Diamondback

Haanjenn Comp 105 Complete Road Bike - 2016

We never cease to be impressed by the build kits Diamondback offers. With its newly-released Haanjenn Comp 105 Complete Road Bike, the company has won our admiration again. As a companion line to the gravel and commuting Haanjo line, the women-specific Haanjenn Comp comes equipped for everything from gravel, smooth dirt, and regular ol' tarmac — all on the same ride.

Unlike the base Haanjenn model, Diamondback complements the Haanjenn Comp's 6061-T6 aluminum frame with a carbon fork, which dutifully absorbs bumps and road vibrations during the times weathered chip seal and gravel are unavoidable. Though the Haanjenn Comp has a drop bar, Diamondback keeps its geometry endurance-oriented, with a slacker head tube, a longer wheelbase, and a shorter reach than your typical crit rocket. The bar's drops also have a flared shape to them, which allows you to ride with your arms in a more natural, stable position than narrow, aggressive race bars would. We wouldn't hesitate to ride the Haanjenn in a gran fondo or out on a long weekend ride when comfort and stability are key concerns — it's pretty much built for any non-competitive application.

That purely-for-pleasure ethos extends to the build kit, which sees Diamondback pull its usual trick of taking a solid frame and making it even more noteworthy. It's anchored by Shimano's newest 11-speed drivetrain, the venerable 105. Improved-upon yet again, the latest iteration of 105 promises miles of smooth, responsive shifting as you climb and descend while dependable TRP mechanical disc brakes ensure you'll be able to slow down when you need to whether you're on gravel, mud, or slick, wet roads. Finally, HED Tomcat rims (which we think are the equivalent of the custom build staple, the Belgium Plus) wrapped in capable Kenda Warthog tires are prepared to navigate the road or trail so you can stay out in the most unpredictable conditions.