Bike Forums

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)
-   Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals. (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage-bicycles-whats-worth-appraisals/)
-   -   1980s Univega Gran Premio (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage-bicycles-whats-worth-appraisals/1237530-1980s-univega-gran-premio.html)

SDHawk 08-27-21 03:23 PM

1980s Univega Gran Premio
 
Looking at this one.. Seller says it shifts and brakes perfectly. Suntour Superbe. Any thoughts on the year, quality, and approx value? Thanks!

https://images.offerup.com/pA6ijOLkP...fa50c524cf.jpg

https://images.offerup.com/HwdDasJoy...f3c4d0d467.jpg

https://images.offerup.com/AUFKrGP10...33aa6421c3.jpg

noobinsf 08-27-21 04:43 PM

Univegas are great bikes -- serial number will be the best way to date it, but that tubing decal was used '84-'86 or thereabouts. If the bike fits you, you won't be disappointed. I had an '86 Gran Premio, great bike.

What's the asking price?

SoccerBallXan 08-27-21 04:49 PM

Small bike, does it fit?

SDHawk 08-27-21 05:20 PM


Originally Posted by noobinsf (Post 22203825)
Univegas are great bikes -- serial number will be the best way to date it, but that tubing decal was used '84-'86 or thereabouts. If the bike fits you, you won't be disappointed. I had an '86 Gran Premio, great bike.

What's the asking price?

Thanks for the info. Asking $200


Originally Posted by SoccerBallXan (Post 22203834)
Small bike, does it fit?

Not sure, but I'm 67.5" so should be close. Ad says it's a 54.

noobinsf 08-27-21 05:29 PM


Originally Posted by SDHawk (Post 22203865)
Thanks for the info. Asking $200


Not sure, but I'm 67.5" so should be close. Ad says it's a 54.

Eep, that looks more like a 50cm -- definitely try it first. I would pay $200 for that and be ok with it. I wouldn't feel like I got a deal, but it's a fine price, especially if it's had recent maintenance, like new cables/housing and repacked bearings.

LanterneRouge14 09-01-21 03:35 AM


Originally Posted by SDHawk (Post 22203739)
Looking at this one.. Seller says it shifts and brakes perfectly. Suntour Superbe. Any thoughts on the year, quality, and approx value? Thanks!

I bought a used early-1980s Gran Premio frameset (w Univega's light brown metallic flake paint) from a seller in Ventura, and built it up w a newer mix of Shimano 8 speed components for my son to ride. He's away in college, and after taking if for a long test ride, I've kept riding it. I think it rides really well, especially for what it is (a 35 year old, mid-levelish production lugged steel road frame, built with triple butted tubing; Sheldon Brown wrote that "most" were made in Japan by Miyata, implying their higher end models).

I've read a comment online (maybe on these forums?) describing the Gran Premio as being the least expensive Univega model that could still be raced back in the day. In the '85 catalog, it's listed as a triathlon bike, and follows their higher end models: Superspeciale, Superstrada, and Competizione.

I agree w noobinsf--the one you posted looks smaller than my son's ~54cm frame. Unfortunately I can't post any pics yet.

Measured dimensions of my son's ~54 cm Gran Premio:

~54.5cm TT (center to center)
~52.5cm ST (center to center) or ~54cm ST (center to top)
~11cm HT (end to end)
~73 degree HA* (*measured w angle finder app on smartphone, so take angle w a grain of salt)
~74 degree SA*
~41.3cm rear center (w rear axle all the way back into the dropout as far as it can go)
~26.8cm BB height w 28mm tires
FWIW, I'm 5'8' and the distance from the center of BB spindle to the top of my saddle is about 72.0 cm--the 54.5 cm TT feels pretty good for me (w/ an 11 cm stem), and I would not want to ride a smaller frame.

From online catalogs, I think the Gran Premio you've posted is newer, ~1985, that was built up with Suntour Cyclone components (and if I recall correctly, Suntour's top 3 road groups were Superbe Pro > Sprint > Cyclone).

So if that frame fits and isn't damaged, and the components are Superbe or Superbe Pro, then I wouldn't hesitate about buying it for $200.

SDHawk 09-01-21 10:33 AM


Originally Posted by LanterneRouge14 (Post 22210056)
I bought a used early-1980s Gran Premio frameset (w Univega's light brown metallic flake paint) from a seller in Ventura, and built it up w a newer mix of Shimano 8 speed components for my son to ride. He's away in college, and after taking if for a long test ride, I've kept riding it. I think it rides really well, especially for what it is (a 35 year old, mid-levelish production lugged steel road frame, built with triple butted tubing; Sheldon Brown wrote that "most" were made in Japan by Miyata, implying their higher end models).

I've read a comment online (maybe on these forums?) describing the Gran Premio as being the least expensive Univega model that could still be raced back in the day. In the '85 catalog, it's listed as a triathlon bike, and follows their higher end models: Superspeciale, Superstrada, and Competizione........


From online catalogs, I think the Gran Premio you've posted is newer, ~1985, that was built up with Suntour Cyclone components (and if I recall correctly, Suntour's top 3 road groups were Superbe Pro > Sprint > Cyclone).

So if that frame fits and isn't damaged, and the components are Superbe or Superbe Pro, then I wouldn't hesitate about buying it for $200.

Thanks for the great info, appreciate it. I haven't decided yet whether to check it out, but will report back if I do.

LanterneRouge14 09-01-21 01:26 PM

Glad the info helped.

Also, since I can't yet post pics, I uploaded 2 pics of my Gran Premio into an album associated w my profile. So you can eyeball the proportions of my ~54 frame, if that helps.

noobinsf 09-01-21 01:51 PM


Originally Posted by LanterneRouge14 (Post 22210798)
Glad the info helped.

Also, since I can't yet post pics, I uploaded 2 pics of my Gran Premio into an album associated w my profile. So you can eyeball the proportions of my ~54 frame, if that helps.

Pic assist (hope this works...)

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...389c596c2.jpeg

SDHawk 09-01-21 01:53 PM


Originally Posted by noobinsf (Post 22210847)
Pic assist (hope this works...)

Hey, thanks a lot. Yah that def looks bigger that the one I posted.

LanterneRouge14 09-01-21 02:00 PM


Originally Posted by noobinsf (Post 22210847)
Pic assist (hope this works...)

Yes, thank you for posting that pic!

ramzilla 09-01-21 07:48 PM

You might get $300 for it if you're patient. It would go a lot faster at $200. Since it's so small, I would be tempted to convert it to an upright handlebar "city bike". It's got threaded eyelets for a rear rack. It would make a great bike for grocery runs or coffee shop meets. Be good. Have fun.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:46 AM.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.