Diamondback Overdrive Sport Review (27.5 Mountain Bike)

Diamondback is a well-known brand among bike enthusiasts, and with bicycles like the Diamond Overdrive Sport, it’s easy to see why.

If you are trying to settle on a bike that is right for you, this Diamondback Overdrive Sport review can help.

Your purchase decision is valuable, which is why we’ll give you an honest opinion of the bike and who should buy it (and who should not!).

We’ll also give you the information you need about specs, features, benefits, sizing, and more.

Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all mountain bike.

In the end, it is all about finding one that you feel most comfortable riding, that seems to handle with ease while riding through rough terrain. And we’re here to help you find exactly that!

​

An In-Depth Review of the Diamondback Overdrive Bike (27.5 Hardtail)

Things to Consider Before Buying a Budget-Minded Mountain Bike

Consumers looking to buy an affordable mountain bike should consider a few important aspects of their decision. First, determine what your budget is and do not max it out. You should make sure you have enough money left to purchase some important safety gear.

Also, you should determine if the bike is right for you. Although an entry-level mountain bike can operate just as well as more expensive bikes, they may not be right for everyone. Take into consideration who the bike appeals to and what features you enjoy most before making your final decision.

Who Should Buy Them

If you are working with limited funds, a trail bike, such as the DB Overdrive Sport, offers certain benefits. Because it is a hardtail bike, you will find that it is typically less expensive compared to a full-suspension mountain bike. You will often hear arguments why one is better than the other, but the hardtail is an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers.

Anyone who wishes to save money, spend more time riding and less time on repairs and less time on setup should opt for an affordable hardtail mountain bike. Full-suspension bikes have more mechanical parts, which means more can go wrong, which would require repair time. With an affordable hardtail, you will spend more time riding mountain trails and less time on maintenance and repairs.

Who Should Not Buy Them

Since a hardtail lacks suspension, you must plan your trail rides more carefully. If you want something that is less challenging to ride, an inexpensive hardtail is not for you. If you want something that offers cushy rear support, stick with a full-suspension bike rather than an affordable hardtail.

Hardtail mountain bikes under $1000 are not for individuals who prefer an easier ride on a steep downhill or rough terrain trails. If you’re looking for a ride that is easier to handle and more comfortable on rough trails, opt for a pricier full-suspension mountain bike instead.

What is the Diamondback Overdrive Sport 27.5?

The Diamondback Overdrive Sport 27.5 is a beautiful representation of the classic hardtail mountain bike.

The company spent years developing and refining the bike to deliver a bike that performs as beautifully as it looks. In fact, it tends to outperform higher priced mountain bikes.

Most importantly, the Overdrive Sport is a rugged bike that traverses through some of the roughest terrains with ease.

If you are looking for an introductory bike that will ease you into the sport of mountain biking, the Diamondback Overdrive Sport 27.5 will do just that. From gravel roads to wooded trails, you can take this durable 2-wheeled beast nearly anywhere.

In true classic hardtail fashion, the Diamondback Overdrive Sport is a throwback with its durable build, rugged tires, and sharp appearance. What you have is a beautifully formed package that is ready to test the toughest trails.

The bike can quickly accelerate for when you want to grind out long trails, which works great in combination with the large, knobby tires.

Of course, the way a mountain bike looks and feels is not always what matters most. Instead, what matters most is that it offers the right specs for an enjoyable trail ride. You can have a fantastic looking bike with poor specs, but you will find that is not the case with the Overdrive Sport.

Specs

The Diamondback Overdrive Sport 27.5 boasts the following specs:

• Suspension: Front suspension
• Tires: Kenda Honey Badger 27.5×2.2”
• Gears: 27
• Frame: Hand-built aluminum alloy hardtail frame
• Weight: 30 lbs. 10 oz.

The specs make for a classic hardtail that is hard to resist, easy to operate, and well worth the purchase price.

What is it Best For?

The Diamondback Overdrive Sport 27.5 is best for mountain trails, gravel roads, and other areas with rough terrain. The build of the bike allows you to enjoy a smooth ride on a variety of trails through the rolling countryside.

