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The Unofficial Univega Appreciation Thread!

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The Unofficial Univega Appreciation Thread!

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Old 01-03-22, 11:28 PM
  #1476  
Wiggles_dad
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Originally Posted by casanewt
Found a gem today. A Univega I did not know even existed. Check out this 1986 Univega Superlight. It's the Miyata Omnium frame rebadged as a Univega. It is all original except for the stem and handlebars that were changed out. It was not ridden much based on the condition.








I didn't know this existed. How does this compare to the 80's Cannondale SR's?
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Old 01-05-22, 04:20 PM
  #1477  
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Originally Posted by noobinsf
Nice bike! If that's a keeper for you, and you want to keep it original, then take care of the straddle cable on your DC 960 brakes. I've recently discovered that the double-ended straddle cable in 250mm length is not being made anymore, and it's essentially impossible to find outside of a donor brake set. The commonly available double-ended lengths of 140mm and 330mm are either too short or too long.
Thanks for the heads up. I think I have the same brakes on an 84 Trek 520 but I am not sure if they are the same model.
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Old 01-05-22, 05:41 PM
  #1478  
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Not mine. Here's an oddball; it's marked "Fuji Cycle" and "Univega." Probably a JDM product, but who knew?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...60542743966009



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Old 01-08-22, 08:41 AM
  #1479  
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Originally Posted by thumpism
Not mine. Here's an oddball; it's marked "Fuji Cycle" and "Univega." Probably a JDM product, but who knew?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...60542743966009



I notice that it has Fuji on the down tube, so I'm wondering if Univega might be the model name?

Regardless, it's posible to have unrelated brands with the same name in different countries. If Lawee didn't trademark the Univega name in Japan, Fuji could have trademarked it there and used it for their domestic market. This one looks like it could actually predate the appearance of the Univega brand in the USA.

However, what is most surprising to me is seeing the stay end to dropout attachment. It looks like the cheap crimp and spotweld method used on department store bicycles and not what most members would expect to see on a Fuji product.
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Old 01-09-22, 02:19 PM
  #1480  
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Originally Posted by Wiggles_dad
I didn't know this existed. How does this compare to the 80's Cannondale SR's?
It is an interesting frame design for sure. The geometry suggests sports-tourer, but it lacks all fender or rack mounts and is spec'd and built as a triathlon bike. See it's info in the 1986 catalog(roll down to 1986) here... https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-catalogs.html
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Old 01-09-22, 04:03 PM
  #1481  
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Originally Posted by Wiggles_dad
I didn't know this existed. How does this compare to the 80's Cannondale SR's?
That's going to be very subjective and dependent on your preferences. However, in 1986 Bicycling magazine did a direct comparison between the Miyata Omnium and a Cannondale SR400, along with 7 other aluminum bicycles. Assuming Lawee didn't request any changes to the Omnium frameset, the attached chart summarizes the characteristics of the two bicycles, as measured and judged by Bicycling's testers.
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Old 01-09-22, 07:04 PM
  #1482  
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Univega gran premio

Just finished a rebuild of a bike that sat in an airplane hanger.


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Old 01-12-22, 02:35 PM
  #1483  
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There is also an "Alpina Trail" to add to your list.
This variant has a triple-butted Chromoly steel frame with peculiar "spotted" paint.
I just joined this forum and can't post pictures, but you can see this bike's photos at bikesheaven dot com site. Just search for ALPINA TRAIL.
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Old 02-06-22, 07:14 PM
  #1484  
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I just added "1990(?) Univega Alpina Trail" in the Albums on this forum.
Beautiful steel frame.
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Old 02-07-22, 05:11 AM
  #1485  
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Pic Assist t351937

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Old 02-14-22, 01:41 PM
  #1486  
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Thank you OTS for posting the link.
I thought that the first mass-produced mountain bike was 1982 Specialized Stumpjumper.
It is interesting that Marine Museum of Bicycling indicated two first bikes, and the other one was 1982 Univega Alpina Pro.
I am new to this forum and can't post links yet, but you can find it under mmbhof dot org, under "Mtn bike hall of fame" > "Mtn biking history" > "Mountain biking's first bikes" > 1982
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Old 02-18-22, 02:48 PM
  #1487  
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My Univega Gran Tourismo

