neo_pop_71

Hey all-

Here is my newest purchase, the bike is a 1988 Reflex ALX99, a sweet bonded (threaded tubes with adhesive) frame utilizing Easton 6061 E9 aluminum alloy main tubes coupled with Ishiwata EX wishbone rear stay, chainstays, and a beautiful lugged Ishiwata EX rigid fork. Add to the great frame a full Shimano XT package and you have one sweet ride! Another interesting bit about this Reflex ALX99 beyond being designed by Jeff Lindsay, it is special enough to be included in MOMBAT's collection. I've included MOMBAT's write up on Reflex ALX99 as well as the link.

https://mombat.org/MOMBAT/BikeHistoryPages/Reflex.html

Reflex appears to have been the retail side of Easton? The bikes appear similar to the Raleigh bikes of that era but are definitely not identical. Jeff Lindsay, of Mountain Goat Cycles, drew up the original geometry for the Reflex line. The anodized finish is a nice touch and the screwed and glued construction is interesting. From what we have found, it appears as if the bikes only existed for a couple of years before being discontinued. There are some advertisements from Look and Peugeot that feature an identical frame so Easttubingon may have sold the rights to the frame. That would make some sense since it would have been difficult for Easton to "compete" against there customers.

My daughter turns 8 next week, she really wants a 26" trail bike (she is not quite tall enough yet), and her two favorite colors are pink and blue... this anodized gem is perfect!

Does anyone else still own a Reflex ALX99? Did you own one along the way? I would appreciate hearing from you regarding this bike, thanks!

(The first picture is as purchased)

Elev12k

Very nice Some light years ago I put Peugeot Teamline catalogues on the scanner. The catalogues include the TL 1000 models. They have a very interesting leopard ano on the seattube.

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/...eot/Catalogues

I know I have a TL 1000 vs Pinarello Rombo vs Dawes XTR review somewhere, but in Dutch.

neo_pop_71

Thanks Elev12k for the catalog links! The third page in the 1988 write up on the MOMBAT site confirms that the Reflex ALX99 was owned by Easton as it would be their entry into the mountain bike market. The article notes the similarities between the Reflex and the Raleigh Technium model, that is because the frame were assembled in Raleigh's factory in Kent, Washington. I did not find many models made with the Easton E9 tubing back then, that sort of surprised me since it was a light weight aluminum tubing that didn't require heating like the 7000 series tubing of the same vintage. That leads me to believe that the E9 tubing must have been expensive and that might be why manufacturers avoided using it very much.

Thanks again!

-D-

Elev12k

A difference between your frame and the Peugeot is that the tail of your bike looks to be brazed steel, while the Peugeot's rear end is composed from separate bonded parts, probably all aluminum. Another difference: internal routing for the Peugeot.

neo_pop_71

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elev12k

A difference between your frame and the Peugeot is that the tail of your bike looks to be brazed steel, while the Peugeot's rear end is composed from separate bonded parts, probably all aluminum. Another difference: internal routing for the Peugeot.

My 1991 Miyata Seven21 road bike was bonded aluminum with steel stays and internal cable routing. I just recently sold the bike to a friend after I built it up as a daily commuter, it's his three day a week bike and he loves it!


I'm curious Elev12k, do you know a ballpark price on the Peugeots? According to the specs on the MOMBAT page, the Reflex cost $800.00 in 1988. That puts the Reflex reasonably close in price to the 1989 Stumpjumper that I bought new, the Stumpy was $900.00. The Japanese made Stumpjumper was double butted Tange Prestige CrMo and mass produced... this Reflex seems like a bargain, a small run American made frame with Easton E9 and Ishiwata EX CrMo. Both bikes came with full Deore XT groups.

Thanks!

