Road Cycling - I think I found a gem at Goodwill, help please.

I just picked up a Univega Super Strata, didnt look like much from a distance. I got up to it and noticed that it was equipped with full DURA ACE components. Cranks, brakes, derailers, headset, toeclips, seatpost and stem - all Dura Ace. Hubs are labeled shimano and the rims are Araya. Picked it up for 13 bucks. The bike and components are in great shape. Any ideas on the value of the bike. The frame must be near a 61, but I wouldnt mind finding a frame in my size and swap the Dura Ace onto that.

I hate to break your bubble. You might want to check with the local police dept. and see if it was reported stolen...

Originally posted by nikos
I just picked up a Univega Super Strata, didnt look like much from a distance. I got up to it and noticed that it was equipped with full DURA ACE components. Cranks, brakes, derailers, headset, toeclips, seatpost and stem - all Dura Ace. Hubs are labeled shimano and the rims are Araya. Picked it up for 13 bucks. The bike and components are in great shape. Any ideas on the value of the bike. The frame must be near a 61, but I wouldnt mind finding a frame in my size and swap the Dura Ace onto that. It really depends on how many speeds it's got in the back.DA goes back a long ways,and the really old is just that.OLD bike stuff.8 or 9 speed may be worth the trouble, but that likely is not the case.

It still says Dura Ace on it. If it was the original one, its nice to have to look at it.

I will check into it being ripped off. However, it looks dusty and the last city sticker is from 1995. Ill check the speeds.

Its got six on the back cassette, well if anything it would make a nice bike to get a buddy into the sport. Question about the cranks, it looks like a real wide connection of the peddle spindle to the crank, never seen that before?

Yep,

Shimano used an oversized pedal spindle for a while back in the 80's. It never caught on (obviously) and the crank arms had a reputation for cracking around the bolt hole.

Vintage shimano does have value but, like anything collectible, only if you can find the right buyer. Better to keep it.

BTW- I ride a 61 and I would love to get a bike for Christmas :-)

Well, it was fun to find. I still cant believe how nice the shape of components are. Its as light as my Bianchi Talladega with Ultegra. So are the cranks forever married to these toe clip pedals? Or can a clipless be found to fit? Ill also make a call to check on if the bike was ripped off, but after cleaning all the dust off and noticing the dry rot on the tires, Im thinking it was in the basement for a few years at least, before it made its way to Goodwill.

It is always cool to have vintage stuff around. I actually have quite a bit on display in the store.

That should have a freewheel hub and if so it can be turned into a fixed gear by merely removing the deraileurs and the rear rears and spin on a fixed sprocket.

I think I have a vintage bike at my shop. It has the original, i think, 1984 600 components. Engraved gruppo. Ambrosio rims. I want that bike! $60. I think I'll buy it.

Sounds like a super-great find.


Nikos lives in Madison, Wisconsin - one of the flatest places on the face of the Earth. 12 speeds is all he (or his friend - the bike recipient) needs.

Nice hunting, Nikos!

Originally posted by 1oldRoadie
That should have a freewheel hub and if so it can be turned into a fixed gear by merely removing the deraileurs and the rear rears and spin on a fixed sprocket. There were 6 speed cassettes too.

Well, its going to my friends house, Im 5'10 and this is a 61. He's 6'3 - should this be a good size for him - or is it to much?

Originally posted by nikos
Well, its going to my friends house, Im 5'10 and this is a 61. He's 6'3 - should this be a good size for him - or is it to much? Depends on how much height he has in his legs.It's free,and cost nothing to try.

Originally posted by mike
Sounds like a super-great find.


Nikos lives in Madison, Wisconsin - one of the flatest places on the face of the Earth. 12 speeds is all he (or his friend - the bike recipient) needs.

Nice hunting, Nikos! 6 speeds is enough even where it isn't flat,That wasn't the point or an answer to the question of what it's worth.

Hes got long legs, long arms. With the cranks having that special wide spindle, will these be the only pedals that will fit - or is there some type of adapter that will allow for regular sized spindles.

