The Unofficial Univega Appreciation Thread!
03-23-12, 01:28 PM
#553
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here's mine, first road bike!
I just got it yesterday so I'll be doing some changes to it soon!
I just got it yesterday so I'll be doing some changes to it soon!
03-23-12, 06:24 PM
#554
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Valencia, Ca
Posts: 116
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[Update September 2011]:
I finally finished the restoration of the bike - didn't need much actually, besides a new BB, handlebar covering & brake hoods, tires; tubes; & cloth. Also replaced a few items (see below). Anyway, the bike rides like a %$#**!ing dream! It's like riding a on a magic carpet - quiet, the best shifting I can remember, nimble and comfy, brakes work perfectly with no squeal, and looks, in my opinion, pretty doggone good in sliver, silver, and brown!
And I'm sold again on a standard-5 freewheel after shifting with this. Lots of space for the chain, and sturdy, quiet shifts (granted it's a 14-28 at present!).
[Edited older posts]:
For the sake of velo-documentation (and pride) I'll add some information here on the 1983 Gran Turismo I bought recently.
I paid $300 for it, and it looks like it's been ridden maybe a hundred miles the year it was new and then stored in a barn ever since (last few years a bike shop attic - the bike shop proprietor said his parents bought it way back from the original owner and then never rode it).
Straight out of a time machine from 1983 (the apex of bicycle quality, art, and design) comes this beauty of a bike almost as new!
The serial number is "L334521".
Looking at the 1983 & 84 Miyata catalogs and what people elsewhere have posted here & there about this Univega model, it looks like the addition of lowrider mounts was part of the 1984 model year for Miyata and, at least on Univega, is found rarely on some, I assume late year production, 1983 models.
See below on brakes for more hints on the production era of this bike - it's *very* late '83, and helps explain why some '83s had the lowrider mounts and others didn't. Also why it resembles the 84 Miyatas (per their 84 catalog) more than their 83s.
The tube sticker on the seat tube says 'CHROMOLY DOUBLE BUTTED frame tubes chromoly fork and stays'
Dropouts are decent quality forged, no name on them, no 'adjuster screws' on rear (though it did have those two 'keep the axle 1cm from the back' screw-ins, whatever they're called).
There's a sticker of the dealer: Gregg's Greenlake Cycle, Woodward Ave., Seattle"
To add clarity or confusion to a few posts here and there, mine has braze-ons for:
- Front lowrider.
- Rear rack (inner side of seat stays).
- Down tube shift lever stop.
- Top tube cable guides (top of tube).
- Chain hanger.
- That Univega/Miyata 'loop' chain slap protector.
- Cantilevers and rear cable hanger *(of course).
It's also got eyelets:
- Two sets front dropouts
- One set rear (the only thing that's 'off' in the design of this bike! - I notice that Miyata apparently didn't make or buy double eyelet rear dropouts at the time - pretty odd since this is a very basic need on any touring or commuting frame and they thought of everything else!)
- One bottle mount top side down tube; one set seat tube (two total).
- Threaded fender mounts on rear 'brake bridge' and chainstay bridge (this is a nice detail!)
- There's also a nice recessed-style through the crown nut & both to mount the front fender.
And, a great idea, the dropout, rack mount, and some fender mounts use M6 pitch threads, rather than the M5 (smaller) ones standard on most bikes: more thread for more grip and less change of thread damage if something goes wrong.
The lug-work is great, with nice even brazing and very few edges less than soft - not as smooth maybe as some super hand built job where the builder (or finisher) spent many hours filing & sanding, but pretty nice even for a Japanese production frame.
It's got the originally included 'Blackburn-like' rack (with integral rear reflector mount, marked "Made in Japan"), as well as front & rear and wheel and pedal reflectors.
It's also got some accessories I like to imagine were added at time of sale to put it into perfection - Esge "Chromoplast" fenders, two specialized aluminum bottle cages (one heavier gauge than the other; else identical), an ALE top tube pump end mount (the pump sadly missing), and, on the fork ends, two bungee hooks that were probably from a Cannondale handlebar bag (also missing; but I like to think it was a silver 'Trestle').
There are (were) also Spenco foam grips and brake hood pads. These, like the seat and part of the brake gum hoods, were chewed by squirrels, apparently, over the years. Of course, there are some who would delight in that 'look'!
The pedals have Christophe special clips and Lapize straps in good shape.
