Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Miyata 912, not sure of the year, looks complete, $175

I'm looking at this bike on CL

http://houston.craigslist.org/bik/1002824218.html

I would upgrade anything that needs it (looks like it's fine to me) and ride centuries on it for a while. I'm planning on taking a look tonight or tomorrow. I think I'd be willing to pay asking price if I can't get him to go $150, but that's just me being a tightwad. If you guys tell me it's a great deal and it feels right, I'll just pay and be happy. I'll post more pics if I get any.

Let me know if I'm supposed to repost the pics from a CL ad, I realize it makes it a little quicker for those trying to help me out, but it also takes up bandwidth, and the seller might get upset.

Edit: Not sure if the paint job makes it less desirable to any of you guys, but I'm not worried about it. I'm planning on buying this, selling my old Raleigh (or using it as a utility bike), and riding the wheels off. I just want to be sure it is indeed what the guy says it is. Has the M stamp on the butts, and Miyata on the fork, so I'm sold. Can anyone verify the shape? I'll go read about serials too.

Second edit, just saw this was originally sold as a tri bike. I know the modern tri bikes are not really suitable for longer rides (I'm doing the Houston-Austin MS150, and hoping to do regular centuries after that). Other than a lack of rack/fender mounts (not a problem) should I expect trouble doing long distance?

I can't confirm it's a 912, but those lugs and the seat cluster do look high quality. With the 600 components, I'd say it's a great deal at $175...even better at $150!

Paint is an extra bonus if you're a Green Bay fan...

You can peruse some Miyata catalogs here, but I wouldn't wait too long to pull the trigger on this bike:

http://www.miyatacatalogs.com/

Hard to tell, but the seat clamp, cupped seat stay cap, and fork crown look similar to this '86 912:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_whtVpXkKwlQ/R1oh4OqjNQI/AAAAAAAAAPk/UljnMunuv68/s1600-h/img116.jpg

'85 912, same components, some frame detail closeups:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_whtVpXkKwlQ/R1oe_eqjNGI/AAAAAAAAAOU/z9cVcOkZDt8/s1600-h/img083.jpg

What are you waiting for? :)

Currently waiting to see if the guy will hold it for me until I get off work or if I have to leave early "for a doctors appointment" to get it. Anyone know the standover on the 60cm? I read they run a little shorter than some, which would be fine.

BTW, after a few quick measurements (I don't think anyone saw me) I should be good up to a 33" standover, voice will get a little high at 33.25.

Here's a link to a NineTwelve I picked up with some pics for comparison, I believe it was figured out that mine is a 1984 model.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=482978&highlight=nine+twelve
I think it will do fine as a century bike as long as you're okay with the price on it. You won't find a comparable new bike for that price.

Looks like it is close to the same size as mine, and I'm slightly shorter in the inseam than you, so you might be okay on the standover height on the bike.

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z227/birdyl/DSC_0054-2.jpg
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=85593&d=1225688291

edit to add: I went down to stall 2 and took a quick measurement just to confirm and I measure out to about the same 33" with shoes on, so if that bike is the same height as mine then it will be an occasional squeaker, if it's taller then it will be a groaner. Hope this helps some.

Any idea what size yours is?

Looking back at the thread I posted mine is about 59ctc, but that was a quick and dirty measurement at the time. I just tried to do a copy/paste into a word doc of the two pics and then tried to enlarge the pic of mine so that the wheels were close to the same pictorial diameter as that one and it appears to me that they are very close to the same size. If the seller's measurement of 60cm is 60ctt then they most likely are the same size. I don't think I measured the actual standover height on mine, just straddled it for clearance, quickset the seat for a test fit, then rolled it into a corner after taking the pics until I can get back to working on it.

Maybe one of the folks here can do a photoshop overlay of the two pics for a better guesstimate.

I tend to gauge bikes more on top tube length than I do on standover height as long as I've got safe or safe enough clearance. I usually prefer a 56cm top tube so with mine at 57 it's just over length but close enough to work. If it were an only-one-bike for me I'd say to keep looking since proper sizing is a big factor in ride confort on longer rides. But the only way to know for certain is to go see it and try and get a short around the block test ride on it.

I'm trying to leave early, get the bike by 6, pick up my MS150 jersey at 7, then pick up a saddle (http://houston.craigslist.org/bik/1001020674.html) by 8. I may possibly explode.

As to the sizing, I've only ridden any significant miles on my old Raleigh Record, longest trip has been about 40 miles and I feel a little cramped in the legs, a little squished in the length. I believe it's a 56 or 57. Bike store guys usually point me toward a 58 with a longer stem because they don't have 60s. Just gotta go try the thing out.

Fit is everything, and everbody has slightly differing proportions. I've learned to watch for bikes with their top tubes longer relative to their seat tubes, or at least square in the numbers (ie: 56ctc x 56ctc). A lot of bikes with longer/taller seat tubes tend to start having relatively short top tubes for some reason. My general rule of thumb is to center the seat on the rails and post, set the seat height for my legs, then see if the handlebars hide the front axle with my hands on the drops or brake hoods, and adjust stem length from there if needed. But you probably know this stuff already, and everybody has a personal take on fit so formulas vary some.

And don't explode, just makes a mess of stuff. If you get there then you get there, and if somebody gets there before you then just assume it was the wrong size and keep looking.

This saddle looks interesting down in your region:
http://houston.craigslist.org/bik/1002652525.html

I saw that one, but as the miyata has its original or an oem saddle, the spec toupe which will go on the raleigh if i don't get the 912, the walmart saddle on my raleigh (came with it), and the stock saddle on my new specialized mtb, I'll have enough to see what style I prefer. I've been eyeing a brooks.

I ride 60 cm traditional frames, 58cm modern, basically because of top tube lengths.

A 60cm ctc will probably be about 34" standover height, but it's variable depending on the geometry. 34" is very tight for me, but the frames fit better. I simply leave one foot on the pedal, one foot on the ground, and lean the frame. Works for me.

I saw that one, but as the miyata has its original or an oem saddle, the spec toupe which will go on the raleigh if i don't get the 912, the walmart saddle on my raleigh (came with it), and the stock saddle on my new specialized mtb, I'll have enough to see what style I prefer. I've been eyeing a brooks.

That Miyata has a Turbo, which has many fans. If you get the bike, you should try it out for a while.

Nice buy, I would jump all over it.

Got it. I'll post my own pics later. It's GREAT.

Got it. I'll post my own pics later. It's GREAT.

:thumb: And you didn't even explode :D

Got it. I'll post my own pics later. It's GREAT.

Good catch!!! They make great bikes.

Got it. I'll post my own pics later. It's GREAT.

Must be so great that he went for a ride and hasn't stopped long enough to take any pics of it yet ... :D

You're not too far off. I picked it up that Thursday evening, put 5 miles on it riding around my neighborhood trying out all the bits and pieces.

Friday I had to go to work until 230, got home, put some koolstop pads on the front (the old pads may have been original, they were HARD), and rode 25 miles to my wife's hospital. Very smooth, nice stiff crank (way stiffer than the Suntours on the Raleigh), new pads worked great.

Saturday was gross so I spent all day in the AT&T store buying iPhones for the family, and I managed to tear myself away from the phone for an hour ride before it got dark.

Sunday I adjusted the brakes and tightened up the rear der (had to push it all the way to the paint before I'd hit high gear) and rode another 35 miles to a bar for lunch and got a ride home. I think that's my best weekend so far, about 75 miles. My legs actually stretch out, and I don't feel beat up after riding it.

Thanks for all the support.