kevinmcdade

I stopped by a LBS just to browse around and waste some time and discovered a 2002 Univega Modo Volare that he had tucked away on the shelf. I immediately took a liking to the bike and ended up talking to the guy for about 45 minutes about the bike. It has a price tag of $1200 on it but he said he can let it go for $900. I have been wanting a steel bike so I can add a little variety to my riding. Without riding it yet, everything fits me great. I will be taking my pedals and shoes with me this weekend to take the bike for a long test ride.

Does this price sound right for a steel bike with Campy Daytona compnents, that is almost 3 years old? Should I try to talk him down a little more especially with Univega no longer being in business? I already got the okay from the wife to purchase another bike as long as I don't get carried away with the amount that I spend. This bike may be the happy medium for both of us

auk

It is a really nice bike for the money. Columbus Thron tubing and straight carbon fork. Right? Found one second-hand for my nephew a few months back and he really likes it. It should last you for quite some time.

kevinmcdade

Yep...Columbus Thron tubing and straight carbon fork. I wish I could find a used one in my size because it would probably save me a few hundred dollars. Are there any other bike of this caliber that I should also consider?

K6-III

My roommate has one of these. Very smooth ride and excellent components for the money. A tad on the heavy side, even for steel. My Thron-based 2001 Marin San Marino is lighter. Then again, if you're not racing you won't notice...

Univega

Fantastic Bike! The Campagnolo Drivetrain is a 10 speed and the seat is upgraded to a Stella Italia in 2001.

The first thing that impressed me about this bike was the ride. I am sensitive to road buzz. I tried other steel and Aluminum bikes. However the ride on this bike is smooth as butter. The second thing that I noticed is the fork is a STRAIGHT blade. The bike really handled different than the other bikes I tested. Very responsive. I have just purchased other bikes for my kids. All had Shimano components, as did my old bike. This bike has Campagnolo Daytona Components, which shifts faster, smoother and more precise than anything I have ever experienced.

Be sure your dealer properly fits you. It will make a big difference on how comfortable the bike is. If the bike doesn't fit you will not want to ride it. But that goes for any bike. Also, if you were thinking of putting a bike rack on this bike, you will notice the frame does not have holes to accept one. You will have to settle for a tiny bag under the seat or butcher the bike's good looks with a rack that attaches to the seat post stem.

A lot of people say "it's not the bike, it's the engine." That may be true. But since purchasing this bike I ride more and my average speed (for trips over 10 miles) has gone up 6 mph. So a great bike DOES make a difference.

My final thoughts are this: This is a remarkable bike. An affordable, raceable and very rideable road bike. It may not be as light as a Merlin or Lightspeed Ti bike. But it's not $5000.00 - $6000.00 either. It doesn't have name recognition, but it is a great bike worthy of upgrading any component that does not suit you. If you are thinking of a bike in this price range, I urge you check out the components on the bikes you are considering. Then take each bike out for a test ride. I test rode a lot of bikes. This one bike spoke to me. And it gets better with every ride.
Strengths:
Great components which include: Campagnolo Drivetrain, Columbus Steel frame, Sabre Carbon straight blade Fork, Mavic Rims, Vittoria Tires, ITM Stem and Handlebars, Stella Italia XO saddle and the bike is beautiful, IMHO
Weaknesses:
Finding one

kevinmcdade

Thanks for the reply even though it is almost a year after I posted the original question.

cuda2k

lol, I read the original post thinking.. "Wait a minute, I know Kevin has a Univega but he certainly didn't buy it a any LBS around these parts!" lol.

kevinmcdade

When I was originally looking at this bike, it was the beginning of my bicycle obsession. I was considering the bike as my second bike at the time. It ended up being too big and I have been searching for one every since.

How is the Schwinn coming along???

Univega

Just having fun.

Did a Google and your post came up. Couldn't resist a reply.

What size Univega are you looking for? I just found one for my wife.
A 53 and hardly used. Mine is 56.

cuda2k

I'll be at Cahill's this afternoon working on the Centurion frame, today is decal day (Finally!). My heavy Schwinn was sold last week to a guy 6' 5" who was in search of 63cm frames. I've got a link in my sig to my Centurion restoration progress thread. I'll let you figure out which one.

kevinmcdade

I found and bought a 58cm 2000 Univega Modo Volare on Ebay a couple of months ago. I rebuilt the shifters, put on a new set of Velocity Deep V's wrapped in Michelin Carbon tires, put on a new Veloce cassette, new handlebars (46cm 6 bend Modolo's), put on a Selle Italia Flite saddle, put on a new Thompson seatpost, cleaned up everything and now have a very fine backup bicycle. I called it my beater bike at first but it turned it way too nice and rides too good to be called a beater bike. I now just call it my secondary bike.

It is a great bike with alot of character. It handles great and gives a very smooth ride.

Nellie Fox

After twenty-some years of riding around New York City on twenty-some-year-old beaters, I have just acquired a 2001 Univega Modo Volare. Problem is, I'm not that comfortable on 700x23 tires, after years on 27 x 1 1/4s. Does anyone know how fat a tire I can fit on this otherwise excellent machine? Thanks in advance for your help.

Walter

I was wondering why this thread was resurrected but this makes sense.

It would be better though if you posted again with the brand/model rims your bike has.

You can definitely go 25 but that's not much of a difference.

Nellie Fox

Walter, thanks. Front is a Mavic XP10, rear is a Mavic CXP21, not that I have the slightest idea what that signifies, or why they're different.

Would it be better if I posted this somewhere else?

robb99

old thread is old lol whoa almost 6 years old

Walter

Asking this over on the Mechanics Forum is not a bad idea.

Those are the model numbers for the rims your bike has. Mavic has been around for a long time.

The CXP21 is not in the current lineup but the 22 is and Mavic claims it'll take a 28. I'm pretty sure the difference is the depth of the rim not the width so your rim should take the 28 as well. That is not as wide as the 27X1 1/4 you are used to but is noticeably wider.

The XP10 is an older rim. I don't know for sure but I'd think it also could handle a 28.

Ask in the Mechanics Forum here.

If you're buying tires at a shop have them check for you. If you're going online like Nashbar shoot their customer service an email.