Re: 1991 Alpinestars Al-Mega DX project
So, it's been a very long time in the makings (compared to the original plan!), but it's now finished!
Just got to run the cables in this evening then I'm going to be swapping out the forks with NOS Manitou 2 that Rob (splitty21) is changing the steerer tube on, because despite me WANTING Judys from the very beginning and spending a small fortune on two whole forks, titanium bolts and fixings, a new canti-hanger bridge, new Kronos springs, new decals (x2 lots) and most recently a NOS crown & steerer and wiper seals - oh, and nearly £200 worth of paint to match the frame
- to get what you see here, they just aren't right and the Manitous are bang-on period correct and slightly more geometry-sensitive. Plus it'll be a full Answer Products front end when they're fitted.
Notwithstanding the impending fork change I LOVE it as it is. I think the Judys look awesome and it cuts a pretty good looking profile
So, here's some crappy iPhone photos showing her upon completion at 4:00am this morning and earlier today in my living room!
Thanks to everyone on this forum for making this place what it is. I couldn't have achieved this standard and acquired most these parts without Retrobike - and everyone's inspirational builds that've gone before me, which certainly helped me get this to a standard I would not have archived otherwise. In particular the many members who've helped with advice via thread replies, PMs, emails and even texts and made recommendations on loads of things - like where to get the frame painted, sold me parts, bought my parts to help fund it and the people that shared saved links on eBay to stuff I was looking for that I wouldn't have found (I'm thinking of the rims that I found recently!). Special credit to Gil at Retrodecals - he did a lot of work resizing and recolouring his existing proofs for the frame decals to get them exactly how I wanted them.
(Speech over!)
You guys are all awesome and I thank each and every one of you.
Comments, questions and critique welcomed!
[URL=http://s22.photobucket.com/user/Y2FMC/media/AlMegaDX%20Project/89B8F83B-39EA-4D1B-9548-FD5D369421AE.jpg.html]
SPEC SHEET:
Frame: 1991 ALPINESTARS USA AL-MEGA DX, 17.5"
Repainted by ARGOS RACING CYCLES, Bristol
Headtube reinforcement gusset (à la late-91/92 Al-Mega) welded on by ARGOS
Replacement decals (custom spec for this build) from Gil_m @ Retrodecals (
gil@thecycleshed.co.uk)
Fork: 1995 RockShox Judy XC, repainted by Argos. NOS crown & steerer. Ti bolts, NOS can't-hanger bridge, NOS Kronos medium weight springs.
Headset: NOS Chris King NoThreadSet Devolution
Stem: Answer A•TAC 135mm 1⅛" Ahead, replacement decals also from Gil_m
Handlebar: NOS Answer TaperLite 3° Neon Yellow
Grips: New ODI Attack
Barends: not installed
Brakes: NOS Shimano BR-M650 Cantilevers
Brake Pads: NOS Shimano M-System
Brake Cables: NOS Shimano
Cantilever cable hangers: NOS Shimano A/73 & B/84
Brake Levers/Shifters: NOS Shimano Deore DX RapidFire Plus STI-M075
Front Derailleur: NOS Shimano Deore DX FD-M650 1 ¼" Bolt-on (with special Alpinestars frame fixing nut from Rampage aka Chris @ Intrincycle)
Rear Derailleur: NOS Shimano Deore DX RD-M650 (SS)
Derailleur Cables: NOS Shimano
Cassette: NOS Shimano CS-HG70 12-28T
Chain: NOS Shimano CN-HG91
Cranks: NOS Shimano Deore DX FC-MT60 175mm
Crank Bolts: NOS Shimano
Chainrings: Shimano SG 46/36/24T
Chainring bolts: Shimano
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB-UN71 68/122.5mm
Pedals: NOS Shimano PD-M525 SPD
Hub Skewers:
Ringlé Holey-replica Ti Skewers from Raymond_mole
Rims: NOS Ritchey Vantage Comp 32H 6061 T6, 415grams (with OE-spec replacement decals I had made)
Hubs: NOS HB-M650 & FH-M650 32H
Nipples: Alloy
Spokes: DT Swiss Double Butted Stainless
Tyres: Ritchey Megabite Z-Max
Tubes: New Continental Conti Tube 1.75" Presta
Saddle: NOS Avocet O2 AirGel 50R Titanium
Seatpost: New Ritchey Classic Aluminium Silver
Seatpost Binder: NOS Ringlé 34.9mm (1⅜") Collar and TiStix quick release.
Weight: Approx 26½lbs
(measured on a suitcase hanger-scale, so hardly accurate, but it's lighter than my rigid XT model )