Bike Forums - Univega model question

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rbickford

10-12-19 04:36 PM

Univega model question

Hi. We just bought a mixte/stepover Univega with a serial number of NU05054. The model decal has rubbed off so was wondering if this serial number would identify the model. I believe the N indicates the bike was built in 1985. It is 14 speed. Has Shimano components. Thank you for any help with this.

First post so can not post a picture until I have 10 or more posts.

ramzilla

10-12-19 05:07 PM

Good luck with that. Univega produced something like two or three dozen models with different names over the years. If it's in good shape and the wheels spin true it's a nice bike. Ride it and be happy.

Bianchigirll

10-12-19 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbickford (Post 21161215)

Hello and welcome to the forums. Can you tell us a bit more? Is there a model name on the components? It looks a nice bike, alloy wheels and crank.

Is this a Viva Sport or something?

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b7e90f2404.jpg

wrk101

10-12-19 06:15 PM

Serial numbers tell the year, that’s it. Then you compare build components to figure out the model.

Univega was one of many marketing companies back then that did not build bikes. Others did for them.

if the picture above is your bike, given the stem shifters, steel chain rings, nutted rear axle, steel seat post, claw RD hanger, probably steel handlebars = lower end model. Still should be a fine ride.

Most mixtes back then were lower end models. Motobecane was relatively unique in having mixte versions of almost their complete product line.

Bogester

10-12-19 07:03 PM

They had a few more than that..:)..here's a list I put together of models I either saw in person or in pics (I used to be kind of into Univegas...doh!).

Activa
Activa 200
Activa Action
Activa Country
Activa-ST
Activa Sport
Activa Trail
Alpina
Alpina Country
Alpina Pro
Alpina Sport
Alpina Team
Alpina Ultima
Alpina Uno
ArrowPace
Arrow Speed
Arrow Star
Boralyn
competzione
Custom Maxima
Custom Ten
gran premio
gran rally
Gran Record
gran sprint
gran sprint - S
Gran Tech
Gran Touring
gran turismo
Ground Force
Ital Sport
Land Rover 12
maxima sport
Maxima Uno
Metro Ten
metrothree
Modo Volare
MODO VIVERE
Nuovo Sport
NuovoTech 450
Nuovo Ten
Nuovo Touring
Pathfinder
R7.2
Range Rover - ES
Rover
Rover 303
Rover - ES
rover sport
rover STI
Safari
Safari Ten
Speciallisima
Sportour
Super Star
Superstrada
super special
SupraSport
Tandem Sport
Tri-Star
Ultraleggera
Via Carisma
Via De Oro
Via Montega
Viva Activa 300
Viva Sport
Viva Touring
Vivatech
Vivatech 1050

Oldsledz

10-12-19 08:14 PM

This is a 1984 Supra Sport I don't know how much a model might change in a year but i see a few differences.https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cfdad9adfe.jpg

mitchmellow62

10-13-19 07:16 AM

I have a '85 Viva Sport and it came with Suntour LePree derailleurs and hubs. The only component that was non Suntour were the Dia-Compe brakes.

Scans of the 1985 and 1986 catalogs can be found here: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-catalogs.html .

Nuovo Sport and Supra Sport had mixte versions but used Suntour. Maxima Sport and Maxima Uno had mixte versions and used Z series Shimano derailleurs and brakes. Maxima Sport was offered in brown sand, deep burgundy and blue mist. Maxima Uno was offered in deep blue, charcoal and Ferrari racing red. Both used stem shifters. Both had mangalight frames, the Maxima Sport triple butted. The Maxima Uno had a hi tension fork.

Identification can sometimes be difficult when original components have been replaced but there should be enough info in this to identify the OP's specific model.

mitchmellow62

10-13-19 07:27 AM

I just re-read the OP. There were no 14 speed Univega's in 1985. So this bike has been upgraded or the interpretation of the serial number is incorrect. Maxima sport was a 6 speed freewheel and Maxima Uno was a 5 speed freewheel.

T-Mar

10-13-19 08:26 AM

The serial number only tells us that it was contract manufactured by Miyata of Japan during weeks 43-44 of 1985. That is late enough in the year that it is probably a 1986 model. Definitely entry level with a replacement rear derailleur. Looks like a Maxima Sport.