Shimano made an adapter that allowed regular pedals to be used with their funky cranks. Not sure where you can find them but surely someone out there deals in vintage parts.

Originally posted by nikos
Hes got long legs, long arms. With the cranks having that special wide spindle, will these be the only pedals that will fit - or is there some type of adapter that will allow for regular sized spindles. The bike is probalby worth a crank and BB switch if required, if the whole thing is otherwise usable.Does not have to be expensive.Plenty of good used stuff around too.

Cranks are stamped 170 on the back. Whoever had the bike prior kept it in great running shape. No dirt in any of the tight areas, a very clean bike - outside of some chain slap, its really nice. Its hard to believe its worth nothing! I would be extremely happy if it were my size, this thing is really like - considering its a steel frame.

Originally posted by nikos
Cranks are stamped 170 on the back. Whoever had the bike prior kept it in great running shape. No dirt in any of the tight areas, a very clean bike - outside of some chain slap, its really nice. Its hard to believe its worth nothing! I would be extremely happy if it were my size, this thing is really like - considering its a steel frame. the 170 is the crank arm length.No one said it was worth nothing.Put it in context!!!Some Japaneese bikes of that vintage were pretty good.Some were made with good Columbus tubing and others with top of the line Japaneese tubsets. Some were full DA and some were full Campy Record.To the right person it may have signifcant value,if it fits and fills a need.Then there is current market value and what it would fetch on ebay, or ay other marketplace in compettition with what people are looking for in the current 9 and 10 speed market.Context! It's a decent old 6 speed bike,and there were lots worse.

Originally posted by nikos
- considering its a steel frame. Steel was state of the art back then.There are still many old steel frames that command a premium not only as collectable,but for their workmannship and ride qualities.Many of the Ti, Al, and CF crowd just don't get it though.

I'll give you $50 for it- plus $35 for shipping. ($85 total.)

Actually on Thursday, Im taking to a lbs - the owner collects vintage bikes. He thought it might has some trade in value. So Im gonna see what he offers. Otherwise the more I look at it, the more I might just hold on to it and store it for 50 yrs - then see what its worth:beer:

Shot of the cranks

headset

rear derailer

brakes

Can I see a frame shot. I like those parts!! I'd buy it.

That is some man's treasure!!! Please...Find out who, there is a story there.

And don't you dare swap it for a $50 discount on bar tape!!!!

The parts look mint aswell

Great find! I would not advise trading it in on one or two modern era parts. If having a vintage bike in front of you in good shape means anything then keep it. I have a complete original shimaNO 600 gruppo and although it only has a $175 value I am still keeping it around. It is in flawless shape including the pie plate.

That bike is so pretty, I would put a picture frame around it and mount it on my wall.

frame

Originally posted by pokey
Steel was state of the art back then.There are still many old steel frames that command a premium not only as collectable,but for their workmannship and ride qualities.Many of the Ti, Al, and CF crowd just don't get it though.

Many people seem to discount steel because it's not the latest and greatest and have never bothered to take the time to seek out a quality steel frame and ride it. Of course this extends to the manufacturers too as there's less and less available steel frames than there were just a decade ago.

I have always liked the ride of steel. Although I recently moved to CF for both my MTB and RB, I still value a nice steel frame. However, material alone does not a bike make.

I'm on the fence with Ti... I like 6/4 Ti but 3/2.5 doesn't really do it for me. I really haven't found an Al frame I would want to ride for an extended period of time but maybe that's because there are so many out there and I just haven't hit upon one. I've liked most CF and high-end steel frames I've ridden. Actually, across the board, it seems that steel has a higher quality spectrum (from low-end to high-end) than any other material. Perhaps this is because it's such a mature technology? IME, it's harder to go wrong with steel. And I agree... you just can't beat some of the detailing and workmanship people have put into steel frames (especially the lugs and dropouts).

Originally posted by nikos
frame

Wow! That is a large frame (I know you said it was a 61)... 'course I ride a 48. |8^) Seems like a long way to the downtube shifters. Very nice looking. If I had found it for that price, I'd have bought it too. Even if I couldn't ride it myself, perhaps I could use it as a loaner bike for people who could.

