not_jason

I'm not above throwing a ton of money at a bike that's never going to be worth a quarter of the investment. I've done it several times in the past few years. Here's the deal though. I usually build all my bikes to be the same kind of well rounded all weather pseudo-randoneur type of thing. The one thing that I'd really say I'm lacking right now is a fast bike. I would like to build something that could put in a half decent effort against my friends on modern road bikes on 25 to 30 mile rides. Can it be done with this frame? Also, SHOULD it be done with this frame? I could make arguments either way myself, but I'd love some outside thinking on the matter.

not_jason

counterargument: it's a pretty clean stock bike. I feel almost guilty modifying it.

wrk101

I've got a Supra Sport. Its a pretty basic, recreational level bike. Frame is towards the low end. I would aim higher.

not_jason

On my own quality spectrum, I'd qualify it as somewhere in the middle range. Chromoly triple-butted, forged drop outs with a derailer-hanger. The only thing that's weird to me is that it has some odd cushy components like the stem shifters and suicide levers. It seems to be catering to people who insisted upon having a quality bike but didn't actually want to learn to ride it correctly.

billnuke1 

Go with your feelings! I collect these bikes for their ride. Maybe you can leave this one as it is and find something else to do the other thing to...
It looks really clean! These are really well engineered bikes. For their time! Work on the fit. I love the way they ride, shift, brake. Anyhow. It's your bike. Have a blast!

auchencrow

I think the Univegas from that era were good solid performers. I don't think it needs much investment to keep up with any modern bike: A set of Suntour DT shifters, a new chain and FW, a lube and MAYBE new 700c rims to accommodate whatever tires float your boat, and that's all you would need.

billnuke1 

Lube and modern tires! The new modern tires really change these old bikes! Even the inexpensive tires can make a big difference!

not_jason

I have some spare parts kicking around to make it a little sportier: some shimano 600 aero levers, a couple of sets of clamp-on downtube shifters. I actually have a set of Suntour indexed 7 speed shifters. Anyone know if these sync at all with shimano freewheels or if I should just abandon that pipe dream.

I did a minor update on my Univega Gran Turismo that included respacing and redishing the rear wheel for a 7 speed freewheel and a set of brifters. So this isn't entirely new territory for me.

Refresco

Swap out saddle and get some newer brake levers with hoods. Pretty much anything from VO, aero or non-aero..

andyfloyd

I think if you want to keep up with your buddies you need something that weighs around 22-23lbs at most, with like a 73* seat angle and 74* head angle. My Columbus Schwinns have this geometry and its basically the same geometry that youll find on those newer fancier bikes.

roccobike

The Supra sport has a great ride, but it's a tad heavy, not a fast frame. I'd pass on building it up as a club rider for a fast crowd. As a "c" class club rider or a slow B, probably OK.

Arrowana

There may be some variations, but 7 speed Suntour Command shifters indexed perfectly with a ghost click with a Shimano 8 speed cassette for me, and 7 and 8 have the same spacing.