Comments on: diamondback ascent 1992-2008 RIP

By: jay

jay — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 22:37:54 +0000

Funny I was looking into a Motobecane Mirage w/shimano goodies I had back in the mid 70′s untill purchaseing a Diamondback Ascent in ’87 for a ton of monies 700-800 with tax and access. though being a Bering Sea crab fishermen (deadliest catch) 700-800 did not seem like a lot at the time. Now I rode the piss out of the Mirage but for some reason had/have about 100-200 miles on the ascent, after reading this diddy I will dig it out of storage (indoor all its life) and check it for any damage but I think its still “like New” I even have the blue touch up paint that came with. Woodinville wa. -J-

By: Simon Ashton

Simon Ashton — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:27:04 +0000

I bought a white framed ascent in 91 (it was the previous years model) and promptly snapped the downtube ollieing off the curb. I got a new blue frame with scribbles as a warranty item. It’s now in its third rebuild and I still take it out for rides at lunchtime. It’s still a lovely bike if not a bit dated and limited in what front suspension it can run. I have a nasty habit of buying retro frames on E bay, rebuilding them and then selling them onto friends at less than cost – trying to save these brilliant bikes we’ve all forgotten about.

By: Geoff Burton

Geoff Burton — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:31:50 +0000

I have been experiencing a crisis of late – I too possess a miraculously tidy 1992 Diamondback Ascent which has transitioned steadily and gracefully over the last 18 years from the envy of school chums to the laughingstock of the carpark at work! The quandry was whether to finally detach myself emotionally from this scruffy but seemingly indestructable machine, and invest in a new, shiny bike, or to re-invest in the DB and breathe new life into the old girl. Well friends, you have inspired me and delivered me from my predicament. As the DB’s frame is in good shape, it now seems it would be shameful for me to simply discard it – no, I shall dedicate myself to it’s renovation. It shall be done in a tasteful and faithful manner, but the old girl will once again glide in silence through the 19mph barrier instead of waking dosing pensioners and alarming small animals with it’s grinding, whining and screaching! Thank you for your inspiration!!!

By: Tim Cunningham

Tim Cunningham — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 23:07:14 +0000

I still have my 94 DB Ascent. I converted it into a trekking bike by adding rear rack, fenders and, with some braze on lugs, a front lowrider rack. I put a Brooks 17 saddle on, for comfort, and it’s covered some very long distances. One major tour started in northern Spain and ended in Athens, Greece over a 4 month period carrying full kit.
The best frame I’ve ever had.

By: Joey

Joey — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:35:42 +0000

Top Bikes. My 1994/5 Ascent has been up all the big mountains in Wales and done lots of other stuff and is still going strong.

Aside from the frame the, er, STX Cranks are original and so are the, um, I know! the seatpin and the plastic tubes for the cables along the top tube!

By: John Girvin

John Girvin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:25:15 +0000

Bouncing down XC trails is mostly how my DB Ascent spent its days too Tony!

By: Tony

Tony — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:03:59 +0000

Also has the white DB Ascent with the scribbling effect on the frame.

Used it regularly for XC in the UK. Didn’t need suspension as the fat tyres soaked up the the potholes, roots etc.

Wish I hadn’t got rid of it now!

By: Javy

Javy — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:04:33 +0000

I just wanted to say I just picked up a DB ascent at the good will, if anyone has any questions about their missing bike email. I’ll check the serial numbers and the info you guys might give me. I know how much these bikes mean to people and if anyone comes up with the correct info I would gladly return it and expect nothing in return. Thanks

Javy

By: RC Polanco

RC Polanco — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:35:41 +0000

I just picked up a DB Ascent from the local Salvation Army last night. The 1st thing I checked for was major frame damage. Paid…50% off…ahmmm….$44.50. Not bad. Has the yellow frame w/ black forks. Like the 3 piece cranks, and the unique placement of rear brake. I am 34, and this was one of those dream bikes back when I was in high school. I has opted for the Schwinn Mesa Runner back in the late 80′s – early 90′s (can’t remember). RIP – keep those old bikes indoors!

By: John Girvin

John Girvin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:44:22 +0000

It’s curious how we become attached to these inanimate objects, isn’t it? We spend time with them, get to know how they work and each one’s particular idiosyncrasies, making them almost true individuals to us. Then, when they go, we have to re-learn these quirks for a new bike and we soon miss the familiarity of our old companions.

By: royden

royden — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:26:39 +0000

Yep Dude..
92 ascent ..out riding the other day and something wasn’t quite right…had a look and the old girl had snapped just above the bottom bracket…game over ..I miss mine too..boo hoo..

By: stinger

stinger — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:14:18 +0000

Julie, I just found an ascent … near a movie house … so if you could narrow down the odds by naming your city, since you could be be from anywhere in the world … tell me what colour it was and if coincidences add up … its yours again

By: John Girvin

John Girvin — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:23:01 +0000

That’s hard luck Julie, I hope you get it back!

Funnily enough, a guy stopped me outside a cinema one time when I was cycling past on the Diamondback and accused me of stealing his son’s new bike! The Ascents had such an unusual paint job, he had put two and two together but came up with five. After a quick chat I let him inspect the bike (keeping a tight grip on it of course) and it was all sorted out very quickly, as my Ascent was maybe six or seven years old at that time and it was clear that it couldn’t possibly be his son’s new bike.

By: Julie Bangert

Julie Bangert — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:25:52 +0000

I had the exact same bike as you from 1992 except in a smaller size. It got stolen yesterday from outside my local cinema. I am also very sad. I hope the new owner likes it….

By: DodgeVanman

DodgeVanman — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:15:05 +0000

I have a Diamondback Ascent that I purchased not to long ago at an antique store in Colo. Springs for $13 and its the best bike I’ve ever ridden. I added Mountain bike tires,new handgrips,and a water bottle holder.

By: Van

Van — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:23:54 +0000

Your story hits home man! I have a 93 Diamondback Ascent that I purchased used for $100 just after high school graduation. I have taken that bike every where I’ve been. From Olympia to Issaquah, then down to San Diego for a few years (96-00), and now back in Seattle. It has gone from full rigid to Rock Shock front suspension – which in turn meant losing the cantalever breaks, which of course were integrated w/the shifters so all had to been changed. Now I have gone back to full rigid (tracked down an old Raleigh steel fork from about same era) and have given it a paintjob. Man it also had a biopace crank on it – now a deore hollowtech. Anyways, I got a nicer mid range roadie that i ride, but I just cannot seem to part w/this bike! My wife laughs at the money I throw at it. No matter, this bike is right at home w/me towing my son in the Burley trailer. I couldnt see it any other way.

By: Musashi5150

Musashi5150 — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:10:48 +0000

Rest in peace old fella…