photogravity

So I am a confirmed IGH-aholic. I admit it and am proud of that fact. I have no plans of entering a 12-step program because I do not view IGH-aholism as an affliction, though I know many on this forum might think otherwise. Nonetheless, I do like nice bicycles and like many of the custom American builders. So far I have two American built tandems, my 1984 Davidson and 2010 Bilenky, but until now have not yet put an American built single on the road. I do have an early- to mid-80's Mike Appel frameset I'm soon building, but this swept in a couple weeks ago out of the blue and, since it was a full bicycle, I only needed to reassemble it and start riding. Admittedly, this is something a bit out of the ordinary for me because it 1) has a derailleur 2) doesn't have fender eyelets 3) is built of Columbus SLX tubing and 4) has pretty aggressive geometry.

Interestingly the bicycle is full Mavic with the exception of the front derailleur, stem and pedals. I like the ride and handling quite a bit but am not sure I like it more than my Norman Rapide. Additionally, as with rhm, I'm somewhat put off by the fact the frame is very tight and will limit my ability to either ride with much larger tires (I'm running 23-622 at the moment) or add fenders. As a matter of fact, my inaugural ride on this bicycle last Saturday was on wet roads and by the time I was finished riding 48 miles, the bike was filthy, my Carradice bag had a stripe up the back of it, and I was a lot dirtier than normal for a ride on wet roads where it wasn't actually raining. In any case, I present to you my Alpine Bicycle built in the mid- to late-80's by Fred Kelley. Enjoy!


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 1 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 2 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 3 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 4 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 5 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 6 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 7 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 8 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 9 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 10 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

photogravity

Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 11 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 12 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 13 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 14 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 15 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 16 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 17 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 18 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 19 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr


Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 20 by Sallad Rialb, on Flickr

obrentharris 

Very nicely done frame! And I really like seeing all the Mavic components together on one bike.
Brent

simmonsgc

All that aside, I really like it! What a nice cheerful color scheme with the bright apple green. It'll keep you happy while you're laboring up the hills with that primitive drivetrain . What's that big ring? A 54? I bet you can fly on this thing when you're "sur la plaque." Great photos, too.

ilikebikes

Hey man, nice bike! sweet color! I like the crecent cuts on rear drops and on the fork ends! and that crazy fork crown! I'm really diggin' it!

photogravity

Thanks, I agree it does have some interesting details. I don't believe I have ever seen anyone scallop the fork ends or the rear dropouts as was done on this particular bicycle. I also like the way he did the fork crown on this.

photogravity

Thanks simmonsgc. The color scheme is definitely a bit brighter than what I typically would go for, but it fits the bike nicely and is in pretty decent shape too. I think that the big ring is a 53 if I recall correctly. I intend to give it some good workouts this year and find out just how often that big ring comes in handy.

Drillium Dude 

As you know, I'm glad you've added another bike with derailleurs

Thanks for posting up more detailed pics - and I've got a bit of trivia for you: the fork crown was available to builders the way it is. My damaged Freschi frame has one just like it with the assymetrical point on the outside. I'd never seen another one until viewing your detail pics today, so I used to think it was a Freschi thing myself.

I, too, love the scalloping to the stay/fork ends - reminds me of the details on my Olympia (Spinella).

When do we get more looks at a semi-built Appel? Oh, and you aren't going to hear any crap from me about the skinsuit - like the weather is warranting getting out wearing that? Don't think so!

Now, come summertime - that's a different story

Congrats on your most recent addition to the fleet, Dallas!

DD

photogravity

Hey ilikebikes, thanks. The scalloped/crescent cut ends are distinctive, that's for sure. I definitely got my hands on a one of a kind with this one.

Bianchigirll 

I have to agree, it is a great looking bike and made even more so by the great unusual color.

If you really hate the idea of having a derailleur bike around the house drop it off at my place.

photogravity

I figured that you'd be happy with this bike despite its decidedly (mostly) non-Campagnolo build. I've been meaning to put up some pics, but the bike was too dirty to post pictures last week and the weather has been too dreary for any good pictures even if the bike was clean.

Regarding that fork crown, I thought that was a custom cut crown so I'd like to find out who made it. I'm guessing CDM might know.

I've been slowly collecting the parts for the Appel so I should be building it soon. Since I need to get some bikes and parts cleaned up and collected together for the Westminster Swap Meet which is only about 3 weeks away, it's doubtful I'll be focusing my attention on the Appel before then.

Thanks also for not harassing me on the skinsuit. Seems everyone else is making up for the slack!

nlerner

Now I know why rhm got that Basso--it was to keep up with you on that Alpine!

Poguemahone

Sweet Georgetown Cyclery custom! They had several builders over the years on those, yours is a really nice example.

photogravity

Thanks BG. I wasn't sure how I'd like the color, but it seems to suit the bicycle just fine and is beginning to grow on me. Regarding having a derailleur bike around, I have an even better solution than leaving it off at your place: IGH conversion. I've done plenty and never tire of them!

photogravity

I think you have it the other way around. I got the Alpine so I could keep up with rhm on his Basso! rhm's Basso is the shizz. I really like the blue and green(purple) color scheme.

photogravity

Thanks Poguemahone. This is one of the later ones for sure and, at least as I understand it, was built at a time when Alpine Cycles had become a separate concern from Georgetown Cycle Sport. This is confirmed as being one that Fred Kelley built in the mid- to late-80's. There is a name on the top tube for a person named Kocis. I'd really like to get the history of the bike if anyone might know who he might be.

rhm

Oy, this troubles me! On the one hand, the frame is gorgeous but the paint is ... uh... well let's not waste time finding the right euphemism. Similarly there's this tout Mavic thing, and while î certainly appreciate the campy-free aesthetic, that group has its own aesthetic issues. All this is fine, of course. It's just... Well, put it next to the Norman and tell me which is the prettier bike. Right? Now put it next to another one and... Yes you see where I'm going now. Other than a certain Basso I know, there aren't many bikes that this one looks better than. But who am I to cast nasturtiums, I must show you a photo of my 'witworth.'

owenmyers

That group is beautiful

photogravity

rhm, I understand your thoughts and, though I'm not one for repaints of original paint, this would be a candidate. While the Mavic group, the starfish crankset at least, has some aesthetic challenges, it seems to perform pretty well despite its obvious inferiority to a nice IGH setup. I'm with you on the comparison to the Norman - there is simply no classier bike in my collection that that. It oozes elegance and is one hella rider. Until, I get the Alpine dialed in I'll withhold final judgment, but I'm inclined to say that the Norman performs just as well but with much more comfort and utility. Again, that's just my first impression and I'll withhold final judgment until I've put some more miles on her. I'm planning to take it on another half-century today.

photogravity

Thanks Owen. I know there are many out there that like the Mavic stuff. It is unique when compared to the ShimaNO, SunTour and Campy stuff of the era.

northbend 

PG; That paintjob looks like early springtime. Perfect for a fixed gear conversion

Poguemahone

I have a friend locally who worked as a mechanic for G-town cycles at one point. Next time I see him I will ask him if he knows anything or who might.

TimmyT 

How long till it gets an SX3?

ColonelJLloyd 

Totally 80s, dude. That is ugly enough to hurt my eyes.

What's going on with the wrap at the handlebar drops/hooks?

KonAaron Snake 

Photog - I love it.


Variety is a good thing - if you have fender bikes with fat tires, you don't need this to be one.