Diamondback Haanjo 3 Review: What Do We Think After Testing It?

Diamondback Haanjo 3 Review: Real-World Test and In-Depth Review

Diamondback Haanjo 3 (2018 model)
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Being a gravel grinder, Diamondback Haanjo 3 is a versatile bike built for all terrain. That’s why we set high expectations for it and took it to a forest, trying trails, mud, and sand. We did the real testing and here are the results. 

Diamondback Haanjo and Haanjenn series have always been interesting to me. Perhaps it’s the beautiful frame, or the concept, or a decent set of components? Anyway, I had to test it out to find the answer.

Read on if you’re interested in learning what I’ve found out about this budget gravel bike.

 

The Build

Haanjo and Haanjenn series are meant for roads, asphalt, tarmac, and anything between them. Yes, they can beat muddy sections as well, as they are built to do it, but this is not where they will actually feel most natural.

Haanjo 3 curved top tube
Sexy curved top tube

The first thing you notice is the curve on the top-tube. Damn, it’s sexy, and it seamlessly continues along the seat stay, so the whole bike has a sense of unity and integrity. I’m sure it has practical value as well, as it improves comfort and stability.

Diamondback Haanjo 3 is a durable and capable gravel bike that excels on different types of terrains.

At first glance, it looks sophisticated and delicate, especially because of the amount of detail put into the design and the paint job. However, when you consider the wide tires and the relaxed road frame geometry, you realize it’s a bike capable of a lot more.

Diamondback Haanjo 3 weight is 25.1 lbs (Largest-59cm frame with pedals)

It has a slightly longer head tube and a shorter top tube, so you will be riding in a more upright position, which will give you more control and a better overview of what’s ahead. That’s especially important if you’re riding on a less-than-perfect terrain.

Buy on Diamondback.com     Buy on REI.com

 


What’s a Gravel Grinder?
What's a gravel grinderGravel grinder is a hot niche.

Basically, these are hybrid bikes that are meant for riding both on-road and off-road.

But, to be honest, gravel grinders (in my opinion), feel better when riding on-road, even though they could tackle harsher roads as well. Specifically, they show most of their virtues on roads that are in bad condition, with uneven asphalt, some light potholes, etc.


 

Assembly

Diamondback Assembly Kit
Everything was safely secured and had their place

Diamondback bikes are quite easy to assemble. I knew it in theory, but I’ve now confirmed it in real life as well.

I’ve seen various bikes packed, and this one was packed with care, no doubt about it.

What’s left for you to do before taking it out on its first ride is attach the wheels, handlebar, saddle, and pedals. Depending on your skills, it takes from 15 minutes to several hours. However, there’s actually no step you can’t do yourself if you’re patient and give it a try.

All tools necessary for assembly are included and nicely packed. The pedal wrench was included, however, pedals themselves came with a hex for attachment.

What needed some skills and time was to adjust the gears and breaks. If you’re not familiar with it, you should check some videos on Youtube or take it to your local bike shop, where they can quickly solve the problem for you.

 

Build & Models

The Haanjo series is meant for men and the Haanjenn series for women. There are various models for men and women on their product line, both aluminum and carbon (5C and 7C for example).

The Haanjo 3 “body” is made of aluminum and has four different sizes – from 5’4” and 6’4”. Not many bike manufacturers offer bikes for people as tall as 6’4”, which I think is a big plus. I’d say this bike would fit riders of up to 6’5”.

Note: It is also suitable for taller riders.

 

How Does It Ride?

Diamondback Haanjo 3 in action
Part of my so-called “test-track”

We put it through a rough test. But before that…

If I want to cruise, I have one 30 miles “test-track” for it. I like the variance of it: 1/4 city, 1/4 low to no-traffic smooth asphalt, then ¼ bad uneven asphalt, and finally ¼ gravel, and then vice-versa.

Diamondback Haanjo 3 feels at home in different settings — city, gravel, and bumpy asphalt.

In the city, it handles quite well. Shimano Sora gearset allows smooth shifts with good response time. On other stages of the test, the speed is higher, and it handles nicely. However, it needed some tweaks on higher gears which couldn’t be done on the cables.

On uneven asphalt, it is actually quite stable, which is interesting because it doesn’t have a carbon fork. I was expecting worse but ended up really happy with the results.

On the final stage, there was some very tough terrain. It shook like I was on an American roller coaster, but the grip was just great.

To wrap up the results after my “test-track” ride, I’d say that on 3 stages out of 4, I’d definitely choose the gravel grinder over a hybrid bike. The Haanjo performed really well and actually surprised me positively. I’d definitely recommend it for these conditions.

 

But, in the forest?

Diamondback Haanjo 3 in action
Diamondback Haanjo 3 in action

I didn’t take it to the forest during the first days. I wanted to make sure that everything was fine and attached correctly. Once I realized everything was well, it was time for a real test of endurance.

Let’s make it clear, from a marketing perspective, the Haanjo series is not meant for forest rides in the first place.  At least it seems like that to me.

