Comparing Diamondback and Giant is a bit like comparing iPhone and Samsung; they’ve been around for years and have millions of loyal users.
In terms of quality and performance, you can’t go wrong with either brand. However, there are a few notable differences between the two that might make you lean towards one rather than the other—all of which we’re going to discuss today.
In this article, we’ve listed major differences and similarities between the two brands. Diamondback vs Giant mountain bikes, which brand should you get? Let’s find out!
Brief History of Diamondback
Diamondback Bicycles is an American bicycle brand based in Kent, Washington. Its roots date all the way back to 1977, where it slowly expanded its name across all cities in the United States.
In the 90s, Diamondback was known for its BMX bikes. Its BMX line was an immediate hit upon release, so Diamondback decided to design bikes specifically made for the competitive field.
With the help of its sponsors, hundreds of renowned riders have taken the medal under the Diamondback banner. This placed the brand in the international spotlight. Soon, the company began distributing its products outside the US, primarily in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Today, Diamondback is one of the most recognizable bike brands in the market.
To appeal to the general public, the majority of Diamondback’s bicycles fall under the mid-range category. However, it does have several high-end prototypes for serious bikers, too.
Ever since its inception, Diamondback has produced a myriad of models and sizes that fit an array of users, from mountain hardtails to performance hybrids. It also carries a line specifically for women and youths, as well as fitness equipment such as stationary, elliptical, and recumbent bikes.
Brief History of Giant
Giant, officially known as Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd., is a Taiwanese bicycle brand that was founded in Dajia, Taichung, in 1972. It currently operates multiple facilities across the globe, with manufacturing companies stationed in China, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
In the first few years of its production, Giant fell under the radar, overshadowed by Taiwanese big-name bike brands like Merida and Fuji. However, a major breakthrough came in 1977 when Tony Lo, Giant’s chief executive, made a deal with Schwinn to manufacture bikes on its behalf.
When Chicago’s Schwinn plant went on strike in 1980, Giant became its primary supplier, representing about 75% of Giant’s sales.
When the company secured stable funding, Giant established its own brand of mid-range bicycles in the $200-and-above price range. This was deemed to be a wise decision, as in 1992, Giant became the sole shareholder of Giant Europe.
Today, Giant sells its bikes in over 50 countries in more than 12,000 retail stores. Most of its products are sold to the US, the European Union, Japan, and, of course, Taiwan. It’s currently recognized as the world’s largest bike manufacturer.
Diamondback vs Giant Mountain Bikes: What’s the Difference?
Now that we’ve discussed how Diamondback and Giant came to be, let’s delve into the differences and similarities between the two brands.
Specs and Features
Diamondback and Giant are known for their high-quality specs and performance, so it’s difficult to choose a real winner in this category. They both sell hardtail and full-suspension bikes, giving mountain bikers a decent selection to choose from.
If you’re leaning towards electric mountain bikes, you’ll find several models with Giant. Diamondback only sells regular E-bikes.
For a fair comparison, we’ve tested the full-suspension Diamondback CATCH 1 and the Giant TRANCE X. Both models cost around $2,500.
When placed side-by-side, you won’t notice a major difference. They both feature a lightweight aluminum chassis, progressive suspension, and adjustable frame geometry. The CATCH 1 has wider tires at 27.5 x 2.8 inches, but the TRANCE X features bigger tires at 29 x 2.5 inches.
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two is the brakes. Giant uses a Shimano MT420 hydraulic 4-piston brake with a 203mm front and a 180mm back. On the other hand, Diamondback uses a TRP Slate X2 with a 180mm front and back.
In terms of specs, both brands go head to head. If you’re looking for higher specs, however, you’ll find a bigger selection with Giant’s luxury line.
Warranty
Diamondback offers a lifetime warranty that covers gas springs, locking mechanisms, hinges, edge trims, and more. Factory-applied coatings have a three-year warranty excluding abrasions.
Giant offers a lifetime warranty on the bicycle frame, a 10-year warranty on rigid forks, and a two-year warranty on giant-branded wheels and electric unit components. For paint finishes and decals, you’ll get a one-year warranty.
Diamondback is clearly the winner here with its lifetime warranty on almost all its major parts.
Availability and Return
Giant is quite literally a ‘giant’ in the bike industry, so it’s no surprise that they offer a bigger selection than Diamondback.
Giant mountain bikes can be purchased online and in physical outlets. There are hundreds of Giant retailers across the US, most of which offer home delivery services. So, if you want to touch and try a bike before you purchase it, it’s better to go with Giant.
Diamondback has a few dealers and retailers here and there, but it mostly sells online.
In terms of return, Giant has a 60-day return policy compared to Diamondback’s 30-day policy.
Overall, Giant wins this round for availability and return.
Price Range
Diamondback and Giant cater to a variety of budgets.
Mid-range hardtail mountain bikes cost about the same in both brands at around $500. Full-suspension mountain bikes cost a lot more, with a starting price of around $2,000.
If you buy a mountain bike based on specs, the difference in price between the two brands isn’t all that big.
However, Giant’s luxury mountain bikes cost way more than Diamondback’s mountain bikes.
For instance, Giant’s most expensive full-suspension bike, the TRANCE X Advanced Pro, costs around $9,000, while the Diamond’s most expensive model, the Release 5C, only costs around $5000. Although the Advanced Pro features a lot more than the 5C, the difference in specs isn’t that all much.
Conclusion
Deciding between two major mountain bike brands is quite the challenge, especially since they’re almost head-to-head in most categories.
Overall, the biggest difference between the two brands is their bike selection and availability. If you’re searching for a mountain bike that fits your needs to a T, you’ll have more luck browsing Giant’s massive selection of mountain bikes.
On the other hand, if you’re searching for a luxury bike that costs almost half the price of Giant’s, it’s worth looking into Diamondback’s selection.