Which groupset to buy
 

I am rebuilding my 83' Univega Super Strada and I am looking for a groupset to put on this bike. I originally would have had Shimano Dura Ace AX but I am really not a fan of the "aero" look. The bike does however have a single braze on mount for downtube shifters.

Shimano 600 or slightly later DA 7400 would be nice on that bike....

Suntour Superbe or Superbe pro if you want a circa '83 group that isn't AX. Dura Ace 7400 if you want a near contemporary upgrade. That stuff came out in early 85. (in practice) You'd need to figure out something for the top mount shifters.

For a couple years around that time Univega sold a bike with a similar frame but all with all campy NR parts. So that's an option. My LBS sold like two of them. Usually people that wanted all campy wanted something more Italian than a univega... :rolleyes::lol:

Lastly, you could respace the frame to 130 and but a modern Ultegra groupset on it. I wouldn't hesitate if that is what you're asking. The frame itself is top shelf and functionally equivalent to any racing frame of the time, yet its value isn't so high as to preclude hot rodding.

Tradarcher, I think the issue will be what to do with the short lived Shimano DT lever mount, if you plan to replace shifters. I imagine some can give advice, if needed.

Brad

So you only have the frame correct? The top mount will be hard to replace to go modern brifters. I wouldnt swap my Superstrada (i have one too grey) for Campagnolo parts..just my opinion.

I'm not that familiar with the model, but keep in mind that AX had some - different - aspects, and that many bikes built for AX really were built for AX. The frame dimensions can be a bit off compared to most other bikes.

I'd consider EX, but would likely go with 7400. Personally I think AX frames should largely be AX frames...and if you're not into AX, you get a different frame.

As far as the top mount braze on, I'm not sure if Suntour had the same dimensions on the one they used.

I do have the ax shifters as well. I was actually thinking of Suntour MK-2 but I am not sure if the Suntour shifter would mount up correctly

I think the top mount braze ons were the same, but it's been so long I really can't recall. I'm confident a Mk II shifter could be made to work regardless.

Another issue I might have (and im kinda new to c&v so bare with me) my frame does not a rear cable stop for the rear derailleur. How do I remedy that?

That's right. The AX RD had a funky non standard cable guide thingy so it didn't need housing or a cable stop.

Simple solution is to use a clamp on cable stop. Campy, Suntour, Shimano, Huret all made them. Bikes didn't have braze ons till the end of the 70s. You could get a framebuilder to braze a stop on, but that will ruin the paint.


https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTYwWDEyO...YL3jk/$_58.JPG

This one is kind of overpriced, but you get the idea,

https://www.ebay.com/p/Vintage-NOS-S...d=132007687719