Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Univega Alpina Pro

I'm looking for a MTB to ride alongside my kids and perhaps to pull one of those kiddie trailers. I don't know much about the, but I know I need a big size. Can anyone help me with this one?

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1596378618.html

$120
Univega Alpine Pro Mountaian Bike 22in in Great Condition, Light weight, Chromoly Double Butted Frame & Fork, Chromoly Finish, Lawee Design, Index Shimano Deore Light Action Equipped, Aluminum Handle Bars Stem & Seat Post, Falcon Tange Head Set, Aluminum Quick-Release Wheels, Araya Rims, Shimano Sealed hubs, Aluminum Deore Crank & Pedals, Ritchy Tires, Ready to Ride

http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/tt141/Nicsclassics/?action=view&current=Picture6003.jpg

(Sorry if the photo won't load. Photobucket is blocked at work and so I have to get there via proxy server and the one I use is a bit limited).

If it fits you, my advice would be to grab it--that's a very nice bike at a good price. Those Deore thumbshifters and derailleurs are excellent components (the brakes and crankset are nice, too). The Alpines from Univega were very highly regarded, and that one looks in all-original condition.

Read up on MTB sizing, as that is a really big one.

I'm 6'4", and ride 63cm road bikes comfortably. I think I need a MTB this big, but I'll get on it and check it out.

I'm 6'4", and ride 63cm road bikes comfortably. I think I need a MTB this big, but I'll get on it and check it out.

Sounds like it is your size! Go for it.

It's a steal. Get it before it disappears!

++++++1 that is a great bike and it looks to be in great shape. even if you think it will fit go and get it. if it does not work out you should not have troublle selling it in a few weeks.

Looks like a great deal to me. Put some smooth tires on it if you are going to stay on the pavement. Performance has some decent 26" tires for less than $20 each.
Make that $12.99 on sale. http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1070099_-1_64000_20000_64512

Called and emailed seller, no response yet....hey Tim, how are you? I've been lacking on saying hello....

+1. Great buy in an expensive market. Circa 1990, original price about $700. Size should be about right, you could even got larger, if you're sticking to the road. If you're going to be pulling a trailer, you definitely want the high pressure slicks.

I had a Univega Cross Country LX that I bought a few years ago for $100 and sold this fall for $140. The Cross Country is a step down from the Pro and probably a few years older. Mine appears to be a size bigger than yours (I am 6,6").

I basically used mine for the same reason you are, pulling the kids trailer around and riding the local rail to trail. It was a very nice bike but my Cross bike took it's place now that my kids are a little older.

It looks like an excellent buy at $125, and should have fun with it.

Here is a picture of mine.
http://i931.photobucket.com/albums/ad157/matketze/009.jpg

Hey Alex, the bike has been re-listed this morning just like yesterday. He must have a way to circumvent the 48 hour posting rule on CL. I say he should give a discount for over posting.:D Then it would REALLY be a good deal.

Had to drop my car off for recall work...so will go check the bike out after I pick it up this afternoon. I agree on the discount, let's see what the seller thinks.

The bike has made it home with me, and final price was $100. Fit me so well, a real joy just on the test-ride. Comfortable, smooth, well-shifting, and dusty as heck. Loads of front-brake squeal but I think new pads should fix that. Wheels so close I'll call them true. Everything looks original down to the wheels and hubs. I'll get it cleaned up in the AM and snap some photos. Thanks so much for all the advice, am glad to have this bike on board. Will suit my needs just perfectly.

Congrats! We need pictures :)

enjoy the bike

Congrats! We need pictures :)

enjoy the bike
Photos coming. Needs a good solid cleaning, a WD40 grime wipe down, and a little rubbing compound treatment followed by some wax. Other than the reflector mounts (do I even need to keep these on?), there is one spot of rust half the size of a dime. It's not chrome, but has what I would call a black-chrome finish. Deore everything, 7sp SIS with a biopace triple front. Has the original SIS cable housing, and looks like the original Ritchey tires. It's already been out with my 3 year old, and rides really nice, shifts well, and was a pleasure to ride.

I'll take some simple wipe down photos, and then more as I work on it and get it back into great shape. Is there any reason I can't reuse the cable housing that is there when I tear it down (may be a bit before I do that as I will be riding it too much for the time being).

Score!!

The bike has made it home with me, and final price was $100.

You drive a hard bargain! I'm amazed that that bike was still available in SoCal for the asking price, much less an even hundred. I guess the large size worked in your favor.
Congratulations, it's a beautiful bike.

Here is a link to a ton of photos I took. They are too big to post, I have to resize them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44970315@N08/sets/72157623306180029/

that was a great deal. Prestige MTb frame, looks like it saw littel use (judging by the rims) Deore and black chrome frame. what a find. I always like univegas, it was a bad day in the bike world when they went out of business

Took her out for the maiden ride this AM...have photos I will post, but here is the ride I did:

http://www.sportypal.com/Workouts/Details/154153

Here is a link to a ton of photos I took. They are too big to post, I have to resize them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44970315@N08/sets/72157623306180029/

Great looking bike. I love the color. Hate to say this, it could be the picture, but the fork looks bent:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/4355744956_959f6a3795.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4355742712_b39191b9c0.jpg

Great looking bike. I love the color. Hate to say this, it could be the picture, but the fork looks bent:

E-

You think so? I looked long and hard at that, and it is off the rake of the headtube (I just looked again), but it doesn't look at all like its had any stress. How could I tell for certain? I was already thinking about a shock fork so this might make that a requirement...

I agree with alexw the rake looks to be in the 'crown' area whith straight blades but... we should try and determine what the wheel base is for this bike so he can measure. as I understand it this black chrome process was very toxic but still very cool looking.

alexw are you going to use this one the road? you need some nice x1.75 slicks so you can ride on paved and dirt roads

alexw are you going to use this one the road? you need some nice x1.75 slicks so you can ride on paved and dirt roads

I'm going to use it both on the road with the kids and off-road on some very non-technical trails. Can you suggest some tires? Are slicks ok for obvious dirt trails with the occasional rut or rock cluster (that I mostly try to avoid anyway)?

I have to get new tires...sidewall of the rear had a blow-out of sorts...tube and rim are fine but I'm going to take one of the boys after naps and find a new set of tires.


we should try and determine what the wheel base is for this bike so he can measure

Is this measured dropout to drop-out? I'll measure it shortly...

EDIT-Google is my friend...from Sheldon's site: (Wheel base is) [t]he distance from the center of the front wheel to the center of the rear wheel.

Could be a feature. The fork on this one (for sure not your bike but a lot like yours) looks similar:

http://gallery.mtbr.com/data/mtbr/1092/IMG_0489rs.jpg

I was just about to post up that photo, E....looking to see what else I can find. I measured the wheelbase at 43 1/2 inches, and looked again and don't see any sign of stress in the fork, crown or finish. A lot of dirt, but no distress that I can see. I'll snap a photo in a bit....I have to go get a new tube and tire as the rear sounded like a firecracker when it just blew....it was sitting out in the sun and I knew I was going to lose that tube based on the tire sidewall disintegration.

I should probably go to the MTB section and ask this, but would someone suggest a tire set to me? I think I'll do a mix of road and trails, but multi-track and not too technical. Mostly hard packed, but some rutting and loose stuff and small stones, etc. Thanks!