Diamondback 1260sc Review (2024) | BarBend

Nov 01, 2024

With a rear-mounted flywheel and steel build, this spin class-worthy bike is in it for the long haul.

Unlike most of the best exercise bikes for home use, the Diamondback 1260sc features a rear-mounted flywheel reminiscent of the workhorse models found in high-end spin class studios. Bikes like these are common in heavy-usage settings for a reason — they last longer. How does a rear flywheel support longevity? By avoiding the drip-drop of sweat from the steady stream of gymgoers or at-home fitness enthusiasts climbing aboard.

Not only can the 1260sc’s design help it avoid the corrosion typically brought on by perspiration, but its hefty steel build also has our team thinking it’s in it for the long haul. After two of our team members put it to the test over all kinds of workouts, we also think anyone looking for a rock-solid exercise bike could benefit from the same type of spin bike you’ve been coveting from your cycle class. Check out what our testers, including a certified personal trainer, discovered in our full Diamondback 1260sc review. And for more details on how we test all of our products, head over to the BarBend equipment testing methodology.

With a rear-mounted 31-pound flywheel, it can help avoid corrosion brought on by moisture from sweat or drinks. The adjustment lever for the 16 levels of magnetic resistance can allow for smooth adjustment and its user-powered design requires no electricity.

When you step inside a high-end spin class studio for the first time, you may be surprised to see some backward-looking exercise bikes. Most models meant for your home place the flywheel in the front of the frame, but bikes that see constant use (like those in a studio) tend to favor the same rear-wheel drive design of the Diamondback 1260sc. So, what’s the difference? Essentially, when a flywheel is located behind the rider, it can avoid corrosion or other damage wrought by dripping sweat or condensation dangling from the water bottle holder.

Sounds simple enough. But as our tester, a certified personal trainer, notes, this steel build and design is unique even among the best commercial exercise bikes. “The main thing with the 1260sc is definitely the belt-drive system powering the rear-mounted flywheel. It’s the exact type you’d find in a spin class,” they explain, noting the “sc” in the moniker stands for “studio cycle.” Because bikes like this see so much use in a studio setting, rear flywheel placement allows the mechanics to avoid as much corrosion as possible.

On the 1260sc, it’s not just the design that helps it stand up to so much use. “Overall, it feels like one of the sturdiest bikes I’ve used,” they add. “The frame is all steel, plus the heavy (very heavy!) flywheel just creates such a smooth ride. Having so many durable materials means it should last for a really long time.”

If you were taking it for spin in a, well, spin class, there wouldn’t be much need for a giant touchscreen to take your eyes off the instructor. Such is the case with Diamondback’s at-home studio cycle. Unlike other high-end, domicile-focused bikes like the NordicTrack S22i, here you’ll find a simple LCD screen in place of the flashy displays found on the best exercise bikes with screens. “It is a small, small screen, but it does what it does well. It shows your heart rate, distance, calories, time, watt output, and everything else you’d need to track in a workout,” our tester adds.

After spending so much time with the Diamondback 1260sc in our facility, our two testers are digging their feet into the toe cages and fighting over who gets to bring it home. “I’m going to try to sneak home to my own garage gym,” one of them says. Read on to see what else they have to share in our full Diamondback 1260sc review.

While our team has lovely things to say about the Diamondback 1260sc, it may not be a good fit for everyone. Here’s a quick look at who we think might most (and least) benefit from adding this bike to their home gym.

After saddling up on over 40 exercise bikes, the BarBend team of triathletes, certified personal trainers, and daily commuters know what goes into a quality model. Two of our testers put the Diamondback 1260sc through the wringer, assigning scores of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) across multiple categories, like durability, tech capabilities, and portability to add concrete ratings to our experience. Check out what they had to say about their time with this studio-quality exercise bike.

Throughout our time with the Diamondback 1260sc, one thing became apparent — this thing is rock solid. “The heavy-duty steel frame just feels so sturdy even at high speeds,” says our tester. To reinforce that steel, Diamondback layered on industrial powder coating that aims to resist chipping and help stave off corrosion. Combined with the reinforced SPD pedals and cranks, our tester rates its overall durability 5 out of 5.

At nearly 5 feet long and 2 feet wide, it does eat up a bit more floor space than your average indoor bike. If you can imagine dropping a typical recliner into your garage gym, that’s about how much space you’ll need. (1) The 130-pound weight also tracks with high-end bikes like the Peloton Bike, but as long as you don’t plan on wheeling it around too often, the added stability may be a worthy tradeoff.

When you do need to roll it out of sight, our tester says that Diamondback provides a helpful solution. “It’s certainly not compact,” they note, rating its footprint and portability 4 out of 5. “But I love that it has a handlebar at the front of the base. I just had to squat down, lift with the bar, and roll it away on the transport wheels. Since it’s heavier than most exercise bikes, I appreciate that they added this.”

Also, because it is fully user-powered, you won’t be tethered to an outlet. “I loved being able to just move it into the living room to watch TV and it also reduces noise even more,” adds another tester, a certified personal trainer.

[Related: Best Portable Exercise Bikes]

The 1260sc utilizes a real-wheel design that you’ll often see in a spin studio. “There’s a reason that gyms and cycle studios prefer these and it’s the same reason I do — no sweat on the flywheel,” they explain. The bikes in popular studios see heavy, constant use from many perspiring riders, so to keep that salty moisture away from the mechanical parts of the bike, they tend to favor sturdy bikes that position the flywheel behind the behinds of the users. (2)

On the Diamondback 1260sc, the flywheel is quite heavy, weighing in at 31 pounds. In general, a heavier flywheel can generate more momentum, creating smoother transitions between resistance levels and reducing the wobbling some bikes experience at high speeds.

