Currently I’m searching for a frame that I can turn into some kind of gravel bike but with rimbrakes for more easy maintenance etc.
I thought that frame looked kinda cool and univega is kind of a good brand right? The seller told me it was premium back in the days. But I never really know how I can find out if that is true. I only want the frame, the parts are not that premium anyway as far as I can see from the photos. What would you pay for this? Actually It’s 80 with the option of negotiating. I already have a lot of parts laying around for the build but no frame yet.
by FunkyasfuckOfficial
10 Comments
It’s a chromoloy steel. That’s pretty good. Not rare, but it is one of the better steel frames.
Yes, that’s very decent – mostly butted chromoly, which is what you want if you’re buying steel. 969 probably refers to the tube profiles – 0.9mm at the ends and 0.6mm in the middle. No worse than a Trek Multitrack. More importantly, the purple is dope.
I think del oro was the highest model of the via series.
Furthermore, don’t bastardise it if possible – those parts are decent too.
looks like a fun proyect,not crazy you get wheels and cranks and a frame plus a RACK! check for the size of the saddle post lets hope the BB is in good condition, you can put chonky tires at list 38mm the cantiliver looks quality do your reserch abouth setting them up they can be amezing if you spend the time! 90s hybrids are gravel bikes anyway….. have fun show pictures when you finish
[https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1268758-univega-via-de-oro-project.html](https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/1268758-univega-via-de-oro-project.html)
The Via de Oro was the top of line for their “trekking” frames. Good tubing and good craftsmanship. Not premium, but worth saving. Price was in line with typical LX/XT bikes of that period, so nothing cheap.
Groupset should be 700 CX which was the top trekking group by Shimano bitd – rather rare today, but it was positioned as XT equivalent for trekking bikes – good stuff.
If the drivetrain is in decent shape, you should easily get your money back by selling the parts, so essentially you are looking at a free frame set. 🤷♂️
Buy it!! I have the Via Montega, which was the level below via de oro and the frame rides great, is constructed well, and has great tire clearance. Could not recommend more!
Also the story of the founder of univega is pretty cool: https://bikeretrogrouch.blogspot.com/2018/05/ben-lawee-designed.html?m=1
The Univegas from this era are nice bikes. I have a Alpina 5.4 from 1993/94 ish. Only gripe with that frame is the 1 inch steerer.
We sold Univega bikes in one of the shops I worked back then. Very solid reliable bikes
I’d say you should grab it. Good frame