Roger M 

Thanks, BG. The nicest bikes I've purchased so far, are from G-sales(versus CL or otherwise). I paid $25 for it and the only other money invested will be bar tape. The ESGE fenders came with it.

what would your opinion be on tape, tan or grey?

ewmyers

I've continued to work on the gran turismo I originally reported here. I just finished putting fenders on it, now I'm trying to figure out what to do about the neck and handlebars. The bike is comfortable, but slightly small for me, and it's hard to get that dirt drop to look decent It may need upright bars, unless someone in my area has a similar bike for trade that is a little bigger than this one...

spfldsuburban

Man, do you reside in the US? I have been looking for a mixie for friend and have had no luck finding anything remotely decent. Have only seen the 2 on here and came across an 80's Schwinn (Panasonic) that was over priced. Your Uni is very, very nice! BTW I would go Grey!
Greetings from the "Mid South" Marshall County MS

hellojoben

lol you would go "grey" for that univega hah

sorry for the vulgar humor, but I thought it was funny


and if you don't get it, it's totally fine. nice bikes everybody!

Bianchigirll 

nice used Mixtes are hard to come buy, so I decide to go new.

mickey85

Can't believe I haven't posted on here...

Four years ago now, I was on here, and asking about buying a CL Schwinn Varsity for commuting. Someone (wish I could remember who), said "I'd rather buy this Univega" and put up a link. Originally, it had riser bars, trigger shifters and integrated MTB levers. I went from there to North Roads bars, and found them much more comfy for the 10 mile ride. After two years of commuting on it year round (rocking too-thin Zefal fenders), I moved and found a bike club. With no go-fast bikes, I decided to build this one up as a drop-bar bike, and found love. With these bars, the bike is absolutely a perfect fit. Currently, it's running a no-name triple, the original Araya wheels (gonna need a new freewheel, the original ate mud and didn't like it), Suntour power-ratchet bar end shifters, and a Brooks Professional saddle. I need to steal fenders from another bike for it though...just need to figure out which one. AND, I CAN'T get the brakes right on it...ARGH.

BTW, I hate white bikes, but this is a pearl-color that in certain lights has a rosy look to it. Also, the black and white look is very clean and pleasing to me...

Bianchigirll 

great work bench!! I knew those big Oldsmobile hoods were good for something.

great univega is that a Activa Sport or something?

mickey85

Yeah, it's an Activa Sport.

The Oldsmobile was bought by me in 1999 when I was 14. By the time I was 16, it had a new suspension, engine, transmission, and rearend, and was running 13's at the dragstrip. It's shelved for the winter getting a new suspension, and I figured I could use it to lay out parts. here's another shot of it's double duty:



And a before shot with the Bullmoose bars:



Like I said though, it's trying to eat its freewheel, so I'm going to swap it out tomorrow once I can get to the LBS and pick up a new one.

Lamplight

Wow, just saw the picture I posted and even though the general look of my Univega is still about the same, I have changed several things about it. I ditched the Nitto Noodle in favor of a narrower randonneur bar, added the Velo Orange rear rack, swapped the B-17 for a honey Team Pro, rearranged the tail light to be more discrete, and most importantly repaired the original rear derailleur and replaced the broken front with a matching one. I still haven't found an elegant solution for a battery-powered headlight, at least not one that's actually bright. Due to bad knees I can't ride quite as much as I once did, but I still love my bike!

Dennis374

thenomad

What are you looking for in a mixte? Raleigh lugged mixte good enough? or are you looking for something late 80s with some special tubing? What's the specific specs that are desireable?

spfldsuburban

Between 11/24 (my last post) and this past Saturday, she changed her mind, went to the LBS and scored a 2-3 year old Giant comfort bike.
Ah well, no accounting for her taste on that one!
Personally, I'd like to get my hands on a Univega touring frame and do a full build/rebuild.
Thanks for asking though! ;~**

fl0nk

Hello every body...

