Diamondback Mission Pro (2013)

If you could only have one bike... You hear it all the time. But what would you look for in that bike? A great pedaling platform? Got it. A balanced ride? You bet. Increased bottom out resistance and a ton of perceived travel for any hit? Done deal.
With 6 inches of front and rear travel, the 2013 Mission series caters to the all mountain/Enduro riders. Super D's and single track, up and down... the Mission continues to be the go-to steed for almost any situation.
“I spend 90% of my time on my Mission. It’s the bike that got me excited about Diamondback. It can be set up to do everything. If I could only have one bike in my quiver, it would be my Mission, states Diamondback DF5 Pro Factory Rider Kyle Thomas.
Diamondback's Design Philosophy is a no-nonsense approach to building quality bicycles. We want our bike designs to be straightforward: their hardware accessible and their suspension simple.
The 2013 Mission All Mountain 6" frame is created from 6061-T6 Weapons Grade Aluminum and features a hydroformed top tube, a butted and formed downtube seatstays, seatstay bridge, a tapered headtube, ISCG 05 tabs, a 142×12mm E-Thru Axle drop out and Diamondbacks legendary Knuckle Box Suspension technology.
The Knuckle Box, or bell crank, is the core of our single-pivot four-bar suspension platform. Optimally placed pivots equate to a low leverage ratio, and ultimately to superior pedaling efficiency and small-bump compliance. This also allows the shock to work more efficiently and reduces pedal induced motion. It also reduces overall load on the system which will lead to improved shock and bearing life.
Placing the Knuckle Box low within the frame, situates the greatest weight of the bike closer to the bottom bracket, which lowers the bike's center of gravity and allows it to better track and corner.
Wheel-rate is also one of the most significant aspects of a suspension system. Wheel-rate is the effective spring-rate when measured at the wheel. A benefit of our four-bar linkage is increased control over the wheel-rate. Obtaining the spring-rate curves in shocks from Fox is necessary to allowing us to determine the wheel-rate. Working closely with Fox, we're able to optimize the wheel-rate to be linear-to-slightly progressive. This results are superb small-bump compliance, more perceived travel and excellent bottom-out protection. For this application we've chosen to run a Fox Float CTD Air Shock with Adaptive Logic and Boost Valve Technologies. The LV 216×63mm air shock with rebound adjust has a three position “adaptive logic” Propedal Platform to keep the rear riding plush. Three other adjustments put your bike in the perfect place for Climb, Trail, and Descend. The CTD's patented Boost Valve technology provides a feeling of endless travel and plushness like that of a downhill rig, but with XC pedaling efficiency.
Where the Mission comes to life is on the descent. On previous versions of the mission, we've run both 150mm Fox 32's and 160mm Fox 36's. Time and testing have proven to us that a 160mm fork with larger 36mm stanchions and a 20mm thru axle are a perfect fit for this All-Mountain steed. A 160mm fork up front allows the front end to sit slack at a capable 67 degrees. The slacker front end eats obstacles with ease and ads more stability on the descents but doesn't compromise ones climbing ability. For this application we've gone with the Fox 36 Float R air. With 160mm of travel, external rebound, a tapered steerer, 36mm Easton alu minum stanchions, and magnesium lowers, this is a fork that means business.
In addition to the top notch Fox Suspension, the complete Mission Pro drivetrain is comprised of a Sram XO rear derailleur, X-9 shifters, a PG-1070 10spd Cassette (11-36t), and Shimano XT dual pull, top swing 34.9 front derailleur for crisp and precise shifting every time. The Raceface SIXC AM carbon 10spd crankset with outboard bearing bottom bracket and bash guard (24/36/AM) provide just the right combination of stiff, light and durable to make this the all mountain riders dream set up. A Rockshox Reverb 125mm dropper post with remote raising and lowering a WTB Silverado saddle are simply icing on a very tasty cake.
Supreme stopping power is supplied via the AVID XO Trail 4 piston Hydraulic disc brakes (200mm front / 180mm rear) and Easton Haven components grace the Handlebars, stem, and UST wheelset.