So, I have been lusting after a bike on CL for a couple of weeks, watching the price drop from 225 down to 100. Now, I showed it to my wonderful wife because I figured if I showed it to her, she would put the foot down and I could get over it. To my surprise, she said if it dropped further and/or I could get it for 50, I am welcome to! The last few bikes I got she has been saying that is the last one, don't bring another one home. Is the tide turning???

Here it is, in all of her glory:
UniVega Mens Road Bike

Really dig that paint. takes a bite of bear claw

I dig so many things about that bike. Looks like it has biopace chainrings, too (I'm a fan of such things).

You might regret waiting for the price to drop, cuz you're probably not the only person watching it.

Mediocre condition plus low end parts = pass unless you have a pile of parts. Ready to ride = delusional seller. I definitely would not squander my one hall pass on getting this one.

Pam Poovey's dolphin puppet is my spirit animal.

The finish on the frame is in bad condition, and the rattle can paint on the handlebar stem and headset would have me saying "I'm Out!".

Ah, I didn't even think to think it was a rattle can job on the stem/headset. I'm more excited the wife has given the blessing for another N+1, which I didn't think was going to be happening anytime soon. I'm saving my money anyway for another Brooks.

I don't think it is painted. Look at the chain. My bet is that is is a really poorly weathered finish. That bike has spent a good deal of time sitting outside. Look out for seized post, stem and BB.

I just donated a Nuovo Sport to the local bike co-op. Decent bike, rode nice, just slimming down the fleet.

Do you think the headset and the front reflector bracket were exactly the same color as the handlebar stem, and weathered to exactly the same color at the same time also?

I don't think so....

Of course I'm not familiar with your situation, but I have found that the more mrs non-fixie became aware of what vintage bikes are all about, the more she softened up to me buying them. What really made a difference was taking her along to C&V events (L'Eroica and Retroronde). She really liked those, albeit for slightly different reasons than I. She decided she wants to ride both with me this year. I'm OK with that.

If my wife was giving me significant resistance on the n+1 front, I would save my powder for something a lot nicer than this. Is the difference between $100 and $50 really all that important to her? How many pairs of shoes does she own?

That's a can of worms I am not opening. And yes...$50 is a pretty nice meal out for us...that we both enjoy instead of just me enjoying a bike. Unfortunately, that really is about as exciting as our local CL gets. My Schwinn I picked up a few months ago was definitely an unexpected diamond in the rough for around here ($20 for an '89 Prelude with Columbus Tenax seamless tubing - and I love the ride feel).

I consider a bike a good deal if I can sell it for what I bought it for, if not for a few bucks more, even if I have to put a little bit of money into it....I get that money back in enjoyment of riding it for awhile.

the bracket is in the shade and the handlebars themselves are silver. The photos are also too poor to judge the bracket well and if they are all the same. If someone painted the headset and stem they would have had to have done complex masking or dis-assembly. I doubt it, but who cares, bike is weathered.

I honestly feel for some of you...Yesterday's conversation with my wife went something like this, "I need to transfer some cash to buy a bike. How much is it? I don't know. You going to flip it or keep it? Not sure, maybe keep it awhile then sell it. How much are you taking out? $2,000. OK, just leave a little in there so I can go to the store. How much you need? I don't know, maybe $40?"

If its a keeper I'd drop $100 on it.

My wife told me last week that she doesn't care how many bikes I have as long as each one is a different color.

Must be nice. I look forward to a day where that could maybe happen, but if we were talking that kind of money for a bike (note:I already have one of those 2k bikes and have no interest in another one unless I were to sell that one to help cover the costs), that would go into a vacation fund - Paris is especially nice any time of year...or home project fund. Someone needs to buy those really nice bikes out there and post pictures for us all to drool over!

On the one hand, a mix of lower tier Exage, 300EX and Exage Sport. On the other, that crank might have the highly desirable 40t 130 BCD Biopace chainring.

tOP

+1 Poor paint condition on a low end bike is a deal killer for me.

And it still shifts better than Record Synchro...

I listed a few bikes for sale on Craigslist to justify buying one that I've wanted awhile...
Maybe I won't tell the wife how high I listed them. "I don't know why they won't sell, honey"
J/K

I've converted my wife into a quasi C&V enthusiast. She loves her bikes. (3) Right now she wants to paint the gold colnago super I gave her to pink glitter paint....... The paint is lackluster so I am allowing her to go for it.. Letting her have cool bikes to ride goes along way in obtaining cool bikes for myself. Remember, riding together is an activity you can both enjoy!

I think it's weathered paint also and not rattlecanned. I've polished paint like that on a stem with automotive paint scratch remover and it brought the shine right back. I personally think $100 is an OK price provided the stem and seat post are free and you aren't looking to flip for profit. I've certainly seen lesser bikes out there for $100. I agree with Bill as far as using up your hall pass though.