badger_biker 

I bought this Via Carisma a couple years ago to use as a trail touring bike. I haven't loaded it down yet but I just added fenders for winter use so thought I would post some new pics. I left plenty of clearance for snow. It is a very nice riding bike and seems to ride lighter than most hybrids I've tried.

treebound 

Updated to show the handlebar bag, commuter lock, and other minor things. Ignore the doggie saddlebags sitting on the rack, haven't got around to setting them up for bike use yet.

brandenjs

Just picked this up today from Craigslist. As far as I can tell it is a 1986 Gran Rally. It has the full Shimano 600 group on it and is in excellent condition. It was missing the rear wheel. The owner said he took it to a shop because of a broken spoke and didn't get it back (I can't figure out why). Serial number is OW34930. Going to be a great ride.

T-Mar

It's a 1987 model, not a 1986.

Bianchigirll 

How did I miss this? Great looking Via Carisma, I would love to have one of those oval tubed ones.

Bianchigirll 

Nice find even without the rear wheel. Any chance the shop still has the wheel?

brandenjs

Thanks T-Mar. I had thought the O meant an 86. Starting to really like how this bike was built. The lugs are pretty cool. Not really a bottom of the line bike for back then.

RoadBurn627

Hey everyone! First post here and also my first road bike. I figured this was the place to ask for more details regarding my Univega Viva Sport. I am curious about the year, original retail, overall quality, and other interesting or useful tidbits about this bike. Snagged it for $50 at a tag sale after I have been looking for some time for a cool road bike.

This is what I know after a quick examination. Sorry if I name parts wrong..I am a newbie..Suntour shifters, chromoly triple butted, lawee design, cyclone derailler, 12 speed, pedals say "signature" down them, Italia seat, and dia-compe brakes. Does this all seem original? Any guess on a year? Thanks everyone! Went on my first ride with it this past weekend. A much different experience coming from the hybrid commuter...


Have a better picture but it is telling me it is too large..

gaucho777 

^ Nice looking Univega. Appears to be in great shape. It appears to be a mid- to late-80s model. A lot of Univega's were built by Miyata. There should be a serial number below the bottom bracket, which will help to pin down the year.

As far as posting photos, the best thing to do is open an account with a photo sharing site such as flicker.com or photobucket.com. Upload the images onto that site. You will then get several links to share the images. Cut & paste the "[IMG].../[IMG]" link directly into the bikeforums.net thread.

Here's my Viva Sport. I found the frame in a trash pile on the sidewalk and built it up in an unconventional way.

wrk101

No it is not all original. Original, both wheels and rims would match. A drive side pic would tell more, but at least one wheel is a replacement. $50 = no brainer deal there regardless.

RoadBurn627

thanks for the heads up! Ive got some more pictures, this time went through photobucket next thing i will do is find that serial number!

RoadBurn627

Sorry for some lame pictures, they probably wont tell too much! Seems to be all suntour components. Is this 'cyclone' stuff any good? Seems to shift pretty well. I feel slow on this bike though. Could it be because I am not staying in my powerband as much due to downtube shifters? It can be a pain to constantly use those and it requires a little playing around with sometimes to get it in the right gear! Climbing hills also seems a lot tougher. again im probably thinking only 12 speeds compared to 24 on the hybrid..i cant just spin it out when I need to!

T-Mar

The Viva Sport was an upper entry level model. This one appears to be mid-1980s, circa 1985/1986. The Mangalight fork is a giveaway to Miyata manufacture. SunTour New Cyclone were highly regarded mid-range derailleurs. Actually, they're bit higher than I was expecting to see on a Viva Sport of this era. I thought the New Cyclone model was the Gran Sprint.

If you can't select the gears quickly, you'll lose some speed and may feel like you're bogging down. This should improve with experience. However, it wouldn't hurt to check the tire pressure, bearing play (hubs and bottom bracket), tires aren't rubbing the pads or frame, etc. If the fit, is noticeably different form the hybrid, that can affect things too.

$50 was a steal for that bicycle, even if there are some minor issues.

RoadBurn627

Very cool T-Mar! Thanks for the good info!! I would say it is running at its peak now. New tires and tubes and a full tune up. Brakes are aligned and spokes are tuned and tightened! I suppose in time I will shift it faster I am wondering if it would be a good idea to spend the money on getting myself fit to the bike..I would say it fits okay, but I think I could get more out of it.

T-Mar

Good heavens don't get yourself fit to the bicycle! Last thing we need is some hack doctor drewing your body by removing and adding bits! It's better to fit the bicycle to your body. Seriously, you can do a lot of this yourself, using online resources as a guide. It will at least get you in the ballpark. If you're still serious in a year or two, then I'd consider getting a pro to refine the fit. BTW, don't forget to check the serial number, it should be on the underside of the botton bracket shell.

TimmyT 

+1 $50 for that bike was a steal. The cyclone mini-group (shifters + derailleurs) alone is worth that.
On the underside of the bottom bracket shell, the serial number will start with a letter N is 1985, O is 1986. I agree with T-Mars estimate that this is '85 or '86 as that corresponds to that cyclone group.

You shouldn't be losing a lot of power on your Univega relative to your hybrid. In fact, you should be moving faster. Check your freewheel on the back for your max and min cog size. It is probably something like a 14-28 or a 13-26.

doublegg66

Here's my viva touring in it's go to work mode-funniest bicycle I've ever owned.

RoadBurn627

Well damn I was hoping they could take a little off the mid-section and give me longer legs! I will take your advice though. I tweaked the seat height (which I thought was good) and did WAY better on a 30 miler today. The ride was more comfortable and I wasn't getting the leg fatigue I had before when the seat was lower. I will continue to tweak it! The money I saved for fitment may be spent elsewhere. A LBS is offering a $150"overhaul" which includes: So, what does a Full Bike Overhaul entail? First we disassemble, clean, inspect, and replace parts as needed within your bike's critical systems. Second, we service the hubs, bottom bracket, headset, derailleurs, chain, cassette, brakes, grips and bar-tape. Third, we replace all of the inner cables (inner cables are included in the price). We also true the wheels and carefully lube and tune all systems to ensure smooth operation and increase your bike's longevity.

So what do ya think? Worth it on a 30 year old Univega? It sat for a long time according to previous owner and I had it fully tuned up. Seems like a pretty thorough service...

But guys I just can't seem to find the serial number anywhere on the bike!!

RoadBurn627

Scratch that. I found the serial number..that's what happens when you ride to the Brewery for lunch. It was hidden under some dirt and grime! 0C24732

T-Mar

Serial number indicates a 1986 model. Personally, I'd take the $150, invest it in basic bicycle tools and do it yourself. There are lots of good online resources and most used book stores have old bicycle maintenance repair books at very inexpensive prices. Vintage bicycles are relatively simple machines. In the long run, it will save you money and there's a great deal of satisfaction in doing it yourself.

RoadBurn627

Thanks for the suggestion. That route appeals to me more seeing as I would like to start getting my hands dirty and working on my bikes myself. Any recommendations on good basic/beginner books? Part of my interest in picking up a vintage bike was the simplicity actually!

NJgreyhead

Anybody's Bike Book by Cuthbertson was a good one back in the day.

spfldsuburban

[h=1]The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance & Repair: For Road & Mountain Bikes by Todd Downs is an excellent one also. Had a copy, need to get a new one. $17 on Amazon[/h]

cheesehead

Hi guys,gals. Garage find: Gran Rally, Shimano 600, # NG60882. Questions: year?, what level of quality, equipment/frame? Thanks in advance!

Creme Brulee

yessss that is cool