Alpinestars Cro Mega DX 1992

[doctor-bond]

Well, to test this fab new-look site, I thought I’d post this 92 Cro Mega I’m test building.





Got it as a frameset recently (thanks Baj) because my go to KHS MTB has always been a bit small, and I’d never tried an e-stay before.

I was always a bit skeptical over e-stays, maybe because they’re often associated with aluminium tubes that are fragile, or are too heavy when steel. But when I realised that the 92 version of the Cro Mega came in True Temper OX Ultra heat treated flavour, the hunt began.





What you see is a test build to see how I get on with the world of elevation. If it’s a goer, I’ll treat it to a respray and some chi-chi parts.

And on the strength of a couple of shake-down runs, I’m very impressed. It really does squirt up hills, so perhaps there is something to the short chainstay approach; its also very agile and accurate changing direction at speed - short wheelbase and stout fork teaming up maybe.

The frame is stout too, but lively, with that feel you get from good steel. It currently weighs 25.2 lbs, so with some suitable upgrades, I reckon it would really fly.

 

[Deleted member 68825]

I’m bias ...I love e stays and alpinestars .....go mental with it ....don’t go OEM and that’s a great bike to start with

 

[baj]

That’s looking great, nice job!

 

[Jimmy oldskool]

 

[captaincowelly]

Think they lend themselves well to a bit of experimentation,go for it!
The need for fresh paint is understood but for me that red is the nicest finish of any bike I've owned.Hard to appreciate it till you've seen one in the flesh on a sunny day.Photos never show the hint of metallic.Just a bugger to touch up neatly.

 

[baj]

Think they lend themselves well to a bit of experimentation,go for it!
The need for fresh paint is understood but for me that red is the nicest finish of any bike I've owned.Hard to appreciate it till you've seen one in the flesh on a sunny day.Photos never show the hint of metallic.Just a bugger to touch up neatly.

Before i sold it to DB I rubbed some t-cut of polish in to the forks (I think?!) and the paint came up really nice and, as you said, it looked great in sunlight, a lot of depth to that colour.
Unfortunately it is a bit rough in places so understand the desire to repaint, I guess the e-stays stick out a little so take a beating!

 

[captaincowelly]

Before i sold it to DB I rubbed some t-cut of polish in to the forks (I think?!) and the paint came up really nice and, as you said, it looked great in sunlight, a lot of depth to that colour.
Unfortunately it is a bit rough in places so understand the desire to repaint, I guess the e-stays stick out a little so take a beating!

Definitely.Recently restored a '92 DX.Original owner had given it to a neighbour's son.Had chrome dutch bars, a reverse-facing adjustable stem and a seat like a 60's Harley.I think you can safely scratch that one off the ideas list! Stays on both sides were abused,otherwise (except for various small chips) paint/decals were great.Aaargh!
Did find an excellent colour match nail varnish for touching up if you wanted to give it ago before you strip it?Paint's not my speciality but it worked out much better than I had hoped for,changed my mind about a respray.And I'm a right fussy bugger!Going by your pic I reckon mine was worse too.
That said,if you're using a cat as a stand,I could see there being a fur/paint issue.
Or is it the latest thing in feline massage? 'I'll take the lunchtime triple please,46/36/24,finish me off with the little ring!'

 

[doctor-bond]

The frame is in really good shape considering it’s knocking on 30 years old (remember when that was even a thing?!) but I think it’s a keeper, so only fair to give it new paint to redress the battle scars.

I really dig the colour - deep candy, fingerpolish red. But, if I’m honest, I don’t get along with the multiglow decals agai st that red (sure, it was the 90s, but catalogue spec isn’t my thing).

Anyway, it’s a fine non-problem to have, puzzling how to re-do it.

 

[captaincowelly]

The frame is in really good shape considering it’s knocking on 30 years old (remember when that was even a thing?!) but I think it’s a keeper, so only fair to give it new paint to redress the battle scars.

I really dig the colour - deep candy, fingerpolish red. But, if I’m honest, I don’t get along with the multiglow decals agai st that red (sure, it was the 90s, but catalogue spec isn’t my thing).

Anyway, it’s a fine non-problem to have, puzzling how to re-do it.

Well whatever you decide I'll be interested to see what happens!

 

[moses95]

Well, to test this fab new-look site, I thought I’d post this 92 Cro Mega I’m test building.


View attachment 530551


Got it as a frameset recently (thanks Baj) because my go to KHS MTB has always been a bit small, and I’d never tried an e-stay before.

I was always a bit skeptical over e-stays, maybe because they’re often associated with aluminium tubes that are fragile, or are too heavy when steel. But when I realised that the 92 version of the Cro Mega came in True Temper OX Ultra heat treated flavour, the hunt began.



View attachment 530553

What you see is a test build to see how I get on with the world of elevation. If it’s a goer, I’ll treat it to a respray and some chi-chi parts.

And on the strength of a couple of shake-down runs, I’m very impressed. It really does squirt up hills, so perhaps there is something to the short chainstay approach; its also very agile and accurate changing direction at speed - short wheelbase and stout fork teaming up maybe.

The frame is stout too, but lively, with that feel you get from good steel. It currently weighs 25.2 lbs, so with some suitable upgrades, I reckon it would really fly.

View attachment 530558

What size is it? Lovley bike!