Evoracer

Just picked up a $50 Craigslist buy - Late 80's Univega 'Grantech 6400' with full Ultegra 600. Striking part of it is, other than it appears completely original, that the frame is exactly like the Raleigh Technium alum-cromo bike that I had recently sold. I thought that particular Raleigh was a Boeing inspired design made in Washington state. Anyone know of some history?

For whatever reason, this is my 3rd Univega. It handles like an ocean liner but is smooth and guessing good for the long haul.

T-Mar

The hybrid material Univega that I've seen were made by Miyata. Post the serial number and/or a pic of the seat stay cluster and I'll tell you for sure.

Evoracer

Commuted with it today, alas no camera. Serial Number M8A 48818

T-Mar

It is not a Miyata built frame. Based on the serial number, it should be a 1988 model manufactured by Merida in Taiwan. It is noteworthy that Merida was a major supplier to Raleigh, so that would seem to explain the resemblance. However, my understanding was that the Raleigh Technium models were manufactured in the USA. Hmmm.

Evoracer

Thanks T-Mar. I'll post some pics of the two for comparison later.

T-Mar

Well, the Taiwanese versus US manufacturing was bugging me, so I went back though some old circa 1988 magazines. I found a road test for a steel/aluminum Univega Nuovtech 450, and the article says it was made in Taiwan. An srticle on a Raleigh Technium states it was made in Kent, Washington.

Examination of the seat clusters on these two models display some majors differences:

1. The Technium routes the rear brake internally via a port in the lug, while the Univega does not.
2. The Techium attaches the seat stays to the lug using the seat post cinch bolt, while the Univega uses a separate lug pratrusion and bolt to fasten the seat stays.
3. The Techium has a noticeable collar where the lug joins the tube, while the Univega has a noticeable seam, but no collar.

Of course, there could be some differences, depending on the exact model, but for economical reasons, manufacturers genrally used the same lugs throughout the range when it was a new technology.

Evoracer

Ok, my Univega does not route the rear brake cable internally as mentioned. However, my Raleigh did not attach the seat stays as you describe. Interesting. Ok not up to speed on the whole pic hosting thing so look here for the Raleigh.

T-Mar

That seat cluster is different than the Technium's I've seen. Perhaps it's a later model? What's the serial number? That should tell you if they were made by the same company.

Evoracer

Naw, that bike was recently sold. It did have a reference to being made in Washington on the seat tube by the bb. That's all the info that I have.