vintagerando

Does anyone know if the Superstrada was ever marketed with Suntour Superbe groupset? If so, what year or years? Thanks.

vintagerando

bump...anyone info here?

T-Mar

If you've got a Superstrada with Superbe, the better approach would be to date the frame via the serial number, then compare it against the date codes of the components. If they are within a year of each other, then there is a good chance they are OEM. Once we know the year, it's easier to go back and check any extant literature.

vintagerando

Well, the answer is yes....I owe one now, got it toda. A Superstrada with full Suntour Superbe. I will post photos...if anyone is interested

Velocivixen

We're anxiously awaiting photos. Tell us more.

For component date codes go here:
Date of Manufacture of Bicycle Components can be used to date a bike: component dating

Salamandrine 

I'd love to see pictures. I mostly remember Univega would change specs on these models every year. Our shop would only sell maybe one or two a year of something like that anyway. Though the top end Univegas were exceptional values, usually if folks wanted a fancy race bike, they'd go for a boutique manufacturer or (where I worked) one of the Bianchis.

top506

The Superstrada out in the barn came to me with a mix of Dura-Ace AX, Campy, Superbe, and Dia-Compe AGC. Details here:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-pick-yet.html

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vintagerando

Well, the bike has issues. Rust. But, the brakes, cranks, derailleurs, hubs are all Suntour Superbe. The rear dropouts are Suntour Pro and the front Shimano. The handlebars are Cinelli and the stem is Cinelli. Seat is a Turbo.
Now, what to do with it. I bought this from the same seller of the Waterford frame. I have an long thread about the problems I have had with the Waterford. The seller had some great bikes but did not care for them. So, I got two great group sets and two troubled frames. I actually bought a third bike from the same seller.....but I will same that for another post.
So, I need a darn frame that doesn't have rust issues!

top506

I'd offer up the frame and fork I have but I suspect it's too tall for you.

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vintagerando

i am a 56.....

Salamandrine 

Oh I remember those now. Nice bike actually. There was a briefly lived trend for clear cable housing around that time. (84?)

I suggest putting a bit of naval jelly on those rust spots. It should dissolve the rust and let you see the extent of any real damage. They may be cosmetic. Fortunately those are not in critical areas. Try to get a peak inside the tubes and BB shell also.

That is a nice frame and worthy of refinish IMO. Since the original paint has failed to the point of making the bike unusable, there's no 'moral' reason not to refin.

T-Mar

The pictures narrow things down considerably. This version of Superbe Pro came out in 1982 and it's friction shifting, so should be no later than 1986. The frame is no earlier than 1985. I don't have anything on the 1986 Superstrada but the Superbe Pro bicycle that year was the Competezione. I have nothing on 1987. On the positive side, the fact hat it has a SunTour rear dropout increases the probability of the group being OEM.

Salamandrine 

So you think it's an 85?? I'd believe that. Someone must have the catalog.

The high end Univegas were available as framesets around that time, which complicates things. As bike shop employee, I bought a Specialissima frame around 84 and built it up with my preferred parts. I'm sure others did the same.

kevins08 

FWIW, the super strada i had recently was full Dura Ace AX (full from bearings to hubs) and have no reason to believe it wasnt original. I believe both dropouts are Shimano as well. I still have the frame, I'll investigate before the day is over.

T-Mar

Well, no earlier than 1985, as the 1984 models didn't come with pump pegs, unless they were introduced part way through the year. The serial number would tell us the model year, unless it's in the grey transition area.

T-Mar

Yes, The Superstrada came with Dura-Ace AX in at least 1984 and probably one or two years before that.

vintagerando

I will get the serial number.....

vintagerando

The serial number on the bottombracket is NK65599
The serial number on the rear drop out CJ0023

T-Mar

The frame was built during weeks 21-22 of 1985. That's early enough that it's is almost certainly a 1985 frame. I have a May 1985 issue of Bicycle Guide that lists the Competezione as the Superbe Pro model andd the Super Speciale as Camapgnolo SR. This makes me think that the Super Strada carried on it's lineage and was equipped with New Dura-Ace (SIS).

vintagerando

Thanks for the information. I am going to look into how the Competezione frame differs from the Superstrada. I also have to investagate how I should treat the rust. The two lugs on the tube between the headset and seat cluster are rusted. Its just at the tips of the lug....so maybe the structure is still strong....

GentlemanGeorge

I have a Univega Competizione which by my best guess is an 85, full Suntour Superbe Pro group (friction). It shares the same style seat cluster, sloping crown fork, Superbe Pro dropouts...etc...

If you need pictures of anything specific, let me know an I'll do my best to accommodate.

T-Mar

It's not uncommon for manufacturers to use the same frame as the basis for the two or three models, This saves money and, in the case of high end bicycles, is often used to cover a broader market (i.e. do you want it with Campagnolo, Shimano or SunTour?). I'd be surprised if there was any difference beyond colour and model name.

RipperMac

Hello - brand new here - looking for information on a Univega Superstrada Oversize 858 i just acquired. Trying to add photos with no luck. ANy help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

shuru421

I have a Univega Superstrada in the grey paint job. The bike should come with full Dura-Ace AX, forgot if it had Shimano dropouts, but will check later today. A guy is coming to check it out (need to make space for another bike) so before he decides to buy it, ill snap a few more pics. Hopefully that will help.