Help with frame spec needed ( 2001 diamondback xsl)

fred2003

Hi guys i found these frames on ebay (new old stock) and though hey they look ok so i bought 2, problem is the guy i bought them from doesnt know much about them.
Ideally im after a spec list of the frame as in headtube size, bb size, what rear shock i can/cant use and any other infomation that can be found.

I have spent the last 2 days looking round the net and so far i have come up with nothing. I tried to get in touch with diamondback but was given contact details for raleigh, this didnt help as i emailed them and got a responce saying they had no information about this particular model due to its age. Im unsure as to the year but from the image search on ebay they look to be 2001 frames.




If anyone can help it will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Fred aka Neil.

supersonic

You can measure a lot of that stuff yourself. i think it is a 165mm shock, but will try and find out some more.

fred2003

Cheers m8, i havent a clue where to measure tbh, the bb is 68mm that one was easy enough, not sure what aheadset i need as the steerer tube seems huge. He did say something about zero stack but i thought that was some sort of internal headset like my sintesi has. The frames are only £35 a chuck so i got 2 incase i break one. Thanks again, neil.

supersonic

Have a look here too:

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/Bike ... &Type=bike

Does apear to be a Zero Stack headset.

fred2003

Nice find, cheers for that supersonic
That link has got pretty much everything i needed to know

Do you have any recommendations for the rear shock, i had a fox float R on the i-drive 4 and an x-fusion 02 on the i-drive expert. Both had a nice feel but the fox started to loose pressure not long after i got it and the x-fusion was destroyed in the hit n run before i could decide if i liked it or not.

With me being a big lad would i be better with a coil shock or air shock? I like the look of the coil shock with the piggy back but ive only seen them on huge travel rear ends.

This bike will only be for normal use (road riding and the odd field/dirt/gravel path) so doesnt matter too much on weight as long as it is comfortable and looks right.

Also if anyone has any info on powder coating services could you please post details as the frame is in a dirty grey and a little scabby in places, although its new its been stored for around 8 years. I need it to be white to match the rest of my bits and from what i have read so far powder coating seems to be the way to go.

Thanks again, Neil.

supersonic

Have a look for BettaBlast in Newcastle.

I'd stick with an air shock, more adjustable to your weight.

missmarple

Fred, I was just wondering if you found out any more info about that frame as I may buy it myself?

fred2003

Hi there, the only bit may struggle with is the hardware/mouting kit, i haven't yet got one myself but have been told that both mojo and tftuned can supply custon built hardware with the measurments.

What you will need is a 165mm eye 2 eye shock with a stroke of 38mm, i have just bought a rock shox bar 1.1 from chainreaction cycles

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=17097

Also you will need a zero stack headset, either fsa or cane creek do these, i opted for the cane creek zsc1 from chainreaction.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=27947

I have everything here or on its way this week to finish the bike off apart from the mount kit for the rear shock so i will let you know soon as i get this sorted (price/sizes/where from)

If you need any more info please get in touch and i will try to help if i can.

Neil.

fred2003

As requested and for anyone interested these are the parts i have opted for on the new build, i've probably missed something out so if you spot anything just ask

Diamondback XSL frameset (white) professionally resprayed
Marzocchi 55R forks (black)
Halo Freedom Disc wheelset (white)
Hayes Stroker Trail DH V8 Disc Brake Set 203mm
Rock Shox Bar 1.1 rear shock (black)
Truvativ Firex Team chainset/bb (black)
Crank Bro's 5050xx pedals (gold/black)
Race Face Evolve bar/stem/post (black)
Halo Knobbler tyres
Sram X.7 front mech (black)
Sram X.7 rear mech (black)
Sram cassette PG-980
Sram chain PC-991
Sram X.5 9spd shifters (black)
Cane Creek ZSC-1 zero stack headset (black)
Spank lock on grips (white)
Hope bar end plugs (gold)

Thats the list so far, as i say i may have missed a few things out but i'll put them down as i remember.
Thanks for the help and or interest.
Neil.

fred2003

My second build will consist of my old build being transfered over and upgraded as time goes on.

