When we're not 'wheeling, we're often found on the saddle of a mountain bike, picking our way down a dirt trail. We have dirt under our fingernails and in our veins (also up our nose and in our cameras). We just can't get enough.
Now, when it comes to mountain bikes, we're demanding. We require our bikes to possess the same attributes as our four-wheel-drive rigs. Our bikes must be rugged, agile, and ultra-functional, which is why we've bonded with the '06 Diamondback Response Comp. "The Response Comp is the flagship of our new Response line of aggressive, all-mountain recreational mountain bikes," says Trevor Knesal, Marketing Services Coordinator for Diamondback Bicycles. "It's a great all-purpose hard-tail bike with a freeride/BMX feel to it," he adds. We agree. The heart of the bike is its newly designed lightweight Response chassis made from 6061 T-6 heat-treated aluminum. This frame is butted for strength and features a beefy Strongbox Headtube Junction as well as "D" fillet gusset, DB Snake Stays, and a replaceable hanger.
One of the things that immediately impressed us about the Response Comp is its quality. The minute we straddled the bike, we knew this was a bike that was built to last. It's the polar opposite of some of the heavy and sluggish bikes found at discount superstores. After a few minutes on hard ground to familiarize ourselves with the controls and feel of the bike, we hit the trail. Once on the dirt, we were impressed by the bike's razor-sharp maneuverability. The bike reacted instantly to our inputs, and the Marzocchi fork valving was perfect, even for our slightly heavier-than-normal rider weight. Whether scrubbing off speed in the dirt or on pavement, the front and rear Avid disc brakes were simply stunning-easily reining in the forward velocity of the bike and our too-many-burrito-lunches body. The bike looks stunning too.
We agree with Knesal when he says: "The Response Comp is a great all-around mountain bike that climbs as well as it descends, and it's perfect for anyone looking for a bike they can ride almost anywhere." With that, you'll have to excuse us, we're going riding. FW
The rear 6-inch disc brake is a duplicate of the front, and together they offer superb braking beyond your wildest expectations, no matter how grimy the trail is. Also visible here is the SRAM PG-950 nine-speed cog set which is precisely controlled by an SRAM SX-5 derailleur. | 
A beefy Ahead headset holds alloy 50mm rise handlebars with sticky DB Kraton grips. Shifting is easy and precise thanks to SRAM X-7 shift levers. | 
The large Marzocchi MZ-III hydraulic front suspension fork is beefy enough to easily handle tough trails, but docile enough to exhibit great manners while road biking. The 6-inch front disc brake is oblivious to the sloppy conditions that can be found on the trail. |
Specs
Model: '06 Diamondback Response Comp
Base price: $655
Color: Gloss Silver
Sizes: 16-, 18-, 20-, or 22-inch
Frame: 6061 T-6 butted aluminum with Strongbox Headtube Junction
Fork: Marzocchi MZ-III 120mm with 30mm upper tubes
Headset: Ahead 111/48
Front derailleur: SRAM X-Gen
Rear derailleur: SRAM SX-5
Shifter: SRAM X-7 trigger nine-speed
Chain: KMC-Z9000
Hubset (f/r): Alloy disc/alloy disc cassette
Spokes:14g Black Stainless
Rims: Sun Ditch Witch with eyelets, 26 inches
Tires: Kenda Klaw XT 26x2.1
Brakes (f/r): Avid BB5 mechanical with 6-inch disc/Avid BB5 mechanical with 6-inch disc
Brake levers: Avid FR-5
Pedals: Alloy Platform
Handlebars:Alloy 50mm rise
Grips: DB Kraton
Stem: DB Alloy four-bolt Ahead
Seatpost: Alloy Micro Adjust 30mm
Saddle: WTB Pure V Sport