First impressions of my 1983 Univega Super Strada
#1
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Location: NW Ohio
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Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
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First impressions of my 1983 Univega Super Strada
It's very light weight, fast, handles very well and is comfortable and fits me perfectly. The only thing
I don't like much is the Dura Ace AX rear derailleur. Sometimes you can feel the internal derailleur
indexed system .Sometimes I can feel the gears downshifting but never upshifting.I would much
rather have had the Suberbe Pro components equipped on the next lower model.
I don't like much is the Dura Ace AX rear derailleur. Sometimes you can feel the internal derailleur
indexed system .Sometimes I can feel the gears downshifting but never upshifting.I would much
rather have had the Suberbe Pro components equipped on the next lower model.
#3
Death fork? Naaaah!!
I had one of these pass through my hands a few years back. A previous owner had thoughtfully swapped in a Superbe Pro RD.
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Top
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
#4
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Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
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#6
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Join Date: Jun 2018
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Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
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#8
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
#9
Junior Member
The bike looks awesome in pics in other thread. You are lucky it is the right size! Thats most important.
I would give the AX derailleur a chance. I had some funkiness and found the 5mm hex hanger bolt was loose. After tightening hanger bolt, and adjusting the limit screw to ensure I could fully get into 1st gear, it shifts very well. Verified on long rides with all kinds of hills.
I also have the same year Competizione. It is about 2 pounds heavier, you can notice difference as soon as picking it up. The Superbe Pro rear is good too, but I personally don’t see huge difference.
The two front derailleurs do have differences. On my AX, I have to feather it alot to prevent rubbing. Most of my front derailleur usually two different spots would work to prevent rubbing while shifting rear over full range low to high. On the AX I need to adjust more, maybe 3 positions as i shift rear low to high.
on the Superbe FD with Aerox crankset, I have the issue where chain can settle between the chainrings when dropping from big ring to small. I will go measure the chain width to see if it same size as my other bikes, and not a 9 speed chain etc. But I am pretty sure it is the stock one.
So at least for me, neither is perfect, but they are both very good. Both are joyful to ride.
Thanks for posting about yours, its interesting to read.
I would give the AX derailleur a chance. I had some funkiness and found the 5mm hex hanger bolt was loose. After tightening hanger bolt, and adjusting the limit screw to ensure I could fully get into 1st gear, it shifts very well. Verified on long rides with all kinds of hills.
I also have the same year Competizione. It is about 2 pounds heavier, you can notice difference as soon as picking it up. The Superbe Pro rear is good too, but I personally don’t see huge difference.
The two front derailleurs do have differences. On my AX, I have to feather it alot to prevent rubbing. Most of my front derailleur usually two different spots would work to prevent rubbing while shifting rear over full range low to high. On the AX I need to adjust more, maybe 3 positions as i shift rear low to high.
on the Superbe FD with Aerox crankset, I have the issue where chain can settle between the chainrings when dropping from big ring to small. I will go measure the chain width to see if it same size as my other bikes, and not a 9 speed chain etc. But I am pretty sure it is the stock one.
So at least for me, neither is perfect, but they are both very good. Both are joyful to ride.
Thanks for posting about yours, its interesting to read.
#10
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 1,142
Bikes: 1983 Univega Super Strada, 1986 Panasonic DX5000, 1984 Fuji Team 85 Univega Gran Turismo, 1984 Lotus Unique, 1987 Centurion Expert, 1987 Centurion Ironman Master,
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 677 Post(s)
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in
182 Posts
The bike looks awesome in pics in other thread. You are lucky it is the right size! Thats most important.
I would give the AX derailleur a chance. I had some funkiness and found the 5mm hex hanger bolt was loose. After tightening hanger bolt, and adjusting the limit screw to ensure I could fully get into 1st gear, it shifts very well. Verified on long rides with all kinds of hills.
I also have the same year Competizione. It is about 2 pounds heavier, you can notice difference as soon as picking it up. The Superbe Pro rear is good too, but I personally don’t see huge difference.
The two front derailleurs do have differences. On my AX, I have to feather it alot to prevent rubbing. Most of my front derailleur usually two different spots would work to prevent rubbing while shifting rear over full range low to high. On the AX I need to adjust more, maybe 3 positions as i shift rear low to high.
on the Superbe FD with Aerox crankset, I have the issue where chain can settle between the chainrings when dropping from big ring to small. I will go measure the chain width to see if it same size as my other bikes, and not a 9 speed chain etc. But I am pretty sure it is the stock one.
So at least for me, neither is perfect, but they are both very good. Both are joyful to ride.
Thanks for posting about yours, its interesting to read.
I would give the AX derailleur a chance. I had some funkiness and found the 5mm hex hanger bolt was loose. After tightening hanger bolt, and adjusting the limit screw to ensure I could fully get into 1st gear, it shifts very well. Verified on long rides with all kinds of hills.
I also have the same year Competizione. It is about 2 pounds heavier, you can notice difference as soon as picking it up. The Superbe Pro rear is good too, but I personally don’t see huge difference.
The two front derailleurs do have differences. On my AX, I have to feather it alot to prevent rubbing. Most of my front derailleur usually two different spots would work to prevent rubbing while shifting rear over full range low to high. On the AX I need to adjust more, maybe 3 positions as i shift rear low to high.
on the Superbe FD with Aerox crankset, I have the issue where chain can settle between the chainrings when dropping from big ring to small. I will go measure the chain width to see if it same size as my other bikes, and not a 9 speed chain etc. But I am pretty sure it is the stock one.
So at least for me, neither is perfect, but they are both very good. Both are joyful to ride.
Thanks for posting about yours, its interesting to read.