Diamondback XSL frameset (candy blue) professionally resprayed
Marzocchi Junior T's 2004 forks
Rock Shox Bar 1.1 rear shock (black) not bought yet
Halo Freedom Disc wheelset (white) not bought yet
Hayes Stroker XC V6 Disc Brake Set 160mm
Shimano LX chainset/bb (black/silver)
DMR V8 pedals (black)
Race Face Ride bar/stem/post (black) not bought yet
Tioga Factory DH tyres 2.3
Shimano LX or XT front mech
Shimano LX or XT rear mech
Shimano LX or XT 9spd shifters
Shimano LX or XT cassette
Shimano LX or XT chain
Cane Creek ZSC-1 headset
Spank lock on grips (white)

All the things marked LX or XT i have the LX version already but might upgrade to XT just depends on the colour as i prefer black components.

fred2003

This is what i currently ride:




and this was the build in progress before i got the XSL's

missmarple

What colour do you reckon you'll have? I was thinking gloss white for me.

fred2003

They arrive in a dirty grey/silver but i have mine being done this week, the first in a high gloss white and then clear coated a few times.
The second is being done in a candy blue similar to the blue anodising that trek use.
Cant wait to get them done now as i have been buying the bits for a while
Still struggling on picking a seat, might go with the same one that my GT has on it so my bum doesnt need to adjust.
I've just hit a wall with my finances so im glad i have alread got pretty much everthing already.

£1160 spent so far and hopefully not much more needed.

Once im back on my feet i may just start the 3rd build with the sintesi frame as its new in the box and never ridden and i feel kind sad to see it that way.

Neil.

supersonic

That fork big enough on the GT?!

;-)

How much does the XSL frame weigh?

Also I would not put the JR T on the XSL.

fred2003

lol i know its a bit of overkill but i weigh a lot myself so the forks drops/sags quite a lot with me on there. I looked into getting the extra firm springs as they only have the medium fitted but was told not to because of the frame i was using. The ride with them on is perfect for me, its only when i stop at lights etc the front stands up and suprises me

I love the front end being tall so for me the higher the better, just the frame probably doesn't agree with me. Me and the juniors have been together for a while, i even had them on my i-drive expert for a short spell (3 days) but they did throw the geometry out a good bit so the gold psylo race was fastened on.

Not sure on the weight of the XSL's as i havent weighed them yet, soon as i find the scales ill let you know. Might have a look in a min before grabbing some shut eye.

Neil.

fred2003

Ok so here's the weight in pounds and in grams:

2865 grams
6.316 lb's

Not sure if that is good or not, but to me weight isn't an issue.

Neil.

supersonic

Not to bad, say 7lbs with an air shock.

fred2003

I'm pretty sure mine will weigh a ton by the time all the parts are fitted.
A friend of mine had his frames (stinky 06 and giant vt-1) powder coated, stinky in matt black and the vt-1 in candy red, both look amazing and he got the pair done for £140.
I'm struggling to get one done at less than that so i've opted to get both resprayed, 1 in white thats the new build and the other in candy blue, both will be multi clear coated so hope they turn out well.
They guy had these frames on ebay as 17" and 19" but im unsure how he was measuring them as both mine measure at 21.5" from centre bb shell to top seat tube. This is still good for me as im 6ft 4 but just confused me as to how he measured them. Any idea on how hes measured them or if im doing it wrong.
Neil.

missmarple

Thanks for that weight info Fred, here is my proposed setup:

Diamondback XSL Frame
Rockshox Dart 2 Forks
Rock Shox Bar 1.1 Rear Shock
Weinmann Blue XM280 Wheelset
Tektro/Avid Disc Brakes
Truvativ Isoflow + BB
Shimano M520 SPD Pedals
Race Face Stem
Easton EA30 Bars
Easton EA30 Seatpost
SRAM X7 Gearset
Cane Creek ZSC-1 headset
Spesh Lock-Ons

Not as intense a setup but should be good none-the-less. 8)

supersonic

Have you already bought that kit?