The component parts are thus:
- SunTour Mountech f&r derailleurs (ZH date codes), SunTour down tube shifters
- the parts of the derailleur cables that are housed have the SunTour 'coiled metal' housings
- Sugino GT crankset (28, 48, 52!)
- Crank bolt covers chromed plastic, marked 'Univega cotterless'
- DID chain, gold
- 14-28 rear freewheel, 5-speed SunTour Pro-Compe gold
- SunTour sealed bearing hubs, 36h f&r
- Araya 27x1.25 rims (will add model later), schrader valve
- Original tires (little wear!), skinwall, marked 'Univega grand touring 90lbs/360gr 27x1 1/4 NYLON BELTED TIRE'
- SunTour aluminum spokeguard
- SR seatpost - the kind with the steel upper swivel parts and a fluted shaft (flutes in gray)
- SR 'custom' stem
- SR 'randnner' randonneur bars (why are there so many weird versions of this word on Japanese bars??)
- Dia Compe 981 cantilever brakes, DC levers with the slide-out release to open the brakes to take the wheels off, DC pads. The cantilevers are dated 1283, so this must've been a /very/ late year production bike and probably sold in spring '84.
- Selle Italia (?) suede 'Avocet-style' seat with "Univega" on the back
- MKS AR-1 single piece body-cage 'sylvan-like' pedals
- headset - Tange Nova (looks like a Levin, but who knows... pretty much only found this name in ref. to Miyata or Univega, occ. Sekai bikes)
- bottom bracket - not sure of make; probably Sugino or Tange; unsealed, black shaft with crank fastening bolts (rather than nuts) and chromed steel mounting rings/cups
It's sparkly dark silver/gray with thin gold lines at the lug edges - with all the silver anodized parts, fenders, etc. it's a beauty all right!
Soon after possession I disassembled it and spent much pleasurable time over the summer cleaning, re-greasing, & polishing /everything/ before reassembly. Also coated the still clean innards with the CRC version of 'boeshield' for longer-term protection.
It's in very new shape; the tires have almost no wear (they're shot of course; old, dried, the 'skin' from the walls cracking off after 28 years), and the braking surfaces are still well-anodized. There are a few small scratches here & there from, I guess, moving around in the barn and having maybe stuff put on top of and next to it. The wheels are true and all bearings feel great (though some dry at first), with the exception of the bottom bracket, which felt a little rough and upon inspection turned out to have a tiny spot of pitting on one cone face, so replaced with the /excellent/ (and $25 and Japanese!) Tange sealed BB from Ben's. The hubs are prob'ly the smoothest and resistance-free I've ever felt new or old, by the way - wow. It seems to have been stored dry, far from the sea.
I've kept it mostly original, but added/replaced with:
- Grab-on maxi grips (which I have loved since the day) with Tressostar tape over. (This was my first attempt at taping over Grab-Ons for better look and durability; I did a little bit of a hatchet job, but not too bad. Used 4 rolls total and used silicone adhesive in some areas for additional durability.)
- Cane Creek brake hoods (what else?).
- Panaracer 27x1.25 tires.
- Swapped the original MKS AR-1 quill pedals for MKS Sylvan touring 'prime', since I like the wider cages (a little shinier seems to be the only difference with that 'prime' addition).
- Added MKS pedal flips (but can't use the reflector on that side anymore with the flips).
- Replaced the 48t chainring with a Sugino 40t.
- Ditched the front & wheel reflectors.
- The BB needed replacement as mentioned; got the excellent Tange LN-3922 sealed; the 127.5 fit about right with the GT crankset, maybe 125'd be a wee bit better.
- Added Sugino Autex bolts for the cranks.
- Replaced with Brooks "Flyer" brown seat; the springed B17 (seat, not saddle dammitt!)
- Replaced the still pristine stock Dia-Compe pads with nice Velo Orange adjustable brake pads (the black, regular compound).
- Crane brass bell.
- Replaced the brake cable housings with some cool translucent silver (reused the still perfect original cables!) from the very-recommended Porkchop BMX folks (the original derailleur cable housings are the wound-stainless SunTours, so also match well).
- Had to replace the original Esge fender struts, as the original installer (see below?) had trimmed them absolutely down to the minimum edge of the bolts for the original 1.125 tires; adding the 1.25s necessitated longer, so found a set of NOS Bluemels that works well. These remain untrimmed!
