The Unofficial Univega Appreciation Thread!
02-20-08, 07:04 PM
#26
Senior Member
Squeasel, great bike! It looks like ours share several components in common, though yours has the nifty low-rider mounts in the front. Maybe the Specialissima was more for light touring?
02-20-08, 08:20 PM
#27
Luddite
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Thanks, LL, and your Specialissima is a thing of beauty. I love the seatbag and the hammered fenders!
Scanning thru the web and Ebay, I realize that different years of the Gran Turismo had different features- I believe the '83s didn't have the low-rider mounts, and some of the earlier ones didn't even have canti brakes.
I think I'll mount my bell on the side of the stem like yours. BTW, who makes those fenders?
Scanning thru the web and Ebay, I realize that different years of the Gran Turismo had different features- I believe the '83s didn't have the low-rider mounts, and some of the earlier ones didn't even have canti brakes.
I think I'll mount my bell on the side of the stem like yours. BTW, who makes those fenders?
02-21-08, 12:15 PM
#30
Luddite
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Another beautiful bike, Bogester. I especially like the honey Brooks saddle with the tan paint- really classic! Looks like a 25 inch bike like mine- so I know it rides nice too!
02-21-08, 04:15 PM
#31
Senior Member
Squeazel, thanks! And my fenders are 43mm Honjos from Velo Orange.
Bogester and Dannyg1, two more great looking Univegas! This thread is awesome.
Bogester and Dannyg1, two more great looking Univegas! This thread is awesome.
02-21-08, 08:47 PM
#34
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Definitely a 1986, Miyata built model. Based on the limited description, it appears to fall somewhere in the range of the Miyata 310 and 710, which makes it a lower mid-range model and around $375-$400 US. I do have specs for a 1985 Univaga Gran Sprint with triple butted CrMo, Signature crank and Cyclone derailleurs for $359 US. This appears to be your model's predecessor and corroborates the price range, given a slight price increase for 1986.
Awesome.
02-21-08, 10:32 PM
#35
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All this nice steel, I think I'll be different and post an aluminum Univega.
Here is a 1988 NuovoTech 450. This is one of those aluminum main frame, chromoly fork and stays bikes. I picked up at a garage sale for $10. The guy tried to clean the chain by removing the chain rings, (huh???) Anyway when I bought it the chain rings were missing. I paid the $10, started walking away, then he says, "Oh, you'll need this" and hands me a bag with two chain rings, bolts and spacers. 
Shortly after taking these pics I reassembled it. I've taken it on a couple of rides. It's surprisingly smooth riding, not harsh like an all aluminum bike. It has a Shimano Exage Sport 12 speed index groupo.
Here is a 1988 NuovoTech 450. This is one of those aluminum main frame, chromoly fork and stays bikes. I picked up at a garage sale for $10. The guy tried to clean the chain by removing the chain rings, (huh???) Anyway when I bought it the chain rings were missing. I paid the $10, started walking away, then he says, "Oh, you'll need this" and hands me a bag with two chain rings, bolts and spacers. Shortly after taking these pics I reassembled it. I've taken it on a couple of rides. It's surprisingly smooth riding, not harsh like an all aluminum bike. It has a Shimano Exage Sport 12 speed index groupo.
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02-22-08, 01:23 PM
#36
deleteme
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Univega Green
UNIVEGA GREEN
Still my favorite color of all time!!
I know he used it on a "few styles"
25 inch, 27in tires Triple Butted Lugged (miyata) 1986 Nouvo Sport. Cry. I face planted on a classic porche one day and totaled it.
See roccobike jpg for an alu pic
My friend has a doubled butted steel Nouvo Sport from 1987 to 1989.
I have three green bikes but if I EVER see one in that color and in my size its MINE!
Current Green Bikes:
1994 Cannondale metallic green
2006 Rodreguiz British Racing Green
1994 Bianchi EL-OS Celeste
My soft spot for green started with the univega.
Still my favorite color of all time!!
I know he used it on a "few styles"
25 inch, 27in tires Triple Butted Lugged (miyata) 1986 Nouvo Sport. Cry. I face planted on a classic porche one day and totaled it.
See roccobike jpg for an alu pic
My friend has a doubled butted steel Nouvo Sport from 1987 to 1989.
I have three green bikes but if I EVER see one in that color and in my size its MINE!
Current Green Bikes:
1994 Cannondale metallic green
2006 Rodreguiz British Racing Green
1994 Bianchi EL-OS Celeste
My soft spot for green started with the univega.
