Diamondback Contra CX cyclocross bike

Simon Whiten

Diamondback Contra CX cyclocross bike

“He’s rattlesnake-thin and fast as a whippet. The perfect embodiment of everything you want from a cyclocross bike.” So says the Diamondback marketing spiel of their new to the UK Contra CX cyclocross bike.

But beyond the marketing spiel what do you get for the £1000 asking price? Well, it certainly looks the part with a no-nonsense matt black, 6061 double butted alloy frame, the hydroformed tubes of which provide a nice flat area for carrying the bike on your shoulder. There’s a neat integrated head tube which is mated to a carbon fork with a tapered 1.5” steerer tube. Features like the bridgeless chainstays help give maximum mud clearance.
 

Easy to maintain AVID BB7 mechanical disc brakes with 160mm Rotors take care of the stopping.
 

 
For the going, there’s a press fit BB30 bottom bracket with a Diamondback own brand chainset matched to Shimano Sora STIs, rear and front derailleurs, and a 9 speed 11-32t cassette – good starter stuff which is easily replaceable or upgradeable, both of which are common over a cross bikes lifespan.
 

 
To finish there is a bit of a treat: 25mm wide rims of the WTB ChrisCross i19s tubeless ready wheels shod with UCI compliant 32mm WTB Crosswolf tubeless tyres.
 

 
In addition there are commuter-friendly fittings to make it a practical all-rounder for non-race days, perhaps hinting at whom Diamondback think will buy this bike as their website alludes, ‘the perfect embodiment of everything an MTB rider wants on the road’.
 
As we mentioned the Contra CX costs £1000 so it faces some stiff competition as a starter bike in cross racing or as a do it all road/commuter/crosser for the mountain biker but it has all the right credentials do well.
 

 
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Diamondback Contra CX cyclocross bike