I’m a big fan Seth’s Bike Hacks, and if you’re reading this, you probably are too! I’ve followed Seth since his Trek 4900 days when he had under 100k subscribers (last I checked he had over 900k subscribers on YouTube! Insane!).
I only found the guy because I was looking for bunny hops tutorials a few years ago, which are friggin’ awesome by the way.
This guy is definitely living the life that I envy, riding bikes all day every day!
Same goes with The Singletrack Sampler and BKXC. The “three amigos” started from humble beginnings and have exploded in popularity in the mountain biking scene. Their adventures are only what we can dream of, but for someone like Alex.. it really was a dream come true.
Anyways I wanted to take a closer look at Seth’s primary bike as of August 2018: The Diamondback Release 5c.
Contents
Diamondback Release 5c: Seth’s Build
Seth is sponsored by Diamondback, so he gets the good stuff. Here’s what you’ll find for components on Seth’s build:
- Frame: Diamondback Release 5c [Carbon]
- Front Fork: Rock Shox Pike RTC3 150mm
- Rear Suspension: Rock Shox Monarch Plus RC3
- Drivetrain: BOX One 11-speed with Race Face Next SL Cranks
- Brakes: Shimano Deore XT
- Wheels: BOX One Carbon, S11 Freehub
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF (FRONT) / DHR (REAR) [both tubeless ready]
- Handlebar: BOX One Trail Carbon
- Stem: BOX Cusp – 45mm
- Grips: ODI AG-1 Lock-on
- Saddle: WTB Volt Pro
- Seatpost: Race Face Aeffect 125mm Dropper (with remote lever)
- Pedals: Chromag Contact Alloy Flats
- Chainguard and Bashring: MRP XCg V2 Chain Guard
- Front Fork Accessory: MRP Ramp Control for Rock Shox Pike
I didn’t list every single component like bottom bracket or headset information but you can find the details from Diamondback’s Website Here: Diamondback.com/full-suspension
To find Seth’s build you have to go to Diamondback’s Custom Design Studio here: https://custom.diamondback.com/
UPDATE: sorry ladies and gents, apparently the diamondback custom studio was taken down however, you can still check out there Release 5c here: Diamondback.com/full-suspension
What you see should be similar to this screenshot:
There’s a link for Seth’s build just below the picture.
He’s a Shimano brakes fan, as well as a fan of Rockshox suspension simply because they’re more reliable.
As you can see, it’s a very well equipped bike that would give boutique brands a run for their money.. but of course you get the fact that it’s a serious bike as tested by the man himself – Seth.
His bike is completely sold out at the time of this writing (I know! What?!), but you can always check inventory here: https://custom.diamondback.com/release-carbon/custom-studio [update: link isn’t working, see here: Diamondback.com/full-suspension]
I believe Seth has used his version of the Release 5c extensively as his primary all-mountain ride for the better part of at least over a year. Most of his videos with the Release 5c showcases him doing everything from Trials with Ali Clarkson, to massive jumps at Whistler, BC. He takes this bike with him to bike parks and it has held up just as well, if not better, than any other popular bike brand. A testament to the seriousness of Diamondback’s top tier bikes.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the only why the bikes are sold out as of this writing are because Seth and Alex have something to do with the demand!
Here’s the trick for getting this bike cheaper: use EBATES. Click Here to check out EBATES latest percentage Cashback on Diamondback.com.
Or, you can also check out Diamondback’s deals on Amazon.com here: Diamondback Release on Amazon.com
The Singletrack Sampler Bike: Diamond Back Release 5c
Ok I know I know, Alex (The Singletrack Sampler) rode an “orange tiger” the Specialized Enduro Elite FSR: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/enduro-elite-650b/p/106547. Non-carbon.
So, I can only assume, that Diamondback and Seth jumped in to get Alex on a carbon bike. Enter the “non-customized” mass-marketed Release 5c. Now, this is exactly what Alex rides, and he has just as much fun on it as any body. He absolutely rips on this bike and has no problem with the rough stuff on the trails.
Alex (by the way – his new travel van build is so killer!) rides the “non-customized” version of the Release 5c. It is just as worthy of being a serious trail ripper.
Incredibly spec’ed out components, this is the ultimate the bang for the buck high-end mountain bike. Truly, truly amazing what Diamondback did with this one.
This is the version most people would opt for I would think (me being one of them – too bad I have my heart set on a Pivot Trail 429):
Check out the specs on Alex’s “normal” Release 5c bike:
- Frame: Diamondback Release 5c [Carbon]
- Front Fork: Fox 36 Performance Elite Float
- Rear Suspension: Fox Performance Elite Float DPX2
- Drivetrain: SRAM XO1 Eagle, 12 Speed with Truvativ Descendant Carbon cranks
- Brakes:SRAM Guide RS
- Wheels:RaceFace Arc30
- Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF (FRONT) / DHR (REAR) [both tubeless ready]
- Handlebar: Raceface Æffect R, 780mm Wide
- Stem:Raceface Æffect R 35, 40mm Reach, 35mm Bar Bore
- Grips: Ergon GE1 Lock-On
- Saddle:WTB Volt Race
- Seatpost:KS LEV Integra Internal Dropper, w/ SouthPaw Remote
- Pedals: DB4L CNC Platform, Sealed Cartidge Bearing w/ Replaceable Pins
- Chainguard and Bashring:MRP XCG V2 Alloy Bash Guard, 30-36T
Find more detailed specifications here: https://www.diamondback.com/mountain-bikes/all-mountain/release-5c-carbon
The latest prices are also posted so keep an eye out for DiamondBack deals and sales as well above.
Anyways even the mass build Release 5c, it is a serious bike. As I mentioned and say again: the value is incredible!
I just seriously think it’s hard to beat. If you really go and check out boutique bike brands with components of similar caliber, they would easily run in the $6500+ range. Yeap!
Diamondback Includes These Accessories With Their Bikes?!
The other thing that I need to note with these high=end Diamondback bikes is that it comes included with the following:
- DiamondBack Shock Pump
- Tubless Valves
- DiamondBack Torque Wrench w/ 3mm/ 4mm/ 5mm/ T25 Hex Bits
- Diamondback Mud Guard
- Extra Derailleur Hanger
That is easily worth another $150 – $200, and DB includes this with their bikes. It really blows my mind.
Final Thoughts
Long before Seth and Alex made Diamondback a come back bike brand, I was eyeing their Release 5c – the normal build: https://www.diamondback.com/release-5c-carbon
What I’ve noticed over the last year is how the price of the normal build Release 5c has increased (instead of decreasing as most bikes do when it comes close to the new model year).
It’s kind of a shame, but last year and at the beginning of 2018, the Release 5c’s normal price range was $4399! Today, I see it on Diamondback’s website listed for $4799. Really strange, I’m assuming Seth and Alex are really propping up Diamondback and boosting demand, thus their prices have gone up by about 10% (August 2018)
I’ve also seen the same normal Release 5c go on sale down into the $3800 dollar range during the slow winter season. That is a seriously amazing price for the bike, but I did not hop on it because I have my sites set on a Pivot Trail 429.
Anyway, I suggest you get one now before Diamondback continues to increase their price on these awesome bikes: https://www.diamondback.com/release-5c-carbon
Oh yeah…
and Subscribe to Seth’s Bike Hack channel here on Youtube if you haven’t already.
And also to Alex’s The Singletrack Sampler’s Youtube channel.
I could at least mention the guys for saying their name so much in this post.
’til then, RIDER UP