Diamondback  Metric 1 Bike

bicycle version of a Subaru Crosstrek

I have had the Metric1 for about two months now (it was a Christmas gift to myself; boy was I surprised when I unwrapped it! ;-)). The things I like the most about it are the relatively lightweight frame, the basic tech/mech, and the 700c wheels. The things I don't like are the limitation on tire size (I've not tested anything larger than the stock 35mm I should say, but it doesn't appear to me that it would take much-, if any-, larger tires), the brake/shifter combo levers (I worry about anything that I have no experience fixing, as well as tend to disfavor one thing that does more than one thing), as well as the release for the front wheel brakes. The latter bothers me because I have to remove the wheel to load the bike into my car and the rubber boot on the brake cable doesn't seem very durable. It will break at some point and I have no idea where to buy a replacement; amazon? I ride mainly on paved public park paths. I very occasionally go on some quieter side streets, and I do like to ride off the pavement now and then. My previous bicycle was an ancient hybrid/mtb, GT Talera. It was 20 years old when I got it and I fixed it up one part at a time over the last 10. It had 26" wheels and I could put up to 2.95 sized tires on them. As noted, the Metric came with 35mm tires and presta valved tubes. In case it matters to you, there are no markings to indicate that the wheels could be converted to tubeless tires. I have been getting more confident to ride the Metric off the paved path and onto some grassy surfaces, as well as make a regular practice of doing about 2km on a gravel road as part of one of my usual circuits. I ride about 15km 3-4 times @ week, depending on the weather. It's not as easy to ride the Metric off-road as it was the Talera, but I think that is down to my not having a lot of experience with the larger diameter wheels and my general lack of cycling expertise. I am also preternaturally frugal so I don't have/use any kind of rack on my car. I drive a Subaru Crosstrek and I put the bike in and out of the hatch every time I ride. I used to do that with the Talera as well; the Metric seems to weigh at least 1/3 less based entirely on my estimate. I also like the simplicity of rim brakes on a bicycle and I'm not so rigorous a rider that I really have found that I need discs yet. I do go up what seem to me to be pretty challenging inclines, however, and I need to trust my brakes to bring me back down again regardless. So far, the non-hydraulics have seen me through. As I'm sure you know, this is not a true road bike by any stretch. When I'm riding it, road cyclists pass me like I'm parked, with alarming frequency. Most of that is likely because I'm not that skilled/fast of a rider. But even if you were and you were expecting to keep up with the people in teardrop helmets, skin-tight Cinzano-wear, and clip-bearing Japanese cycling shoes, forget it. As I said, I drive a Crosstrek. That's because I'm comfortable with (1) a naturally aspirated engine that I am capable of changing the oil on myself, (2) a manual transmission, and (3) a hatch back body style. The Metric 1 sort of mirrors that style to me (as detailed above). Most of the teardrop helmets could no doubt pass me while I was driving my Subaru as well as on my bike, but that's not what I bought my car or my bike for. Not judging, just sayin'. The Metric 1 is a very good bike for my purposes and for the money. It gives me just what I need to get the exercise I want. BTW, there is a sticker on the bb that says, "Made in Cambodia". FYI Cheers.