Univega?!?!?!

barrybridges
barrybridges Posts: 420
edited April 2010 in Road buying advice
Apologies if this has been discussed before, but I had to look twice when I visited Evans cycles recently.

I'm looking for a new race bike and noticed that sitting amongst the Madones and Pinarellos there was a full-carbon Univega.

Univega?

This is the first time I've seen a Univega bike costing more than £140.

So, the question is, would you ride one? Are they a bargain for the price? Or are they just a crap bike builder trying to get involved with high end? I always thought univega were one of the worst budget kids bikes companies out there.

Or are they a hidden gem?

Comments

  • barrybridges
    barrybridges Posts: 420
    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/uni ... y=univerga
  • ballspondroad
    ballspondroad Posts: 181
    http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/u ... 2010-24363
  • jamescw
    jamescw Posts: 87
    This may shed a little light on things:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/b ... 2920/?mp=1
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Well I bought a Univega rigid MTB back in 1997. Got it in the sales for £450 down from £600, which was a lot of cash in those days. Very light triple-butted steel frame, Shimano XT kit, WTB bits & pieces. Brilliant ride.

    13 years later it's still in daily use (by my son at uni). All it's needed replacing was the front shifter which packed up after 8 years, and the chain. (I don't count the wheels, which were still in perfect condition when they were nicked)

    I'd have no hesitation in considering a Univega road bike
  • Rich Hcp
    Rich Hcp Posts: 1,355
    keef66 wrote:
    Well I bought a Univega rigid MTB back in 1997. Got it in the sales for £450 down from £600, which was a lot of cash in those days. Very light triple-butted steel frame, Shimano XT kit, WTB bits & pieces. Brilliant ride.

    13 years later it's still in daily use (by my son at uni). All it's needed replacing was the front shifter which packed up after 8 years, and the chain.

    I did the same, Alpina, I think. It was green.

    Its still going, sold it on when I bought a hrdtail.

    That old Univega got me round the Southdowns trail in the rain about three years ago.

    All it has had is a new front wheel, Mavic, it wore away after 14 years...

    I know Univega are a different company from back then, if the quality is as good as it used to be, then its worth it
    Richard

    Giving it Large
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Yep, Alpina racelite, metallic red for me.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    keef66 wrote:
    Yep, Alpina racelite, metallic red for me.
    I bought my son one of these, fantastic bike for the money, wish we still had it.
  • neil²
    neil² Posts: 337
    Univega were being imported independently until a year back by a company in Loughborough. Very nice bikes - full carbon MTB with XT just over a grand (on offer) almost tempted me but I bought a house instead :shock:

    Their top end bikes were very nice, but pricey!
    The Riddler
    The GT
  • gaz545
    gaz545 Posts: 493
    I got a univega carbon road bike. wouldn't change my bike to anything in the same price range.
    Silly Cyclists!
    Read my Blog
    My Youtube Channel
  • Wappygixer
    Wappygixer Posts: 1,396
    barrybridges wrote:

    This is the first time I've seen a Univega bike costing more than £140.

    Or are they a hidden gem?

    Are you thinking of Universal??
    Univega were very good bikes back in the 90's.You don't see many about now mainly due to them not being distibuted by one of the larger importers.
    I'd have no worries about riding one.

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