I guess I was a bit taken aback by the fact that this frame has a "Lifetime Guarantee"




I was thinking that we never really discuss these much. I wouldn't mind knowing more about the various "Lawee Design" models....

I just acquired my first one at the TS for a very fair price. I've never had one until today. I'm impressed. A sweet triple-butted Japanese bike (IMHO)

The one I found today is a Supra Sport. Anybody else riding one??

(Oh and ummm, a few of you will brain me for this- I passed on a matching pair of barely used ROSS Mt Hoods. I just didn't know what to do w/ them They wanted $39 apeice and I felt that was a bit steep)

I think the classic and vintage Univegas are at the top of the UJB class.

The designs were solid, the workmanship was top notch, the parts selection of always good and the decoration was tasteful. Whoever was in charge was doing the job.

I've poked into the company history and actually got a reply from Ben's son. When I've asked for more information, I haven't gotten a reply. I'm OK with that. But at the same time I would be very happy to talk to the designer(s).

Ben Olken is a hero in my book.

I never really gave the Univegas a thought until I rescued one from my son-in-laws trash day pile. Spent about a year refurbishing it; bought the tools and parts as needed. Since it was FREE, I considered it a learning experience. Turned-out pretty good. Attached photo is before the addition of Arraya 700C wheels. It rides very smooth and I prefer it to my 2002 TREK 1000 which is now up for sale. PG.

Here's a Tri-Star, a 3 speed I picked up a year ago. The front rack is a Wald and the front wheel isn't original. Shimano 3S rear hub and 27" steel rims. The last bit suggests that the 650A (590) size was a nonentity in the US LBS channel at the time, relegated to discount and hardware stores. This smallish size probably would have worked better with 650A wheels. The original front hub is one of those sub-100mm OLD cheapies with bearings in retainers, so the Tri-Star was a fairly low-end model. It's now being used as a daily commuter, so I'm glad it found a good home.

Oh gosh, that old Tri-Star brings back memories

Years ago, I had one in the exact same color that was a blast until I began to have trouble w/ the cottered cranks

Something about those old Tri-Stars makes em' feel like a "Big Caddy" to ride

I bought a Univega Viva-Sport yesterday at a yard sale for $100. It's in perfect condition - looks like someone just bought it and carefully put it on a hook in the garage. Its steel-blue/silver - a ten speed. It rides great. I'm especially suprised at all the options it has - quick release wheels, easy brake adjustment levers, etc. Did I pay too much?

What do you guys think about me chopping the handlebars, changing the seat, and maybe wheels? Or is it better to keep it just like it is for posterity sake??

I just scored an immaculate mixte Maxima Sport for $7. One scratch on the fork, and that's it.

I have a Supra Sport, and I freaking love it. It's fast, responsive, and very solid. My only complaints were that the brake levers sucked, and the wheels were steel. But I've got alloy rims and aero levers now, so all is good.

$39 for hoods - I'd sure as heck pass. You'd probably be better off getting some Tektro levers. PI, yes, but very comfortable and functional.

I sold Univegas for many years and was always impressed with their top quality workmanship and especially the specs that you got for your money. Lawee was easy to work with on the retail end of things. The Japanese built Univegas are extremely well built.

I purchased a Nuovo Sport (s/n NU23119) UNIVEGA a few months ago at a church yard sale. I'm told it is a 1986, kind of an attractive lavender in color, Araya alloy rims, with original everything (even tires) and is about 95% like new. Very responsive (wheel base a short 40 inches) and close to my size (seat tube is 22 1/8 in. (56.2 cm.). I also have and am fond of my 1971 Italvega (also a Lawee design) but the Univega is well constructed and finished. I also almost hate to say what I payed for the Univega - $5.

During my bike shop years in the late 80's, I assembled a bunch of Univegas. Like the Miyatas, they were easy to put together right out of the box. Adjustments were straight forward. Everything fitted and work well together. You could tell that the bike was well assembled at the factory

Compared to other bikes with the same component brand and level, I thought they were the best value bike out there.

