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-   -   The Unofficial Univega Appreciation Thread! (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/374185-unofficial-univega-appreciation-thread.html)

Brian Lucas 01-02-14 08:09 PM

12 Attachment(s)
Just got this bike 2 days ago. the guy wanted $300 talked him down to $220.Its very clean and no (major) rust. Then saw the sticker that says its from Olympic cycles in diamond bar California. don't know any back story on it guy said he was selling it for his friend and didn't know any thing about the bike, the derailers,brake levers, hubs are all shimano rx100. the brakes are shimano 105s and will be changed back to cantilevers a.s.a.phttp://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=357708
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Cougrrcj 01-13-14 10:40 AM


Originally Posted by Brian Lucas (Post 16377447)
Just got this bike 2 days ago. the guy wanted $300 talked him down to $220.Its very clean and no (major) rust. Then saw the sticker that says its from Olympic cycles in diamond bar California. don't know any back story on it guy said he was selling it for his friend and didn't know any thing about the bike, the derailers,brake levers, hubs are all shimano rx100. the brakes are shimano 105s and will be changed back to cantilevers a.s.a.p

^^^ That one ^^^ looks to be from the early '80s. It will likely have a Miyata serial since they built most of the Univega frames back then. A quick check of the serial number should tell you the year of manufacture. The first digit (actually a letter) corresponds to the model year. I'm basing my 'early 80s' guess on the fact that the downtube shifters use a clamp, as opposed to either the top-mount single stud or dual-braze-on studs of later years - unless it originally had bar-end shifters ;) . That, and the rear brake cable guides on the toptube.

Someone obviously replace the original cantilever brakes for the 105 side-pulls. I say that because in the one pic I can see the rear brake cable stop, and it looks like there might be cantilever bosses on the seat stays and front of the fork tubes...

Wheels look like replacements as well, since early 80s would probably have used 27" wheels.

Standalone 01-13-14 10:47 AM

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...e/DSC06464.jpg

To

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...e/DSC07493.jpg

Found the bike in the trash. :) Had fun repainting it for my sister. It wound up being tall for her, but my father rides it all over his neighborhood.

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...h_DSC07501.jpg

frantik 02-02-14 09:00 AM

1984 Gran Rally with all Shimano 600 EX

http://imageshack.com/a/img37/8676/t3k3.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img827/8680/ycr2.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img819/6928/ehmj.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img690/5055/kp9d.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img691/1764/ywou.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img513/5323/bjsp.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img833/7894/yuup.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img713/6062/r7fk.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img855/2338/57nw.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img834/8632/2wxc.jpg

frantik 02-02-14 09:00 AM

http://imageshack.com/a/img202/2936/vqq8.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img585/5159/0pyn.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img208/884/u4fm.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img545/5323/7r3j.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img853/7369/u47p.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img855/3150/wly4.jpg

Bikedued 02-02-14 11:13 AM

Just saw an oddity, that I didn't know existed. I was at a bike shop out in the country yesterday, and there hanging on the repair rack, was a aluminum lugged carbon fiber Univega road bike! It looked like the same carbon tubing as on the Giant Cadex bikes, so it may have been made by Giant.,,,,BD

Looked a little like this, but had last gen neon-esque Univega graphics...

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps208e8625.jpg

Lamplight 02-02-14 12:08 PM

That Gran Rally is remarkably clean!

Zinger 02-02-14 03:11 PM


Originally Posted by Lamplight (Post 16461503)
That Gran Rally is remarkably clean!

Yes it is. Pristine!!! It's a beauty in that color and those are nice responsive but comfortable riding frames. Another bike I used to have that I wish I hadn't sold.

