1990 Diamond Back Axis
The 1990 Diamond Back Axis was the first series
of the Axis line up and was Centurion's high end
race qualified mountain bike manufactured in Japan.
The Axis came on the scene just as Rock Shox were
released but were too expensive for most riders.
Therefore DB used straight forks. These rode
terribly stiff and were very uncomfortable. It was
almost impossible to keep your hands on the grips
when riding on rough terrain.
The Shimano group used was the top of the line
Shimano Deore XT M32 series. The M732 series also
comprised of a hybrid friction / index shifting. The
rear shifter, a 7-8 speed shifter, had a switch on
the side that allowed you to confidently switch
between friction and indexing.
The rear hub was a Shimano Deore XT M732
Hyperglide cassette which had accepted 6, 7, and 8
speed cassettes. The free-body is compatible with
both a screw on retainer gear or the more modern
screw on end cap.
What stands out the most on this bike is its
paint job. The front of the bike had a marble like
paint scheme as seen below.
Original tires were Tioga Farmer John.
I believe this bike was originally designed for
Rock Shox, but the shocks were not yet available on
the market at the time Diamond Back launched the
Axis. So Diamond Back used straight forks because
the frame's geometry would have made the standard
bent forks respond weird. The 1991 Axis came with
shocks.
   
(What makes this bike unique.)
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Specifications
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Manufacture: |
Diamond Back |
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Model: |
Axis |
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Production
Year |
1990 |
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Made in: |
Japan |
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Original MSRP: |
$1100 - $1300 |
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Material Type: |
Cr-Mo |
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Tubing: |
Double butted |
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Welding Type: |
TIG |
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Color: |
Marble Black /
White |
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Decal Type: |
Sticker |
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Size of Frame: |
19-inch |
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Frame Weight: |
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Fork Weight: |
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Assembled
Weight: |
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Dropouts: |
Vertical |
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Bottle Mounts: |
2 qty |
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Touring
Mounts: |
Fenders only |
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Serial Number: |
89A2289 |
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Component
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OEM
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Description
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Brake Levers: |
Yes |
Shimano SLR |
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Front Brakes: |
Yes |
Shimano
BR-M732 cantilever |
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Rear Brakes: |
Yes |
Shimano
BR-M732 cantilever |
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Front
Derailleur: |
Yes |
Shimano
FD-M732 |
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Rear
Derailleur: |
Yes |
Shimano
RD-M732 |
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Shifters: |
Yes |
Shimano
SL-M732 SIS 7s |
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Cranks: |
Yes |
Shimano
FC-M732,
175mm, triple, 110/94, BCD 5-hole,
tapered |
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Chainrings: |
Yes |
Shimano
BioPace, 46/36/28, 110/94, BCD
5-hole |
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Bottom
Bracket: |
Yes |
Sealed ball bearing,
163m |
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Pedals: |
Yes |
Shimano Deore
XT M732 |
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Rims: |
Yes |
Araya RM-20
Polished silver,
26x1.5, 26-inch, 36-hole |
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Hub-Front: |
Yes |
Shimano
FH-M732 sealed ball bearing w/ QR |
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Hub-Rear: |
Yes |
Shimano
FH-M732 sealed ball bearing w/ QR -
Hyperglide cassette that will
accommodate 6 to 8 speeds. |
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Cassette: |
Yes |
Hyperglide
13/30 |
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Chain Guard: |
Yes |
Shimano rubber
stick-on |
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Spokes |
Yes |
Stainless
steel |
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Headset: |
Yes |
Shimano Deore
XT M732, 1-inch |
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Forks: |
Yes |
1-inch, Tange
straight |
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Handle Bars: |
Yes |
Aluminum Tioga |
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Neck: |
Yes |
1-inch Tioga
T-Bone |
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Seat: |
|
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Seat Post: |
Yes |
Unknown
26.6mm |
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Seat Post
Bolt: |
Yes |
Shimano Bolt QR |
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