Stevie B

Hi,

I'm posting some photos of my 1985 Univega Gran Sprint. I believe this model was made by Miyata. Anyway, it is one sweet ride. It must be the triple-butted tubing. As you can see, I have lost a few gears and converted this stallion to a fixed gear. It can always be converted back--should the need ever arise. I'd like to find an original Sunshine Gyromaster front hub for this ride if anybody out there in bike land has one lying around.

Keep spinning,

Stevie B

Chris_in_Miami

Here's my 1995 Alpina 606-S which I swapped for a very unexciting 2006 Diamondback. Still needs to be cleaned and tuned up, and some new rubber. I may also swap out the fork for a rigid one.

riva

My second univega is a gold nuovo sport.. first one was a grey arrowpace, but that one got jacked when I was like 14. So after two decades univegaless, here is #2 which I picked up tonight. I thought I'd feel some kind of redemption or something, but no. Just plain ole new toy joy.

Serial number on BB #ne44514
"CTB" triple butted chromoly written on toptube
"Lawee designed" on the chainstay
Rainbowish univega logo on seat tube
No headbadge, only a logo on the steering tube
"Signature" cranks
Sakae custom bar
SR Laprade seat post
ARX deraileurz
plainish dia compe brakes
3mm dropout adjuster bolts
fender braze-ons front and rear
single bottle mount brazes

T-mar was on the money, confirms its an '85- "Definitely a Miyata build and definitely a 1985 model. Should be triple butted 4130 (CrMo) main triangle with Mangalight forks and stays, SunTour ARx derailleurs, SR Signature crankset, Dia-Compe 500N brakeset and Araya 16A, 27" rims. Original price $249 US."

jeremyb

Just bought this Univega Specialissima. What is the loop for on the chainstay? Also, what does this serial number tell you guys? J376032

Also, I've noticed some Specialissima's have canti mounts and mine does not. Does anyone know when this transition was made?

T-Mar

The serial number says it was made by Miyata in 1981. The serial number is low enough that it's almost certainly a 1981 model. That little loop is a chainstay protector, intended to reduce those nasty paint chips from chain slaps.

Bikedued

My GT has the same loop. I wish it was a spare spoke holder, but oh well. It still looks interesting, and EVERYONE that sees it asks what it's for.,,,,BD

ilikebikes

Ive got this one that looks a bit like yours, but all it has is the Univege name on the bottom tube. It had a RD hanger but I hacked it off due to the fact that it was stripped and had a nice crack in it, I figured Id make a SS out of it but C-Listed it instead.

Bikedued

Wow, that is one of the most chewed up right dropouts I've ever seen. Looks like it could break off without notice, hehe.,,,,BD

T-Mar

Agreed, a spare spoke holder would have been a better alternative. In addition to acting as spares, a trio of spokes protect the chainstay far better.

jeremyb

anyone have a photo of what these spoke holders look like?

jeremyb

If you dont mind me asking, what in the serial tells you these things? Or a link describing it?

thanks for the help

ilikebikes

It looks much worse than what it is, its actually not even into the metal, these digital cams seem to do make things look worse than they are!?

riva

My digicam does the opposite! The scratched to hell nuovo actually looks presentable on here.

soderbiker

univage was my first MTB i dont even remember what it was . im old -> decay stage
Cheers

riva

My buds rover, he's owned it since new. Not really a classic but whatever I'm posting it here. I think its made in china, serial is #41207500.

dodge67

Its serial is number 6081 and it has a faded Gran rally on the top tube. See the rest of the piccies at this post: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...78#post8623978

Cheers
Damian

theface70

my all time favorite bike, belonged to my brother, who then sold it to me after leaving it behind at my parents house when he moved away ( early 90's ) full 6 speed dura ace at the time, upgraded it to 7 then 8 speed while i had it, also had it repainted and slowly updated all parts (dura ace) i rode the hell out of this bike for years....since then i once actually sold it on e-bay9had 2 many bikes and this was the oldest of the pack)i regretted selling it and missed it then thru some really good luck, searching on ebay months later for a replacement one actually bought the frame back from the guy i sold it to in the 1st place.... then i rebuilt it up as a single speed and have kept it that way since ,i love this bike to death, and will keep it forever

riva

Sportour on moving day.. around an '82 methinks. Waiting for T-mar for confirmation on year.

Kevrob

I'm going to look at these today:

https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/bik/1165824163.html and

https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/bik/1165815573.html

I googoled a bit, and think they are early 90s models.

Are these prices in the ballpark, assuming they are in riding condition?

I'm leaning toward the hybrid, as I've only been back into cycling for about a year, and am very short of funds.

Kevin

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

well if you're short on funds you should count that MTB right out. 150 could only be described as an Insane price for that.

Honestly I think that 50 for that other one is kinda high too, but it will get you around...hard to tell from the pics what kind of shape its in.

Kevrob

I'm planning on making a counteroffer, Craven. The owner describes the hybrid as "rarely used," which can be code for "no maintenance done."

How low should I go?

Kevin

Kevrob

I picked up the hybrid for $40. Did I get a good deal? It is marked as an "Activa Trail", with a CrMo steel frame, painted aqua. The wheels are 700s, it has a "Lawee design" decal, and the grip shifters, brakes and derailleurs are all Shimano. ["GS100" is all over the place.]

This "rarely used" bike had the remnant of the leaf from a tree wedged in the RD, a front reflector that had taken a whack so that it pointed about 45° to starboard, and a saddle that had lost the front third of its upholstery. I had to knock spiderwebs out of the spokes. Still, the tires held air, and it performed OK on a test ride. The back brake squeaks a bit, and there's some minor rusting on parts of the frame, but I like the feel of it.

I just rode it about 4 miles to the library. I've got to get it to the LBS for a tune-up, as overnight the front derailleur stopped functioning. Maybe I jostled a cable when I transferred my Mountain Mirrycle mirror to the left-hand grip, or something. The route I took this morning is up-and-down, and I probably would have spent a lot of time in gears 2-6 anyway!

If and when I can get my hands on a digital camera, I'll try to post some shots.

Kevin

cdyhart

Is there a way to know how old a Univega is? We have a great tandem and don't use it. Before I try selling it, I'd like to figure out the age of it. I don't believe it's old enough to be vintage. Maybe late 1990s or early 2000s. Just a very uneducated guess.

TheDL

My recently acquired Custom Maxima. 100% Original; right down to to the tires. Working on getting it all cleaned up and ready to ride. I'm swapping out the tires to save the originals. I may swap out the brake levers to for non-aeros to give it a sportier vintage look. I'll save the originals of course

I love the late 70's to mid 80's Univega colors. Beautiful bikes.

High Fist Shin

My Univega Viva Touring... a fun little restoration project.