What do you think of the Lawee Designed Univega's??
06-23-08, 06:55 PM
#51
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What tubing sticker does it have? Triple butted Chromoly? If so, this bike may have been built by Miyata. T-Mar would know more.
Good forks-- not quite as good as the frame tubing, but still very good. Magna-Light is Miyata's proprietary manganese-steel alloy, I believe. T-Mar is a font of wisdom on these bikes, and would be the one who knows about Magna-Light.
06-23-08, 10:26 PM
#52
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this started out as a Univega Lawee design I think. BBM will know 
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(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
08-09-08, 11:09 AM
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1993 Univega Activa Trail. Bought brand new in 1993, used for a few years, then hung on hooks in the garage for over a decade.
Decided to finally try riding again. Dusted it off, and have been commuting to work on it for the past few weeks.
Decided to finally try riding again. Dusted it off, and have been commuting to work on it for the past few weeks.
08-09-08, 08:57 PM
#54
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I've an Activa ST bike I rescued from the junkpile. I had no idea they made such nice bikes, but it's Shimano SIS and maybe I'll bring it up to speed. It may be single speed, but up to speed. I went out and checked it, and it has cantilever brakes, fender eyelets and rack mounts. Very interesting.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 09-24-20 at 10:21 AM.
08-11-08, 08:44 PM
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OMG what a great thread!!!!! Thank you all! recently I posted about my Supra Sport that I got for $25.00 and got no replies... I thought I was the only Univega owner on the planet.
This bike is fast. almost too fast. Like you can't zone out, ride no hands or you will crash kinda- fast.
Recently I outran an insane thunderstorm with seconds to spare, what a rush that was. I dove in my porch right as the torrential rain began.
I can't even comprehend putting good wheels on this bike, right now it has the stock Arayas 27 x 1 1/4".
The geometry is a bit cramped for me, but so what, I pull this one out if I wanna rip it up...
This bike is fast. almost too fast. Like you can't zone out, ride no hands or you will crash kinda- fast.
Recently I outran an insane thunderstorm with seconds to spare, what a rush that was. I dove in my porch right as the torrential rain began.
I can't even comprehend putting good wheels on this bike, right now it has the stock Arayas 27 x 1 1/4".
The geometry is a bit cramped for me, but so what, I pull this one out if I wanna rip it up...
08-11-08, 08:49 PM
#56
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See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
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08-18-08, 08:35 PM
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Viva Sport
My daughter rides a 52cm, Lawee Designed Univega Viva Sport that I picked up off Craigslist for $50 last year. It's light and fast, and in near mint condition. I may have ruined its value by converting it from 6-speed friction to 7-speed SIS, but it made it a lot more ride-able for her. And it's such a gorgeous bike that it makes me happy whenever I see it...which is a good thing since she insists on leaving it on our porch for me to put away every time she rides it.
08-23-08, 09:42 PM
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Just bought a Nuova Sport UniVega from a refurb charity place in boulder,co for $100. Its my first Roadie and I love it so far. All my bike friends cant believe the shape it is in and how smooth it shift. After cleaning years of neglet off of it it rolls smooth. I am have some front brake issues, but who needs that any way..
Anyone have info on the model number to find out more info on this bike?
Thanks CJ
Anyone have info on the model number to find out more info on this bike?
Thanks CJ
08-31-08, 08:34 PM
#60
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here's a metro ten a friend gave me. it's an amazing bike and the stainless steel fenders are really cool. these bikes are always very well spec'd. I wish this one fit me or my wife but it doesn't sooooo
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/821602764.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/821602764.html
09-07-08, 05:46 PM
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I'm so glad I found this thread. I have an old Viva Sport that my dad handed down to me. I am not sure how old it is, neither is my dad. My guess is early '80s, but I don't know how to tell for sure. Is anyone good with serial numbers?
I'm sure I'll come up with some more questions soon.
I'm sure I'll come up with some more questions soon.
09-08-08, 12:27 PM
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OMG what a great thread!!!!! Thank you all! recently I posted about my Supra Sport that I got for $25.00 and got no replies... I thought I was the only Univega owner on the planet.
This bike is fast. almost too fast. Like you can't zone out, ride no hands or you will crash kinda- fast.
.
This bike is fast. almost too fast. Like you can't zone out, ride no hands or you will crash kinda- fast.