- I swapped the regular Dia-Compe triangular canti cable hangers with the "wheeled" ones on a similar-era Trek
- replaced most eyelet bolts with new stainless; a few were already thus.
- Will later swap the freewheel for a 13-34 (or maybe just the larger cogs first); I have a few 14-34 1st gen. winners, or maybe a new winner ultra 6 (mine are stored half a continent away, though).
- Added a Velo-Orange "elk leather" chainstay protector (this isn't very good quality, and will probably peel off soon; we'll see).
- I even contacted the original cyclery to confirm they have logo water bottles... I'm guessing that it rolled out of the shop 28 years ago with their bottles in the cages. A later update on that idea: I tried to call them several times but got switched back & forth to people who knew nothing - the same person several times - & in the interim holds listening to corporate propaganda about how huge their several stores are, before being promised an email back but no reply; to say the least it took numerous attempts! Finally had them mail me two of them ($20 shipped, but was going for the match, you see). Unfortunately, while their logo still looks like the one on the frame sticker, they have their website THREE %$**ing times in large print on the bottles! Not historically correct, /dangit/! (No telephone number on them, oddly, which I'd think'd be more useful, after all what idiot can't find a website?)
- Third eye bar-end mirror (don't like this position too much after trying, so will soon replace with original Mirrycle).
- lots of polish!
Still to do:
- Maybe try a behind the seat tube pump fit, Zefal HP silver if I can get one, I suppose.
- Wd. like to get some old US-made Blackburn lowrider & standard front racks too...
- Add some reflectivity - maybe tape on the fenders and some velcro-on wheel reflectors like Rivendell used to have.
This is my first Univega, and first Japanese road bike. I like it.
I added some pictures - first, here immediately after I got the bike - *all original dust is still intact* - and then after all restored and polished here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post13269437)!
I finally finished the restoration of the bike - didn't need much actually, besides a new BB, handlebar covering & brake hoods, tires; tubes; & cloth. Also replaced a few items (see below). Anyway, the bike rides like a %$#**!ing dream! It's like riding a on a magic carpet - quiet, the best shifting I can remember, nimble and comfy, brakes work perfectly with no squeal, and looks, in my opinion, pretty doggone good in sliver, silver, and brown!
And I'm sold again on a standard-5 freewheel after shifting with this. Lots of space for the chain, and sturdy, quiet shifts (granted it's a 14-28 at present!).
[Edited older posts]:
For the sake of velo-documentation (and pride) I'll add some information here on the 1983 Gran Turismo I bought recently.
I paid $300 for it, and it looks like it's been ridden maybe a hundred miles the year it was new and then stored in a barn ever since (last few years a bike shop attic - the bike shop proprietor said his parents bought it way back from the original owner and then never rode it).
Straight out of a time machine from 1983 (the apex of bicycle quality, art, and design) comes this beauty of a bike almost as new!
The serial number is "L334521".
Looking at the 1983 & 84 Miyata catalogs and what people elsewhere have posted here & there about this Univega model, it looks like the addition of lowrider mounts was part of the 1984 model year for Miyata and, at least on Univega, is found rarely on some, I assume late year production, 1983 models.
See below on brakes for more hints on the production era of this bike - it's *very* late '83, and helps explain why some '83s had the lowrider mounts and others didn't. Also why it resembles the 84 Miyatas (per their 84 catalog) more than their 83s.
The tube sticker on the seat tube says 'CHROMOLY DOUBLE BUTTED frame tubes chromoly fork and stays'
Dropouts are decent quality forged, no name on them, no 'adjuster screws' on rear (though it did have those two 'keep the axle 1cm from the back' screw-ins, whatever they're called).
There's a sticker of the dealer: Gregg's Greenlake Cycle, Woodward Ave., Seattle"
To add clarity or confusion to a few posts here and there, mine has braze-ons for:
- Front lowrider.
- Rear rack (inner side of seat stays).
- Down tube shift lever stop.
- Top tube cable guides (top of tube).
- Chain hanger.
- That Univega/Miyata 'loop' chain slap protector.
- Cantilevers and rear cable hanger *(of course).
It's also got eyelets:
- Two sets front dropouts
- One set rear (the only thing that's 'off' in the design of this bike! - I notice that Miyata apparently didn't make or buy double eyelet rear dropouts at the time - pretty odd since this is a very basic need on any touring or commuting frame and they thought of everything else!)
