A mountain bike is a great option for diving into the dark neck of the woods and enjoying an adventurous ride. When considering a contender, we recommend the Diamondback Release 3.
This bike certainly doesn’t skimp on performance and comes equipped with all the key features you need in a mountain bike for a playful ride while feeling in control. It features 27.5-inch wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, and a frame of aluminum to provide you with all the bragging rights you need when on your adventures.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Mountain Bike
Diamondback Release 3Before we dive into Diamondback Release 3 2020 review, what are some things you should consider before buying a trail bike that can help you make the best decision for you?
Wheel Size
The bike’s wheel dimensions are critical to your comfort and performance when riding. The most popular sizes are 26, 27.5, and 29 inches. For aggressive trail and downhill rides, we suggest 27.5 inches. For purely trail rides, 29 inches will suffice, and 26 inches is great for short riders and beginners.
As it currently stands, 27.5 inches is the most popular wheel size for mountain bikes and allows you to accelerate quickly while maintaining a high speed. We also recommend this wheel size for excellent traction in mud and on rocky surfaces, as well as aiding with overall control.
Hardtail or Full Suspension
A trail bike will feature a level link suspension platform to improve your comfort so that the bike absorbs shocks rather than you (the rider) feeling them.
A hardtail suspension type—also referred to as ‘rear’—makes the bike less expensive since it features fewer components and materials. This also helps make the bike lighter, allowing you to accelerate and climb up hills easier than a level link suspension platform.
On the other hand, a full suspension system offers more support, making cycling more comfortable overall. Therefore, you can ride in more environments, such as in mud and over tree stumps and rocks. Some cyclists feel that this can improve comfort and reduce the impact, but it also makes the ride less thrilling.
Frame Material
You’ll also need to consider what material you want your frame to be. Most trail bikes utilize frames of aluminum since this is budget-friendly and keeps the bike lightweight, reducing the amount of effort you have to apply to cycling.
Alternatively, carbon fiber is an even lighter and more durable material for a bike frame, but it increases the overall bike’s cost for these added benefits. However, carbon fiber can absorb more shocks and impact, which improves the overall comfort when you’re cycling.
More: Diamondback Bicycles Lux 3 review: Is It a Good Hardtail Mountain Bike To have
Features and Benefits
Not sure if this performance bike is for you? We’ve created a list of the main features of this model and provided some insight into each feature.
Frame
The Diamondback Release 3 is designed with a frame of aluminum. This material is one, if not the, most popular material for a sports bike’s frame.
Aluminum is lightweight, allowing you to accelerate easier than other materials. It also has a high strength-to-weight ratio, which means that it won’t easily crumble and remains durable during use.
One of the downsides of frames made with aluminum is that they can offer a harsher ride quality since the material doesn’t absorb road vibrations and shocks like other frame materials. Therefore, it’s not ideal for riding long distances or on dirt roads.
Suspension Designs for Aggresive Trail Bike
This trail bike comes equipped with a Level Link suspension platform. This suspension is in the bike’s rear, which means that it offers half the shock absorption as a full-suspension race bike. However, there are many benefits to a rear suspension platform.
Firstly, less suspension and fewer tools on the bike reduce the overall weight. This allows you to accelerate easier, pedal faster, and climb uphill with less effort. But the downside means that you have less versatility in places to ride your bike due to the reduced comfort and protection. With that being said, some cyclists actually prefer feeling the bumps and shocks in the road as it adds to an adventurous ride and allows you to be more in control of your journey.
More: Trek Marlin 4 Review: Is It A Good Beginner Bike?
Wheels
Furthermore, the Release 3 features a 130-millimetre travel chassis that’s built around 27.5-inch wheels. These dimensions are the middle range for trek bikes and are faster than 26-inch wheels. In fact, once you start pedalling, the easier it is to get moving, making this size ideal for reaching your destination quickly.
This wheel size also provides better traction than a 26-inch version due to the floor’s larger contact. In particular, this feature can be highly beneficial for maintaining a sturdy grip on rugged trails.
Many cyclists also state that 27.5-inch wheels offer a more playful and dynamic ride than other wheel sizes. They’re not too large or small to handle, and short riders will find them easier to control and steer than 29-inch wheels.
