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Diamondback unleashes Andean, the “world’s fastest aero bike”, and it’s insane

2017 Diamondback Andean triathlon bike
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In 2014, Diamondback presented a new theory on aerodynamic bicycles with the Serios TT/Tri bike. It used thicker than normal tube shapes to control the wind, rather than the popular waif-thin blades. Now, they’ve blown all norms out of the water to rocket from T1 to T2 with the all-new Andean.

Designed with aerodynamicist Kevin Quan, it presents the Aero Core concept, which says that the wheels are the most important part of the aero equation. Once those are selected and tires are installed, the best thing you can do is to fill the space between them as much as possible. Of course, a solid sheet would be hell in crosswinds, so they combined Quan’s experience with Dr. Phillippe Lavoie and his grad students at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS).

2017 Diamondback Andean triathlon bike prototype
All images and graphs courtesy of Diamondback.

The concept started out in the UTIAS wind tunnel at half scale to prove the concept. In testing, they found that it was fastest with all of the storage compartments in place:

2017-diamondback-andean-triathlon-bike-drag-comparison

The gray line shows the Serios with HED Jet 6 front and Jet 9 rear wheels, with Continental Attack 22mm front and Force 24mm rear tires installed. The blue line shows the new Andean with the same cockpit and build as the Serios, without its storage compartments installed. The red line details the drag up to 20º yaw angle (cross wind) with everything installed as shown in the top photo, save for a Jet 9 front / Jet Disc rear wheel.

2017 Diamondback Andean triathlon bike

Final wind tunnel testing was done around HED Jet 6 wheels front and rear, with 24mm front and 26mm rear tires. The Aero Core concept fills in the gap between the center of the wheels, where the most turbulence is, with as much frame as possible. This also essentially takes the crankset out of the crosswind equation. They say the design gave them excellent drag reduction throughout the tested yaw angles.

2017-diamondback-andean-triathlon-bike-07

Supercar aesthetics aside, there are a ton of useful features built into the bike that take full advantage of the massive fuselage.

2017-diamondback-andean-triathlon-bike-05

Tool storage hides inside the main frame with a pop-up “gas cap” style cover.

2017-diamondback-andean-triathlon-bike-08

Food, fuel and other nutrition can be stashed in the bento box section behind, on top of, and in front of the stem, which is hidden from the air by a horizontally placed water bottle.

2017-diamondback-andean-triathlon-bike-06

Behind the seatpost is a slim covered pocket for your cash, cards, etc.

2017 Diamondback Andean triathlon bike

2017-diamondback-andean-triathlon-bike-09

The Diamondback Andean will make its formal race debut at Ironman World Championships in Kona.

2017-diamondback-andean-triathlon-bike-10

2017-diamondback-andean-triathlon-bike-pricing

It will be available directly from Diamondback only. The move, they say, to direct-to-consumer for this model is two fold. First, it lets them offer the super bike at a better price, making it somewhat attainable. Second, it lets them work more closely with the end user to customize the build and preferences and improve the overall experience. We’re guessing it may also be a move to increase their reach beyond the existing dealer base. Prices start at $4,779.99 for the base build, which is in no way low end, and moves up to $8,069.99 with Dura-Ace Di2. Click the spec/price sheet to enlarge for all the options.

Want one? They’re taking $500 non-refundable deposits now for delivery in January 2017.

Diamondback.com

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111 Comments
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DJ
DJ
7 years ago

It will be all fun and games until your chain gets stuck between the chainrings and the frame storage box.

Ken
Ken
7 years ago

Fun in the crosswinds I’m sure

Reinout @ Diamondback
7 years ago
Reply to  Ken

It actually tested really well in crosswinds.

Charlie
Charlie
7 years ago

How strong (mph) were the crosswinds tested?

Aero
7 years ago

Yep, it tested well in crosswinds when concerning aero performance and that’s got absolutely nothing to do how much you get blown around by those crosswinds!

alvis
alvis
7 years ago
Reply to  Aero

insert ‘Thank You’ meme here.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
7 years ago

Good for drag or good for bike handling because you can surely have very fast wheels that are very bad with side winds.

Joun K.
Joun K.
7 years ago

Direct to consumer in this case is going to mean that a mechanic has to build this bike without any tech support. Good luck!

Reinout @ Diamondback
7 years ago
Reply to  Joun K.

