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Just in: Diamondback’s Release C4 is ready to rally out of the box

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After introducing the aluminum Release, Diamondback fans had just one question – when does it come in carbon? The Release C4 is Diamondback’s lower priced answer. Its monocoque carbon frame relies on the same geometry as it’s aluminum predecessor – other than a .3-mm increase in stack and reach – and features their Level Link Suspension system.

The attention to detail Diamondback put into their new Release C4 shines as it’s unpacked and assembled. And it even includes quality accessories that will help novice and experienced riders get the most out of their new ride…

Diamondback Release C4

Diamondback Release C4

At the front end you’ll find a 1.5″ tapered headtube and internal cable routing that feeds into the downtube.

Diamondback Release C4Diamondback Release C4Diamondback Release C4Diamondback Release C4

A threaded BSA bottom bracket gets ISCG-05 tabs and an integrated downtube guard. The frame is built with Boost spacing which puts a 148 x 12mm Maxle in the back and a 110 x 15mm axle at the fork. It’s designed with an asymmetrical rear triangle and seat tube, and its paint is a mix of silver/gray and raw carbon.

Diamondback Release C4Diamondback Release C4

The Build

As we were emptying the box, we found a goody-box that contained more than the standard owners manual and cheap plastic pedals. Instead, we found a nice aluminum flat pedal set with replaceable pins in addition to tubeless valve stems, a spare derailleur hanger, front fender, shock pump and even – what appears to be – a tailgate guard which protects the downtube when shuttling. Each seems to be high quality, minus the front fender which is could be made from thicker plastic. Also, our preproduction unit didn’t come with a torque wrench and driver bit set, but consumers can expect to find them included.

The Release C4 can be assembled following Diamondback’s 4-step system and the provided tools. We swayed from their program to get the best build out of what was provided – which means greasing and torquing most everything. During the build process, we had to slightly true the wheels and add grease to a handful of parts, but ultimately the bike came well tuned and would work well for those following Diamondback’s instructions. The tubeless conversion was simplified thanks to its pre-taped rims and provided valve stems. We found a pump and air canister fell short of setting the bead so an air compressor may be the move if looking to go tubeless with the provided tires.

Diamondback Release C4Diamondback Release C4Diamondback Release C4Diamondback Release C4Diamondback Release C4

C4 Specs:

The bike is fitted with a Fox Float Performance level fork with 150-mm of travel and a tapered steer tube. Again it’s sporting a Boosted 110 x 15-mm thru axle. In the back, a Fox Float DPS shock offers 130mm of travel. It’s running a 1×11 Shimano SLX drivetrain with a Raceface AEffect Cinch crank and an 11-46T cassette paired with 30T chainring. Also, its Shimano Deore hydraulic brakes provide stopping power on 180-mm rotors front and back.

Diamondback Release C4

The cockpit is rounded off with Diamondback’s DB35 stem and 780-mm handlebar with locking Ergon GE10 grips. It also has a LEV SI dropper post with 150mm travel (size large) and routes its cable internally to its Southpaw remote. The bike rolls on Diamondback’s Blanchard 28R aluminum wheels with tubeless ready 27.5 x 2.3″ Maxxis DHF (front) & DHR II (rear).

Diamondback Release C4Diamondback Release C4

Diamondback Release C4

Diamondback C4 Weight:

The fully built large frame with a tubeless setup weighs in at 30lbs 14oz. Removing the tubes alone saved about a pound before adding sealant. All-in-all the unboxing experience was impressive and showed how much a brand like Diamondback is willing to compete. At $3,000 the C4 may be an all mountain bike to consider. We’ll find out in the coming months as we pedal towards the full review.

Diamondback.com

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18 Comments
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The Dude
The Dude
6 years ago

“Pedal towards the full review”, just the lowest form of humor.

dirty sanchez
dirty sanchez
6 years ago

Yikes, did the patent on VPP run out?

