It's not a Brodie. So what is it?

[Tango]

Hi all, new to the forum, so apologies in advance for any technical foul-ups.

Despite the warnings when it was outed in the Ebay Watch section of the forum a few weeks ago, I bought this bike anyway, figuring at least it's got some decent parts on it.

Surprise surprise, Brodie Canada have confirmed it as fake after I emailed them some pics along with the serial numbers.

So, I'm now the proud owner of a mystery bike. At least, it's a mystery to me.

The serial numbers read

U BI ' 0742

U30400270

Can anyone help me to identify my frame?

David

 

[hamster]

That curved brake bridge is something I always associate with Specialized. :?

 

[legrandefromage]

If it wasnt for the rear drop-outs, it could almost be a Saracen...

good or very bad news depending on your point of view

 

[Carsten G]

Diamondback of some kind pre. snakestays start.

Looks like an machine welded frame so could be almost any thing... Are the frame double butted or triple, can tell much about the quality..

 

[Anthony]

Looks like an machine welded frame

There's no such thing!

I don't know of a frame building company beginning with U, but the serial number does fit the general Taiwan format - if so, it could be builder name starting with U, built in 4th month of 1993.

It could be a reasonable frame, as somebody has gone to the trouble of having it painted and hanging decent parts on it. You ought to be able to feel roughly what level of frame it is from the ride quality, to some extent anyway. Also if you strip it down, the frame weight would be a rough guide.

 

[Tango]

Hi folks, thanks for your responses.


Hamster / Carsen,

I'm not at all knowledgable about Specialized, but, yes, the seat-stays, bridge & canti hanger are very similar to my DB Sorrento (unknown year, not snakestays).
The other tubes on the 'Brodie' are not identified in any way I can see, but are of larger diameter than other early 90s Diamondbacks I have seen, especially the down-tube, which I've just measured as the same as my Inbred.

Legrandefromage,

I've never riden a Saracen, but I've bid on a couple on Ebay, so I guess I would'nt be terribly disappointed.

Anthony,

When I bought it, there was always the thought in the back of my mind that, even if it was'nt a Brodie, there's a slim chance it might turn out to be something semi cool anyway.
I hav'nt riden it yet, need to sort a few bits & bobs, first up a stuck seatpost, soaking in WD40 as I type.
Useful to know about the Tawan serial number format, thanks.

Cheers, David

 

[FMJ]

need to sort a few bits & bobs, first up a stuck seatpost, soaking in WD40 as I type.

You missed a step. Remove the Brodie stickers.

 

[Tango]

FMJ,

Don't worry, they're coming off before I ride it.

It just would'nt be right.

 

[slimjoe]

Diamond back 91

Id say Diamond Back from around 91-92 judjing by the curved brake bridge and dropouts :idea: