'80s era Univegas represent some of the best values out there in Vintagebikeland. Many of them were made by the renowned steel-frame innovators at Miyata, and yet they usually sell for about 2/3 the price of comparable Miyatas. The 1981 Gran Rally was one of Univega's top models (equivalent to a contemporaneous Miyata 912) and came fully equipped with Shimano's elegant 600 "Arabesque" gruppo, second only to Dura Ace at the time. The lugged and brazed frame uses double-butted Tange Champion chromoly, with forged Shimano dropouts. Geometry is aggressive.
The bars and brake levers are the only non-original parts on the this puppy. I thought they'd be a welcome mod to an urban rider:
This '86 Gran Rally came with the later Shimano 600EX groupset and swanky gold rims:
It also saw the addition of some really lovely long-point lugs with painted cutouts...
...just like the Millennium Falcon!
My first bike, given me in 1979 or so by my parents, was a blue Univega. I still have it!
ReplyDeleteI am also restoring a UNIVEGA Grand Rally, it has taken a long time to find and buy a complete Shimano 600 group, but I've done it. Now to my dismay I can't buy the decals and transfers any were ! My Grand Rally was built sometine in the 80's.The lettering is really cool at least I think so. There is a mountain bike company that now uses the UNIVEGA name, I did e mail them and they sent me...an ugly set of their transfers, Does anyone know where I can get the way cooler 1980's decals and transfers ?
ReplyDeleteI bought a set of repro gran rally decals from VeloCal. Seem to be really nice quality...still in the middle of restoring, so can't speak to how they will look once I'm done. :)
Deletehttp://www.velocals.com/univega-viva-sport-decal-set-of-8-sku-205/
Wonderful that that site and company exist. I hadn't been aware of them until your post. Have fun with the restoration and enjoy the bike!
DeleteHello, I found a place that sell replacement decals for lots of old 70s' and 80s' bicycles. They do have univega decals the real cools ones like my bike had originally, and the prices are good. I guess good things come to those who weight " LOL"
ReplyDeleteHello, I found a place that sell replacement decals for lots of old 70s' and 80s' bicycles. They do have univega decals the real cools ones like my bike had originally, and the prices are good. I guess good things come to those who weight " LOL"
ReplyDeleteWhat's that places name please
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ReplyDeleteI have that exact same burnt orange gran rally. I’m pretty sure mine has a “Made in Japan” sticker on it. Tange Champion tubing but I haven’t been able to find the exact specs on the tubes in terms of thicknesses. I got it for $100 with rotted spokes. Stripped the Arabesque groupset and sold it to a friend for $200. (Still mildly regretting that.) The headset wrench was a bit hard to come by but an old shop in town had the strange flower-shape. I will note for posterity that the arabesque group on my frame has 4.5 millimeter bolts for the downtube shifter mounts. I had to tab them out to 5 mm to install some 600 tri-color. But the frame otherwise is amazing: really stiff for power response and not terrible on road vibration. I recall having trouble finding a replacement seatpost. I also did a 700c conversion and had to rebuild the front 600 tri-color caliper with a “drop bolt” in order to reach the rims. The rear 1980’s 105 caliper barely reaches the rear wheel without a drop bolt. The seat screws on the dropout are appreciated and mean that you could run it single-speed if you wanted. Spec’d our with the almost full 600 tri-color grouppo, double wrapped bars, a classy titanium bottle cage that looks aluminum, 700x23 Conti Gater Hardshells, and, I’m pretty sure, the same Specialized Body Geometry saddle, the bike weighs just a hair over 24 lbs but handles like a sub-20 lb bike thanks to the frame. Oh, I also keep some Crank Bros Mallet Downhill pedals on it that let me clip in or ride with regular shoes. Those probably add around a pound but the versatility is worth it. The geometry is very aggressive and riding in the drops with the original stem can be a little uncomfortable in streetwear but the bike begs for it sometime and accelerates amazingly. Overall I have to echo the OP’s comments that this bike is an incredible value for a steel frame that modern manufacturers would charge about $500 for just the frame. Not suitable for touring. Don’t recommend for anything over 10 miles with a larger backpack—the steering is agressive and being top-heavy doesn’t make it very stable. Only one bottle bottle cage mount on my frame. This bike is fast and could easily be used for training or short commutes, however. All in all, this bike is the pinacle of early 80’s simplicity and quality. I don’t have a Miyata frame but use it for bar-hopping and as a spare around town. Got it to flip but absolutely LOVE this bike!
ReplyDeleteHello, I have the identical blue Uni gran rally circa 1980 as pictured above. Can anyone please tell me where to find replacement brake lever hoods for this model? The cable runs through the top of the brake mechanism and is not bound by the bar tape. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHey greenish blue 1989 gran rally in excellent condition txt or call 9786996916
ReplyDeleteI have a 1980 Univega Gran Primio in really good condition (hasn't been ridden since 1987 so it needs new tires and a front wheel) I'd like to sell it and I'm wondering if anybody knows how much it's worth?
ReplyDeletei have a Univega Gran Rally but not with tge shimano 600 groupset . I have all suntour components. Suntour cyclone .cyclone Gt rear deruiler..suntour ar front derailleur and suntour Apex RG 52.apex 5 crank and pedals..suntour powershift gear leavers with an ornate m on yhe front all the components are ornate with suntour imprinted and patent on all the little extra cable guides etc.S.R headset or gooseneck and a superlite SR Road champion Sakae Randnner dropbar handlebars and diacompe brakes that have the normal and extra piece of brake lever that can be used if you are resting your hands on the flat part of the handlebars. 2 brake levers. Dia comp brakes front and back. Im looking at the print on the huns to see what wheels but the print is not too clear. Ill get back on yhe wheels set. Doe anyone know if these are the correct components for this univega and what year it might be. Its more bright then burnt orange. But some might call this color burnt orange ill post a pic if possible
ReplyDeleteOk so i found out online that my Univega Gran Rally is not the burt orange but more of a bright metallic like orage and the year is 1977 that has this color and groupset. I am selling it if anyone's interested. Let me know thanks foe reading.
ReplyDeleteBilly, I think I have the same 77 Grand Raleigh. It is a bright orangish color and it has the unusual old style decals. I'm looking to restore it also. Do you know what kind of steel they used on this model? Was this Tang e? And if so do you know what level tange it is?
DeleteBtw, unfortunately I might have a stuck seat post but I've gotten them out before.
ReplyDeleteI bought an Gran Rally in 1981.... I had put a deposit down on a fully Campy Austro-Daimler Vent Noir, but the bike store closed out of business a week later... deliberately stole my deposit! So, I had $400 left for a bike, and bought a new Gran Rally. I still have it! Love it- not the lightest bike, but smooth. Rode it all over Ireland, France in 1982 heavily laden with camping gear.
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