Could get Exotic bars and stems for less money and weight. I'd have the rebound adjustable BAR too.

fred2003

Sounding good m8. I to run weinmann wheels (zac20's) and they just keep going
We need an old skool XSL riders crew now
Maybe a compatition on who can break theres first, i'm sure i have the best chance of winning lol.
I've been searching for sticker/transfers as i just cant find any im thinking of getting some made up, i'll post back with details if i can find someone that can do the job. If they dont cost a fortune i'll do a bulk buy incase of future paint jobs or crashes.
Neil.

fred2003

I choose the rock shox bar 1.1 just because it was cheap, would fit nicely and could always be upgraded later without regretting buying it in the first place. The bar with adj rebound was double the price and didn't seem like a shock i'd want to keep in the long run. A guy i know in Winstanleys said its a good shock (bar1.1) as he used to run one on his old trek fuel, said the rebound isn't massive but was a good ride all the same.

Something with a nice lockout and rebound adj would be nice but i've spent up for now, unless a lotto win comes in (i dont play though) things will have to wait.
Neil.

missmarple

You can get diamondback sticker transfers on Ebay, I'm going to go for the old logo. Old Skool!

missmarple

supersonic wrote:

Have you already bought that kit?

Could get Exotic bars and stems for less money and weight. I'd have the rebound adjustable BAR too.

Yes Sonic, the Bars are off my old bike. And I bought the Bar 1.1 for £50 so can't complain!

dno

Glad I found this thread!! 1 more 2001 XSL frame owner here!

Did you manage to sort the additional hardware out for the rear shock from chainreaction??? Any links?

Is the 165mm rear shock definitely the correct length before i order it????

Also, is the geometry of the frame 80mm or 100mm suspension fork???
The one linked below looks like an 80mm - had a 100mm fork on an 80mm frame before and it was awful - I hate lazy steering so don't want to make the same mistake again!
I like steering nice & quick!

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/Bike ... &Type=bike

Looking forward to seeing some pics of any completed ones!

fred2003

Hi there, and welcome to the XSL club
3.10inch = 78mm (googled it) so seems like an 80mm fork on that particular setup m8.
The forks im throwing on mine are 140mm but i like being different lol.
I still havent tried to get the shock mounts as im waiting for parts to turn up and my 1st frame is waiting to be resprayed, so i'm no rush just yet.
The rear shock on the one you linked too is 165mm and both myself and miss marple have gone for the Rock Shox Bar 1.1 although as stated by sonic a few posts back get the 2.1 if you want adj rebound.
Good to see another XSL owner, lets hope a few more discover us
Neil.

missmarple

I've decided to turn my old bike into a cycle courier machine for when I start doing the runs in a month, so rigid forks, a brake, bars and stem off of Ebay - sorted!

missmarple

Frame has arrived, my serial number is: AS00536463. It looks the dogs danglys and I won't be painting it - the suspension bolts have a bit of rust on them so if wire wool doesn't work then I'll have to find some replacements.

fred2003

Mine are AS00536421 and AS00536433.
When mine turned up i had 1 in mint condition with no rust and the other had rusty orange bolts lol.
Also only just noticed but 1 has 2 very small dings on the down tube on either side as though it has been overtightened in a work stand, still can't complain at the cost
The fist one is in my dads bodyshop as we speak getting ready for the paintjob, gonna be looking at a week or 2 on turnaround as he's doing it between jobs.
Looks like yours is gonna be the first built lol
Hope you get some piccies on when your all ready to go.
Neil.

missmarple

I'm not too sure about mine being the first built, I've ordered a custom mount kit from TF Tuning at a cost of £31.90, ordering this lot today:

Parts:

FSA SL-280 XC Seatpost
Ritchey Comp Semi-integrated Headset
KMC X9 Chain
Powerplay QR Seat Clamp
Finish Line Cross Country Lube
SRAM X 7 Front Derailleur

Tools:

Topeak Universal Chain Breaker
Topeak Pocket Shock for upto 250PSI
X-Tools BB Spanner Fitting

Cost: £102

I'll still need to get:

2 x Weinmann XM280 Blue Rims
Ribbon Rim Tape
SRAM X 7 Rear Derailleur
SRAM PG90 9 Speed Cassette

Cost: £110

For the time being I'll be making use of my old wheelset and cassette, shall post pictures next week when semi-complete.

fred2003

This bike building bug is contageous lol.
Nice list you have there m8 i look forward to seeing it.
I'm still shy of seat, post (post i have was bought for the sintesi 30.6mm) and post clamp, i like the look of the carbon posts but i dont trust myself to have one because of my weight but maybe one day.
(dont get 8inch hydros though )