Found this Diamondback Ascent of which I‘m not exactly sure which year it was made in. Theres a lot of rust stains on it but the rest of the frame seems to be in good condition. Gripshifters & brake levers seem to be in bad condition and slowly dissolving. Would probably need to replace them. Groupset is a Shimano STX i think? Not too sure on the wheels, might me that the brake pads have worn into the rims too much.
by Chaschperli
9 Comments
If you have use for it, go for it!
Decent frame, good tubing and geometry.
Build it
wow am i crazy or is it just the photo angle distorting things, but that top tube looks like its about 4 feet long to me. 🙂
If you watch some of garys.projects videos on YouTube, you could probably get an idea about how best to clean one of these up. A full strip down, clean and regrease would do this bike wonders (and in the long run, but the most cost efficient way of having a nice bike.
Cheapest way to then change thing up is touchpoints so saddle, pedals & bars.
If you put a nice saddle on, maybe some larger platform MTB pedals and even a shorter step & swept back bar, you’d change the ride of the bike completely.
Fixing up a bike is (almost) always worth it.
Setback seatpost PLUS saddle all the way back – do you ride it this way? Makes me wonder if it’s a good fit.
Definitely worth keeping imho because basically fully original even up to the saddle. Grip shifters will be cheap replacements even if you go period-correct, STX should work well after some loving care.
Personally I like the sleek and clean style of these Diamond Backs, geometry was always thought through and nice for sporty rides – even on the more entry-level lines like this one.
Looks like a 95 to me. Not quite entry level back then (Sorrento), but only one step up. Still 7-speed while middle-class bikes had already gone 8s (LX gruppo).
Frame is relatively “robust”, tubing is the most basic quality from a good brand, comparable to Tange MTB.
Main tubes double butted, seat/chain stays plain gauge. Not light, but also not as prone to rust from inside as the more uplevel heat-treated steels (OX from TT or Prestige from Tange).
I would fix it up because it looks easy – if you take care of the rusty spots as described on YouTube.
It’s got a frame that is very worthy of rebuilding. Of course it depends on whether it fits you. If not, don’t bother.
What worries me is the rust on the frame. That paint is failing and allowing rust to form. If it were me, I’d only pursue this project if I could have the frame sandblasted (and inspected), and then powder-coated. Then it’s worthy of putting time and money into. Otherwise you run the risk of rust compromising the integrity of the frame, if it hasn’t already. It’s probably just surface rust that will come off with the sandblasting, but you need to be sure.
Everything else that’s rusty can just be replaced. Like I said, that frame is worthy of a nice build, but only if it’s solid.
Absolutely 🙂
Love it when bikes come with that crankset-guard. Usually means the crankset is very well kept and shiny
Bonjour/Grüezi!🇨🇭😁