04-21-2013, 12:28 PM
I am running a bit late this season as there are not enough hours in a day. I need to build me up a new go anywhere Expedition/Commuter.
I came across this Univega Alpina 5.1, stock stx equipped full CROMO frame with a couple cool features like sweeping chainstays, seatstays above the toptube, and locking wheel catch integrated in the front fork lug. Original list for the 5.1 was $429, when other brands used STX on bikes costing hundreds more I would say Univega was a good deal for the day and they did not cut cost buy using Gripshift and only a slight downgrade with the Alivio crankset.
The asking price was $150, it had been sitting around for a few years and looking thru the grunge it appeared to be used mainly on the street and really not off-roaded. when I showed up to look at it the owner said he bought it new and took it for a ride and then realized the shifters were not working correctly, the old rapidfire solidified grease in the pawls thing. So I ask what are we thinking you want for the bike now? He goes how about $60, knowing there is a chance of repairing the shifters and with a little **** and shineola and having a plethora of vintage parts i gave him the sixty.
So now I have this dirty garbage pile and have to make an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan.
Its going to get a complete overhaul and I have to roll with the black and blue with the yellow. It has a couple imperfections in the paint but livable. It will built with nos top mount deoreXT thumbies (easy to use with gloves or mitts). DeoreLX fc-550 crank, suntour and DeoreXT derailuers, front and rear racks and three bottle cages are off to powder coat for a gloss black paint to match the frame. Nos Stx canti's and nos Deore brake levers and a new wheelset.
here are some pics and I will post more she is done.
I came across this Univega Alpina 5.1, stock stx equipped full CROMO frame with a couple cool features like sweeping chainstays, seatstays above the toptube, and locking wheel catch integrated in the front fork lug. Original list for the 5.1 was $429, when other brands used STX on bikes costing hundreds more I would say Univega was a good deal for the day and they did not cut cost buy using Gripshift and only a slight downgrade with the Alivio crankset.
The asking price was $150, it had been sitting around for a few years and looking thru the grunge it appeared to be used mainly on the street and really not off-roaded. when I showed up to look at it the owner said he bought it new and took it for a ride and then realized the shifters were not working correctly, the old rapidfire solidified grease in the pawls thing. So I ask what are we thinking you want for the bike now? He goes how about $60, knowing there is a chance of repairing the shifters and with a little **** and shineola and having a plethora of vintage parts i gave him the sixty.
So now I have this dirty garbage pile and have to make an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan.
Its going to get a complete overhaul and I have to roll with the black and blue with the yellow. It has a couple imperfections in the paint but livable. It will built with nos top mount deoreXT thumbies (easy to use with gloves or mitts). DeoreLX fc-550 crank, suntour and DeoreXT derailuers, front and rear racks and three bottle cages are off to powder coat for a gloss black paint to match the frame. Nos Stx canti's and nos Deore brake levers and a new wheelset.
here are some pics and I will post more she is done.
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