Almost all of the best magnetic exercise bikes utilize the same resistance system — a steel flywheel with a magnet on each side. When you increase the resistance setting, those magnets creep closer to the flywheel, making it harder to spin, making you pedal harder…you get the picture. Often, these settings are controlled with a rotating knob just below the seat or digitally via buttons on the console.

Not so on the Diamondback 1260sc. Its unique system employs a small lever just beneath the handlebars that simply clicks up or down to alter the resistance. “This totally surprised me, but I think I prefer this lever to a regular resistance knob,” our tester says. In the heat of a sprint or interval workout, reaching a few inches below the handlebars can be much easier than reaching toward your knees to grab and turn the typical knob. “It changed real quick, and though it makes a clicking noise, it didn’t bother me at all,” they add, scoring its adjustability 5 out of 5.

As far as the seat goes, our tester says that if anyone’s buns are qualified to speak to cushioning, it’s theirs. “I’m pretty well-versed in exercise bike seats and I think the 1260sc’s cushioning strikes a good balance,” they say, noting that many seats won’t be exactly comfortable. “You don’t want too much or too little and this is about as good as it gets.” The seat position can also be adjusted vertically and horizontally, accommodating riders — like our 5-foot-9-inch tester — standing between 5 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 5 inches.

While the price tag on the Diamondback 1260sc approaches what we see on some of the best exercise bikes with virtual courses, it actually uses a rather simple LCD screen. It uses ANT+ and Bluetooth connectivity to sync up with devices like heart rate monitors or fitness trackers, and despite its lack of virtual programming options, it garners a 4 out of 5 from our tester.

“The digital console is smaller than some other high-end bikes I’ve used, but it shows you everything you need,” they say. Keeping tabs on your time, distance, and calories burned may be all you need, but if you need to recruit your own screen for some third-party training, you can slot one in above the handlebars. “The fact that the tablet holder doesn’t cover the console also lets me see both at the same time,” our tester adds.

“It’s certainly not Peloton-level tech-wise, but it shows me the essentials,” they say. It only takes a few taps and a few seconds to connect your own device, so if you prefer a virtual studio class, at least you can fire up the best cycling apps, like Zwift or Garmin, and follow along on a quality bike.

As with any exercise bike, you’ll need to consider whether what you’re getting from the Diamondback 1260sc is worth the money and floor space it requires. Check out what BarBend expert reviewer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto recommends considering bringing this rear-wheel drive option home.

For a bit of context and a glimpse at what else is out there, we lined up the Diamondback 1260sc against two other similar models — one rear-wheel and one front-wheel. While the Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rear Belt Drive Stationary Bike may not match the sturdiness of the 1260sc, it does ring up for about $500 less. Then, the NordicTrack S22i Exercise Bike easily eclipses the price tags of the other two, but it sports a massive HD touchscreen that streams virtual programming from iFIT. Take a closer look at the specs on these three quality exercise bikes to help decide if the 1260sc may be a good match for you.

Read our full Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Bike Review.

Ordering the Diamondback 1260sc is simple enough — add to cart, check out, and wait for delivery. If you need to spread out your payment, you can apply for financing through Affirm to see if you qualify for monthly payments as low as $100.

Due to its 130-pound total weight, our tester recommends enlisting an extra set of hands. “Putting it together is actually pretty straightforward, but just remember this thing is heavy,” they say, rating the delivery and setup process 4 out of 5. “About 90% of the bolts are pre-installed, so it’s a simple build. You can, though, add professional assembly for about $250.”

You can get the Diamondback 1260sc on their website or through ForceUSA.

Diamondback may be known for manufacturing some of the best beginner mountain bikes, but the commercial-grade 1260sc can certainly hang with top indoor cycling bikes. We love that they offer free shipping on their at-home fitness equipment, as well. The customer ratings on the product page (which should always be taken with a grain of salt) average 4.8 out of 5, plus many reviews highlight the durability of the build and stability during use. To reach their customer care team, you can visit the contact page on their website to email or call directly.

When purchased through ForceUSA, you’ll get warranties covering the frame (lifetime), moving parts (10 years), and attachments (1 year).

Think about it. The exercise bikes found in spin class studios see a steady stream of riders all day, every day. So, they need to be built to last. The Diamondback 1260sc (“sc” is short for “studio cycle”) uses the same rear-flywheel design and durable steel frames as many of those hard-working bikes. Limiting the accumulation of dripping sweat in the inner workings of the belt-drive system can help your bike avoid the corrosion that may wear down the heavy-duty parts that make your go-bike go.

It does lack the glitz and glamour of immersive touchscreens that pump out virtual workouts, but for serious training and a stable ride at high speeds, the 1260sc stands out as a way to bring a studio-quality bike home. Our team loves that this efficient machine doesn’t require electricity — only the self-generated power of the rider. Our Diamondback 1260sc review unpacks all that this high-quality indoor bike brings to the table, so take a closer look to see if it might work for you.

The Diamondback 1260sc supports users up to 300 pounds. This rear-wheel studio cycle also boasts a steel frame with industrial powder coating, as well as reinforced pedals and cranks.

This studio-quality bike can accommodate many users that stand from 5 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 5 inches. Its adjustable seat moves vertically and horizontally, helping you pinpoint the position that best works for you.

Our team rates the value of the Diamondback 1260sc 4 out of 5. While it’s a bit pricey for an exercise bike that lacks a screen, it could be a good option for those looking to bring home the type of heavy-duty bike they would find in their spin class.