Mystery Machine

[Tomac23]

I came close to selling this a couple of weeks ago but I changed my mind and now plan to build it up to display or ride at Malvern.

I’ve titled the thread ‘mystery machine’ because I don’t really know what it is. And unfortunately the original owner passed away some time ago.

Although badged/decals point to a Koga the curved chainstays and seat tube suggest it could be a Univega. Or something else. Maybe someone knows different? 26mm seatpost diameter is not that common either.

Pace RC30 gen 2 fork on the front and a Chris King headset. Based on the fork I am thinking it’s 1993/1994?

It’s pretty light as a full frameset.

I can’t be sure but I don’t think it’s ever been ridden. Only evidence of use is some paint flaking where a front mech has been added and some small paint chips under the chain stays.

At the moment I’m thinking to use the Black XT/campagnolo wheel set. XTR M900 group set. And a few other nice bits.

 

[Andy witherspanner]

I came close to selling this a couple of weeks ago but I changed my mind and now plan to build it up to display or ride at Malvern.

I’ve titled the thread ‘mystery machine’ because I don’t really know what it is. And unfortunately the original owner passed away some time ago.

Although badged/decals point to a Koga the curved chainstays and seat tube suggest it could be a Univega. Or something else. Maybe someone knows different? 26mm seatpost diameter is not that common either.

Pace RC30 gen 2 fork on the front and a Chris King headset. Based on the fork I am thinking it’s 1993/1994?

It’s pretty light as a full frameset.

I can’t be sure but I don’t think it’s ever been ridden. Only evidence of use is some paint flaking where a front mech has been added and some small paint chips under the chain stays.

At the moment I’m thinking to use the Black XT/campagnolo wheel set. XTR M900 group set. And a few other nice bits.

Great custom paint job. Looks very similar to the Univega 7.5 I once owned, although no rear canti bridge on yours.

 

[Tomac23]

Great custom paint job. Looks very similar to the Univega 7.5 I once owned, although no rear canti bridge on yours.

Thanks @Andy witherspanner i think you’re right. It shares a little of the same characteristics as a Univega.

Someone said that Univega and Koga Miyata shared a factory at one point. No sure if that’s true or not

 

[joglo]

wow, what a great paint job, but also nice base for a cool MTB build.

I've checked a bit, Univega had the curved chain stays, called this max mudroom design, already a bit earlier,
but to me, the seat stays higher than the top tube have been introduced just 1994

(pic from 1994 brochure)


With that, also cable routing at all sides of the top tube fits pretty well to your bike.

Here's a good pic showing the full frame nicely.


In that generation there was also an obvious ovalized tubes introduced, called "Bi Axial Power Oval".
Especially the down tube should change height and gets thinner (if you look from the side) towards the bottom braked.

Does this fit to your frame too? The paint job adds here quite some confusion, hard to see from looking at your pictures.


As said by @Andy witherspanner, the canti holder at the rear is missing,
Univega has started to ship bikes with V-brakes and without canti bridge than from saison 1997 onwards.
Just at this time, the CroMo Alpina bikes got rather rare as Univege focused heavily at their Aluminium Alpina models and Dual Action Full suspension bikes.
Just a few Alpina CroMo models had been left, and those had to my knowledge than also a suspension corrected geometry, as suspension forks or rigid forks with 41cm height have been used than.

I didn't come across of a brochure for 1997,
therefore just a pic (not from me) of a late Alpina 504 from 1997

As you can see, those bikes had than also a changed cable routing, all are on the top of top tube by than.


With that it seems to be a Alpina from 1994 to 1996.
Tubing-wise, different tube sets have been used for different years and models. Some have Tange, some Formula.