vega_rockets

Hello!

Was googling univega, came across this thread, read it, saw really nice pics, expert opinions from posters and general enthusiasm for univega.

So, here is my, i believe, 1995 rover 301 in blue metallic.



Am going to post some more pics later, just took this with cell for a sneak peak.

How can i tell whether this model (rover 301) was built by miyata? Here is serial # in case it helps univega experts D50101892

Thanks, and keep this thread alive

RFC

Below are pics of my recently acquired Univega Gran Touring. I tore it down and rebuilt it with a 7-speed cassette and shifters. It is a very nice ride.

T-Mar, I would appreciate your analysis of the origins of this bike. The fork is stamped 1988 and I am sure it is part of the original package. The SS # is M8A 44520.

Oh and just for comparison, I have included a pic of my former 1984 Miyata 1000

Thanks for looking.

Bikedued

I like the very fitting kickstand, hehe!,,,,BD

T-Mar

This doesn't match the Miyata serial serial number format. It's more typical of a Taiwanese format. Timeframe would also be correct for Taiwan.

The serial number would seem to imply a 1995 model. Unfortunately I have no 1995 literature, but 1994 had a Rover 3.3 and Rover 3,5, while 1996 had a Rover 300 and Rover 302 and 304 so I'm willing to go with 1995 having the odd numbered 301, 303 and 305 models.

Serial number confirms a 1988 model. It's not of Miyata origin but would appear to be either a Mikki or Merida frame, depending on whether the respective country of origin is Japan or Taiwan.

You certainly like those Tektro levers!

mental octopus

So I went out the other day with the intention of buying either an older Fuji Gran Tourer or Espree, but came away with something else, a single speed Univega Supra Sport. After trying everything out, this one just felt the best to me and was pretty darn cheap.

(not so great iPhone pics)







I barely know anything about bikes, but here are some of its features:

single speed
chromoly, triple butted frame
mangalight forks
shimano brakes
continental tires
alex ace 19 rims
sugino cranks

RFC

Thanks T-Mar. The Tektros are, for me, the most comfortable non brifter levers.

fanta510

Univega Nuovo Sport, serial no. NS44493. A rough date of manufacture would be greatly appreciated.

T-Mar

Manufactured by Miyata during weeks 37-38 of 1985. It's in that grey area where it could be either a 1985 or 1986 model.

fanta510

Thanks!

spfldsuburban

How About This!?
Univega Activa ST - $165
Looks like a hybrid, more upright stem, commuter type bar.
In the pics it looks like it has center-pull brakes. (??)
......"has 20.5" (52cm) Tange Chromoly frame with 12 speeds, Shimano SIS derailleurs and A frame. Fully tuned and gone over has new saddle."........

I'm shopping for an Urban Assault / Transporter so I can put my old Schwinn Suburban thru some major maintenance and a paint job.

Oh, and I do dig the color!

Sooo.... Deal or No Deal?

TheCappucinoKid

Univega MysteryModel. 10-speed, with Shimano 600 derailleurs, Dia-Compe brakes, Shimano 105 hubs, Suntour freewheel. Serial no. J819038. A rough date of manufacture and possibly model name would be greatly appreciated!

T-Mar

Manufactured by Miyata in 1981. A pretty high serial number, so almost certainly a 1982 model. The Shimano parts are probably replacemets. The 105 hubs, definitely are, as 105 made its debut in 1983.

Integral dopout hanger, single bottle bosses, exposed brake nuts and clamp style downrtube shifters point towards a lower mid-range model, probably CrMo main tubes only. That's assuming their are no stem markings indicating a conversion from stem shifters. 27" wheelset? Seat post diameter?

TheCappucinoKid

Thanks! That goes a long way to helping me identify it. If the 105 hubs came out in 83, it couldn't be an 83 model? Do the chrome forks not indicate a higher end model? Any idea of what model name it might compare to in Univega's line, or if the CroMo would have been double / triple butted? The wheelset is 27", the (SR) seatpost diam. is 88mm (3.5"). There are scratches on the handlebar stem, but I kind of doubt there were shifters mounted there. I've posted a photo of it and of the rear dropouts, if it helps!

T-Mar

Highly unlikely to be a 1983, given the serial number is form 1981! Given the SR canks and Dia-Compe brakes, the 600EX derialleurs are probably upgrades, most likely from SunTour ARx. The tubing would not be triple butted, It's either double butted or plain gauge CrMo. No stem shifter marks would indicate it is proably a lower mid-range model. I have to research for a comparable model.

TheCappucinoKid

Super Strada perhaps? That came out in 82, is double butted, and has single bosses for the water cage. Also, the crank design appears similar. Although the Super Strada's appear similar to mine overall, haven't seen a model with completely chrome forks. Seems the crankring design and chrome forks would be the best indicators of the model.

arborohs

full chrome forks tells me replacemet

TheCappucinoKid

Hmmm... I've seen other Univega's with the same chrome forks, so I assumed this was OEM.

505oh505

There's a super strada on ebay, full dura ace, sick. That bike is no super strada.

TheCappucinoKid

Was kind of basing it on this:



...which looks very similar (there's even a bit of chrome on the top of the fork) and is a Super Strada, and some Super Stradas have Shimano 600 (some Dura-Ace, and some a more modern looking Shimano 600). Of course, I'm open to suggestions on what it might be.

lord1e

I know this aint what this is about but since you guys are the masters do you think this is any good?

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/1359730001.html

Bikedued

It was almost a good price, until they took all of the components off and sold them on ebay. Less is more these days I guess. Well, they could have bought it as a bare frame, but it doesn't fit the usual MO. Unless you can tell what model it used to be, stay away from it.,,,,BD


It also looks a hell of lot closer to a 58-59cm, unless I'm seeing things...

snath1234

Hi,

I've just picked up an old Univega Sportour and was hoping someone here could help me figure out what year it is. Here is a photo from when I picked it up -
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink
All I've done so far is put the bars back in the right position and use enough WD-40 to get it moving again. Here what seems like it might be useful:

The serial no. is K297729
The frame is marked Made in Japan, Tange Champion, Double Butted
The bars are Sakae Custom Road Champion
It has Shimano 600 shifters/derailluers with Dia Compe brakes/levers

Any ideas? Let me know if other info would help.

Thanks,
Nathan

T-Mar

Nathan, based on the serial number your Sportour is a 1982 model. While I don't have the 1982 specs, I strongly suspect that the shift system is an upgrade. During this period most Univega used SunTour derailleurs. If the 600 were OEM, I would also have expected 600 brakes and crankset. Finally, the bicycle appears virtually identical to the 1983 Sportour, which was spec'd with SunTour ARX derailleurs.

theface70

just bought 2 more univega road frames , 1 off of e-bay and 2nd off craigslist....i was thinking of repainting the worse one of the 2 but wondered about where or how to go about getting some "univega " frame decals....? any ideas anyone ? thanks

theface70

they are both red in color 1 is a "ital sport" model, the other is a "super sport" model....1 frame is in pretty decent shape overall cosmetic wise, the other is pretty scratched up and thats the 1 i want to repaint,i dont really care about the model name decals...just looking for some of the downtube,headtube and seat tube logo and name decals ....any info or ideas would be greatly appreciated.....mp