While many bike companies are jumping head long into the world of 27.5″, other companies like Diamondback seem to be taking a more cautious approach. The Axis 27.5 (along with the similar Women’s Lux) is the brand’s first and only 27.5″ model at the moment, though we’re guessing it won’t be the last. The Axis steps in as a reasonably priced performance aluminum hard tail that starts out at $750, up to the $1,800 Axis Pro seen here.
Find the Axis, plus quite a few disc brakes and drop bars after the break!
The Axis was built to be similar in geometry to the XC/Trail oriented Overdrive, only with the geometry tuned for the smaller 27.5″ wheels. The 6061-T6 frame features a hydroformed top and down tube, tapered head tube, and a threaded bottom bracket shell matched to a 135mm QR rear end. The Pro build includes a Fox 32 Float CTD fork set at 100mm of travel, Avid Elixir 3 Brakes, Sram X7/X9 drivetrain, and Diamondback SL-7 double wall wheels with Schwalbe Racing Ralph Evo tires. The Axis will be offered in the Pro, Comp, and Sport ($1,800, 1200, 750) with women getting a similar offering in the Lux Comp, Lux Sport, and Lux. This 18″ Axis Pro weighed in at 27.76 lbs (12.59kg).
Built using the same carbon technology as Diamondback’s top tier road bikes, the new Steilacoom RCX Carbon Pro Disc is a pure race bike. The frame utilizes Diamondback’s Advanced Monocoque Molding Process (AMMP) which combined with a tapered head tube and BB86 bottom bracket should make for a stiff bike. Built with a SRAM Red 22 Hydraulic disc brake group, EA90 Disc wheels, and FSA K-Force carbon components, the Steilacoom Pro is built for the podium at $6,000. 2014 Steilacoom RCX Carbon Pros will be available in one color, and 4 sizes – 50cm, 53cm, 56cm, 59cm.
Built more for the gravel rather than the cross course, the new Haanjo Comp is Diamondback’s entry into the adventure road category. Built with Diamondback’s Enhanced Performance Geometry, the bike features a slightly higher head tube, and slightly slacker seat and head tubes (70° HTA), as well as a longer wheel base. The Comp features a 6061-T6 aluminum frame with a tapered carbon fork clearance for larger tires and a rack and fenders. Priced at $1,500, the Comp is built with a Shimano 105 drivetrain, TRP HYRD brakes, and DB’s Equation CX 23mm wheels. If drop bars aren’t your thing, there will also be a flat bar equipped Haanjo.
Built for comfort through long rides, Diamondback introduced a new series of comfort road bikes for 2014 called the Century for men, and the Airen for women. The line up includes 8 new men’s models, and 5 new women’s bikes, the spectrum includes both carbon and aluminum bikes, with the carbon models introducing a new technology for Diamondback – Advanced Tube-to-Tube design.
Among a number of rim brake equipped models with various spec, there will also be the Century Sport Disc and Century Disc which both see 6061-T6 aluminum frames with the DBR AMMP disc carbon tapered road fork. The $1,700 Sport Disc is equipped with a Shimano 105 drivetrain and TRP HYRD disc brakes, and the Century Disc uses a 105/Tiagra mix and Avid BB5R disc brakes for $1,300.
