1985 and 1986 Univega Catalogs
Likes For xleninx:
#11
Senior Member
I love the 1980's models! the bodybuilder in the first catalog, and the bay watch girl in the second especially made me chuckle!
#12
Sophomore Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 2,690
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1627 Post(s)
Liked 1,053 Times
in
628 Posts
Univega definitely had creepiest catalogues in the business. And most of the models they used looked like they had never even ridden a bike before.

I'm grateful they didn't use this guy again, he was pure nightmare fuel:

I'm grateful they didn't use this guy again, he was pure nightmare fuel:

#13
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 7,409
Bikes: Old school lightweights
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3204 Post(s)
Liked 4,767 Times
in
2,483 Posts
^ Looks like @Wildwood (without the legs).
#14
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,414
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4497 Post(s)
Liked 2,659 Times
in
1,723 Posts
So much cheese, it could have been a holiday gift catalog.

#18
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 7,409
Bikes: Old school lightweights
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3204 Post(s)
Liked 4,767 Times
in
2,483 Posts
Let's face it, they're great bikes. If you need a bike and have $200, you won't do much better than a mid-level '80s Univega. If you can find one as good as a Gran Rally, you're basically set for a while ... and can be content. And you'll also know that the paint has held up over the decades. Ben Lawee marketed a damn fine road bike.
I found one of these recently and bought it just for the groupset:

I love Triomphe. I put it all on a 531c Falcon. It's perfect for it. Just wish it had those pedals!
The rear triangle of the Ital Sport was on the heavy side, but I was going to flip the frame anyway. I put a tri-color group on it, and it sold quickly, even in winter. The red paint was flawless.
I found one of these recently and bought it just for the groupset:

I love Triomphe. I put it all on a 531c Falcon. It's perfect for it. Just wish it had those pedals!
The rear triangle of the Ital Sport was on the heavy side, but I was going to flip the frame anyway. I put a tri-color group on it, and it sold quickly, even in winter. The red paint was flawless.
Likes For panzerwagon:
#20
Senior Member
Wow. Univega certainly made an unbelievable variety of bikes. And, they marketed bikes as fashion statements. Love the pictures in the catalogs. Definitely have a big hair modern era 80's feel going on. I remember the 80's as a decade when everybody wanted to workout to Jane Fonda videos and look sexy! Good times.
#21
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,414
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4497 Post(s)
Liked 2,659 Times
in
1,723 Posts
Likes For canklecat:
#22
Wrench Savant
Thanks for sharing! Hopefully these can get posted on one of the catalog archives.
I miss the bikes from he 80's, but the advertising...ooof.
I miss the bikes from he 80's, but the advertising...ooof.
#25
Full Member
Thank you, this post was a huge help. Just lucked into a near mint viva sport. Was having trouble figuring out the year, and it is clearly a 1986 pearl white!