Another Alves

For those of you kind enough to express an interest in my Alves 753,

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... highlight=

here is another earlier one (Reynolds 531) delivered April 1992.

This originally had a Campagnolo Record Off Road groupset but this was moved to the 753 frame. It was re-built with a mixture of Campagnolo Euclid, Olympus and Icarus components.

Forks - Rock Shox Mag 20, although currently Mag 21

Brakes - Front: Dia Compe VC 737, Direct Pull 7 lever, Rear: Dia Compe 987, SS-7 lever.

Although this is the same size frame as the Alves 753, it was built specifically to take Mag 20 forks and the geometry is slightly different from the 753 frame which was built for Kona Project 2 (390mm) forks.

Another sexy looking frame Merlin! Do you notice much difference when riding in the different steel sets?

If I was pushed I would say this is my favourite simply due to the great colour red!

Difficult to say because the Rock Shox make a difference to the feel. The 753 weighs about 23 lbs and the 531 about 25lbs as currently set up. Much of that difference will be the forks and heavier saddle rather than the difference in frame weight. Also I tend to ride the 753 in a way that makes it less likely to get damaged, which means for the most part hill training on road with slick tyres whereas I use the 531 frame less carefully and more off-road. I think the 753 is more lively because the 531 frame has a very srongly built rear end (531 Designer Select rather than 531 ATB) although the chain stays of both are the same length. I would not part with either while I can still ride.

I was thinking of having the red frame re-sprayed black because it is easier to touch up paint damage but maybe one black frame is enough.

alves

smart bike, last time i saw a alves in the flesh was at the glenmoriston mtb race back in the 90,s. Fluo pink as i remember. Charlie ralph was a first class builder from northern scotland! A gem sir a real gem

I was thinking of having the red frame re-sprayed black because it is easier to touch up paint damage

Click to expand...

Don't be silly, it looks gorgeous as it is