Joun, We’re going to stand behind those bikes completely. There will be plenty of support.

blah blah blah
blah blah blah
7 years ago
Reply to  Joun K.

tech support for a bike? ,2wheels 2 derailers 2 brakes seat handle bars kinda the same as all bikes for the past 100 years or so

i
i
7 years ago
Reply to  Joun K.

any “bike mechanic” that needs help from the manufacturer to bolt on a handlebar… I don’t want them anywhere near my bike.

Peter
Peter
7 years ago
Reply to  i

As a “bike mechanic” . . . You’re an idiot.

Collin
Collin
7 years ago

Why are companies putting so much money into aero? Bigger logos. Other interesting fact about this bike, if you lay it on its side, people on the space station can read the brand name.

Tim Guarente
Tim Guarente
7 years ago
Reply to  Collin

No they can’t. The text is so big they ran out of ink before they got the tops of the letters done.

Reinout @ Diamondback
7 years ago
Reply to  Collin

The Concept behind the Andean was to produce something completely new.

Roborbob
Roborbob
7 years ago

The chasm between roadie and triathlete grows ever wider. Is there a car carrier that can handle this? One wouldn’t want to have to ride to race venues, especially Kona.

mateo
mateo
7 years ago
Reply to  Roborbob

If you’re worried about riding to Kona, you’re probably going to be worried about using a car rack too.

As for racks that work… most any tray style.

elvis
elvis
7 years ago
Reply to  Roborbob

I read this and then looked at the picture again. I think you might have a pretty valid point. I’d like to think they took the front wheel off and lopped the bottom storage so that it isn’t the low point but it is hard to tell if that’s true or not.

may have to transport w/ the front wheel on?

Chader
Chader
7 years ago
Reply to  Roborbob

Just about any tray-style rack should work fine. Fork mounts are good too.

The only major ones that wouldn’t work are the cheap top tube hangers.

Josh
Josh
7 years ago
Reply to  Chader

There is no way this would fit on a fork mount tray, at least not the ones I have owned. Draw a line from the rear wheel to the front axel and you have what looks like 6 to 7 inches of frame that would go through the tray.

ed
ed
7 years ago
Reply to  Josh

you are right but you also forgot thats what sunroofs are really for.

Chader
Chader
7 years ago
Reply to  Josh

I see what you are saying. I thought the concern was the thru axle fork.

Mick
Mick
7 years ago
Reply to  Roborbob

They also better develop a travel case for this bike… Their target market for this bike likes to travel… and this bike does not look like it will fit properly into most of the popular travel cases
Good chance this is another cool bike that is a travel nightmare.

ed
ed
7 years ago
Reply to  Mick

The frame turns into a case with a couple more panels!

CP
CP
7 years ago

I actually think the opposite and find socks not flattering of a look.

Bazookasean
Bazookasean
7 years ago

Running the cables and housing is easy, you simply climb inside the frame and walk them through.

Mike
Mike
7 years ago
Reply to  Bazookasean

I LOL’d

TomM
TomM
7 years ago
Reply to  Bazookasean

LOL

Kovas
Kovas
7 years ago
Reply to  Bazookasean

Bazookasean for the win. Best post.

Tim
Tim
7 years ago
Reply to  Bazookasean

Sensible chuckle

Allan
Allan
7 years ago
Reply to  Bazookasean

I LOL’d and am still LOL’ing!

MissedTheJoke
MissedTheJoke
7 years ago
Reply to  Bazookasean

I don’t get what’s so funny about this.

Simon
Simon
7 years ago

Honestly, this is rad as heck. Good on ya Diamondback for doing something! As much as “regular” bike riders like to disparage tri people and their bikes (stereotypes do exist for a reason though!), the fact remains that there’s some radical engineering and design that goes into this stuff. Wonder how different the response would be if the bike said “CERVELO”, “CANNONDALE”, or “LOOK” on the down tube?

1368439846
1368439846
7 years ago
Reply to  Simon

I think it’s cool as hell.

Lars
Lars
7 years ago
Reply to  1368439846

Exactly!:-)

brian
brian
7 years ago

Will this work as a gravel grinder? What about Enduro? Are they planning a Plus size tire option? I want Boost or nothing.
This thing looks slow/fast. The yaw angle is gonna make it slow/fast.
will it have room for my inflated ego or will I have to check that at the door?
Do you think Eddie Fiola could air this at 11 at the pipeline like he did on his GT? ( for the oldschoolers )

Its a bike that is pushing boundaries. If we can’t embrace that ( you don’t have to like it ) then move on.

Artisart
Artisart
7 years ago
Reply to  brian

Yes on Eddie.

Erik Lowe
Erik Lowe
7 years ago

A trash bin 🙂

Keep our roads clean and thank you DiamondBack for thinking about this!

