First build in a while - Alps 650B
08-07-23, 07:54 PM
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First build in a while - Alps 650B
Took a break from bike stuff and the forums for a while but I'm back with a 650b build. Some of you may remember I'm a big fan of ALPS, a now-closed Japanese cycle shop that did custom frames with many sub-contracted out to Toei.
This is a QUICK ACE meant for riding in the mountains, probably from the 80s. Some special features include a seatpost binder designed for QR (for lowering the seatpost before a rocky descent), an integrated chain hanger, and fork crown threaded for direct mount of fenders. The frame is fillet-brazed from Tange Champion tubes and is designed for 650A wheels, but 650B is close enough that it works.
I have a mix of components I had lying around, so it's an eclectic build.
Seatpost clamp: Campagnolo MTB QR
Seatpost: Sugino Mighty
Saddle: Brooks Pro ti rail
Brakes: MAFAC Criterium
Front wheel: Velocity Cliffhanger with Suntour Superbe hub
Rear wheel: Velocity Cliffhanger with White Industries M15 hub
Tires: Soma Grand Randonneur Extralight
Handlebars: Rene Herse Randonneur
Bar tape: Newbaums cotton
Bar end plugs: Vintage BMX plugs
Brake levers: Late model MAFAC
Stem: Nitto ALPS-branded
Front cable hanger: Paul Funky Monkey
Headset: Suntour XC Pro
Downtube shifters: Suntour Superbe
Front and rear derailleurs: Shimano XTR M950
Cranks: Suntour XC Pro
This is a QUICK ACE meant for riding in the mountains, probably from the 80s. Some special features include a seatpost binder designed for QR (for lowering the seatpost before a rocky descent), an integrated chain hanger, and fork crown threaded for direct mount of fenders. The frame is fillet-brazed from Tange Champion tubes and is designed for 650A wheels, but 650B is close enough that it works.
I have a mix of components I had lying around, so it's an eclectic build.
Seatpost clamp: Campagnolo MTB QR
Seatpost: Sugino Mighty
Saddle: Brooks Pro ti rail
Brakes: MAFAC Criterium
Front wheel: Velocity Cliffhanger with Suntour Superbe hub
Rear wheel: Velocity Cliffhanger with White Industries M15 hub
Tires: Soma Grand Randonneur Extralight
Handlebars: Rene Herse Randonneur
Bar tape: Newbaums cotton
Bar end plugs: Vintage BMX plugs
Brake levers: Late model MAFAC
Stem: Nitto ALPS-branded
Front cable hanger: Paul Funky Monkey
Headset: Suntour XC Pro
Downtube shifters: Suntour Superbe
Front and rear derailleurs: Shimano XTR M950
Cranks: Suntour XC Pro
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08-07-23, 08:26 PM
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Very nice. Did you source the frame from Japan? Only noticed an Alps on ebay from a seller in Thailand.
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08-08-23, 08:39 PM
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very nice build ! i love classic frames with eclectic mix of parts. if you get a minute i'd really like to see a side shot just to get an idea of geometry and wheel base etc. thank you in advance
08-09-23, 01:39 PM
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That thing is hot.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
08-09-23, 01:43 PM
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By the way- nice to see you're back.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
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08-09-23, 02:33 PM
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Very nice looking bike and lovely color
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08-10-23, 10:35 PM
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Beautiful, the bike and the photo too, it's a keeper. Having the tires set on that coarse gravel (rip-rap?) really resonates. Hats fully off.
Oh, and I dig the "dropper post". Mine (Campy QR bolt) got stolen off my bike once, while it was parked in a busy bike shop (brazen!) But if you never take your eyes off it, it's not a problem. And who'd want to take their eyes off that bike eh? Eh?
Oh, and I dig the "dropper post". Mine (Campy QR bolt) got stolen off my bike once, while it was parked in a busy bike shop (brazen!) But if you never take your eyes off it, it's not a problem. And who'd want to take their eyes off that bike eh? Eh?
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08-10-23, 11:09 PM
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No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
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08-10-23, 11:45 PM
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OMG!
I couldn't imagine to find Alps Quick Ace in America's Bike Forums!
Thanks for the pics, TenGrainBread.
I'd visited Alps, in Kanda, central Tokyo, a few times.
I found some ads of Alps in New Cycling mag, in 1977 and 1978.
Quick Ace : 12.8kg 82,00yen
Super Ace : 10kg 185,000yen
Quick Ace L : 87,000yen
The main pic is Quick Ace Super : 11kg 116,000yen
Jan. 1978 issue
1978 Alps stable
Camping
Rover : 15.5kg 110,00yen
Rover Sport : 14kg 68,00yen
Road bike
Road King : 100,000yen
Road King Super : 160,000
Rinkosha
(quick-and-easy take-down-and-assemble touring bike)
Quick Ace : 12.8kg 82,000yen
Quick Super : 11kg 116,000yen
Super Ace : 10kg 185.000
Randonneur
Clubman Ace : 12kg 95,000yen
Green Cap Super : 13.3kg 60,000yen
Sportif
Special : 290,000yen
Custom : 220,000yen
Regular : 170,000yen
Standard : 130,000yen
I couldn't imagine to find Alps Quick Ace in America's Bike Forums!
Thanks for the pics, TenGrainBread.
I'd visited Alps, in Kanda, central Tokyo, a few times.
I found some ads of Alps in New Cycling mag, in 1977 and 1978.
Quick Ace : 12.8kg 82,00yen
Super Ace : 10kg 185,000yen
Quick Ace L : 87,000yen
The main pic is Quick Ace Super : 11kg 116,000yen
Jan. 1978 issue
1978 Alps stable
Camping
Rover : 15.5kg 110,00yen
Rover Sport : 14kg 68,00yen
Road bike
Road King : 100,000yen
Road King Super : 160,000
Rinkosha
(quick-and-easy take-down-and-assemble touring bike)
Quick Ace : 12.8kg 82,000yen
Quick Super : 11kg 116,000yen
Super Ace : 10kg 185.000
Randonneur
Clubman Ace : 12kg 95,000yen
Green Cap Super : 13.3kg 60,000yen
Sportif
Special : 290,000yen
Custom : 220,000yen
Regular : 170,000yen
Standard : 130,000yen
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