Road Cycling - Univega quality/ LBS sales men

When ever I go to one of the lbs I tel them I am looking for a roadbike they, ask if I have seen any I like. When I tell them I am interested in a Univega ( I know last year was their last model year, but I think some of the raleigh dealers can still get them.)
The shop guys tell me that they werent good bikes. I however was under the impression that a colombus thron frame though heavy was descent and I know the campy veloce is not high end but it is a good quality Gruppo. So besides the question were univegas quality, specifically the modo vincere. Are lbs employees like car dealers trying to sell only the lines they carry? Because, they often try to sell me on a lower quality bike that they stock. Has any body else had these experiences??

Yes and no. Some LBS guys will simply try to sell out old stock, particularly at this time of year. They don't sell on consignment, so they have a lot of inventory to turn over... and if they can move an old model bike before the new models come in, they'll be thrilled.

On the other hand, this empowers the buyer. You can probably haggle down the sticker price by a third, since the old stock has already passed into the loss column.

Univegas were actually pretty good bikes. Thron is basically what Columbus Brain was a few years ago -- it's heavish, but gives a decent ride. A 54 cm Thron frame built up with Campy Daytona will probably weigh around 21-23 lbs. It's not a superlight, but it'll be a decent ride. If you're looking that way, I'd suggest that you look at the Modo Volare -- full Daytona, CF fork, same frame -- and see if he'll give it to you at the same price as the Vincere.

But remember -- ONLY BUY THE BIKE IF IT FITS AND TAKE IT FOR A TEST RIDE BEFORE YOU BUY. If the LBS won't let you test ride, go to another one.

Univegas were good bikes, but that was, what, 10 years ago?
Mongese were good bikes, but now you can get one for $79 at Wal-Mart.
Schwinns were good bikes, but who knows what they will be like now?
Raleighs were once good bikes, and some still are, but a lot of them aren't anymore.
Conclusion: Brand names mean nothing anymore. Once a company makes a name for itself, and the comany gets purchased, the next owner will pimp the brand name for all it's worth, run it into the ground, then throw it away. That's business!

In all fairness D*Alex, I test-rode a Univega Modo Volare last year. It was a good bike. The frame was obviously contracted out to an anonymous Taiwanese frame company, but it was Columbus Thron tubing with decent welds and no visible defects. The ride quality was actually just this side of outstanding. The component spec was excellent for the price and the actually build was top-flite [it was at a rather good shop]. I didn't care for the paint job, but the paint quality seemed pretty good. Not only was this a good bike, it was an excellent bike for the price [about $1600 Canadian].

I have a riding buddy, who bought a UniVega last year, and he loves it.
As with all bike purchases, if it fits your price range, and you like it. It's a good bike.

:)

Most important... have fun in a great sport.