15 yead old Diamond Back Apex

Ghostgraphics

Hi

First post here but I have been lurking for a little while.

Having just hit 30 I have decided to try and shed some of the 17stone I am carrying and get back out there on my bike.

As a teenager I used to race my diamond back apex which is now 15/16 years old and it always used to serve me well. Its a reasonable machine or well it was, full deore lx groupset etc. After dusting it down and giving it a re-oil its got me through my first couple of light cross country rides although I think I have managed to put a slight bend in my bottom bracket.
For sentiments sake I would really like to keep it running so...firstly am I right in thinking I have got little to no hope of getting a descent suspension fork to fit the threaded headset its got.

Secondly if I was to look at getting a new one, would I be making a mistake to look at a 2008 or 09 model diamond back apex. The specs look good and the reviews I have read seem to be promising and I can get one for £550, which is £50 more than I paid 15 years ago. http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/20554/DiamondBack_Apex_Bike_2009

I would appreciate any thoughts

Cheers

Matt

tptvmbircn

Hello and welcome,

Personally i would look further a field and try other bikes too, spend and research wisely. This forum is a good start and go into buying advice.

How serious are you going with this? thats the next thing and do you want to spend money on a bike where a few months down the line "may" end up in the storage - If so, keep the old one going - get the servicing done (by yourself to save costs) and then see from then.

Hope that helps!

Terry

Ghostgraphics

Thanks for the advice, I think I was looking at a new Diamondback for sentimental reasons more than anything else.

Having said that I will never be able to afford a bike for more than say £500, I have just signed myself up to uni for the next 4 years so money will be very tight. My best bet I think will be to get something with best frame as possible for that money and then upgrade as I go along, so if I have to sacrifice some component quality to get a decent base then so be it.

Is this a good way to go? any recommendations?

Matt

tptvmbircn

To be fiar frames generally are the last thing to go. So you're going to uni, that puts a spin on things now i suppose.

Are you commuting to uni? then if so what i would do is what i've done! I commute to work on a old saracen, no stickers and the frame powder coated black, full guards, rigid forks (and a few xtr parts to balance out the simplicity "that's just me though! )

The other bike the er hem, salsa! used for the other stuff although its took apart at the moment as not a winter bike!. frame wise i'm a steel fan, more flex in the ride, good looks and a much longer life than aluminium frames see this thread and you can pick one up for cheap. Both bikes are steel but the salsa was £600 for frame though however picked up a frame for the old bike for £25 on fleabay!

My recommendation? a new bike completely i would go second hand with £500 squid but be careful. shop about and make sure your buying something in good nick. try the classified section here also!

Good luck

stumpyjon

Some good reviews in WMB this month for bikes at this price point. I'd definitely look further afield than Diamond Back. The Carrera Fury from Halfords is a good buy as is the Specialized Hardrock pro. Both good bikes for the money and the spesh in particular has a frame worth upgrading components of later.