I bought an Univega Alpina PRO mountain bike with the early Shimano Deore XT with the thumb shifters on a black chrome frame. I got it at cost (without having to form a bike mechanics union... inside joke about the ridiculous Bike Union thread in the Bike Mechanics forum...) because of my employment at the bike shop but I think the retail was at around $500 or $600. This is still my only mountain bike.

Great bikes. Great value.

More memories. The Nuovo Sport was/is another great Univega

Tri-Star? Thanks...I collect Univega names (hello, nerd alert!)and have never heard of that one. I'm now up to 45. If you have one that's not on my list please and can confirm it with photo or something else please let me know.

Activa
Activa Country
Alpina
Alpina Country
Alpina Pro
Alpina Team
Alpina Uno
ArrowPace
Arrow Speed
Boralyn
competzione
Custom Maxima
Custom Ten
gran premio
gran rally
Gran Record
gran sprint
Gran Tech
Gran Touring
Gran Turismo
Ground Force
Ital Sport
maxima sport
Modo Volare
MODO VIVERE
Nuovo Sport
Nuovo Ten
Pathfinder
R7.2
Range Rover - ES
Rover
rover sport
Safari Ten
Speciallisima
Sportour
Superstrada
SupraSport
Tandem Sport
Tri-Star
Ultraleggera
Via Carisma
Via Montega
Viva Sport
Viva Touring
Vivatech

You can add one more: NuovoTech 450. Not sure how it differs from the NuovoTen...maybe the Ten was all steel? This one has aluminum main tubes bonded to chromoly stays, and a chromoly fork.

I found this a couple days ago, so please forgive the appearance (not that it looks all that bad in it's current state).

This model has the "Lawee Design" decal, and is equipped with the full Shimano Exage Sport group. My guess is that it's a step down from the GranTech model. Date codes on components are from late 1987 (one from December '87), so it's probably a 1988 model.

You can also add this - Activa Sport. I don't have a closeup of the name, but I'm 100% positive as to the name. There is no letter designation that follows the name.



And for the heck of it, here is a Viva Sport:



...and a Range Rover ES (with lots of modifications):



-Kurt

Mine looks very much like yours.....


...except that mine is a Maxima Sport and has a flat tire .

I really like it a lot.

My respect and appreciation for vintage Japan-made Univega roadies is rapidly climbing. I honestly thought that I would just flip this Viva Sport to help cover some costs for the Legnano project, but I took this bike out for a test ride last night AND IT RIPS!!!!

It is the smoothest and fastest Univega I've ever owned, and this one is going into my stable. I haven't even checked tire pressure or cleaned it yet... I'm much more impressed with the Sunshine (5345 ?) hubs than I thought I'd be

Strangely, based on the serial # I thought this may be a 1984. But the decals on this Viva look older and also, my '81 and '82 Univega's have double or triple butted decals....?? I wonder if the head tube had a decal or one of those big "block" head badges...?? Because that's about all it needs.....

Anyways, for your viewing pleasure:

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T-Mar, any thoughts on the date...?? The guy I purchased it from thought it was a 1975, but I don't think that it's that old.

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I have an old Sportour that's serial number begins with the letter "I" Anybody know the significance of the first letter?

My GF and I are building her an 86' Gran Record. she loves it.

Rover STI - a women's rigid mtb
Maximo Uno - men's low-end 10 speed

I don't much about Univegas, but I guess mine is also a Lawee design? It's an '83 Specialissima.

There's a reason for that: many Univegas were sourced from Miyata. The triple-butted tubeset of the OPs bike makes be believe his is one of them.
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[QUOTE=bigwoo;5632463]T-Mar, any thoughts on the date...?? The guy I purchased it from thought it was a 1975, but I don't think that it's that old.

Not Tmar, but that's a Miyata 1981 serial number.

Mike