- One bottle mount top side down tube; one set seat tube (two total).
- Threaded fender mounts on rear 'brake bridge' and chainstay bridge (this is a nice detail!)
- There's also a nice recessed-style through the crown nut & both to mount the front fender.
And, a great idea, the dropout, rack mount, and some fender mounts use M6 pitch threads, rather than the M5 (smaller) ones standard on most bikes: more thread for more grip and less change of thread damage if something goes wrong.
The lug-work is great, with nice even brazing and very few edges less than soft - not as smooth maybe as some super hand built job where the builder (or finisher) spent many hours filing & sanding, but pretty nice even for a Japanese production frame.
It's got the originally included 'Blackburn-like' rack (with integral rear reflector mount, marked "Made in Japan"), as well as front & rear and wheel and pedal reflectors.
It's also got some accessories I like to imagine were added at time of sale to put it into perfection - Esge "Chromoplast" fenders, two specialized aluminum bottle cages (one heavier gauge than the other; else identical), an ALE top tube pump end mount (the pump sadly missing), and, on the fork ends, two bungee hooks that were probably from a Cannondale handlebar bag (also missing; but I like to think it was a silver 'Trestle').
There are (were) also Spenco foam grips and brake hood pads. These, like the seat and part of the brake gum hoods, were chewed by squirrels, apparently, over the years. Of course, there are some who would delight in that 'look'!
The pedals have Christophe special clips and Lapize straps in good shape.
The component parts are thus:
- SunTour Mountech f&r derailleurs (ZH date codes), SunTour down tube shifters
- the parts of the derailleur cables that are housed have the SunTour 'coiled metal' housings
- Sugino GT crankset (28, 48, 52!)
- Crank bolt covers chromed plastic, marked 'Univega cotterless'
- DID chain, gold
- 14-28 rear freewheel, 5-speed SunTour Pro-Compe gold
- SunTour sealed bearing hubs, 36h f&r
- Araya 27x1.25 rims (will add model later), schrader valve
- Original tires (little wear!), skinwall, marked 'Univega grand touring 90lbs/360gr 27x1 1/4 NYLON BELTED TIRE'
- SunTour aluminum spokeguard
- SR seatpost - the kind with the steel upper swivel parts and a fluted shaft (flutes in gray)
- SR 'custom' stem
- SR 'randnner' randonneur bars (why are there so many weird versions of this word on Japanese bars??)
- Dia Compe 981 cantilever brakes, DC levers with the slide-out release to open the brakes to take the wheels off, DC pads. The cantilevers are dated 1283, so this must've been a /very/ late year production bike and probably sold in spring '84.
- Selle Italia (?) suede 'Avocet-style' seat with "Univega" on the back
- MKS AR-1 single piece body-cage 'sylvan-like' pedals
- headset - Tange Nova (looks like a Levin, but who knows... pretty much only found this name in ref. to Miyata or Univega, occ. Sekai bikes)
- bottom bracket - not sure of make; probably Sugino or Tange; unsealed, black shaft with crank fastening bolts (rather than nuts) and chromed steel mounting rings/cups
It's sparkly dark silver/gray with thin gold lines at the lug edges - with all the silver anodized parts, fenders, etc. it's a beauty all right!
Soon after possession I disassembled it and spent much pleasurable time over the summer cleaning, re-greasing, & polishing /everything/ before reassembly. Also coated the still clean innards with the CRC version of 'boeshield' for longer-term protection.
It's in very new shape; the tires have almost no wear (they're shot of course; old, dried, the 'skin' from the walls cracking off after 28 years), and the braking surfaces are still well-anodized. There are a few small scratches here & there from, I guess, moving around in the barn and having maybe stuff put on top of and next to it. The wheels are true and all bearings feel great (though some dry at first), with the exception of the bottom bracket, which felt a little rough and upon inspection turned out to have a tiny spot of pitting on one cone face, so replaced with the /excellent/ (and $25 and Japanese!) Tange sealed BB from Ben's. The hubs are prob'ly the smoothest and resistance-free I've ever felt new or old, by the way - wow. It seems to have been stored dry, far from the sea.
