork, which gives it a 66-degree head angle. There are chainguide mounts, multiple water bottle mount bosses, and a threaded bottom bracket. Cable routing is all internal except for the brake; to make brake swaps simple and easy and there are guides to keep cable rattle to a minimum.
Diamondback Sync'r Carbon Details
• Intended use: Trail
• Wheel size: 29"
• Boost 12x148
• Carbon frame
• Size: S through XL
• Price: $3,000 USD
• Available Now
• www.diamondback.com
• Intended use: Trail
• Wheel size: 29"
• Boost 12x148
• Carbon frame
• Size: S through XL
• Price: $3,000 USD
• Available Now
• www.diamondback.com
 | I got sick of riding my XC race hardtail because outside of climbing, it's just a stupid geometry for the rest of the ride. I don't want to optimize my bike geometry just for the climbing because I'm climbing with the goal of enjoying the rest of the ride. |
According to Eric Porter, versatility was the goal behind the design of the Sync'r Carbon. Some people may want it as their only bike, others may set it up as their bikepacking bike, or use it as a race bike. Porter rides his as a 29er most of the time, and takes it on everything from gravel roads to the bike park trails at Deer Valley.
Sync'r Carbon Geometry
The Sync'r Carbon has a 66-degree head angle and a 438mm reach for a size medium. The chainstays are 435mm long.
Sync'r Carbon Builds
There is only one build option for the Sync'r Carbon, which retails for $3,000. The bike has a Fox 34 Float Fit 3 fork, SRAM's GX Eagle drivetrain, and Truvativ Descendant 6k cranks. There is an X-fusion Manic dropper post and Shimano MT 501 brakes. The bike is shod with 2.8" Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR tires.
Author Info:
Must Read This Week
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup
Guess they are about to drop a new Mission and want clear deliniation? Missed oportunity to gain marketshare.
If it had the SA and HA from that hard tail while retaining the same reach numbers it would have been both conservative and modern Geo. Seems pretty obvious and easy. Why DB missed the chance to sell tons of these is beyond me.
Still think, especially with aluminum frame that can be altered without breaking the bank that they should have touched up the 29er Release too.
Shocking, I know.
I personally wouldn't trade my altitude for anything right now, but I know a lot of people prefer other bikes. It doesn't hurt me. I don't even like 29ers, but I'm glad you do.
Doesn't 4bar have a chainstay pivot?
As opposed to: seat tube, upper link, seatstay, chainstay
Its bars for shorties.
.
Four Bar Linkage is a proper engineering term, it describes a closed chain linkage (as in both ends of it are attached to the same solid object) that contains the base (a bike's front triangle), three moving linkages (the rear triangle) and four pivots (the bearings). In the case of a VPP/DW link bike the entire welded rear triangle counts as 1 of the linkages, with the two short links connecting it to the frame being number 2 and 3. A linkage actuated single pivot like a Commencal is also a four bar linkage as it has three moving pieces (swing arm, seat stays, linkage). Just about the only modern bikes that aren't some variation of a Four Bar Linkage are Orange (Single Pivot), the Atherton bike (five bar) and Felt (who use a six bar system, because they're mental).
.
But really the only bars worth counting are the ones you go to post ride.
Pedantic much? You know damn well what I meant by fixed rear end
Minimal effort. But likely they will see pretty low sales volume due to that. I could see if they did this last year just to get a 29er on the market.
If they would have done a new front triagle and got at least 74/67 or a little more they would have had a great ride out of it...
Go buy it from it it is for sale on my PB account right now. I'm looking to get the new Mason 2 because it is the same bike but fits 27.5+ tires.
"We have had most of our bikes for years and years with parts and support, like our Release and Mission lines. The DB8 was more of a one off at the time and parts may be found online used."
Sb100: 68
Intense sniper: 67.5
By and large, modern (released in the past year) trail bikes have 66 degree head angles, xc is around 68 and enduro is around 64. Ish. Of course the categories are super unclear, but that’s kind of what we’ve been seeing recently.
Whether you like it or not, bikes in each category are getting a lot slacker and longer.