To someone that's been around the bike industry for a while, when you hear the name Diamondback you think a couple of things. Great value and solid design execution. It's nice, but it's only "nice".
That is the past. Add performance to DB's resume.
I've been able to put some miles on a DB Mission in different environments, and I wholeheartedly love it. (If it was bad, I wouldn't do this. Ask me in person for bikes I think are bad and I'll be happy to tell you.)
Regardless of the published weights, the one I've ridden weighs 33.2lbs w/Mallet pedals, WTB Tires, Lock-on grips, some Lizard Skin covers and a simple bottle cage for night rides. It hides it's weight well, as it's centered low between the axles.
I've ridden it in Bootleg Canyon, on Fullerton Loop and a big loop in Chino Hills park so I have some experience with it. It is truly an All-Mountain bike, but different from most others out there it goes exactly where you point it. Usually when you have six inches of travel the ride gets floppy on side-to-side flex; not here. I have been exactly "railing" thru corners on it, and loving that!
Climbing with a 33lb bike is guaranteed to help you see the sights, as you'll be doing it longer. Due to the platform options on the suspension, you can ascend without the bike going all "Sewing Machine" on you- READ THE MANUALS! For most folks I'd suggest setting all the headset spacers to the top of the stem, and adjusting it up from there. If you'll be doing zero XC rides, you might want to go with a shorter stem. The Medium comes with a 100mm, which is pretty lengthy for about anything now-a-days. I like it though.
According to Rock Shox recommendations, I should be running no less than 120lbs o' air in the fork. In order to get the right amount of sag (~25% when I'm on it) I'm down to 100lbs. I'm sure it's a "wear-in" thing. The rear shock set up very easy, body weight= air pressure. The rear shock manual is on a CD-ROM, so a rapid assembly/tuning step will be slowed for the mechanic a little.
Ride Summary- Under hard braking it does not stink-bug. When I'm landing off stuff it it sucks 'em up. On uphills it's a stable horse, and corners accurately. When I've spun it thru the gears on a Fire Road it's not jittery. If you have not ridden one yet, I'd strongly suggest it.
BTW- If you're looking for a Mission 2 on the west coast, you must come to Sport Chalet! We snagged all of 'em!