I've kept it mostly original, but added/replaced with:
- Grab-on maxi grips (which I have loved since the day) with Tressostar tape over. (This was my first attempt at taping over Grab-Ons for better look and durability; I did a little bit of a hatchet job, but not too bad. Used 4 rolls total and used silicone adhesive in some areas for additional durability.)
- Cane Creek brake hoods (what else?).
- Panaracer 27x1.25 tires.
- Swapped the original MKS AR-1 quill pedals for MKS Sylvan touring 'prime', since I like the wider cages (a little shinier seems to be the only difference with that 'prime' addition).
- Added MKS pedal flips (but can't use the reflector on that side anymore with the flips).
- Replaced the 48t chainring with a Sugino 40t.
- Ditched the front & wheel reflectors.
- The BB needed replacement as mentioned; got the excellent Tange LN-3922 sealed; the 127.5 fit about right with the GT crankset, maybe 125'd be a wee bit better.
- Added Sugino Autex bolts for the cranks.
- Replaced with Brooks "Flyer" brown seat; the springed B17 (seat, not saddle dammitt!)
- Replaced the still pristine stock Dia-Compe pads with nice Velo Orange adjustable brake pads (the black, regular compound).
- Crane brass bell.
- Replaced the brake cable housings with some cool translucent silver (reused the still perfect original cables!) from the very-recommended Porkchop BMX folks (the original derailleur cable housings are the wound-stainless SunTours, so also match well).
- Had to replace the original Esge fender struts, as the original installer (see below?) had trimmed them absolutely down to the minimum edge of the bolts for the original 1.125 tires; adding the 1.25s necessitated longer, so found a set of NOS Bluemels that works well. These remain untrimmed!
- I swapped the regular Dia-Compe triangular canti cable hangers with the "wheeled" ones on a similar-era Trek
- replaced most eyelet bolts with new stainless; a few were already thus.
- Will later swap the freewheel for a 13-34 (or maybe just the larger cogs first); I have a few 14-34 1st gen. winners, or maybe a new winner ultra 6 (mine are stored half a continent away, though).
- Added a Velo-Orange "elk leather" chainstay protector (this isn't very good quality, and will probably peel off soon; we'll see).
- I even contacted the original cyclery to confirm they have logo water bottles... I'm guessing that it rolled out of the shop 28 years ago with their bottles in the cages. A later update on that idea: I tried to call them several times but got switched back & forth to people who knew nothing - the same person several times - & in the interim holds listening to corporate propaganda about how huge their several stores are, before being promised an email back but no reply; to say the least it took numerous attempts! Finally had them mail me two of them ($20 shipped, but was going for the match, you see). Unfortunately, while their logo still looks like the one on the frame sticker, they have their website THREE %$**ing times in large print on the bottles! Not historically correct, /dangit/! (No telephone number on them, oddly, which I'd think'd be more useful, after all what idiot can't find a website?)
- Third eye bar-end mirror (don't like this position too much after trying, so will soon replace with original Mirrycle).
- lots of polish!
Still to do:
- Maybe try a behind the seat tube pump fit, Zefal HP silver if I can get one, I suppose.
- Wd. like to get some old US-made Blackburn lowrider & standard front racks too...
- Add some reflectivity - maybe tape on the fenders and some velcro-on wheel reflectors like Rivendell used to have.
This is my first Univega, and first Japanese road bike. I like it.
I added some pictures - first, here immediately after I got the bike - *all original dust is still intact* - and then after all restored and polished here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post13269437)!
03-23-12, 10:40 PM
#555
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Valencia, Ca
Posts: 116
Bikes: Univega Gran Rally
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are most of everyone's add-ons from Velo Orange? What are similar sites like VO?
oh and slo does anyone know what year my Univega Gran Rally is, the serial is NI29602
oh and slo does anyone know what year my Univega Gran Rally is, the serial is NI29602
03-24-12, 01:17 AM
#556
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 106
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Roubaix elite, 2009 Specialized Allez, 1993 Marin Limited edition, Giant Allegre, 1999 Cannondale T700, Bianchi campione del monde, 1993 Trek 2300
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Cool! i was looking for the 'Post your vintage MTB' thread but this one popped up sooner.
What do you guys think? Its a Univega Alpina Comp with double butted steel and tapered tubing with an awesome deep red to dark orange to deep red paint job.
