Classic & Vintage - Leave it alone or upgrade?

Found this beautiful Miele on ebay for low dollars....turned out to be a *much* nicer bike than I expected. I was considering slapping a new Ultegra drivetrain (10 spd STI) on the bike, but now second guessing myself.

Upgrade? Leave it alone?

I'll enjoy the bike either way, but I'd like to hear opinions on why I should or shouldn't.

All the best.

Aaron

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/gldnedge/meile2.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/gldnedge/miele5.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/gldnedge/miele3.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/gldnedge/miele4.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/gldnedge/miele1.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/gldnedge/miele7.jpg
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/gldnedge/miele6.jpg

Gorgeous bike! If it were mine, I'd revel in its pristine beauty, and ride the hell out of it!! http://www.buddy-icons.info/img/smile/1569.gif

I believe that this is a Miele Latina that appears to be in pristine shape... these were hand built frames and stood at the top of the Miele lineup.

Miele was an Italian bike builder who emigrated to Canada and started his own bicycle company and the quality of the bikes he made was exceptionally good and the Siekens finishes on this and other Miele bicycle is quite extraordinary.

Miele was eventually sold to Procycle which is a huge bicycle company that owns the rights to many well known brands.

As such...you have a little piece of history in your hands and a beautiful handmade Italian bike that came by way of your neighbours to the north.

I believe these were $800.00 new some 25 years ago.

Leave it and enjoy it!! If you want a project go dumpster diving and build a SS POS to play with. Have fun.

You'll be much happier with a modern drivetrain, and when you're done you can send all those old worthless parts to me......

I'd leave it just as it is. In my collection of Mieles that is an upgrade. Nice.

Scott

If your going to upgrade why not throw Campy Ergo 8 or 9 speed on there? You could probably do it cheaper then an Ultegra 10 speed setup.

It's beautiful!

In my very humble opinion, this bike should be ridden. If the new Ultegra will make you ride it, then go for it if you can swing it.

Kevin

Thanks for all the comments, folks.

I get the feel now for what should become of my Miele.

Something I should have mentioned: I have a new set of Easton EA90SL 10spd wheels and the Ultegra drivetrain waiting the wings. I even have an Italian threaded adaptive bottom bracket for the build.

The plan was to use these parts, but my plan changed when I saw the bike in person. The only negative on the bike is the unmatched wheelset. Anyone have a set of period-correct hoops they wanna get rid of? I have the Campy hubs, so I'm good there.

Aaron

Sixty Fiver-

Thanks for the Miele history lesson , much of this I did not know.

FWIW, This bike only set me back $356. Not bad, all things considered.

Aaron



I believe that this is a Miele Latina that appears to be in pristine shape... these were hand built frames and stood at the top of the Miele lineup.

Miele was an Italian bike builder who emigrated to Canada and started his own bicycle company and the quality of the bikes he made was exceptionally good and the Siekens finishes on this and other Miele bicycle is quite extraordinary.

Miele was eventually sold to Procycle which is a huge bicycle company that owns the rights to many well known brands.

As such...you have a little piece of history in your hands and a beautiful handmade Italian bike that came by way of your neighbours to the north.

I believe these were $800.00 new some 25 years ago.

Leave it and enjoy it!! If you want a project go dumpster diving and build a SS POS to play with. Have fun.

I have the bike you described:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/gldnedge/Frankenbike.jpg

Dumpster save w/ some modern conveniences. I'll spare you the close-up pictures....wouldn't want you to throw-up on your keyboard. :)

Aaron

I have the bike you described:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g68/gldnedge/Frankenbike.jpg

Dumpster save w/ some modern conveniences. I'll spare you the close-up pictures....wouldn't want you to throw-up on your keyboard. :)

Aaron

Awsome this is exactly what I'm talking about!!! I love the colors!

I'd lower the stem a bit. But that's it.

I'd lower the stem a bit. But that's it.

Tis pretty high, isn't it? I'm nursing a little shoulder problem at the moment which forces me to raise the stem a bit. It'll go back down very soon.

Aaron

Awsome this is exactly what I'm talking about!!! I love the colors!

Thanks.

It's my version of a 1 X 9, the front derailleur is simply a guide. All parts were either given to me or were just laying around the basement. The frame is nasty (honestly pulled from a dumpster)....dented and rusty....but still a worthy rider. Different wheelset now, I had an old set of Mavic hoops laced to Deore hubs....makes for a stronger, better wheelset.

Aaron

I think the the wheels should have been Ambrosio "Montreal" laced to Campy hubs if it is like the other Latinas I have run into of late.

This is the third I have seen in as many weeks.

I think the the wheels should have been Ambrosio "Montreal" laced to Campy hubs if it is like the other Latinas I have run into of late.

This is the third I have seen in as many weeks.

In that case, my front wheel is correct. The rear uses the same hub, but it's a Campy hoop. I'll do some searching for Ambrosio Montreal rims. I certainly appreciate the help!

As a side note...... back in my BMX racing days, I was the only kid around to run Ambrosio rims (1.75" X 20"). Beautiful rims as I recall, laced to Specialized sealed hubs. LOL, I was a different drummer.

Aaron

Leave that beauty "as is." The components alone are worth far more than you paid for the whole bike. Change the pads to the black Koolstop (if you need help, send me a PM - the rubber needs to have a dovetail sliced in it for the internal nut, and then you need to drill out space for the allen-key bolt -- no big deal if you know what you're doing).

Mavic Open Pro in silver would like very nice, and not be obviously incorrect for the era, as the Open Pro was available at the time (but in black). I'm picking up a pair of wheels this week based on those rims.

That is a fine looking bike. Congrats!

Found this beautiful Miele on ebay for low dollars....turned out to be a *much* nicer bike than I expected. I was considering slapping a new Ultegra drivetrain (10 spd STI) on the bike, but now second guessing myself.

Upgrade? Leave it alone?

I'll enjoy the bike either way, but I'd like to hear opinions on why I should or shouldn't.

All the best.

Aaron



I managed to get this exact bike from the 'bay for about $80 in a 54cm, though it was in much rougher condition than yours. It's a beautiful bike and you should be pleasantly surprised with how it rides. I suggest upgrading to the modern drivetrain, though. The original 7 speed Athena doesn't do that frame justice.

BTW, that bike is made of Columbus SL.

Personally I'd leave it be. But I'd still put a Shimano Ultegra RD (or two) in my cabinet for future considerations. Would you turn down an Ultegra RD-6500 GS for $40? Brand new?

http://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.asp?id=68265&page=SHIMANO+ULTEGRA+RD-6500+REAR+DERAILLEUR

Something I should have mentioned: I have a new set of Easton EA90SL 10spd wheels and the Ultegra drivetrain waiting the wings. I even have an Italian threaded adaptive bottom bracket for the build.

The plan was to use these parts, but my plan changed when I saw the bike in person. The only negative on the bike is the unmatched wheelset. Anyone have a set of period-correct hoops they wanna get rid of? I have the Campy hubs, so I'm good there.

Aaron

hmm..that thing sure is pretty. I'm one to say keep it as is but if not, sell your ultegra stuff and use the proceeds to get this thing to a 9/10 speed ergo?? Or, keep your ultegra stuff and 10speed wheels but go with either ergo or sram to hide the lines?? jtek?

beautiful bike but, you're right. Its strewn with old Italian crud..
tell you what, I'll do you a favor and dispose of the entire grouppo