Univega Alpina Comp, early 90’s?
12-22-19, 12:44 AM
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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...
12-22-19, 12:44 AM
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I love this top tube cable routing...
12-22-19, 12:50 AM
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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
01-17-20, 12:59 AM
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Starting the teardown... All Suntour drivetrain, even the chain. Pity that it’s severely worn. Also Suntour cassette mounted on Suntour GL hubs.
01-17-20, 01:28 AM
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01-17-20, 07:29 AM
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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.
01-17-20, 11:24 AM
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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.
01-17-20, 11:34 AM
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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.
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01-17-20, 01:32 PM
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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.
01-17-20, 02:05 PM
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01-17-20, 02:23 PM
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01-18-20, 11:33 PM
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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.
01-19-20, 06:45 PM
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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.
01-20-20, 09:49 AM
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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.
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01-20-20, 09:57 AM
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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.
01-20-20, 12:35 PM
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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?
01-20-20, 08:56 PM
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01-20-20, 08:57 PM
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I appreciate everyone’s reassurances - I will likely just straighten the ring rather than replace, and the touch up looks straightforward.
01-23-20, 12:18 PM
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01-24-20, 01:01 PM
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Sweet bike! I'm quite the fan of XC Comp stuff- I really dig the sorta faux carbon fiber painting on the plate.
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02-11-20, 03:36 AM
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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.
03-08-20, 05:04 PM
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Finally got a chance to do a deep clean on the drivetrain, but still need to overhaul the derailleurs.
03-08-20, 05:10 PM
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03-08-20, 05:15 PM
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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.
