zymphad

Look level to me.

RollCNY

You folks may do it differently, but I set the handlebar on a flat surface, mount the levers so that the end of the brake lever touches the same surface, on both sides, then mount the assembly. Once mounted, I rotate the entire assembly so that the drops are comfortable, and typically the hoods line right up comfortably, worst case within 1/4" of final position. This also usually leaves the end of the handlebars pointing slightly above the rear brake. This has worked for Ergos, STI's, and TRP RRL brake levers, on a variety of compact and standard bars (Ritchey, Deda, and FSA). Doesn't seem like rocket surgery.

LesterOfPuppets

Your line looks more like it's indicating the "ramps" than the hoods.

RPK79

More like brain science.

RPK79

I'm honestly not even sure what he's trying to indicate with the line.

RollCNY

Much like on graphs, red lines without corresponding green and blue lines are meaningless.

LesterOfPuppets

That is a hell of a line for one that was drawn on a phone, though. Kudos!

redlude97

Almost every dura-ace 9000 group, including shimano's own display bike shows the ramps level:



I also agree with that they look more aesthetically pleasing that way

LesterOfPuppets

I'm gonna assume if the stem is 8 or 9 degrees below horizontal that the ramps are pretty near horizontal in real life. Maybe sloping down a degree.

I think the pic has significant barrel distortion.

RPK79

Just because it's a display bike doesn't necessarily mean it's correct.

bianchi10

Those are level! diamondback is not.

bianchi10

Ha! Thank you

redlude97

My point was that people were disputing Shimano's instructions on what they mean by level. That is pretty hilarious though.

WhyFi

Where would those instructions be?

edit: I don't see leveling being mentioned in the manuals, but their illustrations certainly aren't following the proposed HoN aesthetic -

redlude97

I don't know where that came from, this was what was stated though

RJM

I think we are looking at wide angle barrel distortion in that photo.

bahula03

I just went through the 6870 manual as well...absolutely no mention of a recommended level for the shifters. As usual, it comes down to fit and user preference. Or in this thread, aesthetics.

kcollier5

If you shift that line to the top of the 'ramps' then it lines up with the hoods and certainly looks far from level. Some bars don't allow the whole thing to be contiguously level, however those particular bars do, and imo, it would look better if they were level. But I also ride best with my tops level so for me it's both practical and aesthetic!

Nice bike, but not sure it ranks a hot to me. Just not very exciting overall. But nice nonetheless.

LesterOfPuppets

If you were to draw circles concentric with the axles I think you'd find the wheels are oval in that pic. How the hell does he ride around on oval wheels?

RPK79

By, god! You're right!

cderalow

As a Fuji Owner?

greenteei89

Newly built for commuting

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speling_champ

LOL, I was told oval wheels are more aero, so I went ahead and bent them. Thanks for all of the feedback guys. Regarding the lever positions, they probably are a little low, but that's where they're comfortable, so they're staying put. I may play with the bar tape colors to see how red looks.

Glad to hear there are other diamondback fans and racers out there - I went to school up in Missoula, MT and the local bike shop there at the time sold diamondback. My first real bike was a diamondback mountain bike, and I've been a fan ever since. It seems like a lot of people dismiss them as 'walmart bikes', given their presence in the low end market, but from the build quality, specs, and road feel of this frame, I'd say they're capable of making a high-end frame that's on par with the sexier brands. You can occasionally find the frames cheap on ebay, as a lot of people bought them on sale solely for the campag super record parts and easton carbon wheels that came with them.

RPK79

You should debadge your mismatched wheels so it is less obvious.

rjones28 

Not

Nice frame though.