Diamondback

Podium E'Tape Shimano 105 Complete Road Bike

If you remember tearing up your neighborhood block on your Diamondback bike as a child, you're not alone. Today, Diamondback is back with a competition road line that has propelled its professional riders to multiple wins, including the top step at Road Nationals. So, if you still think that Diamondback doesn't have the pedigree, take another look at the palmares of the Optum p/b KBS men's and women's teams. The Podium E'Tape Shimano 105 Complete Road Bike is a slightly beefier version of the Podium Equipe, both in carbon layup and components. It's ideal for the rider who desires a bike that handles as well for week-warrior tours as it does for racing.

Diamondback Bicycles uses 3D computer modeling and Finite Element Analysis to determine exactly where frame stresses occur and where more material needs to be placed in order to address the stresses. Carbon gives Diamondback the flexibility to design frames with specifically designed load regions. Diamondback's Podium E'Tape frame is laid using an AMMP technique. This Advanced Monocoque Molding Process hand wraps individual carbon fibers around a core so that each piece is laid precisely where the engineers want it. The core uses a polystyrene pre-form core, with a plastic bladder that has been designed in the shape of the frame. Additionally, to ensure that the mold is precise, the emerging product is surrounded with a plastic cavity. Now, even though the AMMP process allows the frames to be designed with specific load designs in different regions, silicone mandrel shells are placed at critical joint areas so as to create smooth overlapping fibers and additional reinforcement at vital junctions — such as the head tube and the bottom bracket. Once the frame is placed in the final mold, a proprietary Optimized Resin Compound is used for optimal adhesion of the carbon fibers.

Now, not all carbon fibers are the same. They are designated by both tensile strength and modulus, and high tensile strength doesn't always mean high modulus — the same is true in reverse. Therefore, Diamondback used several fibers by two industry leaders. The MR40 and MR60 fibers were sourced from Mitsubishi Rayon Co. Ltd., and T700 fibers are from Toray Industries. Higher strength fibers are more difficult to manipulate and require highly skilled carbon fiber designers, but once in place they allow the creation of frames with thinner walls. Following along these lines of logic, thinner walls equate to lighter weights.

Once the monocoque portion of the frame is formed, the front triangle, seatstays, and chainstays are bonded using a dynamic co-bonding technique. The prototype frames are then tested by Diamondback's professional riders. Using feedback, the frames are refined until the ideal balance of stiffness, comfort, durability, and strength is achieved. The E'Tape is not quite as aggressive as the Equipe. It retains the same geometry with a slightly heavier carbon weave. This makes it ideal for riders who log thousands of long road miles or want something a little more durable than a superlight race machine.

Diamondback built this E'Tape using the Shimano 105 10-speed group. The 105 sits just below Ultegra in the Shimano line and is a proven workhorse. The standard 53/39t FSA Gossamer crankset is paired with a 12/30t rear cassette so that you'll have enough gears to get you up that hors categorie climb you've been eyeing. And a set of Tektro brake calipers will stop you when you come screaming back down. The E'Tape rolls on Shimano Clincher RS-21 rims with Michelin Dynamic Sport tires. The cockpit is built with Diamondback's own handlebar, stem, and seatpost. You'll sit in comfort mile after mile on a Prologo Zero II Chromoly Rail saddle. The E'Tape features full closed circuit cable routing. The Fork is Diamondback's Carbon Competition Road Fork with a tapered carbon steerer tube. The bottom bracket is a PressFit30.

The Diamondback E'Tape Shimano 105 Complete Road Bike is available in even sizes from 50cm to 60cm and in the color Carbon.