I create thread, of my univega.... you can see here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-speed-(newbie)

I recently bought this bike, and I know very little about it.... I would love to restore and mount:

Capecodder

Here is my Gran Turismo that I just finished....... This is a GREAT ridding bike, I love it.

wrk101

Well, a couple of Univegas I picked up. A 1988 +/- Alpina Pro (I need to date code it), and a 1994 Alpina 5.1. Right now, my plan is to keep the Alpina Pro, and retire another MTB from the fleet. I just like the bronze chrome.

Chilero

Here is the last of my meager Univega collection, a gorgeous Univega Italsport equipped with Campagnolo Triomphe. Iv'e always been partial to red bikes, they go fast even when standing still... and in the physical condition I'm in these days... I need all the help I can get. However, I've got to pay for 3 kids in college, so you now have a chance to own this beauty. ebay listing 270698053347 in case you're interested.

Enjoy!

-Carlos

Mike Mills

Is an REI Novara Strada from about 1985 a rebadged Univega?

ewmyers

I've been watching Craigslist for an early lugged steel mountain bike, with that really stretched out frame geometry. A 1984 Univega Alpina Sport showed up, I took a look and brought it home. I also brought home a 1983 Univega Nuovo Sport mixte from the same seller, but don't have pictures of that yet. The seller used to run a sporting goods store when he and wife bought these bikes, but mostly just stored them. There are the usual scratches you get from storing bikes in crowded places, but everything was really clean.

The Alpina Sport is dark grey with nice gold high-lighting around the lug work. It has a Suntour AG Tech RD, a 6-speed in the rear, 48-40-28 Sugino chain rings, and top mounted Suntour power shifters. The original tires and grips are in excellent shape, the original Univega seat is in pretty good shape. Wheels are Araya 26 x 1.50. The brake cables are in fine shape, but the shifter cables really need to be replaced. I plan to ride it as is for a while, but will likely replace the handlebars with mustache bars. The pics below are "as found."

Mike Mills

Let me try to help with your headlight issue.

Cygolite makes a genuinely bright light that has a discrete battery pack - the Mightycross 320. It is extremely bright, so much so that headlights from passing cars do not wash out the beam. My light is black in color but apparently they come in silver, too.



Here is a thread I started asking for recommendations on headlights. There's a TON of info in it. Link to My Thread On Bike Lights

P.S. - that's a great looking bike. I like the tail light location - a clean installation.

Grim

The more UniVega's I see the more I like Ben. That bike is an obvious middle finger to the Italians he was buying from when he was selling under the Italvega brand.

All Univega's as far as I know where spec built by Miyata. Univega is a trademake of Ben Lawee. More history of him here. :https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Univega

Much like Univega, REI is a brand name applied to a spec built bike. It is possible that some were built by Miyata.

I have had a 93 REI Trinifo pass through my hands and it was built out of Prestige tm tube. Miyata makes most of their tube (they got there start as a metals company). I suspect if it is prestige or any other trademarked name that it probably isn't built by Miyata. National (Pannasonic), Giant or Tsunoda would probably be more likely. They built a LOT of spec bikes in the 70's-early 90's. For instance Most Japanese built Schwinns are Panasonic till mid 80's whene they also started buying for Giant. Lotus was built by Tsunoda

stefan330

I saved both of these from sure destruction.

They were both pretty beat when I got them.

Really wish I knew what year they are.

strock 

With any luck you can date them by the serial numbers. As I understand it, Miyata-made Univegas can be dated by the first letter of the serial number:

I=1980
J=1981
K=1982
L=1983
M=1984
N=1985 . . . and so forth

ehartung

Salvaged from my in-laws garage in excellent condition. For my wife. Completely re-built. Guidonnet brake levers and knobs from Velo-Orange were added. The brake pads and chain were updated. Pasela Tourguard tires. WTB Deva saddle.

old's'cool

sweet!

Would you mind posting a list and/or photos of all of the equipment? The reason I am curious is that, I acquired my 82 Viva Touring as a bare frame & fork, and would love to have an beter idea what the original equipment was. In due course I will add some updated photos of my bike to this thread; I've been in the throes of relocation for several months now, making it difficult to contribute in that way.

24fps

Just finished work on it today: