1985/ 1986 Diamondback Apex

[StuckInPark]

I have the same bike, an 86 Diamond Back Apex in red. Nice to see yours still has the original Suntour Beartrap pedals. This was a top-of-the-line mountain bike in 86. A Tange double butted frame, a lugged unicrown fork w/ rack mounts on the fork blades, Suzue sealed cartridge high-flange hubs, a reversible stem, a spare spoke holder pulling double duty as a chainstay protector...what's not to love? This one looks like an early 86. Later in the year Diamond Back changed to Shimano XT thumb shifters that allowed for both friction & indexed shifting.

 

[BernieR]

I’d sell you mine…all original and original owner…. But I live kinda far away….

cheers,
Bernie

 

[StuckInPark]

I’d sell you mine…all original and original owner…. But I live kinda far away….

cheers,
Bernie

Looks like your pedals & seat post have been swapped out. I'm in the states. Where are you?

 

[BernieR]

California.

seat post has been swapped , but I might still have the original. Petals are original as far as I know as I have never changed them

 

[enc]

Now thats clean. How do these laid back frames ride compared with something more “modern” … say early 90s

 

[jimo746]

Now thats clean. How do these laid back frames ride compared with something more “modern” … say early 90s

Weird!! At least when I first get on it after riding other mtbs. It's a more upright riding position compared to most 90's mtbs, feels comfy though.
A bike to ride all day over high mountain passes and surprisingly agile downhill.
Not a bike to hammer around technical singletrack, the slack angles and long wheelbase make for some interesting handling in tight twisty stuff.

 

[opatseg]

Very Nice Bike

 

[jimo746]

I managed to find the catalogue, or parts thereof, online, featuring the Apex, with the spec list too, it seems a bit haxy as to whether the bike is a 1985 or 1986 model, I don't think there was much changed between the two years?

My bars are different, but I'm fairly sure they're period correct and I doubt they've been changed in the past, I know that occasionally the bikes sold didn't always match the catalogue spec 100%.
Saddle has been changed, I knew that already, personally I prefer the Rolls over the original spec saddle, although I've seen a few originals for sale so they are still out there
And the tyres, well I highly doubt I'll ever see any of the original tyres, so the ones I put on , whilst cheap, will do the job, and look the part too. (These are the cheapo tyres I fitted..... https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/cheap-and-cheerful-tan-wall-tyres.433454/)

 

[joglo]

Hi, as the Terraone Tires whit it's light, almost white Skinwalls look pretty nice but are to wide, I would recommend the Vittoria Skinwalls, which look similar light but smaller.

There is a seller from Italy offering those on Amazon and sometimes also via eBay.
If I'm not mistaken als with international shipping.
Just have here only a link using Amazon.de
https://www.amazon.de/Vittoria-Manta-Fahrradreifen-26-2-00/dp/B086R48SWY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?

 

[jimo746]

Thanks, I actually bought some iyf those Vittoria tyres last year but am keeping them as spares for my other bikes.
The tyres I ended up going with fir this bike are these..... https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/cheap-and-cheerful-tan-wall-tyres.433454/

Which fit well with the more mtb/atb asthetic I think.