Dave
Dave
7 years ago

The out of the box build quality of every Diamondback I’ve ever seen has been appalling. The rationale to make what’s probably the hardest to work on bike with (probably) terrible build quality direct to consumer is baffling.

Nice to see them push the limits; shame their business model doesn’t match their engineering.

Matt Pewthers
7 years ago
Reply to  Dave

I really like a lot of the bikes that Diamondback has done over the past several years, especially the Haanjo Carbon bikes this year, but I have to agree with you. The 3 DB’s that I assembled during the past two years (the REI that I worked at didn’t stock them, but a few got ordered through us) required some sort of action; 1 Airen was missing a cable guide, and 2 Insights required new BBs in order to get the chain line right (not all cogs were usable from the middle ring). They company was, however, accommodating and easy to work with.

The price seems competitive enough that they should be able to bump it up a bit to give consumers the security of going through a dealer.

pgm
pgm
7 years ago
Reply to  Dave

FWIW – I have a Haanjo Trail and Sortie 3 and didn’t find much wrong with either one. It really wasn’t different from having any other bike shipped to you in a box. Whatever ‘out of the box build quality’ even means. A derailleur mount looked to have gone on while the paint wasn’t completely dry on the Sortie. That was ALL I could find wrong.

transgerald
transgerald
7 years ago

is this thing UCI legal?

atlbikeshop
7 years ago
Reply to  transgerald

It is not – that is why it is a ‘Triathlon’ bike.

Fred
Fred
7 years ago
Reply to  transgerald

Nope which is why it pushes the boundaries unlike UCI roadbikes which haven’t evolved much in the last 100 years…

Mike
Mike
7 years ago

This is awesome. I’m not a triathlete, so I’d never buy one, but when I heard Tri was splitting from the UCI requirements, this is just the level of cray-cray I was envisioning. So cool.

tyler
7 years ago

tough crowd. would rock a drop bar version along with an Air Attack Shield for the lulz.

ChknBreast
ChknBreast
7 years ago

Another bikepacking bike, sigh!

Bryan
Bryan
7 years ago

Is this bike UCI legal? Section 1.3.020c of the UCI equipment rules talks about how the seat stays are supposed to be connected to the rest of the bike. As there are no seat stays, is this a legal bike, or is the bike designed for non-UCI time trial/triathlon events?

Dan
Dan
7 years ago
Reply to  Bryan

Not in the slightest bit.

Cat 1
Cat 1
7 years ago
Reply to  Bryan

Most Cat 1/2 racers will never have to worry about UCI rules. We don’t have many races that follow UCI rules in the states.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
7 years ago
Reply to  Cat 1

Plenty of TTs I’ve done care about saddle position and I’ve seen dudes sent home for aerobars that aren’t 3 to 1 for cat 1-3 riders

Bill
Bill
7 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

Then you call your regional USAC rep and get that official spoken to. Unless you’re racing in a UCI race, specifically in a UCI sanctioned field, the rules don’t apply.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
7 years ago
Reply to  Bill

I wouldn’t complain. I actually like most of the rules. I wish we had even more UCI races or would like non-uci events to maintain their rules for TTs. That way, people can compare times everywhere without having massively unfair advantages with equipment and positions.

Duster13
Duster13
7 years ago
Reply to  Bill

Yeah, lets make it more about the equipment than the rider. Great…….. LOL

Reinout @ Diamondback
7 years ago
Reply to  Bryan

It’s not, but Triathlons are non UCI races and just about anything goes in the tri world.

Juice
Juice
7 years ago

Doesn’t Quan work for Knight Wheels? Interesting that those wheels weren’t used here.

T. Shield
7 years ago
Reply to  Juice

Knight Composites wheels will work great on a bike like this. Kevin is the engineer on this project, not the Product Manager. Diamondback has a long history with HED

atlbikeshop
7 years ago

I dig it. Though, this thing needs a rear disc wheel!

Kev
Kev
7 years ago

Disk brakes! Aero reason or gimic? You can hide a calliper in those chain stays easy

Scotty
Scotty
7 years ago

It’s 1996 again.
comment image

bob 88
bob 88
7 years ago
Reply to  Scotty

great find

Craig Schuller
7 years ago
Reply to  Scotty

Yes, Zulle’s incredible ti Look from 20 years ago is the first thing I thought of when I saw the downtube front wheel fairing. I’ve been waiting for someone to fill in the frame like this ever since. Never dreamt it’d be Diamondback. Beautiful bike!

