mart@csri.toronto.edu (Mart Molle) (05/04/89)
Men's 12 speed racing bicycle for sale, 23" frame, metallic medium blue, excellent condition, fresh $60.00 tune up from Chain Reaction in Etobicoke. Asking $295.00 obo Make/model is a `Univega Sportour', which we purchased in California. The Univega brand name is well known on the west coast, and, like Norco here in Canada, it is essentially the house brand for one of the big distributors. Univega buys low end bikes from Taiwan/Korea, mid level bikes from Japan, and high end from Italy. The Sportour was the top end of the Japanese part of the line. It is styled as a ``cafe racer'', with a short wheel base, all alloy components (handbars and stems, seat post, pedals and pedal arms, wheel rims, etc.) and a full chromium-molybdenum frame. It is also the most expensive model they sell that still uses the standard ``clincher'' style tires and tubes, as opposed to the more exotic sewn-together ``tubular'' tires used by exotic racers. The brakes are by dia-compe and are copies of campagnolo racing parts, complete with drilled brake levers, etc. Sorry, I don't remember what brand of derailleurs it has... The people at Chain Reaction suggested the asking price, citing that (a) you cannot buy a comparable bike with a Japanese frame for under $900 these days, and (b) even if you go with a Taiwanese frame, you must pay ~$495 to get one comparably equipped with alloy components and a CrMo frame. The only negative about our bike is that it does not have an indexed gear set (i.e., shifters that have discrete notches for each gear, instead of you having to fine tune the continuous shifter position). We bought this bike for my wife (at a cost of about US$380 in 1980), and it still looks like new. I know it sounds corny, but you *really* do have to see it to appreciate it the shape it is in... It is a clone of my own bike (except mine has a 25" frame), under the theory that in order to make riding together enjoyable, the weaker individual should not be forced to endure the handicap of a heavier and less responsive bike. It has always been well cared for, is stored indoors, and has seen very little use over the last 7 years, because my wife has been occupied with other things (i.e., we now have 3 children, ages 3, 6, and 7...). Now that she feels ready to start [serious] riding again, we find that she is not able to handle the racing-style riding position, especially with a squirmy 3-year-old passenger on the back. We are replacing it by a similarly equipped mountain bike. For more information and/or a chance to see and try the bike [it's in Etobicoke, near Dundas and Royal York Rd.], please call Mary at 231-2668, or send e-mail to me at the address below. Mart L. Molle Computer Systems Research Institute University of Toronto, (416)978-4928 mart@csri.toronto.edu