Diamondback Ascent info needed

[Andy B]

Just had a Diamondback Ascent arrive in our shop

Looks in near original condition, True Temper CroMo tubing, full Exage Mountain groupset IIRC

Any info on it would be appreciated, I did a search of the forum but couldn't find the exact year of this bike, or any other info

'scuse the crappy phone pics..


diamondback ascent 2 by Andy Bax, on Flickr


Diamondback ascent by Andy Bax, on Flickr

 

[retroyetirigid]

Its from 1989, had tange cro mo tubing (not True Temper ), as you said 18 speed Shimano Exage Mountain gears, Araya RX7 rims, Tioga Farmer John Nephew tyres, 1" headset, straight blade forks and a lycra covered saddle.
Came in 18", 20" and 22" frame sizes iirc (though could have been 17, 19 and 21) that looks like a 20" (or 19" ).

 

[Andy B]

I'm pretty sure it's Avenir True Temper CroMo & there's a logo is on the top tube near the seatpost pic isn't conclusive though, but I will check later and confirm either way

 

[retroyetirigid]

Diamond Back used True Temper in 1991 but Tange before that ('89 Axis was Prestige '91 Axis was true Temper OX II). I did have an '89 Ascent, '90 Ascent EX and a '91 Axis back then and worked for a Diamond Back dealer. But it was 20 odd years ago so I might be wrong.

 

[Andy B]

Thanks for the info

I'll have a rummage round the store when I have time and check what is left of the original spec, certainly stem, bars & grips are original, as is the drivetrain, wheels alas I cannot remember what it had on it...

 

[drcarlos]

IIRC the straight blade forks were '89 only.

Carl.

 

[Neil]

Have to say, I always thought the DBs from this era with straight blade forks used Tange tubing.

I want to think they started using True Temper frames / tubes in 90, with curved blade forks, but paint jobs a sort of transition between the smokey paint jobs and the solid colours that followed.

 

[Neil]

I'm pretty sure it's Avenir True Temper CroMo & there's a logo is on the top tube near the seatpost pic isn't conclusive though, but I will check later and confirm either way

There may be an Avenir logo towards the set seat tube end of the top tube - Avenir was just the branding DB used on a lot of the finishing kit. It would probably say "Avenir equipped".

I would have expected any tubing brand stickers in that location - more really the traiditonal places - either towards the top or bottom of the seat tube - I don't think Avenir would be mentioned in the tubing sticker, though, and as I said in my other post, would expect an 89 to be Tange (certainly there's an 89 Axis in another thread, that has Tange tubing), I was sure DB didn't use True Temper tubes until a year or two later.

 

[drystonepaul]

I asked a similar question about DiamondBacks over in this thread Andy if it's any use to you: --> http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=133120

 

[ferrismrk]

I've got one of these which I've owned from new (still have receipts) and it is all original apart from bar ends. It's looking neglected now, wondering if it's worth restoring? The frame is in clean condition but there are various rusty bits needing attention.

With regards to the Avenir Equiped logo, I know the saddle at least was Avenir gel, mine is now ripped to bits!