Diamond Back Apex 95

[Freddyman90]

Evening all,

Stumbled across this around a month ago locally, I was looking for a steel ride to replace my O2 as despite it being a lovely bike, I have just never really clicked with it. It looked in decent condition from the pictures so thought I chance it as it was only £60.
After telling the mrs I was nipping out, and being reminded that I still haven’t finished the Zaskar that I started 6mths ago and I still have the Kona frame hanging up that I said I was going to build 4 months ago blah blah blah, I headed off.

Old lady selling it, her husband had bought it new and never really had much chance to ride it, which was obvious as soon as I saw it. Upon inspection it’s like a time capsule, absolutely over the moon with it. Pics before clean up and with mudguards on - took front one off before I took first pic.



It hadn’t moved for that long that the chain links were in the shape of the jockey wheels and had seized in that position - a lot of wd40 sorted that out.
The rapid fire units had the usual stiffness which needed sorting so the click returned, other than that it’s mint. Brakes pads haven’t any wear at all!
Replaced the city slickers with some continental tyres I had hanging round and that’s it, ready to go and a very capable replacement for my O2.
Everything is original and in fantastic condition, really lucked out with this one.
Had a quick 15min ride in between the rain and it rides superb, forgotten how great steel rides in comparison to aluminium.
Some photos after it’s all cleaned.

 

[otherself]

Nice find. Looks immaculate .

 

[OILE]

And that's a Spinner fork with it too. I have the same frameset, but with a lot more scratches!!

 

[Freddyman90]

And that's a Spinner fork with it too. I have the same frameset, but with a lot more scratches!!

I can’t believe the lack of scratches, given that it’s a Matt paint finish too. I think it’s the last year they used the true temper lite tubing too. I’ve no intention of changing anything on this, just need to try and keep it looking fresh!

 

[OILE]

As well as scratching, the matt "buffs up" into a more glossy finish pretty easily too - just what you don't want... That really is a minter!!

 

[JohnnyMarone]

Whats it ride like? I always liked the steel frames and narrow bars.

 

[Freddyman90]

Whats it ride like? I always liked the steel frames and narrow bars.

I only had chance to have a quick ride, first impressions are great. Quick, yet supple. I’ve been riding an Orange O2 for 18 months, I’ve got used to the harshness, it was lovely sitting back on a steel bike. I haven’t weighed it yet but it does feel as if it’s quite respectable, definitely not heavy.