When selecting a bike for your children you don’t want to allow them to sell you on the glitz, glamour, and hip design. Sure, these factors are important for your kids; but, that doesn’t necessarily translate to the best bike or the safest. Here we’re going to take a look at the Diamondback Cobra 24.
In our Diamondback Cobra 24 review we’ll focus on features, design, safety, and other impressive features, to help you determine if this is the bicycle to invest in when choosing a new bike for your teen.
Diamondback Cobra 24 Design & Features
In this Diamondback Cobra 24 review, we will begin by highlighting some key features this bicycle has that makes it a great option for teens and young riders. Let’s start with the wheel size; the 24’’ height is perfect for riders who are between 4-feet to about 5.5-feet tall. The mountain bike has the Shimano Tourney 3×7 drivetrain allowing operators to control the speed. With 21 different speed settings, riders can easily traverse uphill, fly downhill, and ride uneven terrains without too much stress or strain on the legs.
The multiple speed settings also allow smaller riders to get more torque below their body when riding through mud, dirt, grass, or other uneven/difficult road conditions. Even when the road isn’t flat, they’ll have enough power behind them, to make it through their riding environment. The 24’’ mountain bike also features a 40 mm travel fork. The fork helps stabilize the suspension when riding, and also reduces the impact on landing. If the rider likes performing tricks, jumping, or riding on bumpy or rocky roads, the fork will help minimize how much impact their bodies feel, and apply that pressure onto the bike instead.
How about the braking system? The Diamondback Cobra features linear-pull brakes. The brakes also have adjustable levers, so riders can easily reach them when they are confronted with an emergency and need to stop immediately, regardless of how tall/short the rider is. Bikers always have control and can remain calm when they’re confronted with something that pops up in front of them out of nowhere when they’re biking.
The Diamondback Cobra 24 Pros & Cons
What distinguishes the Diamondback Cobra mountain bike from others? To begin with, the bike is priced at about $200. This rate is in line with other name-brand bikes, of a similar size and stature. But, for this price, you’re getting the backing of a Shimano drivetrain, so you know the bike is going to perform when you need it.
Pros that bikers will appreciate include:
- There are more gears than other bikes, allowing you to easily transition to faster speeds and rev up your ride when racing friends
- It’s designed to last with the Shimano drivetrain and it’s easy to adjust gears without worrying about them jamming
- The bike features a DB high-tensile frame; the stainless-steel material won’t rust or wear down like other materials
- This mountain bike accommodates riders from 53’’ to 62’’ tall; it’s designed for riders between 8 and 14 years of age
- The Diamondback Cobra is perfect for younger kids trying to learn how to ride with thicker tires and improve their stability, before transitioning to a more expensive (adult) model bike
- With 21 different speed settings, riders of all sizes can dig into the dirt, mud, and grass, cutting through difficult terrains
- The twist shifters make it easy to adjust the speed levels when toggling through different road (or offroad) riding conditions
These are some great features. The bike’s perfect for younger riders who are just starting to mountain bike and need to build up strength, stability, and increase their accuracy, to eventually transition to a larger bike.
We’ve highlighted some main selling points and benefits. But, there are some drawbacks worth noting as well.
Some cons are:
- The bike does not have a quick-release front wheel, meaning you can’t remove the front wheel for transporting the bike if needed
- Your new bicycle does not include a kickstand (which is something most bikes include as a standard feature). Therefore, you’ll have to lean it on the wall or another surface when the bike’s not in use
- A few reviewers state that it was difficult to put the bike together (and some reviews also state that they did not receive all the parts required to put the bike together); on Amazon, you can opt to purchase it with professional assembly, however, this costs an additional $65, so the bike would cost closer to $300 with this option
- The bike has twist shifters, that are inferior to trigger shifters; however, this is more of an inconvenience for more advanced riders, than a flaw with the design
- It’s not a bike that’s built to last for years; by this, we mean it isn’t a bike your child is going to ride for the next 5 or 6 years. It’s sturdy and well-built, however, it’s limited to younger riders, and weight limits, so your child might outgrow the bike a little faster than you’d like them to.
Is This the Right Bike for Your Child?
If you’re the parent making the purchase decision, you want something safe, efficient, and durable. The Cobra is durable. It has a stainless-steel frame, high-quality parts, and a powerful drivetrain, fork, and suspension. So, you don’t have to worry about it falling apart while your child is riding. It’s efficient as well. There are 21-speed settings, allowing your child to easily work through muddy, grassy, or other tough riding conditions. The final aspect, safety, is an area that we didn’t find much information about. It does have the fork to minimize the impact on landing, and the braking system is efficient for riders of all heights with the adjustable-lever design. For the average biker, it’s a safe option.
Our biggest gripe is the construction. The bike is only going to hold your child for a year (possibly two) depending on their growth/development. It’s not a bad bike, the design is solid, and it’s reasonably priced. But, if you’re looking for something they’ll ride for the next 5 years, this isn’t it. They’ll outgrow the bike quickly, so keep this in mind if you’re shopping for longevity when investing in a mountain bike for your child.