Help me identify my Diamondback / Ritchey

[Ebbot]

Hi!

I need help identyfing a frame before i send it off to the painter.

I was informed by the seller that the frameset was raced on during 96/97 by Erik Ljungåker, who at that time belonged to Diamondback. According to the seller DB didn’t use their own frameset during this time, but rather it was a Ritchey P22 in disguise (nothing that DB was showcasing)

The frame has some quirks that have me thinking it’s not a P22, but rather a P20 or something completely different.

The frame has:

* 1” headtube
* Newer Ritchey-style dropouts, headtube and seatclamp/lug.
* Cablestops for running V-brake, as well as the little loop for running wires for cantilever
* Mount for Shimano XTR M-950 front derailleur
* Bottom bracket is marked with Ritchey emblem and has the serialnumber PT17-5

Anyone who have an idea on what I have?
//Alex

 

[Ebbot]

Some pictures to help identifying the frame.

I’ve looked through DBs catalogues from 93-99 and I’ve not been able to find anything that looks like this frameset.

Helpful for any input!

 

[otherself]

Looks like a '96 P-20. Seat tube junction/sleeve looks identical to a P-20. Serial is certainly Ritchey. Wasn't unusual for pro's to have their frames built by somebody else and then re-badged or painted under their sponsors brand.

It would be built from Ritchey Logic Prestige Super Tubing that weighs, if I recall correctly, about 3.75 pounds.

1996/7 Ritchey Project-20

Here is some new iron that I added to the collection. I have been after a Ritchey P-series since I was in college but could never afford one. Something about the fluid lines of the frame, paint scheme and of course Tom Ritchey that made this a dream bike for me. I had been scouring Ebay and...

www.retrobike.co.uk

 

[Fatboy1974]

Looks like a '96 P-20. Seat tube junction/sleeve looks identical to a P-20. Serial is certainly Ritchey. Wasn't unusual for pro's to have their frames built by somebody else and then re-badged or painted under their sponsors brand.

It would be built from Ritchey Logic Prestige Super Tubing that weighs, if I recall correctly, about 3.75 pounds.

1996/7 Ritchey Project-20

Here is some new iron that I added to the collection. I have been after a Ritchey P-series since I was in college but could never afford one. Something about the fluid lines of the frame, paint scheme and of course Tom Ritchey that made this a dream bike for me. I had been scouring Ebay and...

www.retrobike.co.uk

Mmmmm. Nice find!

 

[7Speed]

Very nice! I think Tim Gould used to rode a re-badged P-series too for a while…as well as earlier Chas Roberts badged as Peugeot.

 

[Ebbot]

Looks like a '96 P-20. Seat tube junction/sleeve looks identical to a P-20. Serial is certainly Ritchey. Wasn't unusual for pro's to have their frames built by somebody else and then re-badged or painted under their sponsors brand.

It would be built from Ritchey Logic Prestige Super Tubing that weighs, if I recall correctly, about 3.75 pounds.

1996/7 Ritchey Project-20

Here is some new iron that I added to the collection. I have been after a Ritchey P-series since I was in college but could never afford one. Something about the fluid lines of the frame, paint scheme and of course Tom Ritchey that made this a dream bike for me. I had been scouring Ebay and...

www.retrobike.co.uk

Thanks for your input, feels like your on to something!

I’m in the process of stripping the bike and when it’s naked I’m gonna weigh it. Perhaps the weight will be a indicator

 

[Ebbot]

Mmmmm. Nice find!

Quite happy about it actually!

Now comes the hard part, deciding on how to build it

 

[Ebbot]

Very nice! I think Tim Gould used to rode a re-badged P-series too for a while…as well as earlier Chas Roberts badged as Peugeot.

Seems quite common.

 

[Ebbot]

If anyone have a tip on where I could get it repainted please let me know!

The best option would be Rick Stefani on D&D cycles, but he’s located in USA and I’m from EU..

 

[joglo]

Hi, I'm not an Ritchey expert, but obviously an hidden Ritchey bike is definitivly more interesting as any kind of Diamond Back. If you're repainting it, I personally wouldn't make it look like a Diamond Back bike once again.
Or are you interested to keep the history?
If the latter, something is to me anyhow a bit suspicious...
You've said it was raced in 96 and 97.
Just the Diamond Back decals as on the bike are a bit younger!
Diamondback as one word wasn't used before 97 models, the used font is even from 98 and 99 models.
Overview:

Diamond Back Galerie

www.mtb-news.de

Either it must be younger or has already had a optical update with newer Diamond Back logos.