The sport touring bike from the 60s: Diamant 35 102 and 35 154
In the 60s, the Diamant 35 102 and 35 154 were advertised as the epitome of classic elegance and comfortable travelling. A time when stylish cycling was an art itself. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the special features of these two touring bikes and their role in a turbulent time.
10 years GDR
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the GDR on 7 October 1959, the bicycle manufacturers at the renowned VEB Elite Diamant factory in Chemnitz set themselves ambitious goals: The production of a total of 273,000 bicycles, including the introduction of the two models Diamant 35 102 and 35 154. These are touring bikes – the men’s version 35 102 on the one hand and the women’s version 35 154 on the other.
The two bikes were mainly used for commuting to work and leisure. However, there was one notable restriction: These models were equipped without gears, which made tackling longer tours and steep climbs a challenging task.
Both the men’s and women’s versions were only available in frame size 56. For taller people, this meant extending the seat post to the maximum so that they could still cycle comfortably. The equipment of both variants was also practically identical. The women’s bike was fitted with a touring saddle and a clothing net on the rear mudguard. The clothes net was used to prevent the women’s clothes from getting caught in the rear wheel.
Otherwise, the bikes remained almost unchanged throughout the entire production period (1959-1987). Only the colour scheme and design elements were changed from time to time. In 1963, the bikes cost 242 Mark.
Diamant 35 102 and 35154 equipment
- Steel frame
- Straight rear frame
- Chainring with 46 teeth
- Sprocket with 18 teeth
- Wedge bottom bracket
- 26-inch polished aluminium rims
- 26-inch tires
- Freewheel hub with back-pedal brake
- Flat handlebar without stem
- Stamp brake with Bowden cable
- Air pump holder on the seat tube
- Steel mudguard
- Accessories: Air pump, tool bag, chain guard, clothes net
The Diamant 35 102 and 35 154 not only epitomised the bicycle culture of a bygone era, but also the style that was characteristic of the VEB Elite Diamant factory. With classic frame shapes and a comfortable seating position, they offered a timeless way to get around.
We still find traces of these nostalgic designs in the Diamant Topas Grande Finale from 2022, which retains the characteristic swan-neck frame of the 35 154 model in a modern form.
This connection between past and present reminds us that some things are simply timeless. While bicycle technology has evolved, the fascination with classic elegance remains. Just like the bikes themselves, their history is a valuable treasure from days gone by that reminds us of the beauty of cycling.