Gears
The Diamondback Release 3 features 12 gears, which offers plenty of versatility if you enjoy riding on smooth pavements but also want to climb uphills and whizz back down.
You should consider opting for a trek bike with more than 12 gears if you plan to ride on a large variety of surfaces. Picture yourself gliding on a concrete floor and then diving into the woods where you’ll be battling muddy uphills and slippery descents.
Alternatively, if you’re searching for a sport bike that allows you to switch between mediocre hills and smooth concretes, the Diamondback Release 3 makes an excellent contender.
More: Mongoose Ledge 2.1 Review: Is It a Good Budget Bike?
Brakes
In addition, this trek bike features hydraulic disc brakes, which have many benefits. They’re smooth and responsive, which is everything you’ll be looking for in a brake system. This allows the bike to come to a confident stop—no matter your conditions.
Controlling hydraulic disc brakes is easier than the mechanical version. This is because you don’t need to apply much pressure to the brakes, making them user-friendly while also providing you with plenty of control. However, consider that this brake type can be complex and difficult to adjust so you may need some experience or a professional to assist you with general maintenance and repairs.
| Feature Type | Feature Specs | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Aluminum | Lightweight material that’s corrosion-resistant though it doesn’t offer much shock absorption. |
| Suspension System | Level Link | The rear suspension offers reduced shock absorption compared to full suspension. |
| Wheel | 27.5 inches | Offers excellent traction and grip while allowing you to accelerate and move quickly. |
| Gears | 12 | Plenty of versatility for interchanging between smooth surfaces, uphill climbs, and downhill descents. |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc brakes | Responsive and keeps you in control. Easy to use although difficult to adjust and expensive to purchase. |
Social Proof
The Diamondback Release 3 smart bike is a must-have, but don’t just take our word for it. Here’s some social proof that customers are proud owners of this trusted mountain bike.
Alternatives
Of course, we appreciate that you may want to keep your options open by comparing the Diamondback Release 3 with similar smart trek bikes. We’ve taken the liberty to choose two similar models and compare the key features between the two bikes.
Diamondback Release 3 vs 2
When analyzing the debate for the Diamondback Release 2 vs 3, we looked at some similarities and differences between the two bikes. Firstly, they’re both designed with aluminum-based frames, feature hydraulic disc brakes, and offer 12 speed and 27.5-inch wheels. The Diamondback Release 2 also comes with a Level Link suspension.
The major difference between these two trek ride bikes is that the 2 version offers shorter geometry in reach and a steeper head tube angle. This is beneficial for shorter riders. Furthermore, this geometry can be beneficial for handling, especially at lower speeds. The two mid travel trail bike runs at a cheaper price, making them ideal for beginners or those on a budget.
Diamondback Release 3 vs 4c
Now it’s time to consider Diamondback Release 3 vs 4c. One of the biggest differences between these trail bikes is price, with the 4c costing more. However, for this additional price, the 4c features a carbon fiber frame, which is considered to be the best material as it’s lightweight, reduces the impact of shocks and absorbs road buzz. Furthermore, the 4c mountain bike features a single-ring drivetrain that provides the consistent shifting, even when you’re moving at high speeds. Therefore, you never have to slow down to embark on an adventurous, smooth ride.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed reading this Diamondback Release 3 review and the article provided some insightful information about this mountain bike. It’s built for speed and adventures and can tackle huge amounts of trail abuse.
These mountain bikes have a down tube bottle mount for more bottom out resistance. It has a more aggressive rubber shock rear wheel system. Check out the Diamondback Release 3 review to view the brake levers and external cable routing system. So many riders who love mountain biking get this aggressive trail bike with a shock pump, grip damper and rear shock system. The Diamondback’s release line is made for aggressive riders who like suspension travel. You need pro rider skills to control this bike on rough terrain. This bike includes a tool kit and a mud guard for the down tube and the bike feels amazing on all terrains to ride.
The Release 3 is an updated version of its predecessor, combined with top-quality components, including a Shimano XT groupset and hydraulic disc brakes. What are your thoughts on the Diamondback Release 3 mountain bike? Share your thoughts in the comments.
