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Diamondback Kalamar LX Men's Sport Hybrid Bike (700c Wheels) | 
| Brand: DiamondBack
Category: Sports
Buy New: $209.99
as of 7/30/2010 17:57 CDT details
Where applicable you'll select size, color, etc. after you click the buy button.
Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 14466
Shipping Weight (lbs): 25
Dimensions (in): 20 x 15 x 15
Model: DKMSHB
ASIN: B002LFLWFO
Release Date: August 13, 2009
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| Features:
| • | Hi-Ten Remington Steel Sport Hybrid Frame | | • | Heavy Duty Hi-Ten Remington Steel Fork | | • | Alloy Crankset w/ Integrated Chainguard | | • | SSW700 Double Tunnel Alloy Rims | | • | Avenir Deluxe 2-Density Coil Sprung Hybrid Saddle |
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| Similar Items:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
If you’re after a more efficient commuter and you’re having trouble deciding whether the comforts of a comfort bike are more important to you than the efficiency of a road bike; get the best of both in a hybrid. Our Kalamar LX combines the same comfortable contact point features of a comfort bike with the big smooth-rolling 700c wheels of a road bike. From the simple to the sophisticated, you’ll find the path, event, and commuter bike you’re after in a classic geometry Diamondback Kalamar LX.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 7
 HORRIBLE QUALITY CONTROL July 15, 2010
Mickey (Fountain Valley, CA USA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought this bike with the intent to use it as an occasional commuter to school, so I wasn't going to spend $1000+ on a high end road bike, nor was I willing risk buying a cheapy Walmart/Target bike for under $100. This bike was highly rated here on Amazon, and the brand Diamondback, which is own by Raleigh, seems to be of adequate reputation of quality for my needs.
Now, before I begin on all the bad things, I do want to mention what I do like about this bike. The bike looks amazing in real life, the metal charcoal grey is stunning. The seat feels very comfortable, I love that it has a shock underneath. I'm 6' and 150lbs, and bought a 19" (Large) frame which fits me perfectly. This is where the good things end for me.
1) Upon opening the box, I noticed that the frame was wrapped in cardstock paper, I was expecting styrofoam sheets. What ended up happening was the paper rubbed into the paint of the frame and left scuff marks at several areas.
2) I don't know if whoever packaged the bike was careless or if shipping caused things to fly around, but there were several scratches marks on the frame. I contacted Amazon immediately about the scratches, and they were kind enough to credit me $42 (20%) back to me for the damages...I LOVE AMAZON!
3) NO KICKSTAND! One would expect that a $200+ bike would have something as small as a kickstand!
4) After putting together the bike, I noticed both wheels wobbled side to side like crazy when they were spun, causing them constantly rub against the brakes. After Googling, I found out that the wheels needed to be "trued". Which involves tightening/loosening the spokes on the wheels, to which I didn't have the necessary tools for.
5) Despite the wobbly wheels, I decided to take the bike out for a very small test run. I just did a few circles in my neighborhood. On the very first few pedals, the chain popped off. What duh??..Ok..so I put it back on. I managed to ride it for a few circles, switching into each gear just to test. I ran into TWO PROBLEMS...the bike wouldn't shift into 7th gear, it would just stay on the 6th cog despite the shifter saying it was in 7th gear. Second, I noticed that I couldn't shift back into 1st gear! Going from 2nd back into 1st would cause the chain to pop off!!! This happened every single time I tried. Disappointed, I quit for the day, and called my LBS to make an appointment for a tune-up.
The guy at the LBS was very nice, and he tried his best to not offend me but he stated that my bike was of "LOW TO MARGINAL QUALITY" after I explained to him my shifting problems. I left the bike there with him. An hour later he called me, saying that (and I quote) "THE FRONT DERAILLEUR WAS HORRENDOUSLY BENT and the chain that came with the bike was too short", which explained why I was having problems shifting. He explained to me that he can bend the derailleur back but there was a chance it can break, rendering the bike useless. I took the chance and agreed to let him bend and fix it. The guy was able to fix my derailleur, thank god, but he said that the 1st gear is usable but definitely not great. He told me the front wheel "was something else" when he was truing it.
LIST OF ISSUES:
- Both wheels needed to be trued
- Rear wheel's hub was bent
- Front derailleur "horrendously" bent
- Chain slightly too short
LBS REPAIR BILL:
- Basic tune-up (front/rear wheel truing, brakes adjustment, gears check/oiled, bolts tighten, etc.) - $60
- Front derailleur fixed - $15
TOTAL: $75
The bike is now working fine, and rides very nicely. I would have given this review a much higher rating if it didn't have so many flaws, and the fact that I had to pay an additional $75 to get it repaired when it's supposed to be brand new is ridiculous.
I cannot recommend this bike UNLESS you're willing to pay your LBS the additional $60-80 for a tune-up before riding it.
 Good bike for the price June 30, 2010
Anonymous
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a good bike for the price. I bought the 21-inch frame, and I am about a 6'1" male and it's just the right size for me (while seated, only the tips of my toes can touch the ground).
I didn't bother trying to assemble the bike myself. I brought the box to the local bike shop and paid $60 for them to assemble it, for convenience and for safety.
The bike has 7 gears, and gear 1 is called a "SUPER LOW" gear. It has a larger step than between the other gears (3 to 2, 4 to 3, etc.) I haven't really encountered a hill steep enough for gear 1 yet.
On to the critical points:
This bike is really only meant to be ridden on pavement or MAYBE an even dirt trail. There's nothing to absorb the shock of riding on grass or any other uneven surface, and the tires do not have deep treads (but the treads are a little more rugged than a road bike).
Once, I hit a bump while shifting gears and went straight from 3 to 5, skipping 4, and the chain fell off of the gear attached to the pedals.
Overall, this is a good bike for going short distances on paved roads. I use it to go about a half mile to work everyday. I wouldn't try to do any long-distance riding with it; a road bike would be more appropriate for that. For about $250 + $60 assembly, you're not going to find a better quality NEW bike in a bike shop.
I took off one star for a bumpy ride (nothing to absorb shock) and not a very big gear selection (I'd like to be able to go higher than 7).
 A bike for people who just love to ride June 15, 2010
sixxer 777
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It's hard to find a good bike for people who just love to get out and ride. This is one of few in existence. Most bikes nowadays are too hunched over, or too complicated, or too expensive. The Kalamar is for those of us who enjoy two-wheeling about in the sunshine, smelling the flowers and listening to the birds; for running down to the corner store, or for getting around town. Simply built, and a pleasure to ride because of the the large, skinny wheels, and the comfortable, upright position. . all this and it does easy wheelies too!
If everyone had a friendly bike like this, instead of ultra-competitive, crotch-crushers, we'd all probably get along a lot better. Stop competing and start living! Grab a Diamondback Kalamar!
BEST BIKE I'VE EVER OWNED! June 7, 2010
D. Hardwick (Miami, Florida)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Gents, this is the BEST bike I've owned over my 62 years! Haven't owned a bike (except for HARLEYS!) for about 20 years. Even though everything is made in CHINA these days apparently the "American" requirements and quality of bikes these days has been improved, even though 90% of the bikes are made in one of 3 Chinese factories. Bought this bike at Dicks, they put it together, they made all the proper adjustments, and this thing impresses me a whole lot! No "clicking" like my past bikes, don't know why, VERY solid bike, no rattles, squeaks or noise of any type, VERY TIGHT! Makes for a very enjoyable ride. The gear shifting is absolutely "on-spot", VERY smooth, VERY quick and no problems with the 7-speed! I really have absolutely NO issues with this bike. I did an awful lot of research over the past week, Honestly, I thought I would buy a bike on-line, have it shipped to me and take it to a bike shop for the adjustments (which will cost an additional 20 or 30 bucks), which are absolutely necessary on a new bike. Dicks technician did a beautiful job of putting this together, making all the proper adjustments, and even let me take it out to the street for a ride before paying for it. I saw several bikes on-line that I would have been comfortable buying, but what happens if you have a problem??? I got the 2 year warranty which allows me to take it to DICKS as many times necessary for any adjustments or problems, which I've not needed yet. If you're thinking about buying this bike, it's a no-brainer, pull the trigger, buy the bike! I have thoroughly enjoyed long rides on this bike. By the way, I'm 62 years young, 6'3', 210lbs, so I bought the "LX" model and don't regret it! I was afraid the 21" frame may be too small for my 6'3" frame, but it fits PERFECTLY! Just to mention the 7-speed.........you guys that are "enthusiasts" might need 21 gears....... I am so happy with this bike. The only thing that I had second thoughts about is the handle-bar, which is straight....and it actually is pretty comfortable, but I axed (pun) the technician about a "swept-back" handle bar, and he sez "no problem, bring it back in and we'll put the handle bar you want....... "service issue".....how can I NOT like DICKS? (sporting goods, that is), and NO, I have NO affiliation with DICKS.....I've never been in DICKS until I started looking for a bike. Also visited, TARGET, WALMART, and the usual local bike shops. I really don't understand how the local bike shops stay in business, their prices seem to start around $250.00 for their "entry-level bikes......I'd like to support my local shop with a bike purchase, but I simply could not justify it! Long story short......GET THIS BIKE, YOU WON'T REGRET IT!
Big Bike for a Big Guy! May 6, 2010
M. Rose (Fremont, MI, USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I ordered this bike expecting it to be like every other bike I've ever used. Slightly too small. It isn't. I love this bike! It needs a kickstand. Yes, I know some of you don't need kickstands, but I've got a following bike as well as a bike trailer attached to this poor thing - to help transport my 3 kids - and I need a solid kickstand for when the chain derails (this has happened twice, thus far) Something's gotta hold this thing up. I've ordered a Hebie bipod kickstand from across the pond, and I've pretty sure that'll do the job!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 7
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