![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTChLx6VxlX9HqcZiXF0JR3baZp8sCmH3BOsBwLgjoBf9SNdxCk7iwd09UhcOL4iysYnoCE9H5KiSO-CFs0hu0wFjR3aT1jBQI4hs6HIhy1gxY9c9tw3BKz7ymR2mLu5hSNg5l8-mIaa0P/s400/IMG00099.jpg)
It seems that the contents are eager to get out too
I grabbed a box cutter (left over from some confiscated airline paraphernalia), and went to town. I was pleased to find a brand new, but “older” model Diamondback Response hardtail frame. It was a size 22 XL frame, just my size.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLunvbwyBmwyUvjjkdxPG27HrNbrZMhZYOcS_42kEDLCE6GSwD-5Mn_PrIsvBn71pBpJHbGqJdxE_k1UDVXma0gregOyLcz2tgQGHPBpUnjdb-e9v2pAoTsR2hKCEyzy00H1QUTZRPUOl/s400/IMG00100.jpg)
I’m sure by now you are all aware of my love for all things Diamondback, so you can imagine the relief I felt upon opening the package. The funny thing is, I never managed to take the Trek out for even a small test ride, other than the standard “in front of the house” test. I was ready to swap out the parts and get on my real short track bike. I hope everything I have will work. I guess it’s time to find out.
The first thing I wanted to do was dig up a better stem. I complained about the stem that I had left on the Trek, but it was actually pointless. I found a generic, yet lighter stem in my parts stash that would work well for this project, at least until I find a more suitable Easton component. I also had yet another suspension fork laying around, a RockShox Dart 3. Yeah, it’s not the greatest, but it is relatively light and it will do the job. I raced a whole season on it, so it’s functionality is well documented. I greased the headset bearings and cups, and installed the fork.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDQ2hufDu0VkBAnRYq9eFoY8IXhntDUGKVrr6QTzw7Cy9aUAYaJPKdmRyMMNprIYl3TiETfLwbgwYDlH7f7wZHxw4mn5MECvBFxDqXfF7m5mmDLd11BxRlYjxrkq4jOULKivtUS55jFoP/s400/IMG00116.jpg)
100mm of plush travel, with a nice little remote lockout feature. Hmmmm.
Next up would be the stem of course, and I was able to transfer the handlebar over with minimal trouble. This was “Bike Building for Dummies”, since I didn’t even have to remove the grips and shifters. I would eventually have to remove one of the grips and one shifter to install the remote lockout, but that can be done at a later date. Have a look at my shitty picture.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXv4odDy15edGCotR9-13jun5aSoPXNlql9JCnW5Lj04mZOyg3AbG47McdHF3-D63If-gVpD2-fRE99O5VJK2TlLeWtZMrQu3QkO9MMjEMSdoS7o_wcx6LTyZhr3m4cFAKqV_wex9nK2zF/s400/IMG00117.jpg)
The stem isn’t any kind of fancy or anything, but it does the job. The Cane Creek headset and top cap will hopefully draw attention away from the sub-par stem, at least or now. Here is another less than quality photo.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNJ5_FJ9Zo9Uyh_lF_0fcMKFzkl6ScFy20s20IK6Fb_YD2pA3ubk3LkOdq6Clx6vuTmniQh89fmp8oheRiIjuDslK260C86cSW87H-K9YmnIDB69CN5w-otZim2V_UuGUnoya1T_yL_hV/s400/IMG00118.jpg)
With a little more grease in my hand, I transferred the “jacked to the max” seatpost and seat to the new and improved frame. Did I mention that this frame is about two pounds lighter? Probably not, but it is worth noting. I hope it can withstand the force of my 225 pound ass (okay, that’s my total weight, not just my ass.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6M0Z2c-8ak5U9XYKZtNr6698b5DnaAVTt6KUZ0Zav2Hc0XZ3idS8I2WQ_zw102KKCd__fjas4rMrKriw9KRQd89DFHZDMCGZlBSWCxp8QdnL2cUI4w2XA8l7LJrwgCHRpl6XsfJW7Ll7J/s400/IMG00119.jpg)
Next in line was the installation of the brakes and wheels. This was fairly uneventful, so I didn’t really take any pictures to document it. I used the same parts from the old bike, with only minor modifications to the cable housings. So far so good.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46FDofQSl4a9jhqxtzUztSksZgHF58GxW3flOT8k4CaXc4U2K1nEtskVXC_0ma2akEBVgW4h1seFN68aGroBqP9gKCgxzE3HleuQMH4ftllY4Ie9Kh8oGnIj9_T9raTgEv4Grzmlb4bzG/s400/IMG00120.jpg)
This thing is gonna be hard to pedal without cranks or well, pedals. I sort of ran out of time, so yeah I have a few things to do yet. Cables need connecting and cranks need to be installed. There are a few other odds and ends left, but hopefully I can finish up in a timely manner. My plan is to take a test ride on a local trail this weekend. I guess I should finish the build first. Maybe I can get some garage time tonight to finish up. Hopefully.
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