Diamondback Haanjo Review – Haanjo 1, 2 and 3 Compared

Using a road bike for commuting and general transportation is certainly not a new concept. Diamondback Haanjo bikes are preferred over other style of bikes because of their faster speeds, better pedaling efficiency, and lighter weight.

While road bikes are better for general transportation, they also have some pitfalls. The skinny tire style doesn’t offer the best control, and the positioning of the average road bike is not geared for comfort.

Commuter road bikes offer a better alternative, as they retain all of the best aspects of a standard road bike, but integrate some strategic features and designs that make them much more ideal for city riding and transportation.

The Diamondback Haanjo is a great example of a true commuter road bike, blending together efficiency, control, speed, and durability into one truly road-ready bike that can easily conquer city streets, sidewalks and anything you else you may encounter.

INTRODUCING THE DIAMONDBACK HAANJO BIKE

The Diamondback Haanjo Series has a surprising price point when considering all that it offers.

They offer a very specific riding style, while including a light weight frame material and very good components. Toss in some inconvenient upgrade capabilities for both parts and accessories, and you have yourself very versatile commuter road bikes that are very fun to ride.

Let’s first go over the things you’ll notice that are different from the average road bikes. There are no drop-down handlebars that encourage a forward-leaning position. The Diamondback Haanjo instead offer a flat handlebar that slightly angles back, more similar to a mountain bike or hybrid.

The Diamondback Haanjo Series also has a longer wheelbase, and utilizes trigger shifters. The tires are noticeably thicker as well, and include a light tread pattern for better traction in wet conditions. The saddle is wider, and the riding stance is much more upright when compared to a true road bike.

The Diamondback Haanjo Series use a butted aluminum frame, which weighs 25 lbs when fully equipped. The Haanjo 1 and 2 use steel fork instead, giving them more stability, and also a better ability to absorb vibrations. The Haanjo 3 uses a lightweight carbon fork 

Instead of the usual dual-pivot found on many road bikes, you get Tektro front and rear mechanical disc brakes, which are much better for stopping in a variety of weather and road conditions. The brakes are hydraulic, and require minimal effort when coming to a complete stop.

The bike’s wheelset includes double-walled DB Equation rims, which are designed to withstand bumps and weight much more than standard road bike rims.

Included with these are Schwalbe Citizen tires with Kevlar Guard, in a 700c x 37c size for better traction and stability. The tires also include a reflective strip for better safety and visibility.

The seating setup consists of a DB X-Durance alloy seatpost, which supports the DB Eldorado saddle. This saddle is much more padded than a standard road bike set, and also has a wider coverage area.

There are also some small upgrade capabilities with the Haanjo Series. Mud guard mounts are included on both front and back, along with a rear luggage rack mount in case you need to haul around some of your belongings.

All of these features and components of this come together to create great commuter bikes that can be kept minimal, or accommodate added upgrades to better suit your riding needs.

The Haanjo’s core components are very precise, and give the rider a great deal of control and comfort during a ride, which is everything you want with commuter bikes.

Haanjo 1 / 2 / 3 - What are the differences?

The Haanjo 3 has a better gear set, and is around 2.5 lbs lighter than the Haanjo 1. Write more about the differences here.

WHAT WE LIKE

The first thing about the Haanjo Series that draws attention is its low price. Starting at around $600 for the  Diamondback Haanjo 1 to around $1000 for the Haanjo 3, you can purchase an ideal commuter bike that is not only fun to ride, but also incredibly durable.

At under 25 lbs, the bikes are very light for being a commuter bike, and gives off a very high-end feel.

The disc brakes are easily one of the biggest advantages with the Haanjo Series.

Not only do the Tektro disc brakes give you dual control over you stopping, they are unaffected by rain, mud, sleet, and whatever else may otherwise mess up your ride. Disc brakes on road bikes this affordable are not all that common.

Another aspect we appreciated is these bikes ability to take on mud guards and a luggage rack. This may seem like a minor feature, but these are essential for true commuter bikes.

WHAT WE DON'T LIKE

If we could change one thing on the Haanjo series, it would be to have an extra crank wheel to double the amount of available gears.

If you’re used to having more gears on a standard road bike, the 9 gears on the Haanjo may seem inadequate, especially at first. This is only a minor complaint, however.

Buying Advice

If you are going to be using the Haanjo for actual commuting and travel, we recommend getting compatible mud guards and a luggage rack to go with it.

A professional tune up will be required after receiving either bike as well, so make sure you have money set aside to visit your local bike shop with.

Conclusion

It’s hard to think of better commuter road bikes for the money.

The Haanjo Series are meticulously thought out, and boast a great design, lightweight frame, and the right components to back everything up. It truly makes city riding much easier, and much more enjoyable.

If you are looking for road bikes that are more suitable for travel and casual recreational use, the Haanjo Series is an excellent choice.