.
06-24-10, 12:37 AM
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Here's my beloved Univega Maxima Uno. Use it at college everyday of my life and it's SICKKK. Think it's mid-80's judging based on pictures i've seen but i'm not sure. Serial number NK6399. It's also got original Shimano parts and Araya steel rims. Some of the decals read "Lawlee Design" and "MLT - Manalight Frame Tubes" and "High Tension Fork" and "Lifetime Guarantee". When i found it racked in my uncle's garage it had a sweet big metal block Univega head badge in red and blue, but unfortuantely it was a glue-on and not a screw-on so i have since lost it to the streets of Austin, TX. If anyone is selling one i would love to purchase a new head badge for my Univega Thanks and enjoy! 
Thanks and enjoy!
06-24-10, 02:48 AM
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The owner of this bike mentioned he thought it was a Univega. At first glance at the Gran Premio I thought he could be right. I notice the seat stay arrangement is a bit different.
06-24-10, 11:17 AM
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I never really gave the Univegas a thought until I rescued one from my son-in-laws trash day pile. Spent about a year refurbishing it; bought the tools and parts as needed. Since it was FREE, I considered it a learning experience. Turned-out pretty good. Attached photo is before the addition of Arraya 700C wheels. It rides very smooth and I prefer it to my 2002 TREK 1000 which is now up for sale. PG. 
06-24-10, 12:54 PM
#66
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Are Lawlee Univegas good? Absolutely. At the same time, like most brands, they sold models at all different levels, from low end so so stuff, to really nice stuff. To me, Univega is just another one of the many good Japanese made bikes. No better, no worse, than several other brands.
06-24-10, 05:59 PM
#67
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ftwelder: I can almost read something on the top-tube in the first picture. If you're very careful with rotating lighting at different angles, you might be able to read it.
06-26-10, 11:10 PM
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Here is a beast....gran turismo (Italvega)
Last edited by juls; 06-26-10 at 11:13 PM. Reason: 4 got to include model
06-27-10, 06:31 AM
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I can't believe this old thread foind some new leggs. I never really owned a Univega but I sold quite a few lower end 'sport' road, ATB, MTB and hybrid bikes. I always like them and thought for the money they were a great value, well equipped and always had cool colors. I did have a older 94ish Via Montega I bought last fall but alas it was too big and had to move on to a new home.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
09-11-10, 12:54 PM
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Metro Three
There is This ad in crigslist today:
– Lady’s Bicycle METROTHREE UNIVEGA metallic blue color
- 3 speed
- ring bell
- refr. lights
- handle brakes
- newer tires
- in good shape
$30.-
CASH ONLY, NO BILLS BIGGER THAN $20.00
THANKS)
* Location: fort lauderdale
* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 1948552431
– Lady’s Bicycle METROTHREE UNIVEGA metallic blue color
- 3 speed
- ring bell
- refr. lights
- handle brakes
- newer tires
- in good shape
$30.-
CASH ONLY, NO BILLS BIGGER THAN $20.00
THANKS
)* Location: fort lauderdale
* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 1948552431
09-28-10, 08:51 PM
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09-28-10, 10:37 PM
#73
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09-28-10, 11:14 PM
#74
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Lamplight! I can't send private messages until I hit 50 posts, but if you see this, I would be VERY thankful if you can take an up close picture of the 'Specialissima' Logo. I'm currently restoring one myself and the 'Specialissima' is practically gone so I can't replicate it. Shoot me an e-mail at akracingproducts@yahoo.com. Thank you thank you thank you either way!
09-30-10, 08:06 PM
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Lawee wasn't a designer as much as he was an importer, albeit an importer with extraordinarily high standards on the bikes he sold. The performance bikes looked and rode Italian, the touring bikes were built for touring, and the sport bikes were classy and intelligently spec'ed. The first Fujis I saw, around 1972, looked well-made but ungainly. Univega, Miyata (who made many Univega models), Centurion, and Lotus changed shook it up.
I never saw a seamed tube on a Univega. Ever. Wish I could say that for more of the top brands that Univega competed against, like Raleigh and Peugeot.
I never saw a seamed tube on a Univega. Ever. Wish I could say that for more of the top brands that Univega competed against, like Raleigh and Peugeot.