Name: Diamondback Lindau EXC Review
Item: Diamondback Lindau EXC
Author: Court Rye

Home
Reviews
Brands
Diamondback Reviews
Diamondback Lindau EXC Review

Diamondback Lindau Exc Electric Bike Review

Diamondback Lindau Exc Removable 48 Battery

Diamondback Lindau Exc Ergo Grips Display Throttle

Diamondback Lindau Exc 160 Mechanical Disc Brakes

Diamondback Lindau Exc Chain Guide And Guard

Diamondback Lindau Exc Control Button Pad

Diamondback Lindau Exc Rear Rack Bungees

Comfortable hybrid city style electric bike with relaxed upright handle bars, large ergonomic pedals, seat post suspension, full length fenders, a clean minimalist chain guard and a rear rear rack with triple bungee cord attachment
Available in two frame sizes and either high-step or step-thru design for improved stiffness and strength or easy mounting
Smooth, quiet and durable gearless rear hub motor with quick release skewer and quick disconnect power cable for easy maintenance
Plenty of power offered through the 48 volt battery and 500 watt motor combination, good stopping power with 160 mm disc brakes

Make:

Diamondback

Model:

Lindau EXC

Price:

$2,500 USD

Body Position:

Upright

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban, Commuting

Electric Bike Class:

Throttle on Demand (Class 2)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

Lifetime Frame, One Year Components

Availability:

United States

Model Year:

20142015

Total Weight:

55 lbs (24.94 kg)

Frame Material:

6061-T6 aluminum alloy

Frame Sizes:

17 in (43.18 cm)19 in (48.26 cm)

Frame Types:

Step-Thru, High-Step

Frame Colors:

Dark Blue, Light Blue

Frame Fork Details:

Rigid, Aluminum Alloy

Attachment Points:

Rear Rack Bosses, Fender Bosses, Bottle Cage Bosses

Gearing Details:

8 Speed 1x8 Shimano Altus M280, 11-32T

Shifter Details:

Microshift Triggers on Right Bar

Cranks:

Aluminum Alloy, 42T Sprocket

Pedals:

DB Comfort, Plastic Platform with Rubberized Tread

Headset:

Ahead 1 1/8"

Stem:

Alloy Ahead 25.4 mm

Handlebar:

Steel Riser

Brake Details:

Promax DSK717 Mechanical Disc with 160 mm Rotors, Promax Levers with Motor Cutoff Switch

Grips:

Dual Density, Ergonomic Comfort

Saddle:

DB Comfort with Integrated Handle

Seat Post:

Suspension Shock

Seat Post Diameter:

27.2 mm

Rims:

Double Wall, Aluminum Alloy 36 Hole

Spokes:

14 Gauge Stainless Steel

Tire Brand:

Schwalbe Road Cruiser, 700 x 42c

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

Kevlar Guard, Reflective Sidewall Stripe

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Rear Carry Rack with Standard Gauge Tubing and Triple Bungee Cord, Matching Front and rear Aluminum Alloy Fenders, Aluminum Alloy Chain Guide / Bash Guard, Kickstand, Bell on Right Bar

Other:

Locking Removable Battery Pack, Quick-Connect Motor Cable with Quick Release Front and Rear Wheels, 12 Magnet Pedelec Sensor, Replaceable Hanger, Sloping Top Tube for Increased Standover Clearance, KMC Z72 Chain

Motor Brand:

Currie Electro-Drive

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Gearless Direct Drive Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

500 watts

Battery Voltage:

48 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

8.8 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

422.4 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

25 miles (40 km)

Estimated Max Range:

45 miles (72 km)

Display Type:

Backlit Monochrome LCD, Fixed

Readouts:

Speed, Odometer, Battery Capacity, Assist Level (1-4 and Throttle Mode)

Display Accessories:

Large Independent Button Pad on Left Bar

Drive Mode:

Cadence Sensing Pedal Assist, Twist Throttle (Cruise Control)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

Hide Advanced Search

Search Now

Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

Trusted Advertisers

The Diamondback Lindau EXC is an efficient, hybrid city style electric bike with a powerful (but quiet) rear hub motor and battery combination. It offers four levels of pedal assist, a twist throttle mode and cruise control so you can maximize range and get a workout or sit back and just scoot around for fun. I’m a big fan of its upright seating position, ergonomic grips and suspension seat post because the wide 700c wheelset and stiff aluminum frame deliver more efficiency than comfort and without these features it wouldn’t be as enjoyable to ride over long distances. Diamondback started out as a performance BMX bicycle company in 1977 in Southern California. In 1990 it branched out to mountain bikes and road bikes but continued sponsoring athletes and emphasizing performance. The Lindau EXC benefits from this racing heritage but is clearly more about value. I love that it comes in two frame styles (high-step and low-step) as well as two frame sizes (17″ and 19″) so you can dial in fit. The front and rear wheel have quick release skewers and the battery pack is removable so this thing is relatively easy to service and transport, just like a normal bike. Instead of trying to build a completely unique motor and battery for their ebikes, Diamondback partnered with Currie Technologies and TranzX to implement proven systems and they also benefit from support offered by these two companies which have been leaders in the US for over a decade.

The motor driving this ebike is a high quality 500 watt gearless direct drive hub located in the rear. It’s heavier than some geared equivalents but runs smoother, quieter and will last longer. This is actually one of my favorite electric bike motors because it rides so smooth. One downside to gearless designs however is cogging (drag from the larger electromagnets inside repelling when the motor is off) but it wasn’t much of an issue during my ride tests. One of the really neat features of how this motor mounts to the frame is that the motor cable has a built-in quick connect and the rear wheel features quick release as mentioned earlier. This makes transporting and servicing the bike much easier and until recently, was kind of rare in the hub-motor ebike world. The motor itself is from the Currie Electro-Drive line which is also used on some Raleigh and IZIP electric bicycles.

Powering the bike is a solid 48 volt 8.8 amp hour battery pack with high quality Lithium Manganese cells. The 48 volt configuration is above average in terms of strength and really lets you take advantage of the 500 watt motor. What might otherwise feel mushy (when using the throttle) feels zippy even though the motor isn’t geared. The pack is removable for convenient charging or reducing the overall weight of the bike when transporting it. The metal rack tubing surrounds the battery pack, helping to protect it if the bike tips, and the tubing is standard sized which makes adding bags or panniers seamless (it’s compatible with the widest range of accessories). the rack also comes stock with a triple-bungee cord for securing basic items like books and I like this better than the metal spring latches that some other bike racks feature. The attention to detail on the battery casing is wonderful with little magnetic clasps that secure the carry handle while riding. Overall, it looks great and the keyed lock on the side of the pack is easy to reach for activation. In addition to powering the bike, the primary battery can also be used to power after-market lights if your dealer is willing to install them. This is one option I’d love to see made standard by Diamondback because it’s easy to imaging the Lindau being used around town and into the darker morning and evening for commuting purposes.

Operating the bike is very easy and intuitive. Once the battery has been charged up and is secured and locked in the rack, just press the power button on the control pad (located on the left bar) and the screen comes to life. The display is backlit with an auto-light sensor for easy use at night and it shows your speed, battery level and assist level (as well as a few other readouts). For the best range or climbing power I suggest using pedal assist but it’s also nice to have instant power from the throttle or sit back and relax with cruise control. The system has a neat range estimator built in so you can determine which level of power to use at any given time to avoid running out of juice. You can see the estimated range change dynamically as you switch from level through four in pedal assist mode. In terms of pedal power and cadence, you get an eight speed Shimano cassette in the rear and a trigger shifter interface on the right bar. It’s all pretty standard and my opinion eight speeds is enough to get around town and climb hills without adding the complexity and weight of a second front derailleur. I really like the front chain guide they’ve used here which doubles as a bash guard in case you hit a curb. The chain guard is also very stylish and functional without adding unnecessary weight or rattling around.

The Diamondback Lindau EXC is an ebike that combines the quality and reach of Diamondback Bicycles with the trusted motor, battery and controller technology of Currie and TranzX. It’s three big companies coming together to offer something purpose-built for a mass audience at a good price point. This is a relatively high quality build using trusted design patterns like the rear hub motor and rear battery pack which make the bike less balanced than something with a mid-mounted battery but also more affordable and functional. With a 12 sensor pedelec system, offering extra smooth and responsive motor activation, and comfort oriented rider touch points like the pedals, grips, seat and handle bars this bike is enjoyable to ride. Frankly, I love how quiet it is, you can listen during the ride tests in the video review above and just barely hear the motor kicking in even though it really feels powerful. I’d love to see integrated lights but otherwise the disc brakes, fenders, bottle cage mounting points, nice kickstand and bell offer a lot of utility. Depending on your needs, this could be a good fit and the exciting thing is that it may be available to test ride at a traditional bicycle dealer nearby who carries Diamondback.

Pros:

Available in high-step and low-step designs each with two frame sizes to suite different rider types
Nice ergonomic extras including a basic seat post suspension shock, ergonomic grips and large custom pedals
Excellent accessories including matching aluminum fenders, aluminum alloy chain guide and chain guard, rear rack with standard tubing and bungee cords and adjustable kickstand as well as bottle cage adapters
Comfortable and safe upright seating position with swept-back handlebars, ergonomic grips and an oversized sprung saddle
Very quiet motor considering the high power 500 watt design, also known for being durable and long lasting (built by Currie Electro Drive)
Battery can be charged on or off the bike (store in neutral temperatures and top off after each ride for maximum life) slides on easily and locks to frame, magnets keep the handle folded up when riding
Quick release wheels including the rear with a special easy disconnect cable for the hub motor, makes tuneups easier for the shop and also easier for you if the tire goes flat and needs a quick fix at home
Solid warranty, available at lots of locations throughout the USA for easier test riding, fitting and future service
160 mm disc brakes stay clean in wet or dirty conditions (compared with V-brakes), offer good stopping power and the brake levers have a cutoff switch to the motor for safety
Good price considering the higher end drive system and frame options available, cables are all tucked away in the frame for a nice aesthetic

Cons:

Rear-heavy design makes the bike less stable and less agile than something with a mid-mount pack, frame can flex if whipped back and forth
Narrow tires and aluminum frame can be jarring over bumps but do increase efficiency and reduce weight
Display panel is not removable and only attaches to the handle bars with one support arm (some newer displays use two) should be fine for the type of riding this bike is designed for
No included lights but you can add them and have them wired in by some shops to run off the main battery pack

Resources:

Official Site: https://www.diamondback.com/
More Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/DAaPJC2Pr2pN11Ak9

January 29, 2024 (10 months ago)

Diamondback Overdrive EXC Review

MSRP: $3,300
MODEL YEAR: 2014, 2015

A rugged 29er style trail bike with efficient mid-drive motor system, centrally located battery pack and quick release wheels (front and rear) for easy maintenance. Nice 10 speed cassette with SRAM X7 derailleur, solid RockShox air fork with lockout, burly…...

Read Review

Diamondback Trace EXC Review

MSRP: $2,800
MODEL YEAR: 2014, 2015

A versatile urban or light-trail ready electric bike with removable battery, quick release wheels (front and rear) and a higher top speed of 28 mph in pedal assist level 4. Powerful 500 watt motor and 48 volt battery combine to offer decent climbing ability, gearless…...

Ray

10 years ago

Can I change the hand grips on handle bars?

Court Rye

Hi Ray, I believe you can! Depending on which grips you get, you may have to cut the right one in half to work with that twist-throttle. I’ve done this before just using scissors and it turned out alright. We were talking about this exact process in the forums recently and several people chimed in with suggestions.

Jerry Jones

9 years ago

I just bought this bike at Performance Bike Shop. It’s great, and my wife and I are going to share it for around town shopping and running errands. I do have a question though. Your review says I can power lights with the battery. How is that done? Do I have to splice into the power wires or something? Are there hidden connectors somewhere? By the way, your review really helped me make a buying decision!!

Hi Jerry! I’m glad the review was helpful. I’m not exactly sure how adding lights works, I’ve heard that some shops can indeed tap into the battery control system with aftermarket hardware but also that Currie Technologies offers something specific that can be added without so much effort. They offer a “city kit” for other bikes like the IZIP E3 Dash and that same kit may be compatible with the Diamondback Lindau since it uses similar drive systems. Here’s a forum post I made for you sharing a .pdf with part numbers and a message from the CEO of IZIP, maybe it will help point you and your dealer in the right direction or you can call Currie directly as there is a phone number included.

I contacted Diamondback, who told me to contact Currie. Currie was very helpful and GOOD NEWS….the bike is already prewired for front and rear lights! The voltage is 6vdc and the lights are controlled by the handlebar control pad (turn on display back light and the lights would come on I presume). So now I just need to decide what kind of headlight I want (options vary widely in price and performance).

Thanks for your help.

Nice! So happy to hear that Currie gave you excellent support. I hope the lights you choose work well, ride safe and have fun out there :D

Darrin

When it says to speed is 20, that is electric only, correct, so theoretically it can be faster in peddle assist mode while peddling? What is the top speed when peddling in top gear on the level in high performance assist mode?

Hi Darrin, I believe the top speed in the highest level of assist while pedaling rigorously (before the motor basically fades out) may be higher than 20 mph but I did not confirm that this was a speed pedelec. Some other models advertise this and may reach ~28 mph but this is not something I saw for the Lindau EXC. I think it uses the same drive system as the IZIP E3 Path+ and that one was also advertised as 20 mph top speed.

Thank you court… I appreciate the feedback and really like the website!

Michael

I am thinking seriously of purchasing this Diamond Lindau, as the price has dropped considerably which makes it tempting…

I live in Glendale, California and there are some long steep uphill streets that are a mile or so in length. Is this bike able to handle such inclines with and possibly without pedal assist? How difficult is it to pedal this bike sans electric power?

Most importantly, I would be amiss if I didn’t mention how I enjoyed your reviews. In particular, I am anxiously awaiting your reviews of the ‘mid drive’ offerings of Raleigh and IZip for 2016! All the best to you for the New Year!

Hey Michael! Thanks for the compliment, glad you’re enjoying the site and videos… Still working out some bugs from the migration recently but making progress. I’m also excited for the 2016 bikes and shot a quick video at Interbike with some of the team. Anyway, the Diamondback Lindau EXC is very similar to the IZIP E3 Path+ with the same motor and battery design. I like the fenders and efficient city/road 700c wheelset and tires. It’s an efficient bike but not super light weight at ~55 lbs. Without seeing the hill, just going off of you “steep” description I’d say be prepared to pedal along and help, especially if it’s really long and you don’t want to go very slow. Your best bet to make it without pedaling would be to go into the hill with some speed so the motor can operate at peak efficiency (higher RPM) but if there are stop signs and other obstacles halfway up the hill where you have to stop and then start again you will very likely have to pedal. Here’s a video I did using a much smaller geared hub motor going up a hill… it actually does pretty well but you can hear and see the strain which is what might also crop up on the Lindau depending on how steep the hill is and how much weight is being carried (and how inflated the tires are, whether the brake pads aren’t rubbing, whether there is corrosion building up on the hubs etc. etc.)

Jaime E.

8 years ago

This is on clearance at my local REI (California) for 1298 + tax = 1414. Is this a buy at this price? Or is there something better that I should be looking at in this same price range. Thanks, Court! :)

Hi Jaime! Sorry for the late reply here… I love REI (used to work there when I was younger!) and they have good technicians who build and fit bikes as well as a wonderful warranty so in addition to the sale price I think you’d do well to buy from them. It’s nice to buy locally and sort of make friends and learn through the process so I’d say that yes, if you like the bike and it performs the way you want and feels like a good fit it would be a good deal :)

Christi Justice

6 years ago

Hi, I have this bike and I love it! It’s my main mode of transportation-that is until my battery charger came up missing (have looked everywhere). I’ve checked the Currie website, and any other possibilities I came across but I haven’t been able to find the correct charger for my bike battery (48v 8.8ah). Wondered if you could help me figure out where to find one?

Thanks,
Christi

Court

Hmm, I wonder if you could get some help with a custom charger from a company that repacks batteries like Hi-C Battery or maybe ask around in the parts and accessories section of the EBR forums, or the Diamondback area there?

Eli

I have had one of these for a few years now. It’s a pretty good bike. BUT. The rear is just so frustratingly heavy. Of that 55 pounds, I’d say that 40 of it is in the rear. When going up steep hills, I’ve actually had the front wheel pop off the ground if I wasn’t leaning forwards. Most importantly, it makes handling this bike incredibly frustrating. Turning it upside down to change tires etc is very difficult and unwieldy, and if you want to put it in your car, plan for 30 minutes of removing the wheels and very awkwardly trying to slide it in.

Even just turning the bike around when in a small space (requiring you to pick it up) is difficult. Carrying it up or down stairs is also quite a challenge, and I wouldn’t expect many to even be able to do it. A different electric bike with the same overall weight but evenly distributed is much easier – the density of all that in the rear makes carrying it over your shoulder hard because it wants to pitch backwards. You also can’t hang the bike on the wall (if you can lift it that high!) because it will just pitch to the back and fall off. All these day-to-day issues with that weight distribution are very frustrating.

In the end I would recommend a different electric bike with the battery in the middle. You could certainly do worse than this one, but over the years of maintaining this thing I’ve just gotten so frustrated with the immense amount of weight in the rear of the bike.

Hmm, thanks for such a detailed response Eli. I agree with your assessment of rear-heavy ebikes, and the challenges they introduce to maintenance, transport, and handling. I hope your next electric bicycle is a bit easier and more enjoyable to use.

Mark

Hi, I am interested in buying the bike. What’s a good place to find it? Thanks!

Hi Mark! I’m not sure that Diamondback is still selling this exact model. I suggest contacting the Electric Bicycle Center in Fullerton California, because they frequently sell older models and have a direct relationship with the Accell Group (who make this bike).