Specs are
7 speed deore lx thumb shifters with same era Crank with red chainrings
and some recent deore lx derailer.
avid brake levers
Deore LX canti brake in front, with an avid v brake in the back
Wheelset is not that great but they go fast enough with the smooth tires. The front tire is narrower by about 5 mm.
also, Bar tape!
and yes, those are spd sl pedals. I just cant get used to platforms. I feel like im losing so much control over the bike.
What do you guys think? Its a Univega Alpina Comp with double butted steel and tapered tubing with an awesome deep red to dark orange to deep red paint job.
Specs are
7 speed deore lx thumb shifters with same era Crank with red chainrings
and some recent deore lx derailer.
avid brake levers
Deore LX canti brake in front, with an avid v brake in the back
Wheelset is not that great but they go fast enough with the smooth tires. The front tire is narrower by about 5 mm.
also, Bar tape!
and yes, those are spd sl pedals. I just cant get used to platforms. I feel like im losing so much control over the bike.
Last edited by doggy; 03-24-12 at 01:23 AM.
03-24-12, 11:21 PM
#557
deleteme
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: PNW lifer
Posts: 582
Bikes: deleteme
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Nouvotech 450 back from the dead. Now with shiny new VO 48-34 cranks.
Odd ball Alu main and cro-mo rear triangle.
Odd ball Alu main and cro-mo rear triangle.
04-03-12, 10:37 AM
#559
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 23
Bikes: 2011 Focus Mares AX 2, 1996 Univega Rover 304
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Here are some pictures of my neglected 1996 Univega Rover 304 Mountain Bike.
I posted the story about this bike on my blog if you're interested you can check it out here:
https://ridereportrepeat.wordpress.co...ld-and-busted/
I posted the story about this bike on my blog if you're interested you can check it out here:
https://ridereportrepeat.wordpress.co...ld-and-busted/
Last edited by broodwich; 04-03-12 at 10:42 AM.
04-03-12, 10:53 AM
#560
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
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Just catching up here. TimmyT, what do you use the bike for?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
04-05-12, 04:41 PM
#561
I'm one of the freaks.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Lake Superior country, Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Periodically leaves/returns to Alaska for good.
Posts: 122
Bikes: Woodrup: '85 Giro Touring & '16 custom touring. Stanforth: '17 Kibo & '19 Skyelander. '93 Longstaff trike. Trek: '84 830 & '89 420. '83 cannondale ST-500. Stumpjumpers: '82 tig'd, '82 lug'd, '84. '83 Univega Gran Turismo. etc.
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04-05-12, 06:03 PM
#562
Keener splendor
noglider,
Right now, I'm using it for commuting. It's a great bike: it rides smooth, and it's comfortable. I did my first century with rhm on it a week and a half ago. It has replaced my other bikes as my go-to bike.
I will likely do a longish (~2 week) tour on it later this summer.
Right now, I'm using it for commuting. It's a great bike: it rides smooth, and it's comfortable. I did my first century with rhm on it a week and a half ago. It has replaced my other bikes as my go-to bike.
I will likely do a longish (~2 week) tour on it later this summer.
04-05-12, 11:55 PM
#563
Senior Member
All,
Spoke to soon about the decals for a Univega Specialissma. I found them rather easily at https://www.velocals.com/servlet/the-433/1984-Univega-Specialissma/Detail The tubing decal is wrong, but they have the correct one at another location on the same site.
Rob
Spoke to soon about the decals for a Univega Specialissma. I found them rather easily at https://www.velocals.com/servlet/the-433/1984-Univega-Specialissma/Detail The tubing decal is wrong, but they have the correct one at another location on the same site.
Rob
05-02-12, 06:45 PM
#564
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Webster, Ma
Posts: 20
Bikes: Trek Mamba 29er, Univega Sportour, Univega Nuovo Sport
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I picked this up recently. I need to replace the crank arms since the previous owner completely stripped them out. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to get and where to get it?
05-02-12, 06:59 PM
#565
Oldie
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05-02-12, 07:45 PM
#566
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Webster, Ma
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05-02-12, 08:16 PM
#567
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https://vintagemiyatabicycles.blogspo...l-numbers.html
05-02-12, 09:31 PM
#568
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06-01-12, 08:32 PM
#569
joel52
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My new (to me) Viva Sport!. Cost me a cool $20. J500027 serial, I assume puts it as an '81, feel free to correct if needed.
Working on the seat thing.
Working on the seat thing.
