This week’s Reader’s Rig comes to us from Angus in Florida, who offers a look at his 1980s Diamondback Apex and shares some thoughts on how riding a simple old bike has helped him reconnect with his love for cycling and remember to savor the ride. See more here…

Words and photos by Angus Mclelland

Howdy, y’all! My name is Angus, and I’ve been working around bikes for about eight years now, starting way back when I was 14 at my local bikeshop. Being surrounded by so many passionate cyclists got me interested quickly. Through the years, I’ve bounced back and forth between MTB, BMX, road riding, and finally gravel.

Diamondback Apex

At the core of it all, I’ve always loved exploring nature and the community that surrounds bikes, especially in Gainesville, Florida. If I’m not working on or riding my bike, you can usually find me climbing at our local gym or playing shows with my band.

  • Diamondback Apex
  • Diamondback Apex
  • Diamondback Apex
  • Diamondback Apex
  • Diamondback Apex

This is my 1986/87 Diamondback Apex! This bike came into my life via an old shop manager who had plans to build it up, but they never quite came to fruition. My goal with this build was to have something incredibly reliable and simple to work on while also being pretty to look at. There’s something very relaxing about riding this bike. The friction shifting has just the right amount of tension, the brakes have the perfect pull, and the old school steel flexes just the right amount to be comfy.

Diamondback Apex
  • Diamondback Apex
  • Diamondback Apex
  • Diamondback Apex
  • Frame/Fork: Diamondback Apex
  • Rims: Mach 1 210 NOS
  • Hubs: Suzue High Flange
  • Tires: Panaracer Gravelking 26 x 2.10
  • Handlebars: Velo Orange Klunkers
  • Headset: Nothing special
  • Crankset: Shimano Biopace MTB triple
  • Pedals: SR Suntour XCR, beartrap style
  • Cassette: Shimano five-speed freehub
  • Derailleur(s): Shimano deer head (front) / Shimano Deore LX (rear)
  • Brakes: Shimano BRMC-70 (front) / SR suntour roller cam (rear)
  • Brake levers: Dia-Compe 282
  • Shifter(s): Shimano friction
  • Saddle: Brooks B17
  • Seatpost: SR Laprade
  • Stem: Velo Orange threadless stem 25.4
  • Front bags: Custom trunk bag from local friend (birthday gift)
  • Rear bags: Occasionally a Carradice Nelson on a Carradice Classic Saddlebag Rack
  • Rack: Soma Porteur
  • Other accessories: Safety Triangle, unremarkable rear light, Black Diamond headlamp on helmet

This bike has really reminded me of why I fell in love with cycling. It has helped me slow down and appreciate the ride into work or to a breakfast spot or my local Coffee Outside ride (COGNV, rise up!). Not to be corny, but it really is about the journey on this old bike.

  • Diamondback Apex
  • Diamondback Apex

You can see more from Angus on Instagram.

Send Us Your Bikepacking Rig

Use the form below to submit your bikepacking rig. We’ll choose one per week to feature in a Reader’s Rig Dispatch and on Instagram. To enter, email us your best photo of the bike (preferably at a 90° angle), your Instagram username (optional), and a short description of you and your rig. If your bike is selected, we’ll need a total of five photos and a little bit more info.

Readers Rig

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Make sure to set your shared image folder to public!

  • *By clicking submit, you're also subscribing to our email list. You'll receive an opt-in email before being added.

Further Reading

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...

FILED IN (CATEGORIES & TAGS)

Dispatch

Reader's Rig

Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.