Classic & Vintage - Univega Information

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roger trout
08-12-03, 05:55 AM
Do any of you have any information about a Univega Supra Sport?

I recently found one worth the money, but have not been able to find any history, the Univega site is not in English.

If anyone knows anything about the bike, I would appreciate your input.

ParamountScapin
08-12-03, 06:15 AM
Try www.captainbike.com This Sheldon Brown's website and he lists info on Univega. If you can't find, send him an e-mail. He is very good at answering questions.

Some recent info is that the Raleigh and Univega names were purchased by a Japanese marketing company (along with another, more obscure Japanese brand I don't recall at this time - were also made in Canada on an Indian reservation for a while). Now all these bikes are made only with the Raleigh name by contract manufacturers in the two Chinas. Decent bikes at reasonable prices, but not what they used to be. Especially Raleigh. The price of progress, I guess.
Dave Stohler
08-12-03, 11:48 AM
Univega ceased to exist as a brand about 3 years ago. Did the name get revived?

lotek
08-12-03, 01:33 PM
I'm not sure about the name ceasing to exist but
prior to being Univega they were Italvega frames.
I seem to recall they were a market concept from someone
here in the U.S. The frames were made in house by a
framebuilder like Torelli etc. and decaled as Italvega here
in the U.S.
I need to check up on this but thats my recollection.

Marty
lotek
08-12-03, 01:51 PM
Okay, here's what I ferreted out from CR list.

Italvega was imported by Ben Lawee, they were
built by Torresini in Italy (many of them have Torresini
decal on chainstay).
Later Lawee began importing from Japan and renamed
the bike Univega. Most of what I can find indicates that
the japanese bikes were manufactured by Miyata

Marty
Walter
08-12-03, 02:03 PM
I own a modern Univega ca. 1999. Bought it when I got back into riding seriously and my retro project was on hold. Mine came from the same company that has the Raleigh name, Derby Cycles. In 2000 or 01 they stopped the Univega line and the Columbus TIG welded frames with Campy components became Raleighs with some of the old model names resurrected. Not sure if Derby is Japanese as my Univega has a "made in America" sticker on the seattube.

Prior to Derby holding the name Univega was Japanese and I don't know anything different from what Lotek has said. I think the name is still alive in Europe, German mtn bikes or something or the other.