One of the most prominent features of any mountain trail bike is the suspension it offers. Thankfully, the it offers an SR Suntour suspension fork that ensures a comfortable ride on some of the roughest ground surfaces.

Pros

• Smooth shifting capabilities
• Lightweight
• Sleek appearance
• Speed
• Price

Cons

• Uncomfortable seat
• Lockout unavailable
• Teeth on plastic peddles may have issues in chilly weather

Features and Benefits You Get

The Diamondback Overdrive Sport 27.5 boasts several incredible core features and benefits for you to enjoy. Understanding those features and benefits will help you make your final purchase decision.

Durability

The bike offers plenty of durability thanks to the quality of its construction. When purchasing a mountain bike, durability is a primary factor. Thankfully, the Overdrive Sport does not disappoint in this category.

The bike has a frame constructed from 6061-T6 aluminum alloy, which holds in the most adverse conditions. Hardtail bikes like this one are typically known for their classic ability to offer composition strength, and the Overdrive Sport certainly does not disappoint.

If you have a bike that lacks durability, it will likely come to pieces the minute you set your tires upon a dirt or gravel pathway. You want something that can withstand bumps, twists, and turns. You need something that will not shake, rattle, and roll apart as you peddle your way through treacherous terrain.

Most importantly, you need a bike that offers enough durability so you can enjoy more time riding and less time sending your ride to the repair shop. A mountain bike that lacks durability is rather redundant, so the fact that the Overdrive Sport provides durability is a noteworthy feature.

Rugged Wheels

Another prominent feature of any mountain bike is its wheels.

You can have a solid body and easy maneuverability, but your bike lacks rugged tires and a decent wheel size, you’re going to find your trail ride rather lacking.

Fortunately, the Diamondback Overdrive Sport goes above and beyond what you would expect.

The large wheels allow you to traverse over multiple objects so that nearly no obstacle stands in your way.

Take the path less traveled with ease and enjoy the ride while doing so. The rugged 27.5-inch Kenda Honey Badger tires roll over any surface to make your ride smooth and comfortable.

Like the durability factor, you need something that has larger tires. Small tires are more for trick bikes and bicycles that you plan on riding along the pavement.

If you want something capable of traveling over pebbles, rocks, and chunks of upturned earth, you need larger tires.

Luckily, the Kenda Honey Badger tires are more than capable of giving you exactly what you need.

Gears

The gears of the bike are where the magic happens during every ride you take.

Thanks to the Shimano 9-speed drivetrain that offers twenty-seven gears, you experience an immediate transfer of power for incredible speed. Get to where you need to go, and fast, if necessary.

You can take a leisurely ride on a mountain trail, or you can power cycle your way through for an excellent form of cardio.

If you are looking to travel quickly through a nearby path or trail, you will find that the Diamondback Overdrive Sport is more than capable.

Many hardcore mountain bikers prefer to the challenge of the trails. While there are some bicyclists who will enjoy a slow peddle down an off road pathway, there are plenty who want to push their way through and test the limits of their body and bike.

If you are among those who want to put your body and bike to the test, you need something that will give you enough speed to do so, and the Overdrive Sport does just that.

The Shimano 9-speed drivetrain holds together and delivers the power and speed that bicyclists want when pursuing the challenges of a mountain trail.

Benefits

While the features of the bike seem spot-on thus far, you should know what benefits the Overdrive Sport 27.5 has to offer. Perhaps the most notable benefit is the fact that it is an affordable mountain bike in comparison to many others. You can purchase a quality mountain bike without breaking the bank, or selling your first-born child.

What Makes This Bicycle Unique

Part of what makes the Diamondback Overdrive Sport so unique is it is incredibly fun to ride. The bike is great for someone who is new to the mountain biking scene, too. Of course, even a professional mountain biker will find the Overdrive Sport a classic choice that offers plenty of thrills.

Although hardtails are a little more challenging to operate compared to full-suspension mountain bikes, the Overdrive Sport is great for beginners for several reasons. For starters, you learn the trails far more intimately. With a hardtail, you can refine your skills to compete against pro bikers in no time.