Peter Hartman
6 years ago
Reply to  dirty sanchez

It ran out in 2016 I believe.

JNH
JNH
6 years ago
Reply to  dirty sanchez

It ran out a couple of years ago. Intense bikes are no longer ‘VPP’ despite using the same layout. Aside from Diamondabck and DMR there hasn’t been the same rush on VPP the way there was when the US Horst link patent expired, there were already lots of ways to design a short link bike without getting sued.

Dylan
Dylan
6 years ago
Reply to  JNH

Which is funny, because after so many years of aggressively marketing the ‘superiority’ of the “FSR” Horst link, Specialized have now dropped it from the latest Epic in favour of a single pivot:)

Brian
Brian
6 years ago

29er version and I’d seriously consider riding a Diamond Back again.

ascarlarkinyar
6 years ago

Years too late. A 27.5? Are manufacturers even still making this wheel size? Why? Clearly proven to be slower than 29 and 26″. And glad to see the thru body cable…yes for like 12″. And only the shifting, not the brake? Makes it look even worse with only one side going through. I guess whoever is going to be riding this bike is going thirsty as well. No water bottle on a large….. wait and no seat dropper. Boy talk about alienated all sides of the group.

Peter Hartman
6 years ago
Reply to  ascarlarkinyar

I really don’t understand the water bottle cage with this company.

James Fryer
6 years ago
Reply to  ascarlarkinyar

1. There’s a bottle cage mount on the bottom of the downtube.
2. There’s a dropper post…. right there. And a short of the remote release.
3. You’re confused about the cable routing, that cable that enters just behind the headtube (drive side) is for the dropper post and the one coming out directly below the shock is for the rear mech. Which makes sense since it crosses through the frame.

James Fryer
6 years ago
Reply to  James Fryer

“And a SHOT (not ‘short’) of the remote release”

Uhh what?
Uhh what?
6 years ago
Reply to  ascarlarkinyar

“A 27.5? Are manufacturers even still making this wheel size? Why? Clearly proven to be slower than 29 and 26″”

– A comment so idiotic it’s not obvious if it’s a parody of itself

caliente
caliente
6 years ago

Has anyone at DB cut, or heard of anyone cutting the spike off of the top of the seat tube above the small triangle? I got the size L spec’d with a 150 dropper and my legs are just a touch too short. I don’t want to buy a new dropper, and a 15mm-25mm cut would totally improve my experience.
like this: https://youtu.be/E3Qb97HHj1Q
I expect this to void my warranty, but any other drawbacks?

BTW, the carbon bikes look awesome. Nice work.

Pinko
Pinko
6 years ago
Reply to  caliente

If the tube extends a certain amount above the triangle, there must be a reason. Cutting it will definitely make it weaker.

dustytires
6 years ago

not running the rear brake internally is stupid. If someone buying a carbon bike can’t cut and run and bleed their own brakes they should pay the local shop to do it for them, or watch YouTube and learn. this is not a entry level bike, this thing is better looking than a ton of the so called high end brands out there, then they put the brake on the outside.

Justin
Justin
6 years ago
Reply to  dustytires

That’s just, like, your opinion man.

Anonymous coward
Anonymous coward
6 years ago
Reply to  dustytires

Just because you can run a cable doesn’t mean you should. Plenty of people that do the own maintenance prefer extrenal routing for ease of maintenance. Bikes should be function before form. I’m not against a good looking bike, but only after the other boxes are checked. For me that means frames must use no proprietary parts, it must have at least one bottle cage mount, and a theaded bb.

caliente
caliente
6 years ago

I remember when the aluminum Release came out, and PB ripped on the external routing. I guess you can’t have it both ways, eh?

jhangas
jhangas
6 years ago

Real nice story on this bike- “the unboxing experience is impressive” who cares, what matters is how it rides. So many times this is what we get on bikes that are readily available now. If it’s not released yet maybe a preview is cool but d*mn if you’re going to write about an available bike, give some rider feedback

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