Diamondback Blackout, any good for a novice/starting fitness

[Haighermeister]

Hi all.

I'm looking to buy a bike to start riding in an effort to get fit.

I've been offered the above for £100, almost new condition with front and rear suspension and disc brakes.

The kind of roads/tracks I'll be going on will be mostly old dirt tracks and mining lanes so mostly offroad which makes me think it will be decent bike for it... opinions?

[Flippin' Kipper]

http://www.jjbsports.com/diamondback-blackout-mens...


If its the same as above then it's a piece of crap sorry, it will weigh a ton and everything on it will be st. I would look in your local classifieds for a second hand fully rigid MTB with decent components, or your budget might just stretch to a decent (oldish) hard tail - but seriously don't waste your cash on that thing.

[Mr E]

I believe that may classify as a BSO...

http://www.southcoastbikes.co.uk/articles.asp?arti...

Edited by Mr E on Tuesday 5th April 09:54

[ewenm]

If it's that or nothing, then get the Diamondback. As others have said though, at your budget I'd be looking for a second hand bike with no suspension at all as it'll weigh loads anyway and the (probably ineffective) suspension certainly won't help that.

[itsnotarace]

You would be better served buying a static exercise bike for £100. It would last longer.

[Haighermeister]

Haha. Right cheers all.

The other bike I've just been offered is a Mammoth Ventura, which has front suspension but nothing else, but is more like £30....

Would we say that is a better starting bike (and wouldn't matter essentially if I killed it!)

[shalmaneser]

TBH a £30 bike is not going to be any good at all.

If you want to ride a bike and actually enjoy it off road you have to look at £300 at least new, maybe half that second hand. And that really is the bottom of the market.

Anything else is a waste of time, I'm afraid.

[wades]

Mr E said:

I believe that may classify as a BSU...

http://www.southcoastbikes.co.uk/articles.asp?arti...

What a great article. Thanks for posting. I can think of a few people who have been threatening to buy catalogue specials who would certainly benefit.

We recently found a full suspension BSO in flat we manage. It had no wheels but I couldn't believe how much it weighed and how flimsy some of the components are. Total carp.

Seriously OP, don't do it. By all means test ride it though, and then pop to your local bike shop and try anything £250 upwards. I think you'll see what people on here mean.

[wades]

Haighermeister said:

Haha. Right cheers all.

The other bike I've just been offered is a Mammoth Ventura, which has front suspension but nothing else, but is more like £30....

Would we say that is a better starting bike (and wouldn't matter essentially if I killed it!)

One of these?

http://www.wheels2ride.com/2010-Ventura-Mammoth.as...

Looks like a lighter weight BSO to me. Certainly better than the blackout thing but I wouldn't want to spend more than £30 second hand on one. It's not so much the frame as the cut corners elsewhere that would concern me.

[Haighermeister]

wades said:

One of these?

http://www.wheels2ride.com/2010-Ventura-Mammoth.as...

Looks like a lighter weight BSO to me. Certainly better than the blackout thing but I wouldn't want to spend more than £30 second hand on one. It's not so much the frame as the cut corners elsewhere that would concern me.

Yeah that one, but blue

I think ill go for it for £30. So when I bail into a hedge/tree/phonebox I won't feel bad...

[wades]

Haighermeister said:

Yeah that one, but blue

I think ill go for it for £30. So when I bail into a hedge/tree/phonebox I won't feel bad...

It's very easy to dish out advices when it's not your own money you're spending! You may well find it to be perfect for what you want it for, just be careful if it starts costing you money in repairs and parts.

When you get the bug you'll no doubt start obsessing over more upmarket machinery, and if you're like me, find it depressingly out of your (wallets) reach!

[ewenm]

Given it'll be relatively heavy, remember to keep the tyres well inflated and the drivetrain well lubricated.

[Flippin' Kipper]

And if you get the biking bug don't bother upgrading it, just sell it on and buy a new one.