It was easy to overlook the Diamondback Mission among all the bikes at this year’s Bible of Bike Tests. Matte black, with a modest spec, it was understated in its appearance. Looks can be deceiving, though. Sporting 180 millimeters of front travel with 160 millimeters out back, this carbon-framed steed had some of the longest travel numbers in this year’s test. At a glance, those numbers might make you say the ‘F’ word—freeride. But again, looks can be deceiving.
At just $4,000, the Mission is one of the least expensive carbon offerings we had in this year’s test. Consumers get a beautiful, stealthy carbon rig at a price point usually reserved for aluminum bikes. This frame-first approach to the idea of a budget bike did mean there were some sacrifices that irked our testers. Primarily, the suspension package didn’t seem to give us the best representation of what the VPP-inspired Level Link is capable of. As you’d expect given its travel numbers, the Mission begs to be pushed on the trails, but unfortunately the RockShox Yari fork had a tendency to get overwhelmed toward the end of its stroke. That being said, you could always drop a Charger Damper in there for about 260 bucks and fix that straight away, but we question whether this is an upgrade that a budget-conscious consumer will be excited about.
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From Bike Mag
Bike Magazine showcases the sport of mountain biking like no other publication. It captures the sport's personalities, trends, and issues with a style all its own. With insightful features, columns and gear reviews coupled with the best photography, Bike is sure to make you want to get outside and ride.