06-02-12, 05:48 AM
#570
Bianchi Goddess
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Nice looking Univega. Was the size stamped on that post? Personally I would not worry about that one, you might find a used one like it in a shop somewhere but just getting the parts could be tough. IIRC they are a pain in the bum to put togather. Just get a nice Kalloy.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
06-02-12, 05:53 AM
#571
Bianchi Goddess
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Sorry I missed this it is a great looking bike. I can't tell if the decals are still there but Univega called this Columbus MAX inspired (aka copied) design "BIAxial Power Oval" and if it is anything like MAX should eb a great rider. The funky bend in the chainstays was called "MAX MudRoom" and was intended to keep mud and debris from getting trapped in that area.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
06-02-12, 03:03 PM
#572
joel52
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Nice looking Univega. Was the size stamped on that post? Personally I would not worry about that one, you might find a used one like it in a shop somewhere but just getting the parts could be tough. IIRC they are a pain in the bum to put togather. Just get a nice Kalloy.
Yes, it's 26.6. I mentioned over in my seat post thread that a shop did put hardware on the post for ~$5. Good enough for now for me to get riding and make some decisions about the bike.
It is a little large for me, but guy at the shop was kind of a jerk. Him: "who's that bike for, not you?", "Not a little big for you, way too big for you", "You need to get a different bike". Me: Thanks, I'd really like to get a seat on it try it out.
I'm a bit confused on the whole fit thing, but seat is same height as on my other properly fit bike-- at 1" above the lowest position--, top of the handlebar is same height as my other bike, reach to pedals is great, everything seems great except that the top tube is a bit snug while standing over. So happy enough with it for now.
Probably not doing anything else about the seat post for now. Front hub overhaul tonight, rear to follow if all goes well. Then attempting the rest of the overhaul myself. I'm just a little bit too excited about all this.
So thank you Unofficial Univega Appreciation Thread!
06-02-12, 04:28 PM
#573
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I am not sure what your other bike is but ona classic horizontal toptube bike like this you definitely don't want to be crowded by the toptube. You should be able to stand over a bike like this with about an inch of space between you and the frame.
Glad to hear you atleast got the seatpost figured out.
Glad to hear you atleast got the seatpost figured out.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
06-02-12, 10:58 PM
#574
Senior Member
joel52Join DateApr 2012Posts38
Originally Posted by Bianchigirll 
Nice looking Univega. Was the size stamped on that post? Personally I would not worry about that one, you might find a used one like it in a shop somewhere but just getting the parts could be tough. IIRC they are a pain in the bum to put togather. Just get a nice Kalloy.
Yes, it's 26.6. I mentioned over in my seat post thread that a shop did put hardware on the post for ~$5. Good enough for now for me to get riding and make some decisions about the bike.
It is a little large for me, but guy at the shop was kind of a jerk. Him: "who's that bike for, not you?", "Not a little big for you, way too big for you", "You need to get a different bike". Me: Thanks, I'd really like to get a seat on it try it out.
I'm a bit confused on the whole fit thing, but seat is same height as on my other properly fit bike-- at 1" above the lowest position--, top of the handlebar is same height as my other bike, reach to pedals is great, everything seems great except that the top tube is a bit snug while standing over. So happy enough with it for now.
Probably not doing anything else about the seat post for now. Front hub overhaul tonight, rear to follow if all goes well. Then attempting the rest of the overhaul myself. I'm just a little bit too excited about all this.
So thank you Unofficial Univega Appreciation Thread!
What a beauty! I love the gold on gold. If your not worried about crunching your genitals I would keep it, otherwise sell it and make an easy $100 or more profit.
Last edited by acoffin; 06-02-12 at 11:03 PM. Reason: wanted to add quote
06-03-12, 12:11 AM
#575
joel52
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I would rate that as only a minor concern. May go to 700s from the 27"ers to buy another 4 mm of clearance.
Thought has crossed my mind but I'm already somewhat attached. Just overhauled the front hub, next going to work my way through the whole overhaul myself (except for truing, I'll leave that at least to the shop). If I do end up selling it'll be post overhaul, and after tallying my own labor, for nothing remotely profitable.
Thought has crossed my mind but I'm already somewhat attached. Just overhauled the front hub, next going to work my way through the whole overhaul myself (except for truing, I'll leave that at least to the shop). If I do end up selling it'll be post overhaul, and after tallying my own labor, for nothing remotely profitable.