I love my older road bike. Columbus SLX tubing.

Maybe, its a 63? Ill have to measure it out, I thought it was a 61, but its large.

Originally posted by khuon

Even if I couldn't ride it myself, perhaps I could use it as a loaner bike for people who could. Yeah,better to recycle em than to let em rot.I found a similar thrift store deal on a mint older all Campy N Record bike that was a bit big for me.Sold all the parts to someone looking to rebuild a classic. Rebuilt it with more modern stuff and gave it to someone that needed a nice ride.Everybody won.

Looks more like a 63 or 64. What rims does it have? I'm assuming it has tubulars?
FWIW, the components (if they are not worn out) are worth more than you paid for the whole bike.

Araya rims, components are in excellent shape, not even dirt build up - I paid 12.99 for the Univega. I would have to say Ive been lucky with Goodwill finds, I use my Schwinn Voyager for commuting and my Giant Perigee for my indoor trainer. Combined 15 dollars for the two. Problem is finding room to store them.

Originally posted by Precision Pedal
It is always cool to have vintage stuff around. I actually have quite a bit on display in the store.
put it on display !!!:mad: :mad: :mad: wash your mouth out with soap !!!!! it needs to be used. plenty of time for display when its worn out ! that bike looks like a real gem, like a mature but still beutiful woman, it would be a crime not to ride her( the bike that is;) )

Nikos,

Univega (originally known as Italvega) were italian frames
(later japanese frames) imported by Ben Lawee made by
various framemakers, painted, decaled and marketed primarily
in the U.S. The Italvega's and early Univegas were very
high quality. The top of the line bikes were decked out in
Dura Ace hardware (as is yours). From the look of the
Rear derailleur and Headset I'd say you have an early
Dura Ace gruppo on it (and in MINT condition). I've never
seen that particular Knurled headset lockring before and the
RD has no black paint etc.
HOLD ON TO IT.
It is worth way more than the 12.99 you paid for it.

Hope this helps.
Marty

Originally posted by nikos
I would have to say Ive been lucky with Goodwill finds.

That is definitally an understatement! (I think I might have too start dropping in to the local Goodwills around here). ;)

Just got back from the lbs that seems to collect vintage bikes. The owner has a warehouse full of old bikes. Anyways the owner would give me a trade in value of $200 on the Univega. Cant really get to much in merchandise in a lbs for that amount, but tempting...

Originally posted by lotek
Nikos,

Univega (originally known as Italvega) were italian frames
(later japanese frames) imported by Ben Lawee made by
various framemakers, painted, decaled and marketed primarily
in the U.S. The Italvega's and early Univegas were very
high quality. The top of the line bikes were decked out in
Dura Ace hardware (as is yours). From the look of the
Rear derailleur and Headset I'd say you have an early
Dura Ace gruppo on it (and in MINT condition). I've never
seen that particular Knurled headset lockring before and the
RD has no black paint etc.
HOLD ON TO IT.
It is worth way more than the 12.99 you paid for it.

Hope this helps.
Marty

My 1986 Shimano 600 Headset that I used to have on my Concord (before I broke it) had that same Knurled headset on it. They weren't popular but they did exist.

Originally posted by nikos
Just got back from the lbs that seems to collect vintage bikes. The owner has a warehouse full of old bikes. Anyways the owner would give me a trade in value of $200 on the Univega. Cant really get to much in merchandise in a lbs for that amount, but tempting...

IMHO, if you can't use the bike and can't find anyone else either then I'd sell it to the bikeshop who probably could find someone. We all know that a bike left unridden is just that much useless metal. If somehow a new owner can be found for it that will ride it and you get a return of $177 on your investment plus the LBS gets supported (they'll probably sell it for a slight markup of course) then everyone wins.

I finally found the write-up about the old Shimano stuff (in Rivendell Reader #21). Those cranks with the oversize holes are from the late 1970's. Hang on to that bike. Or send it to me as a late Christmas present :-)