Allan
Allan
7 years ago

At least they are trying something new. Garish logo aside, this thing is totally out of the box. If people start using this in competition, I guess we’ll see how well it does…

Von Kruiser
Von Kruiser
7 years ago

This bike is BAD ASS and MEAN looking. If I ran, swam and biked in tight brief underwear, I would buy one of these machines. Maybe they should make similar but less insane version for aero road. This is a bike Ben Bostrom would race in a triathlon. Looks like a MotoGP street slayer.

Wibklen
Wibklen
7 years ago

I’ve always wanted a rear spoiler for my bike put the power to the pavement.

Antipodean_eleven
7 years ago

Negative comments aplenty I see. Nice work chaps, nothing like applauding something (sorta) new!

First the very cool video and now this, DB is on fire right now it seems. Bravo to them for actually having the kazona’s to have a good bash at doing something properly different (and giving the big one to the insane UCI Lugano charter) AND THEN making is available to actually buy. For Tri guys and the likes I am sure this is going to be a big thing.

Duster13
Duster13
7 years ago

Yeah, lets make tri’s more and more about the equipment differences between riders and not their skills. brilliant…. LOL

Von Kruiser
Von Kruiser
7 years ago

What happened to Michael Brown’s hair?

Why use red in the logo
Why use red in the logo
7 years ago

UIHMUNUBHLA

MBR
MBR
7 years ago

Curious how much worse a ‘draggy’ bike is compared to the ~650g drag number of this bike?
And how much does it weigh?
Seems to be a wee bit of a gulf between this flagship model and the rest of the Costco-level DB fleet, isn’t there? There’s only one DB company, right?

Reinout @ Diamondback
7 years ago
Reply to  MBR

In a 54 cm it’s just under 21lbs (with pedals)

MaraudingWalrus
MaraudingWalrus
7 years ago
Reply to  MBR

Their Podium carbon road bike has been very good for several years….

Rowan
Rowan
7 years ago

Took me forever to notice the discs

Thomas
Thomas
7 years ago

I agree with everyone on this post. Progress sucks! This bike would be way better with a 5 speed rear cassette and if it was made of brazed steel. I can’t wait until the bike industry jumps back in the box and stops making progress. That said, I wish my car still had a carburetor, and my mountain bike was still rigid with cantilever brakes.

freewheeler
freewheeler
7 years ago
Reply to  Thomas

Hey, I like my carburetor.

Duster13
Duster13
7 years ago
Reply to  Thomas

This is only progress if your definition of progress is creating greater equipment differences between athletes in tri events.

Eric
Eric
7 years ago

I like where their heads are on this. All that storage!!

Now my problem is what to do with the stockpile of electrical tape, duct tape, and zip ties I own?

It will be interesting to see how easy/hard fit adjustments and travel breakdown will be.

ebbe
ebbe
7 years ago
Reply to  Eric

You could maybe put your stockpile of electrical tape, duct tape, and zip ties inside the storage compartments on this bike?

aeroking
aeroking
7 years ago

This bike looks rad. well done DB

ed
ed
7 years ago

Awesome, I always wanted a bike with a trunk! (boot for our english speaking friends)

Wright Brother
Wright Brother
7 years ago

Hate to hit a wicked crosswind going 40mph while approaching finish line. This kite would become fly very well especially in Kona.

TJ
TJ
7 years ago

Hey there’s a way to make this thing lighter – just skip the wallet compartment, just have enough space for a credit card… The white collar folks doing this ego driven arms race are just carrying Platinum..

bruto
bruto
7 years ago

Enough room to put a porta potty in there, no need to stop anymore or soil the saddle

Muchachos
Muchachos
7 years ago

Is that thing CPSC 1512 legal?

SmartthanU
SmartthanU
7 years ago

What a joke… If you are going to ride something like this then just get a HPV… those guys can average 55mph+…

Seriously, if they make a bike that let’s you ride as fast as Merckx did, does that make you
Eddy?

People that buy this sort of thing should be mocked without mercy.

souleur
7 years ago
Reply to  SmartthanU

Word SmartthanU

If they start making bikes this ugly in the future, count me out

Its POS in terms of aethetics

give me a Sachs or Pegorettic steel rig any day!!

no matter what, the engine is still in the legs and heart

Duster13
Duster13
7 years ago
Reply to  SmartthanU

This is for the guys, who want to purchase speed at trip events. It’s about making events more about the equipment than the rider. Some call it progress. Reminds me of all the buoyant form fitting swim suits everyone was wearing several years ago in the Olympics. It made people faster, it didn’t improve a thing. LOL

Derek Turner
Derek Turner
7 years ago

Great bike… triathletes need more stopping power and a place to stow a rotisserie chicken

Stendhal
7 years ago
Reply to  Derek Turner

You, sir, have made my day.

