“If you could only have one bike”… You hear it all the time. But what would you look for in that bike? A great pedaling platform? Got it. A balanced ride? You bet. Increased bottom out resistance and a ton of perceived travel for any hit? Done deal.
With 6 inches of front and rear travel, the 2012 Mission series caters to the all mountain/Enduro riders. Super D’s and single track, up and down… the Mission continues to be the go to steed for almost any situation.
“I spend 90% of my time on my Mission. It’s the bike that got me excited about Diamondback. It can be set up to do everything. If I could only have one bike in my quiver, it would be my Mission,” states Diamondback DF5 Pro Factory Rider Kyle Thomas.
Diamondback’s Design Philosophy is a no-nonsense approach to building quality bicycles. We want our bike designs to be straightforward: their hardware accessible and their suspension simple.
The 2012 Mission All Mountain 6" frame is created from 6061-T6 Weapons Grade Aluminum and features a hydroformed top tube, a butted and formed downtube seatstays, seatstay bridge, a tapered headtube, ISCG 05 tabs, a 142×12mm E-Thru Axle drop out and Diamondbacks legendary Knuckle Box Suspension technology.
The Knuckle Box, or bell crank, is the core of our single-pivot four-bar suspension platform. Optimally placed pivots equate to a low leverage ratio, and ultimately to superior pedaling efficiency and small-bump compliance. This also allows the shock to work more efficiently and reduces pedal induced motion. It also reduces overall load on the system which will lead to improved shock and bearing life.
Placing the Knuckle Box low within the frame, situates the greatest weight of the bike closer to the bottom bracket, which lowers the bike’s center of gravity and allows it to better track and corner.
Wheel-rate is also one of the most significant aspects of a suspension system. Wheel-rate is the effective spring-rate when measured at the wheel. A benefit of our four-bar linkage is increased control over the wheel-rate. Obtaining the spring-rate curves in shocks from Fox is necessary to allowing us to determine the wheel-rate. Working closely with Fox, we’re able to optimize the wheel-rate to be linear-to-slightly progressive. This results are superb small-bump compliance, more perceived travel and excellent bottom-out protection. For this application we’ve chosen to run a 160mm Fox
Float RP23 Air Shock with Adaptive Logic and Boost Valve Technologies. The extra volume “XV” 216×63mm air shock with rebound adjust and all new 3 position “adaptive logic” Propedal Platform keeps the rear riding plush without too much sacrifice on the pedal uphill. The RP23’s patented Boost Valve technology provides a feeling of endless travel and plushness like that of a downhill rig, but with XC pedaling efficiency.
Where the Mission comes to life in on the descent. On previous versions of the mission, we’ve run both 150mm Fox 32’s and 160mm Fox 36’s. Time and testing have proven to us that a 160mm fork with larger 36mm stations and a 20mmthru axle are by far the best fit for this All Mountain steed. A 160mm fork up front allows the front end to sit slack at a capable 67 degrees. The slacker front end eats obstacles with ease and ads more stability on the descents but doesn’t compromise ones climbing ability too negatively. You can certainly run the bike with a 150mm fork if a steeper front end is desired. But for this application we’ve gone with the Fox 36 Float R air. With 160mm of travel, external rebound, a tapered steerer, 36mm Easton aluminum stanchions, and magnesium lowers, this is a fork that means business.
In addition to the top notch Fox Suspension, the complete Mission Pro drivetrain is comprised of a Sram XO rear derailleur, X-9 shifters, a PG-1070 10spd Cassette (11-36t), and Shimano XT dual pull, top swing 34.9 front derailleur for crisp and precise shifting every time. The Raceface SIXC AM carbon 10spd crankset with outboard bearing bottom bracket and bash guard (24/36/AM) provide just the right combination of stiff, light and durable to make this the all mountain riders dream set up. A Rockshox Reverb 125mm dropper post with remote raising and lowering a WTB Silverado saddle are simply icing on the cake here folks.
Stopping power is adequately supplied via the Hayes Prime Pro Hydraulic disc brakes (8” front/7” rear) and Easton Haven components grace the Handlebars, stem, and UST wheelset.
Mission frame features & Characteristics:
Tapered Head tube – Today’s longer travel forks generate more stress on the head tube. Add in today’s more aggressive rider and the need for additional strength in that region becomes imperative. Thus the 2012 Mission Pro frame is equipped with a tapered head tube for enhanced steering and extra strength.
142×12 mm Thru Axle – Employing Shimano’s new 142×12 mm E-Thru design makes for a stiffer and stronger rear-end on the bike.
Single-Sided Hardware – Single-sided oversized heat treated hardware is used for the three main pivot points allows for easy access to your 14 high-quality Enduro Max bearings simply with standard tools. No more removing the crankset to tighten or service your pivots.
Knuckle Box Technology
LOW AND TIGHT – The Knuckle Box platform was designed specifically to be low and tight:
- Low center of gravity: All suspension parts are positioned farther down on the frame for a stable and balanced ride.
- Low leverage suspension design: Lower air pressure results in longer shock life, less frame loading and better pedaling.
- Tight, compact linkage system of the Knuckle Box bell crank isolates and cradles the rear shock.
- Tight and large anodized aluminum hardware, matched with Force-Rated Enduro Max Bearings: Withstands higher loads and better handles oscillating motion.
The 2012 Mission frameset comes complete with:
- Fox Float RP23 XV Rear Shock
- Rockshox Reverb 125mm Dropper Post w/Remote
- FSA No.55 Head Set includes both crown races for Taper or Standard 1 1/8” steerer tubes
- 142×12 Sealed Cartridge Hub 32H with Shimano Thru Axle
- Fitted chainstay protector and shock pump
Make no mistake; the 2012 Mission Pro frameset is built for almost everything under the sun. If you want to pedal to the top and descend back down with the confidence of a lion, then the Mission Pro is the bike for you!