2 wheel oppo

"MUSASHI66" (musashi66)
09/23/2020 at 16:30 • Filed to: None

Ancient MTB is operational! We went around the neighborhood, and it shifts well. Rear wheel needs truing as you can hear the rear brake “skip” as the wheel moves.

New tires, new tubes, new grips, adjustable headset and a tuneup set me back $160 or so. I’m debating spending another $65 on a fork rebuild kit.

Any old mountain bikers here? This bike is a mystery- not a single logo or stamp that makes sense. I think it’s a 1991-1992 Alpinestars AL Mega, but I’m not sure

There is a sticker from Easton.

I think they just made the piping used for the frame.

There are some numbers on the bottom

And there are two identical stamps

I can’t for the love of god figure out who made this thing, or when.

DISCUSSION (36)

MonkeePuzzle > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 16:43

what an oddity that frame design is. I’m sure some one will be able to identify it from that

(not I)

facw > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 16:47

I think you are right on the frame, it’s pretty distinctive:

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/now-that-was-a-bike-alpinestars-ti-mega-2014.html

Kinja'd!!!

MUSASHI66 > MonkeePuzzle
09/23/2020 at 16:49

I’m fairly confident it is this, but stickerless

https://www.ebay.com/itm/284019147729

Ssfancyfresh > facw
09/23/2020 at 16:52

Mmmmmm... skinwalls

MUSASHI66 > facw
09/23/2020 at 16:52

That is basically what I’ve found so far as well. But, this is the only one I’ve seen sticker less and without a single stamp anywhere, I am not sure it is one.

Reason why I am asking is - they seem to be somewhat collectible and I might better off selling/trading for a newer bike.

Ssfancyfresh > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 16:53

With those elevated chainstays, this would be a prime candidate for a single speed belt drive conversion. And if it were mine, I’d ditch the old manitou for a rigid carbon fork

VincentMalamute-Kim > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 16:54

Not only is the frame design is very distinctive, but the weird gusset between the headtube and downtube is unique. It’s not present on facw’s photo but it’s present on other photos.

I can’t imagine that it’s anything but what you think it is.

MUSASHI66 > Ssfancyfresh
09/23/2020 at 16:55

My bike came with super cool tires

Kinja'd!!!

Unfortunately, they were crunchy dry, so I had to swap them. It was a chore finding 26x2.1 tires.

MUSASHI66 > Ssfancyfresh
09/23/2020 at 16:56

I’m not spending more money on this :)

Tripper > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 16:57

That looks really cool how you have done it up! That a dropper post and all?

MUSASHI66 > VincentMalamute-Kim
09/23/2020 at 16:57

His photo is of the Ti model, and mine is AL model. I’m guessing that’s the difference.

Apparently, Nishiki might have made bikes like this as well..

RallyWrench > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 16:58

How cool! Definitely looks like an Alpinestars, I have a red Cro-Mega DX, the steel version. Early to mid 90's is a safe bet. Easton probably provided the aluminum frame, I’m sure it was subcontracted but don’t know if they were sold under any different brand . The numbered stamp on the bottom bracket is the serial number. I wouldn’t plan on riding it too hard, these designs are well known for cracking, they allow too much flex in the wrong places. They were made in steel, aluminum, and titanium (super rare, US made I think). I just use mine for a family cruiser/beer runner .

Kinja'd!!!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 16:58

someone striped the paint off of the bike but I’m 99% sure you have ID’d it correctly, here is another with the head tube gusset.

Kinja'd!!!

jeepoftheseus > RallyWrench
09/23/2020 at 17:03

Now that’s hydration!

MUSASHI66 > Tripper
09/23/2020 at 17:04

Thanks!

Dropper as in bounce back to original height? If so, then no, it just has a quick release clamp and it adjust up and down.

Ssfancyfresh > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 17:04

That makes the most sense!

MUSASHI66 > RallyWrench
09/23/2020 at 17:05

That’s definitely it! I should probably sell it for a more modern hardtail bike. I love the beer caddy

MUSASHI66 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
09/23/2020 at 17:08

I think it has to be Alpinestars based on everything, and it is their AL model. It’s awesome that it’s the same company that makes motorcycles jackets to this day.

MUSASHI66 > Ssfancyfresh
09/23/2020 at 17:09

I can probably go around the hood with it forever, but I already have a cruiser for that. I should just sell it to a collector and buy a newer bike.

benjrblant > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 17:12

Looks vaguely Nishiki, but I think those were steel. Aplinestars looks right on point.