In all seriousness, kudos to Diamondback for thinking outside the box AND participating in this forum.

J-dog
J-dog
7 years ago
Reply to  Derek Turner

Finger licking good??

James
James
7 years ago

So, you have to stop pedaling to access the storage compartment? Why even have it unless you are touring….

Cat 1
Cat 1
7 years ago
Reply to  James

You must of missed the 17 other storage compartments that are accessible..

jake
jake
7 years ago

people should be required to post their occupation and education level before posting. Cant believe how many mechanical engineers posted on this bike. Just because you dont like it doesn’t mean you have to bash it….. oh wait thats the level we have lowered ourselves to.. SMH

Will this beast be at interbike next week?

Duster13
Duster13
7 years ago
Reply to  jake

When things are simply created to create a larger equipment imbalance at trip events it deserves to be bashed. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. If you can explain in any sane logical manner how this bike improves the sport of trip other than creating a greater equipment advantage between certain riders I’d love to hear it. But i bet you can’t and neither can DB. 🙂

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
7 years ago

I have no doubts this bike is really fast and possibly even the fastest thing out there. But disc brakes are surely a major compromise. I’m sure they did everything they could to negate their drag but there’s no way in hell that they don’t produce more drag than designing the bike without them. Ha, plus, triathletes have enough trouble changing flats with quick releases and rim brakes. This bike is gonna create a lot of big time losses for age groupers. I 5 minute flat fix(not abnormal for triathletes) will result in 10 minutes of trying to get the wheel out, then giving up and waiting for neutral support where they’ll do the flat fix and you get a time penalty as a side gift.

Mitch
Mitch
7 years ago

Once again, a tri manufacturer ignores my innovative idea; A piss gutter that is designed with fluid dynamics that collects any and all piss generated by the rider and allows it to exit the rear of the bike and not collect at the rear brake.

Your Mom
Your Mom
7 years ago

Haters are going to hate, and the people that poop on this bike probably poop on every other bike they see, too. Some will even nitpick disc brakes, or the size of logos…. in the end, who gives a poop. Nice to see a brand that won’t force me out of my retirement savings innovating at the high end. Who cares about UCI legality–I’m not a racer. I’m not Lance, but I’ve met him. I like to go fast and this bike looks (and possibly is) fast. Nice.

Oh, and I’m a mechanical engineer that worked on aeroplanes and space shuttles and I’ve consulted for F1. But now I just troll websites….

Antipodean_eleven
7 years ago
Reply to  Your Mom

“Oh, and I’m a mechanical engineer that worked on aeroplanes and space shuttles and I’ve consulted for F1. But now I just troll websites….” Woohahahahaha. One of the best lines I’ve read on BR to date.

Michael Wagner
Michael Wagner
7 years ago

Plenty of room to hide the motor and battery to win all the local KOMs.

Anthony Zanca
7 years ago

Looks like a 1986 LOOK TT bike…..

Evan
Evan
7 years ago

i’m excited for other people to buy this bike and the entertainment that will ensue from that

bob
bob
7 years ago

This is going to save a bunch of gas when strapped to the roof rack.

Mike
7 years ago

Reinout@Diamondback – This is fantastic, finally someone brave enough to start pushing the boundaries! How much involvement did Steve Hed have? Did you consider continuing the seatpost to bring the layers back together? How does the bike work with a lenticular disc? I want one so bad – can you do a frame / bars only?

Jimmy Dogma
Jimmy Dogma
7 years ago

Nice try guys. But so far its DB 1, Trolls 0…..

Duster13
Duster13
7 years ago
Reply to  Jimmy Dogma

you mean DB 1, tri’s being about the athlete, not the equipment 0 🙂

Jack Moore
Jack Moore
7 years ago
Reply to  Duster13

Much of the fun in cycling IS about the equipment – that is why this web site exists! And you seem to be on it…

Buy it if you like it, walk past it if you don’t. I feel the same way about hot-pink Pinnarellos or bright yellow kit…. Not for me but more power to you if you dig it.

Ned
Ned
7 years ago

Reinout@diamondback. A couple questions. There’s no integrated hydration? How do you refill the forward bottle on the fly? Do the discs produce ANY drag? bc any drag is a deal breaker. Did I read that some of the storage compartments are removable? Is that for windy days?

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