-D-

Elev12k

The catalogues mention prices in guilders. To give an idea: a basic rigid steel Stumpy with LX/XT cost circa 2200 guilders around the same time. A Zaskar frame only was 1500 guilders. Other bonded bikes: a Cadex CFM3 with LX cost circa 2K, a Koga-Miyata TrailRunner-Carbolite set you back 4300 guilders.

93 Koga TRC

neo_pop_71

I'm curious about the durability... I would think that my daughter's Reflex being a "screwed and glued" frame would hold up better than one of the adhesive only frames but there is not much info floating around the internet. Anybody with some experience riding any of these bonded bikes? I would appreciate hearing from any current or former riders.

Thanks in advance for the help!

-D-

RoxMDO

I recently acquired this 1988 Reflex ALX99. The Easton E9 main triangle is screwed into Ishiwata EX CrMo head tube and stays. Fork is also EX.

I replaced the after market handlebar with a Reflex bar, added Oury grips, Cutter seat, new chain and Shimano brake pads. Also found original 1.5 mm brake cables and 5mm gray housing. Haven't installed the light gray shifter housing. The rest of the bike is in amazing condition except for cable rum on the fork.

Even at 28 pounds it's quick and handles well. I may mount "urban" tires and use accordingly. I'm not sure that the "screw and glue" attachment system would hold up to real off road punishment.

TheNightOwl

Hi, all,

I've just been given a REFLEX ALX99 a few days ago, and discovered this site when I Googled the make/name. I thought I would join this forum to find out more about it as the donor is adamant it "... it is a beauty of a frame...". Now, this may well be, but I'd like to know more about the machine.
My primary question is: how can I find out more about it? I belong to an organisation called The Mens' Shed here in Melbourne, and it is my intent to donate it there to be refurbished and donated to someone in need.
At 75, I really don't need another bike, and the frame is too small for my size anyway, so we can see it is improved on, made safe and workable, but I'd dearly love to find out more about a machine which appears to engender such interest.

Regards to all,

TheNightOwl

cs1

I had an 88 Raleigh Technium Chill. It had the same wishbone seat stays and U-brake.

neo_pop_71

Hello TheNightOwl,

Welcome to the forum! I think you'll find something of interest on a daily basis, I hope you'll continue to visit and be involved in the forum.

As far as your ALX99 is concerned, it is a beauty as described by the donor, it was on the cutting edge of technology for its time. Only the later "pro" model was superior to the ALX99 because it came with carbon fiber frame tubes instead of Easton E9 tubing. The Shimano XT group was top-of-the-line, those components are highly sought after these days. I would suggest that you try to preserve and utilize those XT components. Don't be sold on the idea of modern upgrades, the older XT stuff is nearly bombproof and that's why so much of it has survived 20+ years later. As far as background info is concerned, the link I provided in my initial posting to the MOMBAT site covers basically everything there is to know about these bikes. As far as a rider's review, I would give the bike a 5/5 for enjoyment. Having the lugged Ishiwata EX steel at the wheels provides an excellent ride quality coupled with that the light weight and stiffness of the Easton E9 (Easton's top-of-the-line tubing at that time) tubing make for a great frame!

The ALX99 you were donated is a very rare bike, Easton only made these bikes for a handful of years, the bike was as good as any other maker's top model. The frame design along the XT group made for an excellent trail bike, the future owner will have a real gem, I just hope that he/she truly appreciates the bike. Realistically, you could sell the bike to someone that knows the history and likely buy 4 or 5 used bikes off Craigslist... something to consider.

Good luck with the bike and keep us posted about how things turn out.

Best regards,

-D-

p.s. Here is the link to MOMBAT's page on the Easton Reflex:

MOMBAT: Reflex Bicycles History

Bnladies

I bought mine new in 1988. I was working at a ski shop and the ski pole rep had a great deal. I have probably put 2000 miles over the years. I let me daughter ride it when she was in college and it came home with no damage. I actually just took it around the block an hour ago to see what it needed for the summer. New tires and new brake shoes.

Chris Chicago

Nice! Let's see a pic.