I’m amazed that fork is still serviceable and that you can still get parts for it.

doub > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 17:18

I was thinking of a Nishiki Alien at first, but it turns out that they put a kink in the downtube and their sea tubes are straight . Totally forgot about Alpinestars....

MUSASHI66 > benjrblant
09/23/2020 at 17:23

Fork is working well, and repair kit is $54 plus $10 for shipping. My bike guy has a tool he says you need to work on it.

MUSASHI66 > doub
09/23/2020 at 17:23

I never knew they made bikes up to 1996. I just know them for gloves and jackets for motorcycles.

It has to be the Mega AL.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 17:57

As others have said, Alpinestar. Without doubt. As some have also said... notorious for cracking if used extensively as the manufacturer intended. The fact this one is nearly original...big bonus. That fork on its own would get you your money back. If you don’t need another neighbourhood bike and aren't overly attached to it then I’d be finding another home for it and using the coin to get something else.

RallyWrench > jeepoftheseus
09/23/2020 at 18:03

One nice thing about this frame is it makes a nice little growler cradle ;) Gotta earn it with some pedaling first though!

RallyWrench > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 18:08

I love funky stuff like this for cruising, but would never take it on my rocky, loose local trails when disc brakes exist. Maybe a more conventional frame, I have an old Hard Rock rigid I’ve thought about building up a little for fun.

MUSASHI66 > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
09/23/2020 at 18:22

Really? That’s cool. Any idea where to lost this? Local Craigslist or are there specialized places for vintage bikes?

I hate the idea of dealing with shipping it though.

MUSASHI66 > RallyWrench
09/23/2020 at 18:25

We do get spoiled easily.. it seems we used 26ers with V brakes for decades, and then a brief period of disk brakes and still 26ers, and bam! - the whole world switched to 29ers with disks seemingly overnight and there is no going back.

RallyWrench > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 18:58

I’m still riding a 26er, both my mountain bikes are in fact. I built an Ibis up from a used frame and bro-deal parts, and the other one is aluminum. Both are over a decade old, but t hey’ll have to fail comprehensively in a way that no parts are available to fix before I’m forced to upgrade out of necessity. I really, really like riding 27.5s in particular around here , I feel faster on them, but n ew bikes with decent components cost more than most of the cars I’ve ever owned so I’ll stick it out on the 26s until necessity forces the change. It’s a little ridiculous with new bikes and drivetrains now.

MUSASHI66 > RallyWrench
09/23/2020 at 19:22

Man, you can say that again! Some of the new bikes are outrageous. I mean, there is zero chance that a road bike should cost $15000 when you can buy a Honda Fit for that much.

My sweet spot for bikes is $500-800, I always go used and hope for XT level drivetrain. My last bike was a $560 Specialized Stumpjumper with Fox front and back and XT all over. In hindsight, I should have kept it, but I wasn’t riding at all and I figured I could always get another.

OPPOsaurus WRX > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 20:35

That is some bizarre frame geometry. I wonder how they ended up with that

MUSASHI66 > OPPOsaurus WRX
09/23/2020 at 22:47

It was in the late 80's, ea rly 90's. Probably cocaine induced nights with the Miami Vice and The Simpsons in the background.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > MUSASHI66
09/23/2020 at 23:01

If you have a bike guy with a shopfront then if he's interested in a consignment deal. I'm not in the US so I can't help you with online places...though the Pinkbike forum and its trading area might be worth a look.

MUSASHI66 > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
09/23/2020 at 23:52

Thanks!

mhr555 > OPPOsaurus WRX
09/24/2020 at 05:45

Old 80- 90's bike shop guy here. Two design features of the Alpinestars bike were elevated chain stays and curved seat tube.

E levated chain stays were a way to try and minimize chain “suck” as found on bicycles with horizonal/near-horizontal stays. A curved seat tube meant that you could tuck the rear wheel in under the rider a bit more to try and gain more traction while climbing. Lots of companies came out with these features; Haro, Nishiki, Gary Fisher (pre-Trek purchase), Alpinestars, Yeti, etc.

Personally, I had a Fisher Montare with this. It was neat but heavy...then again, all Fishers at that time were heavy because of the 1 1/4" head tube and oversized tubing on the rest of the bike.

MUSASHI66 > mhr555
09/24/2020 at 09:12

That’s some good info. Thanks!!