Conference noted::bicycle

	If it's the derailleur hanger on the rear dropout that's cracked,
	I, in your predicament, would take it to a good welding shop
	and have it brazed or welded.  Then rush to the bike shop and
	see if it's still aligned OK.  Even if it's the weld at the
	dropout to chainstay connection that's cracked, I'd consider this.

	However, I never had to deal with this so I don't know any
	specific places to go.   

	I just switched from an aluminum bike to carbon, with new geometry,
	and it still feels a bit strange after one week.  I don't race
	but I'd be adverse to racing on an unfamiliar mount.
	
	Bonne chance, Tom

    THanks Tom.
    
    The problem w/ welding is twofold:
    
    The crack is very very thin, though all the way through.  It'd be
    really tough cleaning it out.  Would probably have to saw a peice out. 
    
    Second, to replace the forged dropout peice would require reheating the
    brass to 2000 degrees.(Brass melts firstt time at 1400, second at 2k).
    This would wreck the integrity of the steel - probably.
    
    However, like you said, there are framebuilders that may be willing to
    try this - Peter White works w/ silver, Peter Mooney may be able to
    help....  
    
    Thanks for your help.
    
    regds,
    	John

Trying to get all input before I make my decision...
    
    Any comments on Tange Prestigue tubing?
    
    
    They're willing to sell me, at a reduced price:
    
    	- 1992 Super Strada w/ Tange Prestigue tubing, 600
    components(non-sti)
    
    or
    
    	- 1993 Univega 7.4(carbon fiber) w/ 105 components
    
    for approx. the same price.
    
    
    Any/all comments apprepciated! 

    regds,
    		-John
    
    

If the 92 is a 7 speed, I would opt for the other bike. Not because
you need all 8 gears, but upgrades (wheels, shifters) are all
8 speed now.  

Prestige is good stuff.  The feel of the bikes will probably be
entirely different, so it is your call.   Why are you so set on
Univega?

steve

>If the 92 is a 7 speed, I would opt for the other bike. Not because
>you need all 8 gears, but upgrades (wheels, shifters) are all
>8 speed now.  
    
    
    I believe it's 8-speed.  Currently, I only have a 6 speed, but the
    upgrade info helpful- thanks.
    
>Prestige is good stuff.  The feel of the bikes will probably be
>entirely different, so it is your call.   Why are you so set on
>Univega?
    
    
    Thanks.  I'm set on Univega only because of the warrenty.  The bike I
    cracked was a Univega Super Strada('83 vintage).  So, the deal is that
    they'll sell me one of the formentioned bikes for around 1/3-1/4 the
    price.  I could probably get just a frame replacement if I wanted, but
    I almost can't beat getting a complete groupo+seat+wheels... for the
    price.  That's why I was primarily concerned w/ the tubing/frame.
    
    regds,
    	John

hi john, no help to offer just a similar story.

i've broken two univega superstradas in my life. the first one broke at the
dropout on the drive side after ~40,000 miles. i took it into the old Bi-ex in
cambridge and they replaced it with the second one. they were still the east
coast univega distributor at the time and moved my components over to the new
frame for free and i had the new bike within a week. i broke this frame only
about 7500 miles later on the seat tube at the bottom bracket joint. i brought
that bike in and by that time bi-ex was no longer the east coast distributor and
took over a year of haggling and crap to get me a replacement which was a
downgrade and which turned out to be the wrong size. i ended up just taking that
frame (since i already had another i was riding) and giving it to a friend.

anyway, it's possible that univega has some quality control problems.