I bought this new in 1985 shortly after I moved to Southern California. Have put quite a few miles on it but don't ride it much these days. Mostly still original but I changed out the back wheel about 15 years ago. I still have the original hub and the original, now very warped rear rim. Serial number starts with M which, as I read, means it was produced in 1984 but is an 18 speed with Suntour Montech derailleurs. The front derailleur has a ZG code, rear has a AF and the hubs are ZE. These suggest 1983 for these components. Is that correct?

I still have the original docs and receipt.

I tried to post pics but have to wait until I have 10 posts so I'll post pics later. Well, I'm over 10 so here it is. Again thanks to curbtender and cb400bill!!



Last edited by Saudadeii; 03-01-22 at 10:53 AM. Reason: added pictures
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Old 02-18-22, 05:10 PM
  #1488  
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Originally Posted by Saudadeii
I bought this new in 1985 shortly after I moved to Southern California. Have put quite a few miles on it but don't ride it much these days. Mostly still original but I changed out the back wheel about 15 years ago. I still have the original hub and the original, now very warped rear rim. Serial number starts with M which, as I read, means it was produced in 1984 but is an 18 speed with Suntour Montech derailleurs. The front derailleur has a ZG code, rear has a AF and the hubs are ZE. These suggest 1983 for these components. Is that correct?

I still have the original docs and receipt.

I tried to post pics but have to wait until I have 10 posts so I'll post pics later.
https://www.bikeforums.net/g/picture/24092764
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Old 02-18-22, 08:37 PM
  #1489  
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Originally Posted by curbtender
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Old 02-20-22, 03:36 PM
  #1490  
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Originally Posted by robertj298
I don't think mine is an 84 for the simple fact the it has Dia Comp brakes as opposed to dura Ace listed in the 84 catalog. Can't be sure because no one can find an 83 catalog
The 1983 Catalog says Aero Gran Compe AGC-300 side pull with AGC-250 levers
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Old 02-21-22, 02:22 PM
  #1491  
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someday in spring I hope to rider 'er!
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Old 02-28-22, 07:56 PM
  #1492  
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Sti

Still sorting. ..Late 83 has rack mounts on forks!! Not all the 83 and 84 have those from the pic I have been checking out
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Old 03-01-22, 10:50 AM
  #1493  
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Originally Posted by dschell
Sti

Still sorting. ..Late 83 has rack mounts on forks!! Not all the 83 and 84 have those from the pic I have been checking out
Have a look at mine a few pics up. It also has the rack mounts on the fork.
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Old 03-11-22, 11:49 PM
  #1494  
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I got a hold of an '86 Competizione (white color). I tried to measure the seatpost but it's none too easy to measure correctly. Do you know if it's 26.6mm or 26.8mm seatpost?
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Old 03-14-22, 11:13 AM
  #1495  
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I have an '85-86 Competizione in pro white. It has a 26.8 seatpost.
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Old 05-01-22, 10:40 AM
  #1496  
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Just wanted to add a quick thanks for this thread. I don't have enough posts to add a picture, but this thread (specifically posts #202 and 204 on page 9) helped me identify my Gran Touring as a 1988, Very helpful.
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Old 05-07-22, 08:49 PM
  #1497  
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Nice bike. I remember those well. Heck of a lot of bike for that price!
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Old 05-23-22, 06:36 AM
  #1498  
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My 10 month project is nearly complete. The saddle needs to go!
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Old 05-23-22, 06:51 AM
  #1499  
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Originally Posted by tjfastback66

My 10 month project is nearly complete. The saddle needs to go!
I'd shorten the brake cable housing.
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Old 05-23-22, 07:31 AM
  #1500  
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Originally Posted by T-Mar
I'd shorten the brake cable housing.
Hey T-Mar - quite honestly I was kind of "Chicken $h!t" to go too short and in the end they ended up being rather long!
I will take your constructive criticism under advisement.
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