mainstreetexile 

I'm pretty sure this 'bend' in the frame is just for chain clearance. Should someone tell him or should someone in the LA area try to rescue this 'junk' bike? Looks like an '80 or so viva sport mixte.

https://www.cocosvariety.com/2010/12/...t-darn-it.html

redxj

Yep, that bend should be there. I have had two Miyata mixte frames that had that bend as well. His prices seem high, but not so outrageously so. He is in a big market were those prices can be common place.

Bianchigirll 

you can figure that out? I guess I need a bigger screen. I can't figure out what part of the tubing we are looking at.

if the bike is junk he can send it to me. PO Box 329...

mixtemaniac

So many (all?) of these Univegas have the bent stay for clearance. I thought it was damage the first time I saw it, but now I've seen so many I'm convinced it is suppose to be there. I've never seen a late 70's/early 80's Univega Nuovo Sport Mixte without them. Many other brands from the same era have it as well. These kinds of bikes is decent ridable condition regularly fetch $200+ in my neck of the woods.

bigbossman 

Someone oughta offer him a $10 bill for that "junk" frame before he sends it off to the recyclers.......

auchencrow

I don't believe I've ever seen wheel spokes in worse condition.
- Whoever salvages that bike will have to relace or replace those wheels.

bigbossman 

Screw that - get the bike cheap for the frame, strip it and build it up with decent stuff.

Trucker Dan

Its a piece of junk to begin with. I don't understand why someone would put forth such an effort on crap.

auchencrow

What's wrong with relacing the wheels?? The alloy components on it are decent enough, and if the price was just a few bucks, I would overhaul it. I wouldn't be upgrading it with DA though.

auchencrow

Not everyone considers Univega's "Viva" series POC's. Granted, it LOOKS like one now, but after its done right, not so much.

MACAQUE

one man's crap is another man's... c & v mantra, no?

bigbossman 

Depends on how you look at it. You see a piece of crap.

I see a frame set that I can clean and build in 4/5 hours with parts already on-hand, and sell for $300. If I could get my hands on that frame cheaply enough, it's money in the bank. Every time I list one on CL, I attract a string of willing young ladies with cash in-hand to buy it.

Or, I see a solid (granted, low-end) mixte frame set that will make a very nice city bike for someone that has the tools, parts, and time to do the overhaul. Mixte frames are popular, and there aren't any budget-price point ones being made.

But yeah - it's a piece of crap as it sits now.

bigbossman 

Re-lacing the wheels? On a keeper, maybe. On a flip, not worth the time, expense or effort. If I were going to resell it, I would retain any parts that could be cleaned and shined, as long as they function properly. Were I building it for my daughter (for example), I'd approach it differently.

Either way, that "piece of crap" would clean up very, very well. Univega Viva's are decent mixte frames.

marley mission

i love it

auchencrow

Mixte + Univega + Chromoly = decent potential of making up my expenses for spokes and expendables, new northroads, new brake levers and a rack.

Trucker Dan

Sorry, guess I touched a nerve. I just don't understand the attraction to low end vintage bikes. They functioned poorly new and they sure not going to be any better today. Plus the bike in ops post is one of the ugliest bikes I have ever seen. It hurts my eyes just to look at it. Its got to be over 30 lbs and probably rides like a tank. I would hate to have to stop with those brakes.
I apologize for the rant and will stay out of these threads from now on.

auchencrow

Dan - Don't shy away - hang around and you'll either :
a) learn to love these old bikes as much as us, or
b) become as grouchy as we are!

DRietz

Dan (hey, I'm a Dan...), no need to shelter yourself from these threads because some people disagree with you. Personally, I don't really like the looks of mixte frames either, but they are beautiful in certain regards.

Furthermore, that bike isn't really that low end. Plus, it's the C&V forum. We all love vintage bikes because they all have character.

To each their own.

Otis

I'm with you. Crap is crap regardless if somebody wants to pay money for it.

All I got from the post was I'm glad I no longer live in Los Angeles.