My collection of rusty old Belgian cyclocross bikes is quickly getting out of hand. I just bought this, which is number four (I think).
I did sort of need it, though. Flandria One is more for riding in the summer, Flandria Two is very much a work in progress, and the other one is just a dog. I did find an old Alan but it had a cracked head lug and that put me off those bikes a bit.
So I bought this for €75 yesterday. Seller was a bloke doing house clearances, so he just wanted rid of it. It had a very rusty front fork, but when I got it home and gave it a quick clean the rust came straight off and it came up looking quite nice. The brakes were a bit wonky too.
I really like Diamant bikes. They never sponsored any really famous riders and they are really common over here, so their bikes don't have the snob/collector factor problem (i.e. inflated prices for mediocre machines), but they are all quite nicely made. Never seen a really crap one.
Took it for a short ride after giving it a quick once over. There was nothing wrong with the mechanics, except a worn chain.
Bike rides really nicely and certainly reminds me why I love cross bikes, was able to razz round the roads at a respectable pace and nip off down the odd farm track or bridlepath when the fancy took me. I even discovered a new section of Pave. Stoked. Best 75 quid I've spent in a while.
Spec:
Frame: Diamant with Zeus 2000 fork. Quite heavy. Don't know what tubes it might be.
Drivetrain: Shimano 600/tricolour/105 with Suntour ratchet bar ends.
Rubbish shimano freewheel and chain that need replacing.
Brakes: Dia compe cantis with Shimano 600 levers
Wheels: Campag Nuovo Tipo hubs, unknown rims, Michelin Dynamic tyres
Bars: 3ttt bars and stem
Seating: Ratty old Rolls on unknow seatpost
I did sort of need it, though. Flandria One is more for riding in the summer, Flandria Two is very much a work in progress, and the other one is just a dog. I did find an old Alan but it had a cracked head lug and that put me off those bikes a bit.
So I bought this for €75 yesterday. Seller was a bloke doing house clearances, so he just wanted rid of it. It had a very rusty front fork, but when I got it home and gave it a quick clean the rust came straight off and it came up looking quite nice. The brakes were a bit wonky too.
I really like Diamant bikes. They never sponsored any really famous riders and they are really common over here, so their bikes don't have the snob/collector factor problem (i.e. inflated prices for mediocre machines), but they are all quite nicely made. Never seen a really crap one.
Took it for a short ride after giving it a quick once over. There was nothing wrong with the mechanics, except a worn chain.
Bike rides really nicely and certainly reminds me why I love cross bikes, was able to razz round the roads at a respectable pace and nip off down the odd farm track or bridlepath when the fancy took me. I even discovered a new section of Pave. Stoked. Best 75 quid I've spent in a while.
Spec:
Frame: Diamant with Zeus 2000 fork. Quite heavy. Don't know what tubes it might be.
Drivetrain: Shimano 600/tricolour/105 with Suntour ratchet bar ends.
Rubbish shimano freewheel and chain that need replacing.
Brakes: Dia compe cantis with Shimano 600 levers
Wheels: Campag Nuovo Tipo hubs, unknown rims, Michelin Dynamic tyres
Bars: 3ttt bars and stem
Seating: Ratty old Rolls on unknow seatpost
