Classic & Vintage - Univega Gran Premio- how old am I?

I searched the forum already, and didn't see anything that sounded like my newly acquired bike so...

I recently picked up a Univega Gran Premio for cheap. Mostly 'cause I have a Japanese steel fetish (caused by my Miyata 914), and because the components are in good enough shape that I figure I could recoup my $35 on ebay if nothing else.

I'll post pics later, when I remember to take my camera home, but it's a black/blue spatter paint job, Exage 500EX componenents, Araya rims. Chainrings are 53-42, and I need to check to see what the cassette range is.

Can anybody date my new find? How will it compare to my Miyata? (I know Miyata made a lot of Univega's bikes in the past). T-Mar? Anybody?

Thanks

500EX places it in the early 1990s. If you post the serial number and it indicates a Miyata manufactured frame, I can narrow it down.

Your 914 is from the same era, but without knowing the model year/components, I can't make a definitive statement. The components could be anywhere from one to three steps above the Gran Premio. The frame material is also probably better. The Miyata probably cost about $100 more.

500EX places it in the early 1990s. If you post the serial number and it indicates a Miyata manufactured frame, I can narrow it down.

Your 914 is from the same era, but without knowing the model year/components, I can't make a definitive statement. The components could be anywhere from one to three steps above the Gran Premio. The frame material is also probably better. The Miyata probably cost about $100 more.


T-Mar, you are as always, a gentleman and a scholar. The SN looks like MOB 43467. The O looks suspect though, kind of like a backwards C. I think it's just worn. The 914 I mentioned is a 1990 with STB tubing and RX100. At least that's what you told me ;) I believe the Miyata is a better frame. Feels better to me at least.

Here's a pic: the flat bars are my own addition, helps me navigate campus traffic better.

The serial number would indicate that it is NOT a Miyata manufactured frame. However, the format is fairly common, with the second character being a number that represents the year and the third caharacter being a letter that represents the month or fortnight. Assuming this, the frame would have been manufactured very early in 1990 and should be a 1990 model.

A quick look at some of my literature indicates that Univaga did have a 1990 Gran Premio equipped with 500EX that sold for $480-$530 US. The frame material is not listed.

By comparison, your Miyata 914 sold for $580 US. The RX100 components are one step higher up than 500EX. Even though I do not know the tubeset on the GP, it is likely Tange or Ishiwata, which in my opion did not have a tubeset to match Miyata's surperb Spline Triple Butted tubeset. I'd consider the Miyata one notch above the Univega.

Thanks for the info T-Mar! How exactly did you become the expert on all things Japanese?

Agree with you on the tubing, just based on the last week or so of riding... the 914 feels much more racy, light, while somehow smoother than the Tange on the Univega. Whatever the case, the Uni will make a nice fixed conversion. Thanks again.

jb