However, I believe it should be, because what surprised me, was the handling. It was more like a proper CX bike, rather than an off-road optimized road bike.

Diamondback Haanjo 3 on sand
Sand + Descent – Yes, please

I believe that the gravel grinder was a much better name for these bikes than CX since it sounds much sportier.

I expected good performance on gravel and okay on the off-road section, but oh-boy. It was pretty clear that it handles way better on rough terrain than I expected. Mud, rooty turns, drops, ascents, even sandy descents – Haanjo 3 ate all of them! In the video below, check out how it handled different sections of the forest. On gravel, it was safe, in the forest, if was fun too!

The bottom point is that you should definitely not hesitate to get the Haanjo 3 out onto a forest road and enjoy some off time in nature. Your wrists could have a hard time if the road is in extremely bad shape, but if it’s a smooth or a slightly bumpy road – the Haanjo 3 will roll over it like it was born on it.

Bored of same old MTB trails? Try these with Haanjo! I promise you that they look like new.

Buy on Diamondback.com     Buy on REI.com

 

Brakes

Disc brakes
Mechanical disc brakes

I’m used to good hydraulic disc brakes on mountain bikes. Because of that, to me, every road and hybrid bike seems to have weak breaks.

However, if I compare these mechanical disc brakes to traditional V-brakes, then they work a lot better. It took me some time to get them to work the way I wanted, but it wasn’t a big problem. Disc brakes give much better control and a lot more stopping power. However, V-brakes are much easier to adjust.

Despite that, I’d buy disc brakes over V-brakes any time, as the price you need to pay by spending a bit more time adjusting them is more than worth it in situations where power is paramount.

 

Components

Diamondback Haanjo 3 components
HED Eroica stem with silver bracket and 3M grips.

The Haanjo 3 (same for Haanjenn 3) is meant for mid-level riders. It’s pretty much the components that dictate it. The Shimano Sora components are on the low end but still perform pretty well.

This model has a 2×9 Shimano Sora drivetrain with 46/30T cogs in the front, and an 11-32T cassette in the rear. Thus, I had no problem finding the right gear in any situation during my test-ride, and I’m sure you won’t either.

Diamondback Haanjo 3’s combines a wide-range Shimano Sora drivetrain with grippy 37 mm tires to ensure proper off-road performance.

What’s also important to mention here, which partly defines the Haanjo 3 as a gravel grinder, are the 37mm WTB Riddler Comp tires. I felt confident riding on them as they didn’t skid, and absorbed a lot of the vibrations that the aluminum fork was not able to dissipate.

The head tube angle varies from 69 degrees on the S model to 72 degrees on the XL model. Therefore, riders of any height will have the same feeling of quick and nimble handling. Diamondback leaves nothing to chance.

Interesting fact: You can actually mount a third bottle cage below the down tube.

 

Other Haanjo & Haanjenn Models

 

The Haanjo series consists of various models.

Currently, they are changing the product line, but we can say that the entry-level Haanjo/Haanjenn 1 is a pretty decent bike for beginner riders who do not have extreme expectations. It’s almost half the price what Haanjo/Haanjenn 3 costs, but it comes with slightly worse components, fewer gears, and a flat handlebar. Nonetheless, it’s perfect for city commutes and relaxed weekend rides.

On the other hand, the Haanjo/Haanjenn 7c is one strong pick because of its carbon frame that is much lighter than its aluminum counterpart seen on the cheaper models in this series. It costs several times more than the Haanjo 3 model, but it comes with Shimano Ultegra components, hydraulic disc brakes, and a popular 1×11 drivetrain. It’s definitely a good buy if you can spare the money and if it is what you need.

 

What Do We Think About the Haanjo 3?

Bicycle Guider Suggest Haanjo 3To sum up, my experience with the Diamondback Haanjo 3 is very positive. The overall build is good, and all of the components fit quite well together.

The assembly was easy, so even inexperienced riders can give it a try and fuse their first bike together. You can read plenty of tutorials on Diamondback.com on how to do it. The only thing that took me more than I expected was adjusting the gears, but I still managed to do it properly.

This was my first time riding a gravel grinder, but it was better than I expected – a great combination of road performance and off-road stability.

Come on, look at it, curved top tube, third bottle cage option. This bike isn’t meant for softcore – rolling on gravel roads. It’s meant for soft hardcore – trails, mud, sand. It likes it!  

The Haanjo 3 does not really have any big disadvantages. The only thing some riders might find as a downside, especially the short ones, would be the handlebar which is pretty wide. However, it’s important to maintain the handling and stability, so it’s a compromise worth making.

Riding was very smooth on even terrain. However, on gravel roads, it was at times quite bumpy. Therefore, one improvement that the Haanjo 3 would benefit from in my opinion would be a carbon fork. It would go a long way towards improving the overall stability and performance off the beaten track.

