talk to me about Univegas are they worthy
 

I have a bianch that is in great shape... it is too big for me so I am selling it in hopes of getting a new bike that fits and have some cash left to pay a bill or two...

Well I got a call from a guy why wants to do half trade and half cash.... he has a univega from the mid 90 it is a japanese steel bike.... are univegas any good?

opinion poll please

They're kinda like Miyatas in regards to value.

A Miyata 110 would be comparable to a Univega Viva Sport... both are low end in the hierarchy but they are very well built bikes with excellent craftsmanship.

In regards to the higher end models, there were some really nice Italian-made Univega frames with Columbus steel, as well as some really nice Japanese-made Tange Champion models made by Miyata. I think that only the older models (circa pre 85?) were made by Miyata or the Italians.

I own a Japanese-made 1982 Gran Premio that is made by Miyata. I think this model was made in Italy prior to 1982.

I hope T-mar can jump in because he seems to be the expert on this.

Univega marketed a very wide range of bikes over the years....from entry- to moderate-level on up to really top-notch bikes. If you're being offered a better Univega in excellent shape, could be a great bike.

(FYI, the 25-year old Univega in my signature line replaced a 2006 Trek 520 as my daily commuter)

this one is from the 90's sometime...it is a road bike with shimano 105s on it... that is all I know so far... he going to email me some more info here in the next couple of days. from what I was seeing on bikepedia it looks as if there were carbonfibre from this time period that came with the 105;s... if so I would do that trade... I think that is if the bike looks good.... hehehehe isn't that what it's all about?

Thanks so far, I am still waiting to find out what bike is in the offering.

My pure guess is that you will find it is a steel bike. Not that there is anything wrong with that. And if it had 105 on it, it was probably of reasonably decent quality in its day.

jim

A 1990s Univega would more likely be Taiwanese than Japanese. The appeal of this deal will depend on the exact year/model and what you are giving up with your current bicycle.

For instance, circa 1990-1992 it would be a Gran Record, with a lugged, CrMo frame. In 1993-1994, it would be the a Carbolite R7.x series, with a carbon fibre frameset. For 1994-1996 it would be the carbon fibre framed Gran Rally. And that is just about where my Univega knowledge ends.

Component wise, there would also be a big difference. In 1990 we're looking at 7 speed with downtube shifters. By 1993, we're looking at 8 speed with brifters and possibly a cartridge bottom bracket.

Pricewise, there is a very big difference, with a 1996 model being double the retail price of a 1990. As you can see you really need to get some more details and ask specific questions, as there is a big variance depending on the exact year and model.

thanks for that info... that gives me some ideas of what to ask about ... the bike I am giving up is a high quality bike here let me get a pic of it... hold on

Ok here is one pic of my bike that I am looking at trading... it is in perfect shape the only reason I am selling it is because it is a 54 and I am not.... I am only 5'4" so the bike is just too big for me and it has been sitting around here not being ridden and I want to ride... so sell this bike get something that fits that is my goal... I just want something that is worthy of replacing this bike.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...g?t=1224178759

Your Bianchi looks pretty sweet, you may just want to sell it outright instead and then buy whatever you want.

+1

Yeah, I am not usually a fan of Bianchis, especially the "celeste" color, but yours looks damn good.

Ya I have been advertising it on craigslist for a few weeks now.... wrong time of year to sell to get what it is worth... I will see more about the univega and if it will work then I may do the trade and of course get some cash for it pay some bills have a bike I can ride and when the real estate market picks up again I can get the bike that I really want...