Retro MTB '88 Diamond Back Arrival Budget Build

First of all I'd like to introduce myself, this is my first 'proper' post, I'm mainly looking for somewhere to share my passion for bikes and builds and also for some advice from others as I go. And I enjoy drooling over the retro MTB builds. So, hi!

I recently bought an '88 Diamond Back Arrival frame with fork from eBay. It still has the original Tange Falcon headset, which seems okay, but I'll strip it down anyway as the grease doesn't look too clever.

I'm by no means a mechanic and very much doing this to learn as I go, any suggestions/advice is more than welcome.

So, the frame is aluminium and the fork is CRMO. Designed in USA and made in Japan. It was advertised as 'low mileage' - hard to tell. The paint is suffering some fairly bad, in places, blistering and bubbling. To be honest though, it was expected with a frame this old and doesn't bother me too much. I contemplated rattle can'ing a clear coat over it for protection but for what it'll be used for, I won't bother.

Definitely a budget build as I'm in need of a bike ASAP that will open up the trails/single track local to me and also a bike to commute on (when the apocalypse comes to an end... WFH). I only really have one bike in rideable condition at the moment which is a Specialized Tarmac - road riding is what I've been used to for most of my adult life but always have and always will look back with nostalgia and romanticise the steel MTB frames I rode as a kid in the 90s.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Lastly, I had initially planned on running this 1X9 as it's fairly hilly where I am and could have done with the range, but for now, I'll build it up as a single speed to get everything else dialled in before I start adding derailleurs.

Here is a list of parts that currently have or have incoming:

• Supacaz Grizips black lock-on grips
  
• Avid FR-5 levers
  
• 26" Malvestiti Vega 3000 rims laced to Shimano hub (rear) and generic hub (front)
  
• NOS MKS 2000 Grafight Pedals (old school BMX pedals?)
  
• 120mm NOS ITM Cromoly De Luxe quill stem
  
• Tranz X DH riser bars (Will eventually be replaced with XLC HB-C03)
  
• Shimano UN55 BB
  
• Acor Seat Post 25.4 (generic cheap eBay post, any suggestions for decent cheap 25.4 seat posts?)
  
• KMC Single Speed chain
  
• Sugino VP130 crankset 130BCD with Stronglight 38t chainring
  
• Schwalbe 26x2.25 Tough Tom (Hoping these clear - any reviews on these? Will eventually be replaced)
  
• Saddle will be pulled from another old bike until I can afford a nubuck Selle Italia Turbo or similar
  
  

Images from original seller apart from the catalog.

Cheers.

Hey there! Frame looks super cool, so does the wheelset, and the parts are promising. However, especially with U-brakes, I wouldn't count on much clearance - but let's hope it'll work out!

Nice frameset. Looks in good shape too!

Thanks for the tip, if the Schwalbe fit, I'll run em until I can afford something more hard pack/pavement oriented. Probably more practical for where I am. Excited to see how the wheel set looks in person, still sat at the door waiting for postman...

Another option would be to mount center pull or other wide fit, long drop caliper to the seat stay bridge.

Or convert to disc

Discs are not something I'm well versed in. How straightforward a job is it?

Also looking to keep the cost as minimal as I can and the maintenance as fuss-free as possible.

Costs now, or down the line? Wheelsets tend to last longer due to the rotor being sacrificial rather than the rim, and will be future proofed better as discs are a more contemporary system. Lots of cheap hardware out there, but it would require disc specific wheel.

You can either use an adapter like the above, or get a frame builder to braze on tabs. Not always recommended but it looks like a strong frame in good condition.

NOS MKS pedals have arrived, really pleased with them.

1 Attachment

awwwyeah!

Apologies for double post, still working out image hosting/posting.

Disc specific wheel is something I can't afford right now, but possibly sometime in the future it may be something to look at. Cheers for suggesting, it wouldn't have even crossed my mind. I'll see how much I use this first before I plan any more major upgrades.

Paint job is a winner, looks great.

So, quick update, wheels, cranks and chainring have arrived. First bollock dropped; pedal thread is old 1/2" thread and the cranks take normal 9/16 so back to eBay I go. Pleased with the wheels for what I paid. Also attached a little mock up pic. Have a feeling I could run in to problems with the spindle length of the BB, crank arms may not clear the chainstay, but we'll see. Trial and error.

No chance of getting hold of a 9/16 pedal spindle that will fit in those cool pedals?

You could also go for pedal extenders that will get things to match up. SJS sell them.

Bit of an update, few more parts rolled in. Discovered that the rear brake bosses and where they are means I can only run a U-Brake, which is a bit disappointing because I'm quite fond of stopping. Any suggestions on a semi-decent U-Brake?

BB installed, chainset/cranks finished nicely with some gold Titanium chainring bolts.

I'm currently waiting on only two parts, crank bolts and a shitty 80mm quill stem because this bike is looooong. Was tempted to get an adaptor and run this god awful, but maybe also not so awful, PZ Components stem I had lying around.

Anyway, pics:

Was just thinking how good this is starting to look and then the stem arrived at the party, fit is the most important thing so stick with it if it works but maybe in a last resort kind of way? Otherwise tip top.

Just for fun more than anything. It will be going once the black quill arrives and eventually some black bars with more sweep back so I'm more upright.

Thank you though!

I'm 100% into that stem.

Yeah keep the stem. 2020 is all about mishmash.

Feel like I'd need a silver seatpost to match though. Might order an adaptor and see what the fits like.

I have a scar from nearly 20 years ago on my knee, caused by a close relation of that stem, and it looks as though this one is keen to do the same harm to you. Better as a paperweight than a bicycle component.

Also...tyre logo/valve alignment...sorry...but it is looking good (apart from the stem).

yellow girvin flexstem would match the paint flecks maybe?

Holy shit, this so much! They aren't quite easy to find though I believe.

As for the U-brakes, get an XT or something similar, use proper brake pads and you're good to go. I had U-brakes on my Bianchi Migale, with a proper setup they can work reasonably well.

@si_mon628 I did think the edges looked a bit lethal. Will sort the alignment once I have everything to build it up, cheers pal!

@bigshape I'll have a little look on eBay although I don't know whether they may be a bit long and stretch me out too much. I agree it would look great though.

@vp1337 good to know. Thanks for getting back on this. I did see Dia-Compe had a few offerings on eBay, the Hombre Universal and AD990 are reasonably priced and look okay. There's one in particular from them which I believe is the AD999 which looks nicely CNC'd and they do some nice 90s ano colours.

I have a cheap tektro rear u brake on my daily bike. Once I got it set up its working really well, these look far nicer however.