Diamondback Performance Hybrid Insight 1 ’08 Bicycle Review

Effective Living > Mobility

Summary. This is a review of the Diamondback Performance Hybrid Insight 1 ’08 Bicycle. Click here for the official Diamondback website page for the 2010 model details.

Vendor. The bike was purchased from Geoff’s Bike & Ski in Iowa City on 7 March 2008.

Price. $385 retail, $350 on sale. Kickstand, $7 extra. The selection of bicycles in the store ranged from $350 to $5,000.

Overview. The Insight is an excellent low-cost bicycle for daily commuting. The larger wheels offer greater peddling efficiency and provide smoother rolling over bumps and potholes. The frame is equipped with the necessary attachments for fenders and racks. Posture for riding is comfortable. The frame allows for a balance between a racing bike (leaning over all the way) and a comfort bike (sitting up straight).

Video. For some reason, this review has been hugely popular, so we’ve created a video review to accompany the written review. Note: For the best image and sound quality, click on the HQ (high quality) option in the player toolbar below.

User Log. The following is a journal of maintenance and ownership costs.

• One Year Anniversary – March 2009. This month I had the spring overhaul and cleaning for the bike. The front brakes still squeak very loudly, but now I actually feel it’s an important safety feature allowing me to alert people when I’m approaching. The chain and the rear cluster of gears needed replacing because the sand and grit from winter had worn them down. The front shifting mechanism needed to be totally replaced. The one included with the bike became unusable because it became stuck in place. This is probably due to road dirt. In general, the bike continues to perform well despite over 1000 commuting miles put on it over the past year.
• 22 September 2008. The bike is still working well. I continued to have spokes breaking on the rear wheel, which required trips to the bike shop to have them repaired. So, I recently had the rear wheel replaced. The bike shop used the existing hub, and then match spokes with a rim that would be stronger. Now it seems to be working great. I pull a heavy cart, and I think the additional weight was a problem. This past week, the shifter for the rear shifting mechanism had a frayed cable. So, I had that replaced. I still have a problem with squeaking brakes. A benefit is that the loud noise alerts people to my approach.
• 1 September 2008. Efficiency. I continue to be impressed by the efficiency of riding a bicycle with no suspension. It seems that almost all energy expended in pedaling goes into forward motion without any bounce.
• 31 July 2008. The bike is still working well. I think I’d recommend it as an in-town commuting bike. I like the way it handles. Because it doesn’t have suspension, and riding requires leaning over a bit (possible with elbows locked) it may not be suitable for repeated long-distance rides (more than two hours per day).
• Day 107 – Kickstand and Peddling Problems Resolved. Yesterday I took the bike to  Geoff’s Bike & Ski in Iowa City to have them fix two issues that were bothering me: the kickstand and also the peddling was not smooth.
  • The kickstand (not originally included with the bicycle) wasn’t quite long enough, so unless the ground was flat and firm, the bike would often fall over unless propped up against something. They added a rubber kickstand boot at the bottom of the kickstand which provided just the right amount of extra length. This kickstand tip also provided a wide base for better functioning on grass, mud, or other soft surfaces.
  • When pedaling the bike, I noticed that with every revolution of the pedal there was a dull clicking feeling. It was as if a bearing was damaged. It turns out that the bottom bracket (crank) was not tight. Once tight, the problem went away.
• Day 106 – Various Issues. Despite having the brake pads replaced and mechanical work done on the bike, the loud squealing noise from the front brakes continues to be an issue. The loud noise is a helpful when trying to alert oblivious pedestrians wearing headphones and listening to loud music. However, it is also a nuisance. The after market kick stand may need to be replaced. The bike seems to tip over in most circumstances. The chain has fallen off a few times when shifted to the #1 (smaller) chain ring in front. The posture issue mentioned on Day 4 (below) is still a concern. After about 20 to 30 miles of riding over a period of two days, there was a distinct elbow soreness. Despite all of these things, the bike still seems to perform well. (20080621sa0929)
• Day 34 – Noisy Brakes. Since the first ride, the front brakes have made a loud squeaking noise. It may be that another set of brake pads would make less noise.
• Day 4 – Proper Posture. After some lengthy riding, I’m finding that it is important not to lock elbows or arms while riding. Instead, the bike should be ridden with arms slightly bent. Because this bike has no suspension, it’s not practical to take it off road or even on roads that are in need of repairs since the ride is quite rough. So, riding this bike is similar to horse back riding. By keeping arms and legs bent, it’s possible to cushion the impact of any bumps when necessary.
• Day 2 – First Ride. The first ride was quite good. The bike is comfortable and well adjusted for the first time out. Because the tires are narrow and can accommodate 80 pounds of pressure, there is very little rolling resistance. The temperature was about -6 to -11 Celsius with wind chill. The roads still have a considerable amount of ice on them. The bike handled well through snow and over ice. (20080308sa)
• Day 1 – Purchase. The bike was purchased and will be ridden about 30 days before the initial follow-up inspection and adjustment. (20080307fr)

Comments, Questions, Suggestions. If you have any further questions about the Diamondback Insight 1, please leave a comment below.

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