Univega Alpina Comp, early 90’s?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
Univega Alpina Comp, early 90’s?
Here is a Univega Alpina Comp that I picked up a couple of days ago. I’ve had several projects over the last couple of years that started with a bare frame and needed to be conceived of and built, so I’m happy to have a bike I can just clean up and ride. It’s complete and in very good shape. I’ll post updates as I make progress...
#2
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
I love this top tube cable routing...
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,841
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times
in
367 Posts
Nice find! I think that was a top end bike but others will chime in. nice components I think the splatter paint job is a sign of the late 80s early 90s
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
Starting the teardown... All Suntour drivetrain, even the chain. Pity that it’s severely worn. Also Suntour cassette mounted on Suntour GL hubs.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,030
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4507 Post(s)
Liked 6,373 Times
in
3,665 Posts
Likes For merziac:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,036 Times
in
1,874 Posts
I believe that your bicycle is a 1991 model. SunTour introduced XC Comp for the 1990 model year, but my Lawee price list for that year does not list an Alpina Comp. However, it is listed in 1991 with Tange Power Oval tubing and SunTour XC Comp/Ritchey components at $769 US. It was 2nd in the ATB line. It was also listed for 1992 but with an upgrade to XC Comp Micro-Drive, which your bicycle does not have. The serial number should corroborate the model year. Enjoy your new acquisition.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
I believe that your bicycle is a 1991 model. SunTour introduced XC Comp for the 1990 model year, but my Lawee price list for that year does not list an Alpina Comp. However, it is listed in 1991 with Tange Power Oval tubing and SunTour XC Comp/Ritchey components at $769 US. It was 2nd in the ATB line. It was also listed for 1992 but with an upgrade to XC Comp Micro-Drive, which your bicycle does not have. The serial number should corroborate the model year. Enjoy your new acquisition.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 4,777
Bikes: Numerous
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1676 Post(s)
Liked 3,084 Times
in
911 Posts
My wife (girlfriend at time) had one I believe was labeled Alpina but I think it must have been lower level. I remember Deore components and I think she got it in '92, maybe late '91. This was in SF and it would have been from Stanyan Cyclery or more likely the shop on Sutter (I think) in Nob Hill.
__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
Likes For Spaghetti Legs:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,149
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2361 Post(s)
Liked 1,745 Times
in
1,189 Posts
Also look for date codes on the components. The vintage-trek web site has a component date code decoder page, including a table of Suntour codes.
Couple years ago I picked up an Alpina Comp, I think a year or two newer, also loaded with Suntour and Ritchey-branded bits. A blast to ride, and something of a head-turner. Univega's fade and splatter jobs were.... iconic BITD.
Hard to tell without a non-drive-side pic -- does your bike have the "Max Mudroom" chainstays, that dog-leg upward near the BB?
Couple years ago I picked up an Alpina Comp, I think a year or two newer, also loaded with Suntour and Ritchey-branded bits. A blast to ride, and something of a head-turner. Univega's fade and splatter jobs were.... iconic BITD.
Hard to tell without a non-drive-side pic -- does your bike have the "Max Mudroom" chainstays, that dog-leg upward near the BB?
Last edited by madpogue; 01-17-20 at 01:46 PM.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,149
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2361 Post(s)
Liked 1,745 Times
in
1,189 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
This doesn’t look too bad, right? It’s chainstay rash down to bare steel, and the 24-tooth granny ring is bent, so the chain must have seized. Just file to smooth and apply Rustoleum? Frame alignment does not look to be affected.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,841
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times
in
367 Posts
Yeah I would say the granny ring is bent, RJ may have a video on fixing that or you can probably get a straight one cheap at the local co-op I have purchased new Sugino rings and don't think they are that expensive if you are just getting one.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 777
Bikes: Raleigh Classic 15, 84; Miyata 912, 85; Miyata Ridge Runner SE, 85; Miyata 610, 86; Miyata 100M, 86; Miyata Valley Runner, 88; Miyata Triple Cross, 89; GT Karakoram, 90; Miyata Elevation 300, 91; Marinoni Touring, 95; Long Haul Trucker, 2013
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 159 Post(s)
Liked 133 Times
in
80 Posts
I'd clean up the chainstay, apply a bit of body filler, smooth it, and touch up the paint. It's a very inconspicuous spot, behind the chain, so touch ups are easy to get away with.
Likes For John Nolan:
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,433
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5887 Post(s)
Liked 3,469 Times
in
2,079 Posts
Nice bike. The Alpinas are nice bikes. I like the suntour stuff as well but the indexing was hit or miss. I wouldn't sweat the damage to the chainstay; just touch it up and ride it.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,036 Times
in
1,874 Posts
The easiest way to straighten the chainring is with an adjustable crescent spanner. Remove the middle and large rings but keep the granny fastened to the crankarm spider. Tighten the jaws of the spanner over the point of largest deflection from true and bend back. It may take some trial and error.
The stay damage is typical chain such symptom. Given the location, any touch-up will be largely inconspicuous.
Do you have the serial number yet?
The stay damage is typical chain such symptom. Given the location, any touch-up will be largely inconspicuous.
Do you have the serial number yet?
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
I appreciate everyone’s reassurances - I will likely just straighten the ring rather than replace, and the touch up looks straightforward.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 23,223
Mentioned: 654 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4722 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3,036 Times
in
1,874 Posts
#20
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,641
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2607 Post(s)
Liked 1,694 Times
in
933 Posts
Sweet bike! I'm quite the fan of XC Comp stuff- I really dig the sorta faux carbon fiber painting on the plate.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
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.
Likes For The Golden Boy:
Likes For SergueiGatorski:
#22
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
Rear hub cups and cones are in very good shape, but the front is mixed — cups look excellent, but the cones are shot. Luckily, I have a random spare Sunshine front hub that also uses 3/16 bearings, so I will give that a go and try to cannibalize the cones.
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
Finally got a chance to do a deep clean on the drivetrain, but still need to overhaul the derailleurs.
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,433
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5887 Post(s)
Liked 3,469 Times
in
2,079 Posts
We don't have enough MTB builds in C&V. Too many road snobbies, perhaps?
I love this bike. I have a real hard time turning down vintage MTBs when they pop up which is how I ended up with too many of them, lol.
I love this bike. I have a real hard time turning down vintage MTBs when they pop up which is how I ended up with too many of them, lol.