If I remember correctly, I got this bike in the same bulk lot as the Specialized Stumpjumper in the previous post. I kept this one because it fits me (it is actually a little bit too big). I wasn't able to find too much information about this model other than some info on the 1983 catalog. Some of the components that were on this particular bike matched the info on the catalog, but many did not. Therefore, I'm not quite sure what year this is from. The date codes on components do suggest that it's a 1984 model.
From the 1983 catalog, this appears to be Univega's top-of-the-line ATB. It's got a pretty relaxed geometry with long wheelbase and high bottom bracket. Back when I bought this, I was trying to learn more about bicycle touring, and this bike seemed to have enough braze-on's to make it into a light tourer. It actually came with flat bars, but I've replaced it with drop bars and the accompanying stem, brake levers, and shifters.
I actually almost damaged this bicycle while putting it together. I tried to test-ride the bicycle in front of my house without connecting the straddle cable wire for the front brake. I got too excited and tried to go over a small bump, and I think it caused the wire to get stuck in the spokes, pulling the brakepads in with it, and instantly locking up the front wheel. I flipped forward with the bike, luckily only spraining my ankle and scraping my right elbow. However I did damage the Dura-Ace 7400 brake levers that I had put on this bike originally, and had slight bent the brake bosses. I am really have been hating myself for making this stupid mistake. But I was able to bend back the bosses, and align them sufficiently for me to reinstall the brakes. The Dura-Ace brake levers were unfortunately beyond repair.
I'm planning to put a Blackburn rear rack, but the previous owner had damaged one of the braze-on's thread because he/she used a screw with the wrong thread pitch/diameter, so I'm going to have to find a solution for that. It's also going to need a new saddle soon, since this one's all cracked. The current wheels/tires can be replaced because they're making bike pretty heavy. But overall, it's got some interesting/rare components. I think the original rear derailleur may even have been Suntour Superbe Tech (but the bike didn't come with it). If you look at the picture with rear derailleur cable stop, you can see that the original cable stop that's brazed onto the chainstay is actually facing inward. The 1983 catalog shows the same thing with the Superbe Tech's unique cable housing routing.
Here are the specs:
Frame: 51cm seat tube; about 31 inch stand-over height; no indications about the frame material - the '83 catalog states welded double-butted chromoly main tubes and chromoly stays; three sets of bottle cage braze on's; Suntour rear dropouts
Fork: No indication of fork material - '83 catalog states chromoly with aero type crown
Headset: Tange MTB-225; Dia-Compe brake cable stop
Crankset: Takagi XT triple; 26-36-46
Pedals: Shimano PD-MX15 w/ generic resin toe clips
Bottom Bracket: Suntour MB-V w/ sealed bearings; Vx taper
Front/Rear Derailleur: Suntour LeTech (The rear has 3 pivots; the front is "top-normal," as in it goes to the biggest chainwheel when the cable is relaxed)
Shifter: Suntour bar-end Power shifters
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace
Handlebar: Nitto B115
Stem: WIN alloy riser stem
Brakes: Shimano MC-70
Brake Levers: Aero Gran Compe (no hoods); Forte in-line brake levers
Saddle: San Marco Anatomica 371
Seatpost: SR MBE-100 w/ "longitudinal adjustment"; Sakae seatpost quick release
Rims: Araya 26"
Hubs: Front Joytech sealed; Rear Specialized w/ 6 speed Suntour freewheel
Tires: Cheng-Shin Electra (pretty darn heavy)
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Drive-side (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Front view (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Suntour Le Tech front derailleur (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Takagi Tourney XT (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Shimano PD-MX15 pedals (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Suntour Le Tech rear derailleur (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Seat cluster; SR MBE-100 seatpost; San Marco Anatomica 371 saddle (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Aero Gran Compe brake lever (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Dia Compe cable stop; Tange MTB-225 headset (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Head badge decal (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Cable stop(s) (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Bottom bracket cable routing (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Rear view (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - SR MBE-100 seatpost (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Suntour MB-V bottom bracket (9/7/11) |
 |
| 1984 Univega Alpina Ultima - Suntour dropout (9/7/11) |
Gorgeous bike!
ReplyDeleteI actually just sold the Stumpjumper, so I've redone my Univega Specialissima as the current project, and am about ready to start a new project. I'll post pictures this week.
The rack mounting eyelets were stripped on my Specialissima when I got it; However, I bought a tap/die set from Home Depot that fixed everything perfectly. You're welcome to try it out on your bike - or I can do it if you're nervous. If there's any thread left, this will clean it back out quite well.
My Specialissima also has the inward facing derailler braze on - I just ran the cable from it anyways, and haven't had any problems.
I see you ran the front brake line to a traditional cable stop for the front brake rather than through the hole in your stem. Very functional. I actually put an identical stem on mine, and ran it through the stem. It's clean looking, but I won't be able to pop my wheel off as easily. Jury is still out on that for me..
Heads up - Nashbar has 100psi road slicks for 26" rims - they really made the Stumpjumper feel nimble and quick, and had a ton of grip on the road.
Good luck, can't wait to see the finished product!
How's this project going? Is this thing ready for a camping trip yet?
ReplyDelete