All in all, I’ve had so much fun testing it, and I’ll definitely continue riding it on my city commutes and out of town rides. I’ll keep you posted about further updates and maintenance.

Buy on Diamondback.com     Buy on REI.com

Diamondback Haanjo 3

$1,300
9.2

Components

9.0/10

Price

9.5/10

Weight

9.0/10

Speed

9.5/10

Durability

9.0/10

Pros

  • Easy to assemble
  • Nice looking frame
  • Pedals and water cages included
  • Great bang for the buck
  • Great performer on off-road

Cons

  • Brakes and gears need adjustment
  • Carbon fork would be beneficial

16 thoughts on “Diamondback Haanjo 3 Review: Real-World Test and In-Depth Review

  1. Hey! I have my haanjo 3, and needless to say I absolutely love it. I have a big trip planned for next year, it’s around 900 miles going one way, and another 900 back if the spirit is still willing. It is for the most part on stable road, thankfully. My question is: is the haanjo 3 adequate for this trip, or should I upgrade components (saddle, rims, the good stuff) or should I invest in a different bike? I’m saving up about around 100-200 a month until April of next year, so with this information what say you?

    1. Hi Victor,

      Your current bike is an excellent gravel grinder, so it is capable of handling any path. You can make way for a more comfortable saddle for long distance. I suggest you avoid soft saddles. They are not designed for long distance ride. I am sure your rims are ok. I mean you are not taking the bike for any competition or extreme rides right? I am one of those guys who think that a bike should be used well enough before an upgrade. Enjoy the ride and good luck for the big trip. I think you will have a wonderful year on the road. Cheers!

  2. Hello Jeff

    I am looking for the ideal size for my height. I’m 5.1 / 5 tall – 148 kilos – I’ve been cycling for 10 years. In 2019, I had a health problem with a lack of potassium. Now I’m doing great, I bought a new bike, but it doesn’t work, it’s too heavy and I can’t perform well. I never had a bike like this, would love to buy, please, what can you do to help me? I like to bike on the street or anywhere. P. S. I am not young, I am 65 years old, but physically and mentally, I am much less, at least 25 to 28 years less. Thanks to good food and cycling, I had no major problems in my recovery. And I get frustrated every time I go out with this new bike so heavy. Thank you!

    1. Hi Nece,
      Steel bikes are heavy. You need a bike with 15” / 16″ frame, preferably under the ‘small’ category. Please check this link if this is the kind of bike/riding that suits you. Aluminum frames are lighter compared to steel. The kind of riding on this one is less uptight, compared to city bikes. If this isn’t for you then I can help you look for another bike.

  3. Was checking around and seems that I have run into a snag– I am looking to upgrade my Haanjo 3 to the 105 Group Set. like the frame as an all rounder! I been seeing that the rear hub will not accept the 11- sp cassette set up! The Sora is ok, but had this for 3 years and want to upgrade to the newer, smoother 105, because will be spending more time in the saddle with more miles
    Also ok with the mechanical disc brakes comes with it
    So plz advise what I need to change and is this possible– local bike shop seems to think that i cannot do this!!!

    note: LEFT THIS QUESTION ON YOUR MAIN PAGE AS WELL– LATER REALIZED YOU HAD A LINK, EXCLUSIVE TO THIS BIKE

    1. Hi David, you can upgrade your Haanjo 3 to Shimano 105, but you have to change the freehub. You need one that has enough room to fit an 11-spd cassette. For example, Haanjo 4 comes with an 11-spd Shimano Ultegra groupset, but it has a different freehub than the 9-spd Haanjo 3.

    1. Hey Eric, an XL frame should be good for you. 🙂 But whether or not it will support your weight is questionable. It’s best to send Diamondback an email and see what they think.

  4. Hi Jeff,

    I have two questions for you regarding the 2018 Haanjo 3:

    1) I’m 5′-7″ which is right on the line between a 50cm vs a53 xm frame, and my inseam is approximately 30″. Which frame size do you suggest?

    2) Ideally I want to buy a bike that is a balance of more comfortable gravel riding but has the handling capability to do some CX racing. Is the Haanjo 3 well suited for both of these types of riding?

    1. Hi Glen, the standover height on the 53cm frame is 777mm (30.6 in), which might be a problem. Measure your inseam with your cycling shoes on and see if you have enough clearance. If yes, I recommend 53cm, if not, choose the 50cm frame.

      As for your second question, I believe Haanjo 3 is the right fit for your needs, it’s a versatile bike that can definitely do both. However, if you plan to do serious CX racing, you should consider investing in a CX bike somewhere down the road.

  5. Hello, I was going to start participating in century rides. I did a metric a couple of weeks ago on a comfort bike. Would this be good for that? What would the disadvantage of riding this over a diamondback century?

    1. It depends on the bike and your aim. What comfort bike do you have? If you plan just to cycle to become healthier, then you’re good. If you plan to chase the results, then you definitely want a bike that supports that aim. Pushing too hard on a comfort bike will also affect your knees and your back.

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