Alpineer Cycles, Tulsa OK

[CurtEgerer]

Anybody know anything about this frame builder? I have a vague recollection of the brand. Very limited info on the interweb. This 'garage sale find ' appears to be mid-80s based upon components (Dura Ace 7400 gruppo). Workmanship on frame is extraordinary. Reynolds 531 Professional. Campagnolo Chorus rims.

Thanks.

[porsche4life]

Javadog?


Slick looking bike though.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Javadog?

What?

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Slick looking bike though.

I've been interested in bikes long before the '80's and I've never heard of an Alpineer. Looks like a pretty small frame....

JR

[look 171]

I say late 80s to early 90s build if its original components. Frame technology stood still in time between the late 70s to 1990. Tubing shape and some material change such as 751 or 853. IMO, semi-sloping crowns are the best looking. Judging from the hand painted smaller areas, I say its A European frame. Most Italian frames I came across were like that. I am sure the builders went back into their workshop after a long dinner along with a few bottles of wine and decided to finish the paint job. I kinda like it like that.

[look 171]

Just notice the clear sticker where the signature is place. That isn't normally done back then. the bike owner may have done that.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by javadog

What?



I've been interested in bikes long before the '80's and I've never heard of an Alpineer. Looks like a pretty small frame....

JR

Just thought you might know, since the OP seems to think there is a Tulsa tie....


Frame has a 53 sticker on it... I'd guess its a 53cm, so built for short dudes.

[CurtEgerer]

What we do know is it was built in Tulsa OK by Rich Chillingworth. The sticker/decal on the top tube is "Rich C.". It was bought at a garage sale from the original female owner who had it built to race. The rims have "Holder" "Tulsa" handwritten in Sharpie marker. Judging by the condition, it saw very little racing. The purchase price was criminal. I just don't understand how/why people sell things like this without doing a quick internet search to see if it might be worth something?!

This website has been dormant since at least 2004 according to the wayback machine. AlpineerCycles.Com

[javadog]

So, fess up. What'd you pay for it? Enquiring minds want to know.

Where did you buy it?

JR

[CurtEgerer]

JR - it was listed on CL under Garage Sales, not bikes. Listed in with a broken lawn mower, patio furniture, etc., and - oh yeah - "a bike I used for US Cycling Federation racing". No bike name, no price, no details. Had one of those little round garage sale price stickers on the seat. Near perfect condition. $75. And this is the original owner selling it. It had to be $1500+ new in the late 80's.

[CurtEgerer]

One more pic:

[look 171]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Just thought you might know, since the OP seems to think there is a Tulsa tie....


Frame has a 53 sticker on it... I'd guess its a 53cm, so built for short dudes.

Sid, that's a Reynold's 531 sticker, a type of Cr Mo tubing. Typical pro bike back then.

[porsche4life]

Ahh, I see that now...

[herr_oberst]

So, does it fit you or are you going to try and flip it?

Nice survivor...

[CurtEgerer]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

So, does it fit you or are you going to try and flip it?

Nice survivor...

It's about a 52cm. The stand-over height fits me perfect (30" inseam). The problem is the short top tube has me out over the handlebars, even with that rear-offset seat position (see 1st pic). This one will go into my brother's basement cycling 'museum'. He has 15-20 classic steel racing bikes.

[bobalowbill]

I'll try to post a photo of my Alpineer.

[vash]

on the frame, where the rear axle goes..are there two tiny holes drilled and tapped? i think the older frames had set screws in them so you could adjust how much the rear axle moves back..so you could quickly reposition the axle.

this done on this frame? if so, can you post a pic? i had an old timer explain this to me, but have never seen it myself.

[MFAFF]

Quite often the rear dropouts had a hole drilled and tapped to house a 'set screw' so that in quick changes of the rear wheel it could be 'slammed back' into place with teh chain in tension for the gear cassette..

I'll take a pic of my rear drop outs at the weekend...it has this.. damn useful.

[Razrdirt]

Just found this forum so maybe out of date reply. I purchased an Alpineer in 1990 when living in Tulsa from a cyclist who decided to sell it when he became a sponsored member of a team and recieved a free new bike. Rich Chillingsworth of Tulsa was the builder of the Alpineers and I believe he built most of his bikes in mid-to-late 80s and then he retired for a period when had kids to raise as he also had a full time engineering job. I believe he started up again in the 2000s for a time. Rich discovered he was a really decent runner and then was really sucessful in duathlons. I believe Rich participated in duathlon World Championships not too long ago in his 50s. Gary Holder was a Cat II or III rider for the Tulsa Wheelmen back in the late 80s. Don't know if this bike found in garage sale could of been his bike of if possibly his wife also rode. I loved my Alpineer but cracked the downtube in a wreck when Rich was retired, so never got it repaired and ended up using parts on replacement frame. It was all white with Dura Ace compnents.

[Laneco]

That is just a sweetheart! Nothing like really good quality steel (531) on our typically chip-sealed roads. No buzz, just a lively enthusiastic feel, like the bike WANTS you to ride fast.

And about my size!!!

angela

[CurtEgerer]

razrdirt - Thanks for the info!

angela - it is probably your size (the seller was a fairly petite woman) and would be perfect for you! But it's not for sale .... I still can't believe she sold her custom bike for $75!