Last edited by escii_35; 02-22-08 at 01:43 PM.
02-22-08, 04:12 PM
#37
Senior Member
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Here's my Sportour for the tribute. I believe it's a Miyata made frame, nice lug-work with the diamond cutouts. I made some changes and upgrades. It's a great long-distance ride with 50/34 crankset and 28 tooth cogset. Suntour Cyclone drivetrain and brakes. I am always impressed with the quality of these bikes. Keep 'em coming!
02-22-08, 08:35 PM
#38
Non sibi sed patriae
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[QUOTE=Squeazel;6201732]Here's my pride and joy :
Squeazel, That is one B-E-A-uitful ride!!
Squeazel, That is one B-E-A-uitful ride!!
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05-03-08, 05:44 PM
#39
Senior Member
I finally tracked down what I wanted -- a Univega touring bike to replace the Specialissima I gave away some years ago.
This is a Gran Turismo - practically NOS. Original Univega tires, original foam handlebar pads, no chain wear. I'm planning to clean, upgrade a few things, and use it for a commuter...I think I get extra points for the perfect pink paint, don't I? You all have posted some great ideas in this thread; I'm going to steal a few and will post my "after" photos when I'm done (likely months from now...).
This is a Gran Turismo - practically NOS. Original Univega tires, original foam handlebar pads, no chain wear. I'm planning to clean, upgrade a few things, and use it for a commuter...I think I get extra points for the perfect pink paint, don't I? You all have posted some great ideas in this thread; I'm going to steal a few and will post my "after" photos when I'm done (likely months from now...).
Likes For Lamplight:
05-03-08, 05:59 PM
#41
Muscle bike design spec
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I recently traded for a Sport SS but don't have it cleaned up yet. My son has a 82 Sporttour.
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See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
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05-03-08, 06:01 PM
#42
Senior Member
05-03-08, 11:13 PM
#43
Senior Member
It looks great as it is, BTW. I wish mine had the lowrider mounts on the fork like that!
05-04-08, 12:00 AM
#44
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DAMN, there are some really nice 'vegas here!!! The only one I owned was a MTB made of hi-ten steel. Heavy as all hell, but after looking at some of these joints I will need to add Univega to the short list of names for vintage buys.
05-04-08, 02:07 AM
#45
stringbreaker
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This is the before and in a few weeks I'm going to show the after. Its ugly I know but when I get it done for my wife it will be a sight for sure. 
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(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
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05-04-08, 04:23 PM
#46
Lanky Lass
I finally tracked down what I wanted -- a Univega touring bike to replace the Specialissima I gave away some years ago.
This is a Gran Turismo - practically NOS. Original Univega tires, original foam handlebar pads, no chain wear. I'm planning to clean, upgrade a few things, and use it for a commuter...I think I get extra points for the perfect pink paint, don't I? You all have posted some great ideas in this thread; I'm going to steal a few and will post my "after" photos when I'm done (likely months from now...).
This is a Gran Turismo - practically NOS. Original Univega tires, original foam handlebar pads, no chain wear. I'm planning to clean, upgrade a few things, and use it for a commuter...I think I get extra points for the perfect pink paint, don't I? You all have posted some great ideas in this thread; I'm going to steal a few and will post my "after" photos when I'm done (likely months from now...).
You will definitely have to post some after photos, so we can see a comparision between yours and Lamplight's
.East Hill
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
05-04-08, 06:01 PM
#47
Senior Member
05-04-08, 07:17 PM
#48
Lanky Lass
.East Hill
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
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TRY EMPATHY & HAVE LOVE IN YOUR HEART, PERHAPS I'LL SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
05-04-08, 07:51 PM
#49
Senior Member
I'm thinking Velo Orange metal fenders ($38); blue brake cable housing; blue handlebar wrap; and then I'll put my black Carradice bag on the back. Also, pull off the dork disk, reflectors, double-death brake levers, etc.
I also have a Nitto stem I'm going to pull off another bike, as I have another stem for that.
(Nice seeing you today, BTW, East Hill -- assume your RD got fixed. I headed out of Orting for another 10 miles so I'd get a full metric century, and then headed back. IMHO was not the nicest ride back; lots of crowded suburban streets with a surprising amount of trucks on the road for a Sunday)
05-18-08, 10:51 PM
#50
Senior Member
I still need to pick some fenders...
