Hi Retrobikers

[dubscratcher]

Hi all
Thought I'd say hello, I came across the site a few weeks ago, signed up to ride the ctc this year and decided my old Diamond Back Ascent was the tool for the job. I've had the bike from new (1990ish?) and used to use it regularly commuting, touring and off roading on it. The bike is in fairly good order having been repaired after a collision with a Saab, although the front shifter has stopped working. Lack of use sent it to the loft about 10 years ago. I began converting it for the ctc with mudguards, semi slick tyres a rack and panniers. I was telling a mate about it and he offered me his old bike to do up. so I now have a Scott Summit ('95 vintage I think), in need of some tlc and a crankset. I tried fitting the old LX cranks and biopace rings that I took off the Diamond Back years ago but the rings foul the stays. Any advice appreciated on how to go about restoring it.

 

[hydorah]

Ay up

Yo dude, welcome

There is an introduce yourself thread over here:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=94749

But I doubt anyone will freak out too much that you've done that here!

Your Diamond Black will have had a wider bottom bracket/crank axle than the Scott

You can swap the axles but you'll probably need a special tool for the Scott

- A splined BB remover only a few quid on ebay, so I'd get one

- then replace the Scott BB with a new one of the right length - about £10

However if I were you I'd get the DB going again

- This forum is awesome and any tech question will be answered super quick with stunning accuracy - You have come to the right place

 

[dubscratcher]

Cheers, the Ascent is back on the road, just need to get the front gear shifter working, I intend to use it for commuting as soon as the weather picks up. I really like the bike and it has alot of memories attached. It rides well although it might just be because I am so familiar with it. I suspect a lot of bikes from this era feel great compared to modern bikes as they were designed by cyclists rather than marketing men. Hydraulic disc brakes seem a bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut to me. The only thing I don't like about the bike are the forks, they're a bit harsh, but I don't think I need to worry about hammering the downhill sections so hard these days.
I like the site and the forums here, lot's of cool people with a good attitude, not to mention a huge amount of knowledge on bike stuff.

 

[GT-Steve]

welcome welcome welcome.

And glad you found us.....

Your first post was not a sale ad too, so that's cool as well.

Enjoy the ride, and keep a close eye on the wallet

 

[drystonepaul]

Welcome.

The Diamond Back or the Scott will both be fine for the C2C route. The off road bits aren't very rough or technical. Just make sure you have some low gears available for the steep climbs through the Lakes and the Pennines.
It's a great route though and I'm sure you'll love it.

Sounds like the cranks from the Ascent won't fit the Summit due to the bottom bracket lengths being different, ie too short on the Summit.

The LX cranks from the DB will probably require a 122.5mm BB, whereas the newer Scott may well have a shorter BB designed to be compatible with 'low profile' cranks at about 110-113mm.
Let us know which cranks they are, and/or the lengths of the BB spindle and I'm sure we'll be able to make some recommendations.

 

[hydorah]

What's up with your front mech?

Edit:- Oh yeah I see broken shifter

 

[brocklanders023]

Welcome mate and enjoy! You're in the right place to get your shifter sorted. Tell us what it is and I'm sure someone will have a spare.

 

[dubscratcher]

Thanks for the warm welcome, I think you're all spot on with the bottom bracket on the Scott, I'll take some pics and put them up for suggestions, the old one feels a bit gritty and is probably the original so over due for a change.
Not sure what the Diamond Back shifters are, they were replaced after the crash, but they're attached to the brake levers. I'll take a photo of those aswell. I think the mech is ok but not sure how to check it's operation, it moves when I pull the cable so assume it's ok.
I'm really looking forward to the ctc, I know the country east of Alston pretty well and I've been over Hartside enough times to know what to expect, sore legs and lungs by the top. I'm travelling in good company though, so we'll have a hoot.

 

[chrisv40]

Hello and welcome, looking forward to your pics of the DB, I have a 1990 Ascent and agree that they are really bikes to ride

 

[feetabix]

welcome to retrobike......