Hi, I am absolutely new to mountain biking but I’ve been obsessed with it for the past month. I bought this bike (diamondback overdrive) a few weeks ago used for $240 and I’ve ridden it about 20 miles around town on paved bike paths and it’s been good but I’m looking to put some upgrades on it like a better fork and a dropper post. The issue is that if I put money into the bike I want to be sure that I’m going to keep it long term and the fact that this bike doesn’t have internally routed cables, it’s a 27.5 instead of 29 and I’d have to drill into the frame to install a dropper seat makes me hesitant to throw money at it. So should I sell it and buy a Specialized Rockhopper Sport, which is a bike I know I’d be okay upgrading, but it’s just more expensive. What do you guys think?
by Pewee-19
6 Comments
Sell it, drilling the frame exponentially increases risk of failure if you’re riding anything that needs a dropper, beyond that particular diamond back is closer to a hybrid than an mtb, any money you put intonthat bike is money that could be spent on an out of the box better bike than that diamond back will ever be fully kitted
No, don’t upgrade components on that bike. Put the money towards your next better bike.
For the dropper post, you can find externally routed ones, such as the PNW Cascade. You really shouldn’t drill into your frame.
As for a fork, the headtube (on both bikes) can only fit 1 1/8 inch forks, which limits your options. You won’t be able to put anything great on it.
Forks that would fit include Rockshox Judy, Rockshox Recon, Manitou Markhor, and Suntour Epixon. Suntour has an upgrade program you could look into as well, though I think it’s only for the original owner.
I’m by no means an expert on bikes, but hopefully this bit of info helped a bit.
I quite like my new RH Sport. The 1x gear, hydraulic brakes, and its routed for a dropper post. I just came from a $250 covid target bike that I couldn’t bear anymore
If you can afford an extra 150 look at a norco fluid ht2, it comes with a tapered head tube so you have more modern fork upgrades and a dropper standard off the shelf. The thru bolt axle is also way safer and won’t accidentally open like a quick release wheel, also less chance of crackheads nicking pieces off it.
https://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/trail/fluid-ht/2023-fluid-ht-2/
https://www.norco.com/bikes/mountain/cross-country/
Or look at one of those
You can drill the frame, I did so on my GT. You need to think it out and be careful how much and where you do it. However, it’s better to sell it. The DB isn’t a great bike to upgrade.