Rescued.. Alpinestars Al-Mega DX

[chiswickcollectables]

Hi all..

Quite new to the Retrobike site but not new to MTBing. Thought I’d kick things off with this little beauty that I rescued from some clueless twonk from eBay. The guy selling was some chap of student background selling under the title, “Bike Fixie raleigh RETRO DOWNHILL GIANT CANNONDALE!!!!!” (I’m not joking). Despite title and horrific item description bidding was more healthy than I thought - but still, managed to bag it for £95.

Arrived this morning and boy what a bike!! The frame is covered under a thick layer of grease and oil which doesn’t really show in the pictures; but I’m sure a few hours of T-Cutting will sort that. All original components are there, I think the only change being the grips. I’m guessing it’s a ’91 but if someone could confirm that that would be great.

It rides beautifully but I’m going to strip, clean, grease and rebuild anyway and use it as a part-time commuter.

Will keep you updated with some pictures...

 

[TheGreenRabbit]

very nice

 

[tintin40]

£95 great price. remove the reflectors, fit bar plugs, and knobby tires and away you go

 

[coomber]

£95 great price. remove the reflectors, fit bar plugs, and knobby tires and away you go

Yeah agree on all that. Check for cracks around headtube as well.

 

[brocklanders023]

Isn't this the one posted in ebay watch the other week? Good score mate, really like the neon e-stay Alpinestars.

 

[chiswickcollectables]

Awwwww... don't you dig the reflectors? I think they rather set it off.

Slightly worried by the mention of cracks!! Are AS prone to weekness in that area?

 

[stubbsy]

Great find there,

welcome to retrobike, there are many knowlegable chaps on here if you seek any alpinestar advice. should look fantastic after a bit of a clean and a service.

cheers

stubbsy

 

[Loz Poole]

Nice, exactly the same as mine was before the respray

Change that front tyre!

 

[GT-Steve]

Very nice indeed and good to see some better pics than the awful ones in that ebay ad.......

A couple of results there: The price and those RL cranks

Looking forward to seeing where this build goes.

 

[GT-Steve]

Slightly worried by the mention of cracks!! Are AS prone to weekness in that area?

Yeah they're susceptable to cracks around top tube/downtube and most likely within a few inches of the area where these two tubes meet the headtube.

Astar tried to address it n the following years, by adding a lug to this area. I've had loads of Alu Astars now, and I'm pretty hefty and I can ride quite aggresively at times, and I've not had one crack on me yet,