Binky

I have a chance to pick up a steel Diamondback Ascent EX... from the very early 1990s... or a similarly aged aluminum Trek 7000.

Both bikes appear to be lightly used and complete.


Any suggestions about which would be a better all-around bike, something that could be used for road and mild trail riding with appropriate tires ??

Binky

katsup

The Ascent looks to be a larger size than the Trek. I'd guess 22" vs 17"-19" which makes it easy, get the one that fits.

Both bikes are fine for road and mild dirt trails.

Edit: It looks like the Trek was changed to V-Brakes. Make sure the levers were also changed for the correct pull, I can't tell by the photo.

Binky

Thanks for chiming in. I am leaning towards the red bike as well.
With many years of riding I had no idea that cantilever brakes could be removed and replaced with V-brakes... or vice versa.
Is this a fairly common or a rare modification?

Bink

katsup

Not sure how common it is, but I purchased this touring bike that had also gotten a V-Brake conversion.

That played in my favor as the used sporting goods store listed it as an old hybrid and I got it for a way less than it should of been. I promptly converted it back to drop bars and cantilever.

The flat bars it had became one of my favorites and now resides on my Gary Fisher, the rest of the parts I sold off.

zze86

+1 get the one that fits best.

I don't know if it was a regularly occurence but the canti to v brake swap was not rare either. Besides just being relatively more involved to adjust, older cantilever brakes also didn't have the conical washers to adjust for brake toe and finer adjustments.

Binky

Good catch: the conversion to V-Brakes on the Trek was very disappointing, and very done poorly, with the anchor flange one of the rear mounts partially shaved off! Apparently done by a bike mechanic and the owner was unaware of the anomaly.
I was offered my choice of either bike, the Trek or the Diamondback, in trade for an old 3-speed cruiser that was not being used.
I grabbed the red Diamondback Ascent EX and my wife is delighted with it. It is the better fitting bike as well. Double Butted Tange Cro-Moly steel tubes and Shimano parts. Shifts nicely. The fit and finish are excellent and the bike has been used gently and briefly as a commuter with long periods of proper storage....

Bink

katsup

Congrats and hope your wife enjoys the bike. The Ascent came with Schwalbe Marathon tires and it looks like the Trek has them as well. If the seller has it for cheap, especially with it's brake issues, it may be worth it just for an extra set.

I remembered that the Gary Fisher I bought recently also had a half V-Brake conversion (V-Brake levers with Cantilever brakes). It does seem to be pretty common.

trailangel

Is that the original fork on the red bike?

2cam16

Pretty sure it is. My '89 Ascent has a straight fork too:
IMG_3443 by 2cam16, on Flickr

trailangel

You already made the deal, huh? My belated vote is for the red Diamondback.

Binky

Yeah.
I got the Diamondback instead of the Trek. The more I look at the Ascent EX the more I like it. I guess he simply never rode it.
And Bikepedia indicates that there were EXPENSIVE bikes back in 1989 !!
The straight forks look a bit peculiar for a few minutes and then it just looks right. And the bigger frame is bonus.
I have a Super Grizzly the same size from about the same year but its an ugly seafoam green so my wife likes this red one better.
I have a bigger GT for me... that is a joy to ride.
Bink.