Classic & Vintage - A few questions about a Miyata 914

I suppose first of all, am I paying too much at $30 for the frame-set? I don't think so, but I may as well ask in case I should offer less or something.

Secondly, what size is the appropriate seat post?

Lastly, I'm wondering how this frame-set might stack up to a full Reynolds 531 butted frame-set. I've got an Ellis-Briggs frame-set right now that I'm not sure I'm totally happy with as far as fit goes, and it pulls slightly to the right. It's at the shop as we speak, and hopefully the fork will get straightened out and it'll ride fine. In any case, I keep hearing so much about Miyata, so I'm wondering if I'd be better off buying this frame-set that I think might be a little more comfy for me($30) and selling the Ellis-Briggs($100+ depending on fork situation?). I'm more concerned with ride quality than the money, so if the Ellis-Briggs with full 531 will be a better bike then I'll keep it and change some things to see if I can get it to fit better. But if the Miyata is going to be an equal bike then I'd like to sell the E-B and put the cash towards parts for a nice build on the Miyata. Anyone have any opinions on the ride quality of a Miyata 914 vs. a full Reynolds 531 butted tubed bike?

Sorry about the lengthy post.

It is a really nice frame set, same tubing as the team except without the chrome. I have a frame just like it, triple butted splined tubing. Miyata's good stuff.

Do you know what size the seat-post is?

I believe it is 26.8mm

^ Thanks. That's also exactly what I was hoping to hear. :)

how bad is the fork problem? Go with the 914 with out the rebent fork.

The fork problem isn't too bad. The bike just pulls slightly to the right if you try to ride with no hands. The guy at the shop said that he's not sure if he can get it completely straight. He said on the plus side, the blades are still straight, so if he can straighten the crown somehow then it'll most likely ride straight as an arrow again. On the down side, he said it's really tough to straighten a crown with the jig he has, even if it's just slightly off, so he doesn't know if he can. He actually just called me and said he would get to it tomorrow and I told him about the 914 and he said let him know tomorrow afternoon if I want to go ahead with trying to fix it or just pick it up and try to sell it as is(I say try because I plan to be perfectly honest about it when I sell it). I'm thinking of maybe seeing if anyone else local has a more specific tool to straighten the crown. ...if such a thing exists.

$30 for a 914 frame without a fork is a good deal as long as it doesn't have dents/dings.

^ It's frame and fork. The only potential issue is it being a hair too big. I'm going for the bigger and more comfortable route. Hopefully it'll turn out perfect for what I'm looking for.

The 914 is a great frame and trust me, assuming it is not damaged, is well worth $30. Does it not include the fork? Like the frame it should be splined Miyata CroMo. Good stuff. If you need to replace it a chromed lugged Soma made of Tange Infinity might be fitting.

I assume you are familiar with the geometry for the 914? It is important to understand that this is no leisurely cruiser. It is a full on, go fast race bike - highly responsive, precise, almost twitchy. Fun as heck to ride. I own an 89 and it is one of my favorite bikes.

It does include the fork. I've confirmed the sale and it should be coming home with me. I know it's a precise, responsive frame geometry. I'm hoping a combination of it being on the larger side and it be an aggressive geometry will make it a nice mix of comfortable and fun to ride. I'm excited to build it up and try it out. I'm just very torn on color options. It's a black frame-set, I've already got a black seat-post and handlebars that I like. I think the wheels I want to build for it will have black rims(I think that's all they came in). I don't quite want a solid black bike, though. ...but I suppose that's a long way off for now anyway.

I assume you are familiar with the geometry for the 914? It is important to understand that this is no leisurely cruiser. It is a full on, go fast race bike - highly responsive, precise, almost twitchy. Fun as heck to ride. I own an 89 and it is one of my favorite bikes.

Is there big difference between a 912 and a 914? My 1986 912 is a very comfortable ride--I wouldn't call it remotely close to twitchy. Possibly frame size makes a difference? Mine is what Miyata called a 63 cm frame, though it actually measures 62 mm C to C.