“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 2013 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 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, CTD adjust air shock with a large volume eyelet and Boost Valve Technologies. The large volume sleeve with rebound adjust and all new 3 position “Climb, Trail, Descend” Platform keeps the rear riding plush without too much sacrifice on the pedal uphill. The 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 is 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 has 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 we recommend a 1600mm travel fork.
Mission Pro Frame Highlights:
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 2013 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 hardware used for the three main pivot points allows for easy access to your high-quality Enduro Max bearings simply with standard tools. No more removing the crankset to tighten or service your pivots.
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 2013 Mission Pro frameset comes complete with:
- Fox Float, CTD w/ boost valve Rear Shock
- Rockshox Reverb 125mm Dropper Post w/Remote
- FSA No.57 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
The 2013 Mission Pro frameset comes in 4 sizes: SM (15.5"), MD (17"), LG (19"), XL (21") and 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!