weeman_mtb
Retrobike Rider
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There's a scrapyard about 5 miles from me that sells off the complete bikes that find their way onto the heap. Any one you want for a tenner but it's usually all BSO's and the like. I go there once a fortnight or so just on the off chance that something retro and lovely has turned up but no real luck except for this.
About three months ago amongst the crap was this filthy Diamondback Ascent, not really what I was after but ticked the retro box so I dragged it out. It was complete apart from the seatpost, clamp and saddle but the wheels were buckled beyond repair. There was also a gaping rusty hole where one of the bottle cage mounts had been pulled out but apart from this it was straight. The frame also made that lovely ping when flicked so the tenner was paid and I chucked it in the boot.
I totally stripped to bare frame, cleaned it up and was toying with the idea of chucking a bike together as it was but the paintwork was terrible, a lot worse than it looks in the photo. So it had the nitromors treatment and I made a new insert for the bottle cage and got it brazed in at work. Then another workmate got it powdercoated for me FOC which was very nice of him and I've also given it a good go with the waxoil.
I've just finished putting it together and have ridden it to work and back this week so far. I really like it although I'm not 100% happy with the riding position, I'm pretty sure a new stem about an inch longer will sort that.
It's been built with nearly all the bits that came on it excluding the wheels and tyres, bb, saddle, seatpost and clamp, qr's, rear mech, outer cables and grips. Some bits I had already, some I bought including the saddle off here. I reckon it owes me about £45 all in but it would have been more like £30 if I hadn't been a tart and bought all the red stuff or £20 with a less comfy saddle aswell.
It's never going to win BOTM but I think it is worthy of saving and has made a nice tidy bike.
About three months ago amongst the crap was this filthy Diamondback Ascent, not really what I was after but ticked the retro box so I dragged it out. It was complete apart from the seatpost, clamp and saddle but the wheels were buckled beyond repair. There was also a gaping rusty hole where one of the bottle cage mounts had been pulled out but apart from this it was straight. The frame also made that lovely ping when flicked so the tenner was paid and I chucked it in the boot.
I totally stripped to bare frame, cleaned it up and was toying with the idea of chucking a bike together as it was but the paintwork was terrible, a lot worse than it looks in the photo. So it had the nitromors treatment and I made a new insert for the bottle cage and got it brazed in at work. Then another workmate got it powdercoated for me FOC which was very nice of him and I've also given it a good go with the waxoil.
I've just finished putting it together and have ridden it to work and back this week so far. I really like it although I'm not 100% happy with the riding position, I'm pretty sure a new stem about an inch longer will sort that.
It's been built with nearly all the bits that came on it excluding the wheels and tyres, bb, saddle, seatpost and clamp, qr's, rear mech, outer cables and grips. Some bits I had already, some I bought including the saddle off here. I reckon it owes me about £45 all in but it would have been more like £30 if I hadn't been a tart and bought all the red stuff or £20 with a less comfy saddle aswell.
It's never going to win BOTM but I think it is worthy of saving and has made a nice tidy bike.