1989 Diamondback Ascent EX

[firedfromthecircus]

I have a love for 1980's mountain bike paint effects. Splatters, crackles, smokes, fades etc. They are so evocative of the time to me so it seemed slightly wrong that I didn't have one of my own. So when I decided I needed a new retro project an '80's style paint effect was on the wanted list.

Queue MrKawasaki of this parish selling this beauty and a short time later I have my hands on an 80's classic.

Build is unlikely to be anything spectacular. I will be going for period rather than catalogue and this will be my main retro rider. (I have been thoroughly seduced by modern big wheelers in the last few years.) I think I have the makings of a full DeoreII groupset stashed away so that is the order of the day.

Looking forward to building this. Feels like ages.

 

[firedfromthecircus]

So in an effort to post some of the various bits and pieces about these fine machines in one place I will include them in this thread. Thanks to those who originally posted them online.

Page from the 1989 catalogue.

And the back page listing the spec.

As can be seen the Ascent EX was the fourth in the steel line-up but shared the same frame and forks as the Apex above it. The Ascent below was a different frame.


And a magazine review. I used to have the same helmet as the test rider, but sadly it is now long gone. There will be no recreations of this photo by me.

 

[Neil]

Love it.

Looks in really nice condition, too.

First MTB I wanted to buy. Ended up waiting a year or two, and buying a 91 Apex, but by then they were no longer doing that straight blade fork thing.

 

[mrkawasaki]

Wonderfully evocative bike I thoroughly enjoyed - props to previous carer Al too for the present condition. Glad it has gone to a good home!

BTW Compared to the Apex that was also at the iconoclassic show and the fork seemed different - a bit skinnier all round??

 

[Neil]

Wonderfully evocative bike I thoroughly enjoyed - props to previous carer Al too for the present condition. Glad it has gone to a good home!

BTW Compared to the Apex that was also at the iconoclassic show and the fork seemed different - a bit skinnier all round??

Thanks for posting the photo - great shot of them both side by side.

Rode an Ascent of that era, a few times, back then (want to think it was a purple smokey paintjob) - but never did own one of the straight-blade fork ones.

 

[firedfromthecircus]

Great photo of the 2 together at Icon.

 

[firedfromthecircus]

Love it.

Looks in really nice condition, too.

First MTB I wanted to buy. Ended up waiting a year or two, and buying a 91 Apex, but by then they were no longer doing that straight blade fork thing.

Cheers.
It is in really great condition. A nice find I reckon.

 

[slimjoe]

Re:

I bought one of these new in 89! It was my second mtb and leaps and bounds ahead of the Emmelle that it replaced. Great paint jobs from a cool era

 

[firedfromthecircus]

Cheers.

Pulled a few parts from the shed to see what fitted and what didn't. Fortunately everything did! Result.

So a bit of a dry build.

I have a set of DX hubbed wheels in the loft. Need to get them down and hope the rear is 135mm. I believe they came in both sizes.

Also need to decide on the cranks and check the bb length. The original spec was for Mountain LX cranks. I have both Mountain LX and Deore MT60 in the parts stash, so which ones to fit? Any opinions?

Also ordered some tyres today and new grips and cables.

 

[Mahoney1978]

Re:

Very nice. I recently bought a black 89 Apex in near unused condition. I posted it up on here and must find the link for you. My Apex has got a full Deore II group set on it, so what you have in your 'stash' sounds like an ideal fit for the Ascent.

Good luck with the build.