Sizing Chart

The Diamondback Overdrive Sport comes in varied sizes: small, medium, large, and X-large. Refer to the sizing chart below to determine which size bike is right for you:

Price

Most importantly, you are likely considering the Diamondback Overdrive Sport 27.5 because it is a high quality mountain bike for under $1000. The bike is available for $700, which is a great price considering the specs, features, and benefits.

To be fair, a more expensive bike may offer you a seat that feels a bit more comfortable when riding, but an uncomfortable seat is something you can easily fix. If you feel the seat is far too uncomfortable, try swapping it out with something else, or add a padded cover to it.

Spending several hundred dollars more on a bike with a more comfortable seat is not worth it in the long run. The Overdrive Sport gives you plenty of bang for your bike with its solid build, large tires, and easy shifting gears.

User Reviews and Ratings

After scouring the internet for reviews, most consumers seemed happy with their purchase. In fact, many of the reviews gave 5 out of 5 stars. Hardly anyone had an ill word to say about the Diamondback Overdrive Sport, which solidifies that quality of the bike.

Alternatives to the Overdrive Sport

Alternatives to the Diamondback Overdrive Sport include:

• Diamondback Overdrive Comp 29er: Although there are many similarities between the Diamondback Overdrive Comp 29er and the Overdrive Sport, there are also some notable differences. For instance, the Overdrive Comp 29er offers a Shimano Deore 2×10 drive train. The Kenda Honey Badger tires are also larger at 29×2.25 inches.
  
   
  The Overdrive Comp 29er provides riders with the comfort and reliability of a smooth performance thanks to the SRAM X-4 rear derailleur and a Shimano front derailleur. Combine that with the Tektro Novela disc brakes, and you have a bike that is capable of riding through dirt, rain, mud, and more.
  
   
  Click or Tap Here to Learn More About the Diamondback Overdrive Comp 29er
  
   
• Diamondback Overdrive Pro 29er: Like the Overdrive Sport, the Overdrive Pro 29er has a durable 6061 aluminum alloy frame. However, the Overdrive Pro 29er weights less at just 28 pounds, and has larger, 29-inch wheels. It also offers a Shimano 2×10 drivetrain for both precision and efficiency.
  
   
  The RockShox Reba RL fork allows the bike to absorb impact to make your ride a comfortable one. The Shimano M506 hydraulic disc brakes allow you to stop on a dime when necessary, too. Like the Overdrive Sport, the Overdrive Pro 29er has front suspension, to help make your trail ride smoother.
  
   
  Click or Tap Here to Learn More About the Diamondback Overdrive Pro 29er
  
   
• Diamondback Apex Elite: The Diamondback Apex Elite differs from the Overdrive Sport in that it offers hydraulic lockout. Also, the hydraulic brakes, which are a customized mix of Acera, Alivio Shimano, and Deore mean that this bike can perform even under wet, rainy conditions.
  
   
  The lightweight aluminum material of the body increases maneuverability and gives the rider better control of the bike. Like the Overdrive Sport, the Apex Elite offers durability to ensure your bike can handle the roughest of terrains.
  
   
  Click or Tap Here to Learn More About the Diamondback Apex Elite

Review Conclusion

Updated 2/9/2020 – Finding a budget-friendly mountain bike that suits your needs can be a daunting task considering how many options you have. Finding one that is right for you when you have so many specs staring you in the face can make your task that much harder. Fortunately, familiarizing yourself with an honest Diamondback Overdrive Sport review that highlights the specs takes the guesswork out of your search.

The Diamondback Overdrive Sport is an excellent choice for several reasons. At under $1,000 it is among the more affordable mountain bikes out there. It is also easy to ride, making it a fantastic choice for new mountain bike riders. The fact that it comes so highly rated by consumers is an added plus.

Most importantly, in our experience, the Overdrive Sport offers just the right blend of specs, features, and benefits to make it an ideal mountain bike. It has all of the most important features you would want on a mountain bike, such as the larger tires and solid frame. Check it out, we’re sure you’ll be impressed.

Click Here to See the Diamondback Overdrive Sport 27.5