Like that red Gran Sprint too.....my size :love:

frantik 02-02-14 05:27 PM


Originally Posted by Lamplight (Post 16461503)
That Gran Rally is remarkably clean!

yes I've never seen a bike this old so close to "new" condition.. i doubt this bike has seen more than mile or two. Factory grease is still fresh

Cougrrcj 02-17-14 03:56 PM


Originally Posted by frantik (Post 16461039)
1984 Gran Rally with all Shimano 600 EX

Simply Stunning! I'm green with envy. Now find me one of those in a 22-23" (56-57cm) frame...

turky lurkey 02-17-14 10:50 PM

I'm getting really into this bike, I put it together in this form a couple weeks ago. This picture was taken last week when the snow was melting and everything was a muddy mess. Since this pic. it's been washed and the knobby tires have been replaced with 1.5" semi slicks. For some reason putting the drop bars on this bike made it feel much faster than with the flat bars. This thing is turning out to be a perfect commuter and all around bike, a total rocket ship on the dirt/gravel MUP's and paved roads alike.


http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/a...pscf09b527.jpg

tamaso206 02-19-14 08:48 AM

Univega Superstrada (1992?) Frame & Fork!
 
Just joined the Univega Appreciation Club with my recent acquisition of a "Superstrada" frame & fork. TIG-welded, OS tubes.

Background:
After some sleuthing, I actually have not been able to find ANY photos online of this specific model/year! Another BF thread references a bike that sounds like the same model/year/color in a different size, but no photos-- though T-Mar mentions that this is a 1992 model. Adding to the intrigue, I found photos of a Univega "Ultraleggera" that appears to be an identical frameset, aside from the model name decal and paint color. The Ultraleggera appears to have been equipped with Dura-Ace 7410. If original, then this seems to be the case of two different 'models' only separated by component options, since my Superstrada frame arrived with what must be the original Shimano 600 (6400 "Tri-color" Series) bottom bracket.

Anyhow, enough talk-- on to the bike!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/1...948890d3_c.jpg
Dressed it up with 10spd Veloce, Sugino compact square taper crank, 36h wheelset, various other bits-n-bobs that I like.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/1...689f4563_z.jpg
SUPERSTRADA! Note that "Prestige" is written in yellow script in front of the "UNIVEGA" decal, with "Tubing" in smaller lettering below it.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/1...d850dbcb_z.jpg
OS .8-.5-.8 -- beefy! Never seen a frame that advertised the tube butting profile so proudly :lol:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/1...961075c9_z.jpg
Tange Prestige MTB OS tubing decal in excellent shape for being laid over paint, without any clear coat on top. Proudly made in ... [Taiwan?].

Ride is fantastic so far! Excited to take it out for longer distance this weekend with a thaw finally coming to the East Coast :thumb:. Geometry feels pretty traditional road race (short wheelbase & chainstays, mid/high-trail), perfect size for me at 56cm top tube and 55cm seattube. Feels most similar to the Centurion Ironman I used to have (which is to say, fantastic:love:), though noticeably-stiffer out of the saddle, no doubt the larger diameter tubes talking.

Bianchigirll 02-19-14 09:01 AM

That is a great looking Univega. We used to sell tons of the lowerend road bikes and hybrids but I seldom got to see the nice ones like this.

edfungus 04-11-14 12:05 AM

Freshly cleaned! Univega Competizione with original Suntour drive chain but replaced wheelset with Bontrager RXL 10 speed. Shifting is much smoother! Saddle is a Prologo Nago Evo.

https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2898/...a6cf439daf.jpg

frantik 04-11-14 01:10 AM


Originally Posted by tamaso206 (Post 16508618)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/1...961075c9_z.jpg
Tange Prestige MTB OS tubing decal in excellent shape for being laid over paint, without any clear coat on top. Proudly made in ... [Taiwan?].

whoa crazy mtb tubing on a road bike..

tamaso206 04-14-14 07:58 AM


Originally Posted by frantik (Post 16661101)
whoa crazy mtb tubing on a road bike..

Yeah! My working theory is that this may have been Univega's version of a Columbus 'Max'-style frameset that was in vogue during the early / mid 1990s, but without the shaped tubing-- aka an oversized, overbuilt sprinter's bike. Hence the OS MTB tubing with the .8-.5-.8mm butting profile. But that's all just speculation :). All I know is it rides great and feels incredibly 'solid' when riding hard out of the saddle.

usa068 05-05-14 06:38 PM

1 Attachment(s)
I purchased a $10 Univega this afternoon. It's quite a nice bike, although it may be the lowest cost out of Univega's lineup. It rides really well, however, it's not a high end bike to truly appreciate.

