1997 Univega Alpina 800

[randomdan]

My impulse buy today.. Never had a Univega before but it just seems like a very quality lightweight bit of kit at a price I could not resist.

Dont think it's seen much action there are a few tiny chips on the frame but the smoke/dart are still nearly as knobly as new and everything still works perfectly like it just rolled out of a shop.

The Plan is very simple, just to put some miles on it

 

[Dossa]

Re:

I like this a lot...

Super underrated are Univega which is such a shame, great bikes

 

[widowmaker]

Re: Re:

I like this a lot...

Super underrated are Univega which is such a shame, great bikes

I agree, just been out for my maiden voyage on my Univega tonight

 

[randomdan]

It's actually quite pleasing to the eye too, the best thing about it is that a whole bike came in cheaper than I could buy a set of smoke2/Dart2 tyres new! Need to give it some running-in to feel how it rides...

The components are a bit on the offbeat side... but I guess without the buying power of the bigger names, Univega made good choices on a budget. The result is..


Frame: Univega Alpina 800 6061 T6 aluminum (with bi-axial power oval top tube, for what it's worth!)

Fork: Univega racelite 4130 Cro-mo

Headset: Dia Compe SE-1
Stem: Concept Alu
Handlebar: Concept Alu
Grips:SRT Gripshift 7-speed
Barends: None

Brakes: Shimano STX Cantilever
Brake Pads: STX
Brake Cables:Shimano STX
Cantilever cable hangers:Shimano STX
Brake Levers: Shimano BL-MC16

Shifters: SRT400 Grip shifts
Front Derailleur: Shimano STX
Rear Derailleur: Shimano STX
Derailleur Cables: Shimano SIS
Cassette: 7-speed, 12 - 28 teeth
Chain: Shimano
Cranks: Sugino Impel 250
Crank Bolts:
Chainrings:24/34/42
Pedals: Victor "bear traps"

Hub Skewers: Unbranded aloy
Rims: Unbranded aloy
Hubs: Formula FM31/FM32
Tyres: Panaracer Smoke/Dart
Tubes: Made from rubber and filled with air

Saddle: Concept
Seatpost: 30.8 Kaloy
Seatpost Binder: Unbranded alloy

Weight:26.5ibs (according to my scales)

 

[chrisv40]

Re:

Lovely buy!

I'm sure you won't be dissapointed in the ride

 

[chris86]

Nice bike, they dont seem to get a lot of love. Heres mine, its a 97 or 98 with 98 Pace RC36s on and some other bits and pieces, rides really nicely.

 

[randomdan]

I've ridden it the 14mile round commute yesterday - it's actually a really very nice to ride, but I don't think it's at it's best on tarmac - The gearing is a bit short-legged and the knobly tyre vibration is a bit wearing on a road. I'll try it on some local singletrack at the weekend, recon it will be right at home.

Noticed someone's moved some cable routing wrong side of the stem - just a little detail I'll sort out.

Nice bike, they dont seem to get a lot of love. Heres mine, its a 97 or 98 with 98 Pace RC36s on and some other bits and pieces, rides really nicely.

Cool ! Notice you have vbrakes and they look pretty good on it, I was a bit surprised to see cantis on a 97 bike, does yours stil have a canti hanger at the back?

 

[widowmaker]

Nice bike, they dont seem to get a lot of love. Heres mine, its a 97 or 98 with 98 Pace RC36s on and some other bits and pieces, rides really nicely.

Is that frame made of Aluminium ?

Here is mine partially built, it now has knobbly's on though.

 

[chris86]

No canti mounts on mine so I guess its newer year.
The frame is an alloy frame.

 

[randomdan]

Re:

Nice....

Frame is Alu, 6061 tubing, but the fork is cro-mo.

Got out to do a little riding on gravel tracks, and muddy singletrack with tree roots on it yesterday. About 10 miles is all I had time for, but it climbed and gripped well, and really came alive as I thought it might.

This is actually be the first MTB ever I have ever brought and been able to just ride instantly, since forever, my bikes have always started with a pile of assorted parts, a frame, or a wreck that needs stripping and rebuilding!