Bianchigirll

10-13-19 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogester (Post 21161319)

How does listing every, or almost every model Univega ever made help the OP? You could automatically discount, Hybrids, ATBs, MTBs, Aluminum framed, and DT shifter equipped bikes. That significantly narrows the field.

Bogester

10-13-19 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bianchigirll (Post 21161860)

Lame attempt at humor... carry on.

Bianchigirll

10-13-19 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogester (Post 21162253)

Lame attempt at humor... carry on.

You should have put a footnote to read it in your Monty Python voice.

panzerwagon

10-13-19 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bianchigirll (Post 21162293)

You should have put a footnote to read it in your Monty Python voice.

...including instructions to pretend you’re reading a menu and alternate every model name with “spam”.

panzerwagon

10-13-19 06:20 PM

As to OP’s question, here’s a photo of my ’84 Five Star in the sloping top-tube variant: https://www.bikeforums.net/21161437-post10.html

It’s a single sloping top tube that ends at the seatpost, but two thinner stay tubes continue on to the rear drop-out— not sure if that technically allows it to be called a mixte.

Edit: [MENTION=3269]Bogester[/MENTION]— now’s your chance to add Five Star to your list!

Lemond1985

10-13-19 06:27 PM

LOL, I was thinking along the lines of "The Univega Bike Shop Skit"

Quote:

Customer: "I'm was interested in buying a Univega bicycle."

Shop Owner: "Right sir"

Customer: "Do have the Activa?

Shop Owner; "No"

Customer: "What about the Activa 200?"

Shop Woner: "No"

Customer: "The Alpina Pro?"

Shop Owner: "Fresh out sir."

Customer: "The Activa Action?"

Shop Owner: "No."

Customer: "The Alpina?"

Shop Owner: "Yes, but it's a bit runny ... no ... sorry sir we don.t."

Customer: "Do you have any Univegas at all in this shop?"

...

panzerwagon

10-13-19 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemond1985 (Post 21162428)

LOL, I was thinking along the lines of "The Univega Bike Shop Skit"

Perfect! You, Sir, have won yourself a small shrubbery!

rbickford

10-15-19 10:04 PM

Finally back with some details. The bike is at my daughters so took some time to get what you all were asking for.

1) It is a 12 speed, not 14 as I had posted
2) The shift levers and mount say Shimano Z401
3) The rear derailleur is Exage 400EX
4) The front derailleur just says Shimano as far as I could tell
5) The rims are stamped with UKA127x1 1/8 W/O LA Made in Japan
6) There is sticker that may not be original that looks like a signature and says 'Lowee design'
7) Brakes say Shimano on them
8) The crank says Univega Cotterless
9) I cleaned off the serial number and it says NU05054

The bike is already getting some good commuter mileage. Very good looking ride for sure.

Thank you for the assistance on IDing the model.

francophile

10-16-19 01:28 PM

Wouldn't "N" at start of serial number make it a 1985 if built by Miyata?

Quite possible it's the Maxima sport - you'll see it in the 1985 catalog here, mixte around the 12th picture and the Maxima sport - Z-series equipped - around 17-18 pages in: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-catalogs.html

rbickford

10-17-19 09:18 AM

Hi. I think you nailed it on the Maxima Sport. Now that you say that I can see part of the rubbed off logo could easily say 'Sport'

rbickford

10-17-19 09:23 AM

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5e318aa0ee.png

The rubbed off "Sport" of the Maxima Sport decal.

rbickford

10-17-19 09:26 AM

Also this decal on the bottom tube of the bike. Not sure if it is n original sticker or what it means. Seems to be in the same style as the sticker that has mostly rubbed of with the model name on it.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b29cf691e6.jpg

rbickford

10-17-19 09:30 AM

Thank you for the link to the catalog. That is a great find.

T-Mar

10-17-19 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbickford (Post 21167834)

Lawee Inc. was the name of the company that owned the Univega brand name. It and Univega bicycles were created by Ben Lawee. Most of the Univega up until the very late 1980s were designed by Lawee (the company) but contract manufactured by Miyata.

As stated in post #9 , the serial number is from late enough in 1985 that it should be a 1986 Univega Maxima Sport.

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