casanewt

Greetings! So I just scored a Univega Competizione on Nextdoor from a guy in my neighborhood. Great deal that I could not pass up. Before I bought it, a ton of my searches for info on what it was brought me here to this fine forum. Would love to know more about it. The original Suntour Superbe derailers are swapped out for a DuraAce rear and Cyclone front. Crank appears to be original. Rims and hubs updated recently. Not sure what year this color is. 1984 was white or red.

casanewt

post 5 to be able to post a photo

Aubergine 

malcala622

Your post count stayed the same

T-Mar

The serial number will tell us the year the frame was manufactured. Also, the Cyclone front derailleur may be OEM. Recently there was a case of a 1982 Competizione with Cyclone derailleurs, where both date codes matched closely with the fork date date code and serial number, suggesting that early Competizione were Cyclone equipped.

casanewt

K983678 is the frame code. Sounds like that makes it a 1982 model. It's blue. Perhaps someday soon I will have 10 posts and be able to link or upload some photos. Perhaps I could PM someone here the url to the photos and they could post the link?

My last road bike I bought with mowing money before I was driving. A 1986 Schwinn Tempo with Columbus Tenax tubing and the early version of Shimano Index Shifting. I ignorantly donated it to the church rummage sale about 15 years ago because I only rode my 1992 GT Bravado mountain bike(still have it). I'm sure someone paid $10 and walked out the door with the steal of a lifetime. It came back full circle because this Univega Competizione is worth about double what my old bike was!

Clang

Looking forward to pics of your Bravado too in the C&V mountain bike thread once you're allowed to post :]

noobinsf 

T-Mar

The K-code indicates that it manufactured in 1982 but the sequential number is so high that it is almost certainly a 1983 model manufactured in very late 1982. Curiously, in 1983 Univega offered the Gran Premio with Tange double butted CrMo frame, Cyclone derailleurs, Aerox crankset and Gran Compe 400 brakes. This is very similar to the 1982 Competizione owned by noobinsk, mentioned in the previous post. Consequently, I'd be interested in the brand and models of your other components. It seems strange that Univega would market two almost identical models in the same year. The only possibility that comes to mind, would be if one used a wired-on wheelset, while the other used a tubular wheelset. .

casanewt

Below is a broken-up link to photos of the bike. Remove the space and add the standard h thing in front

photos.app.goo.gl /zD2N9Dk9Vm4G4cB97

casanewt

Now I need to hope that scuffing-up the old pads on these Aero Gran Compe brakes will get them grabbing better. Not many options for these particular unique brake shoes besides Modolo holders.

rocks in head 

Interesting mix of components. Check the seatpost diameter first thing. It looks like the binder bolt has pinched the tubing all the way closed with extra space around the top... so do make sure that's all o.k. before you start riding it.

I've been into checking the craigslist alternatives in my area - facebook, offerup... I hadn't considered Nextdoor, but where I am that's more homeownery 'can anyone recommend a contractor" or "the city's taking away all the street parking on my block" sort of thing.

noglider 

If the saddle is at the right height for you, I think the bike is probably too big for you.

casanewt

Good catch on the seat post. I need to find a different one. The one it came with appears to be for an aero seat tube frame.

Nextdoor's "For Sale or Free" area is very interesting to watch. You get a shot at higher value garage sale type items before they actually have a garage sale or post on CL. Facebook Marketplace is one to watch as well, but stuff on there goes pretty quick.

casanewt

Correct! Saddle is set too low right now. I am 6'4". I need to find another seat post because the one it came with is for a bike with aero frame tubes.

casanewt

Well, that was simple. I pulled the seat post out and only the top section was tapered. Raised to the correct height now and clamped in the proper area.

casanewt

Here is the link to all of the photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zD2N9Dk9Vm4G4cB97

rocks in head 

Nice bike! Too bad the prior owner cranked down the seatpost binder bolt with the aero seatpost slammed. Good to know that was an easy solution. I hope you get to go ride it soon!

casanewt

Short shakedown this morning around the city before the heat. It really rides great. I need to raise the stem so I'm not breaking my neck to look ahead. I also have to figure out a solution for these Aero Gran Compe brake pads. I scuffed them with a file last night, but they are still horrible.

noglider 

Do those calipers take standard brake pads (shoes)? If not, get rid of them. There is no point in using any pads other than Kool Stop. Some are as good, but none is better, and they are far from the most expensive.

The bike looks good. You did good work. It looked pretty bad initially.

casanewt

Thanks! It really is in good condition for its age. Unfortunately, the Aero Gran Compe brakes have a totally unique pad/holder that is one unit with a threaded post. I hear you can run Modolo holders. I'll have to McGyver it or go with a different brake set. Perhaps I can glue in some new pads.

noglider 

I wouldn't go through much trouble with those calipers. The best you can say about them is that they're interesting. Maybe the challenge would be interesting for you, but if not, just replace them.

Salamandrine 

First, cool bike. I remember selling a couple of those BITD.

If you are really determined and talented, there's probably a way to get new pads into those holders. Any NOS pads that you are likely to find are going to be toast by now anyway. Obviously as brakes are a safety issue, it would need to be done very well.

Alternatively, if you want a period correct replacement, consider the Bridgestone self centering brakes. They were made by dia compe look very similar to the aero gran compes, but they use standard pads. The finish isn't quite as fancy as gran compe, but the mechanism is better. I always thought they were cool BITD, possibly because they came with translucent cable housing, admittedly. The calipers do come up on ebay on occasion, and they don't get much love, with the notable exception of GP.

https://rivbike.tumblr.com/post/1352...nd-misc-stuffs

Salamandrine 

On second thought, if Modolo holders fit, which supposedly they do, that's the way to go. Kool stop makes pads for them.

The reach of AGC brakes was extremely short, shorter than standard short. I'd forgotten. It might be hard to find something else that will work. The Bridestone brakes are a sort of long short at ~41-53.

noobinsf