Diamondback Podium Vitesse Di2 Disc Bicycle

Diamondback Podium Vitesse Frame: DB AMMP+ Carbon Technology, Specific Modulous, Monocoque Competition Road Frame, UCI Certified, Di2/EPS Compatible Internal Cable Routing, Carbon Drop Outs, w/ Taper Headtube & Press-Fit 30 BB Fork: DBR AmmP+ Carbon Competition Road Fork, Carbon Drop Outs, w/ 1.5" Taper Carbon Steerer Tube, Continuous Fiber Technology (CFT) Includes: Owners Manual, Podium User Guide, Century Bottle Cage, 7nm Torque Key, Carbon Installation Compound, Extra FD Hanger, Di2 6870 version Battery w/ Charger.

Podium Vitesse a pleasant surprise, which means this year we need to stop being so surprised that Diamondback’s race disc bike is still an excellent bike. It’s not without its quirks, but it’s clear Diamondback’s attempts at creating a race winner are yielding good returns.

Let’s start with what makes it impressive. The Podium Vitesse sticks to race geometry, with a 73-degree head angle and short 984 millimeter wheelbase. Couple that with short 405 millimeter chainstays and you’ve got a quick-steering bike that still somehow avoids nervous handling. We like the minimal input it takes to change lines quickly but never felt as though we had to wrangle the front end. Our lab testing reveals a stiff bike, which could contribute to the confident handling and pep off the line.

The Podium’s handling is so good it was almost easy to overlook its foibles — almost. It’s not a very light all-rounder, especially at this price range. A wheel upgrade could help lighten it up a bit, but that negates the exceptional out-of-the-box value of the Podium. You’ll pay a slight penalty on climbs as a result.

Diamondback has stuck with its curved seat stays (which notably curve upward) that seem to take the big bites out of road vibration, yet there’s still enough chatter transferred to the rider that it’s hard to call this a comfortable bike. Racers won’t be too bothered, but if you’re looking for long-ride comfort on the weekend, this isn’t your whip.

The Podium adds disc brakes to the mix for 2017 and we support that entirely. Once the newness of disc brakes dissipates from the pro peloton, look for them to become industry standard for their superior braking power and modulation. The build is otherwise reliable with a Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain. The HED handlebar wasn’t up our alley (the drop position in particular is short and angled severely), but otherwise we had no spec complaints. 2017 model.

While the black paint scheme slots in somewhere between inoffensive and attractive, we could do without the massive, blocky logo on the down tube. Subtlety is key when it comes to word marks.