Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I did a lot of research before buying the Diamondback Overdrive. Most of the reviews were positive and I found it highly recommended as an entry level Mountain bike on various web sites. At 48 years old, I started riding again last summer to get some exercise. I was using an old 26" bike that belonged to my son and thought I should upgrade to get the most out of the hobby. Because the old bike was really basic (10 speeds, no front suspension, big box store quality) I wanted to upgrade to a quality bike without breaking the bank and the Overdrive seemed to meet all the requirements. I knew the frame on the old bike was on the smaller side so not only was I looking forward to the 29" tires, but the larger frame as well. I'm 6'-1" tall and 210 lbs which put me right between sizes for Diamondback frames. I opted for the XL frame size which works well for me. I have the seat in the lower 1/3 of the adjustment range. I'm sure the LG frame would have been ok too in my case, but it's definitely a large bike so trust the sizing charts. Compared to my old bike, the breaks and mechanicals are top notch. For someone not accustomed to 24 gears, the low end power is amazing. This is the "Ready Ride" version, and just like they said, you only need to install the pedals, seat and front wheel. Very simple. The breaks and derailers were factory adjusted perfectly. I did go over the whole bike to make sure everything was tight and did find a couple bolts that needed an extra turn. The bike arrived in a giant box and was well packaged. Absolutely no scuffs or dings (not even the box). The only problem is figuring out what to do with the huge box. After a quick test ride in the driveway, the warnings from all the other diamondback reviewers were confirmed: the seat really sucks. Buy the larger seat and don't waste your time installing the factory seat. I took it out on the trail today and it is truly a pleasure to ride and it looks amazing. The front suspension and 29" tires make most of the bumps disappear. Solid ride with excellent paint and graphics. I highly recommend this bike!