Univega Activa LS, my best guess is from the late 80s.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=378531

Velocivixen 05-05-14 09:58 PM

@ usa068 - wow $10 is amazing! I don't have a Univega yet, but I'm keeping my eyes open for one my size. What components does the bike have? Would like to see some close ups. Nice work!

sirupate 05-06-14 05:50 AM

Finally rode my new old Univega Alpina Pro last Sunday. Did a 30 mile trip and found the bike to be very smooth and "solid". In fact, the further I rode the better I liked how it rode for me. It is Tange Prestige double butted MTB tubing with Shimano Deore LX running gear. Has Tange Falcon headset and Ritchey rims. I put Kenda Kwest 1.5" high pressure tires on and mounted a rear rack for carrying stuff. Needed a new seatpost and saddle, but my choice of saddle didn't work for me at all. I'll be looking at a Brooks I think in the near future. The Univega seatposts from that time period are 26.0mm and about all I could find for replacement was a Kalloy Uno.

The bike is red with black web "splatter" paint. I think it dates to around 1989 or close. Univega had a number of MTB's in the catalog then. There was a Alpina Team model that was above the Pro model. I have two Univega Range Rover ES' from about that same time having Shimano Exage Country running gear. Those are the cool black chrome finish bikes.

acrollet 05-12-14 08:46 PM

Specialissima
 
4 Attachment(s)
I believe this is around an '81 or '82 bike, has the double-butted Tange tubing and braze-ons for racks, but only one water-bottle cage mount. Got it in nearly pristine condition off of craigslist, not super cheap and I think the guy was flipping it, but I think it was still a decent price for a good solid bike. Most components are original, but I replaced the brake pads, and added campy ergo shifters and the rear derailleur off of another bike I had laying around, along with a 7-spd shimano freewheel. Works great, just had to swap a washer from one side of the axle to the other. Plenty of clearance, no need to bend the forks or anything. Finished it up with supercork bar tape and it makes a great ride...

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=380024http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=380025http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=380026http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=380027

eschlwc 05-12-14 11:11 PM


Originally Posted by acrollet (Post 16753290)
I believe this is around an '81 or '82 bike, has the double-butted Tange ... nearly pristine ... not super cheap ... but I think it was still a decent price for a good solid bike...

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...7&d=1399949159

yes it is.

and amount paid should not feel like a contest. the bike in owasso, oklahoma owned by the dead guy is likely to be sold at a substantiallly lower price than the one is seattle. often, the $10 bike is not worth even that, and the $200 bike is worth double.

yeah, yours looks pristine. you might want to lengthen the rear brake cable though. and route it around the front of the stem, but behind the front cable. it will bow out a bit so the bars will be able to touch the top tube on either side.

IdahoEd 05-13-14 01:01 AM

...Here's my Uni, found at the local GoodWill for the outrageous sum of $19.99. She's a keeper...

http://i60.tinypic.com/4qifcl.jpg


http://i61.tinypic.com/2a9o8ba.jpg

love2pedal.com 05-13-14 09:59 AM


Originally Posted by Bikedued (Post 16461393)
Just saw an oddity, that I didn't know existed. I was at a bike shop out in the country yesterday, and there hanging on the repair rack, was a aluminum lugged carbon fiber Univega road bike! It looked like the same carbon tubing as on the Giant Cadex bikes, so it may have been made by Giant.,,,,BD

Looked a little like this, but had last gen neon-esque Univega graphics...

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps208e8625.jpg


For a year or two, Univega sold rebadged Giant Carbon bikes. My best guess is that it was mid 1990s. The only cool thing about them (and not surprising coming from Ben Lawee) was that some of the models had a tinted clear coat of deep red (and maybe some other colors but I forget). I had never seen this anywhere else. I assume it was a sprayed on top coat, unless they figured out how to tint the resin in the carbon tubing)

link0 05-27-14 03:26 AM

Modernized my daily commuter bike with Dura Ace 7800 and Vuelta Corsa Lite wheelset

1990 Univega Superstrada (19lbs without pedals)

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/1990-univ...da-17825_2.jpg

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/1990-univ...da-17825_3.jpg

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/1990-univ...da-17825_4.jpg

http://www.pedalroom.com/p/1990-univ...da-17825_5.jpg

stingx 05-27-14 12:49 PM

^
That's a great looking bike!


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