Touring - Diamondback Sorrento vs Gary Fisher Wahoo

.... this I'll probably regret. Any opinions on which would be the better trekking/ touring frame? Both are old steel NS frames. Bits are not an issue as I'll replace everything anyway. Just want a sound foundation. Or neither? Thanks!

What year? both were / are low end bikes (Chromoly/hi-tensile steel frames), and weren't available as frame only, if you had to pick one, would go for the one which fits you best, and has the braze-ons that you need; both are also 26", do you want this, or 700c wheels?

If you are replacing everything, why not look for a purpose built frame, like a Surly or Salsa Vaya, as they have everything you need to start with.

Yes, I like the 26" wheels. I have a Criss Cross I'm building up for 700c. I just like making silk purses out of sows ears...

I'd say neither. There were a lot of good rigid MTBs made in the 90s; try to find a higher-end bike from that era. I used to have a 1992 Diamondback Ascent (a couple steps up from the Sorrento) that I thought about converting to a touring bike, and still strikes me as a great off-road tourer. The stock drivetrain was 7-speed Shimano LX (cassette, not freewheel), and it even had a third water bottle mount under the downtube. Pretty much the only thing I would have needed to replace was the seat and stem. Now I'm kind of pissed at myself that I sold it.

Any Univegas that strikes anyones fancy? I kind of like the look of the Sport. Suggestions?

I'm dumping the Wahoo and stripping the Sorrento of its parts. I'll look for a better frame. TREK or something.:rolleyes:

You could go local, frame built there, or in say Petaluma..

I'm dumping the Wahoo and stripping the Sorrento of its parts. I'll look for a better frame. TREK or something.:rolleyes:

Be careful of buying on manufacturer only. Every major manufacturer made a range of bikes. Diamond Back and Gary Fisher both made some great steel mountain bikes in the 90s, but the two you have are from the lower end of their ranges. Same for Trek, Specialized, etc. - there are good bikes and not so good bikes from each company.

Some things you should look for in a good MTB from that era:
A crank with replaceable chainrings - bolted rather than riveted
A cassette rather than a freewheel

Also, the Shimano product lines were a little different then. LX was still good, and if you find Deore DX, that was another quality line.