Considering that the aluminum Release 27.5 is already Diamondback’s best selling trail bike, it’s hardly surprising to see that two carbon models have just been announced. Diamondback is being pretty competitive price-wise with these bikes; the base model Release Carbon will sell for $3000 USD, and the higher-end 5c model offers pretty good value for its spec as well.
It seems the brand’s Level Link suspension platform has rung a bell with riders. At the sag point the Release’s lower link sits parallel to the chain while the upper link rests vertically, which helps isolate the suspension inputs from drivetrain forces. I checked out the aluminum Release last spring and found it did strike an impressive balance between efficient pedalling and gobbling up hits from the trail.
The Release Carbon’s frame features monocoque front and rear triangles, with 130mm of rear travel provided by the Level Link short link four-bar suspension platform. Diamondback says the frame has been made stiffer in key areas, yet remains lighter than the aluminum version. As for fittings, the frames use 148x12mm Boost rear spacing, threaded BB shells, and include ISCG 05 tabs for chain guides. The dropper post and derailleur cables are routed internally, but the rear brake cable remains external.
Full geometry is available on Diamondback’s website, but here’s some key figures- The Release Carbons have a 66° head tube and a 73° seat tube, which isn’t quite as slack/steep as some newer bikes but still fits the mold. Following the longer front end trend, the top tube length on a medium is 610mm, and the chainstays are 425mm (on all frame sizes).
Both models of the Release Carbon boast an up-to-date parts spec with 110x15mm Boost spaced forks, 1x drivetrains, wide rims, 40mm stems and 780mm bars. The S/M sizes get 125mm dropper posts, while the L/XL frames come with the 150mm versions: either way a Southpaw Remote lever is included.
The top-notch 5c model (above) is equipped with a 150mm Fox 36 Performance Elite Float fork and a Fox DPX2 rear shock that’s been custom-tuned for this frame. It features some high-end goodies like a Sram Eagle X01 drivetrain, Truvativ Descendant carbon cranks, Guide RS brakes with 180mm rotors and a KS Lev Integra dropper post. Raceface supplies their Aeffect R bars and stem and Arc30 rims with Maxxis Minion 2.5” DHF and 2.4” DHR tires. The 5c also includes an MRP XCG bashguard and a pair of DB4L platform pedals.
