What on earth is this Alpinestars???

[MiniNinjaRob]

Picked this up today:

Frame like a 1990 Alpinestars CroMega but the decals are very similar to the 700c AlpineCross, but not the same.
Any ideas?

It's in remarkable condition, not perfect but a bit of t-cut and the odd touch up and it'd look new. I was told these are famous for rotting away but this is ace, the forks are lovely. Not sure if components on it are original but they are in good condition.

Proper Alpinestars stem in good nick and bars too but they are a bit rusty.

Pity it's way to big for me - I took a chance and it didn't pay off so it'll be up for sale.
Will try to get a big pic of whole bike in next few days but might not have time.
Thanks all[/img]

 

[Tallpaul]

Is it this one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mens-Alpine-Stars ... 5195893170

If so, it was discussed here. But you already knew that.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... =alpine%2A

 

[weeman_mtb]

I think Steve was just pulling your leg about the rotting away thing.

Looks like it was a good gamble at the price you paid, shame it's too big for you. At about 5'4" most of the bargains that turn up are too big for me .

 

[GT-Steve]

It's definitely the Alpine-Cross, as it has the skinnier forks, but it's been turned into an MTB at some point (maybe even ordered like that new, BITD)

The only confusing thing, like you say, is the decals on the downtube, don't match that of the 1990 catalogue..

I was only joking when I said they rotted away, trying to throw you off the scent of buying it..

Still, it looks nice, shame it's too big for you tho..

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

Is it this one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mens-Alpine-Stars ... 5195893170

If so, it was discussed here. But you already knew that.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... =alpine%2A

Yes I know all that BUT the AlpineX has 700c wheels, this takes 26" MTB forks so it isn't what we thought it was.

 

[GT-Steve]

upon further investigation, in 1991, they did an Alpine LX, http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... lpinestars

but your's has the 90 decalset/colourway.

The plot thickens, and all I can think, is that if the paint and decals on yours are genuine, then they actually produced an Alpine LX in 1990 and then indeed you have a super-rare beast there.

 

[one-eyed_jim]

There are one or two on the site already:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=227867

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41827

It's an Alpine.LX, built for 26" wheels, not a 700c Alpine.Xross that's been converted.

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

It's definitely the Alpine-Cross, as it has the skinnier forks, but it's been turned into an MTB at some point (maybe even ordered like that new, BITD)

The only confusing thing, like you say, is the decals on the downtube, don't match that of the 1990 catalogue..

Still, it looks nice, shame it's too big for you tho..

It hasn't been changed from 700c, unless it went back for a factory respray!!

It is really nice, nice "ping" from the tubes when flicked.

The components are a mixture of anything from 300LX to mountain LX and some other bits so maybe not original.

 

[GT-Steve]

Yeah fair enough, not converted, I realised that after I got carried away typing..

So as One-eyed-jim says it's a Alpine LX, for 26 inchers, and there's been a couple on here already.

It just doesn't exist in the 1990 brochure, and I thumbed through mine to check..

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

There are one or two on the site already:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=227867

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41827

It's an Alpine.LX, built for 26" wheels, not a 700c Alpine.Xross that's been converted.

That's fantastic. I think it deserves better kit on it that it has at the moment. I assume it's a 1990 bike then?