Classic & Vintage - Any info on older bike: Vista Criterium w/ Suntour parts

Hi all,

Complete & utter cycling novice here.

Just picked up an older bike at a thrift store (Vista Criterium with Suntour parts) and can't find any info on it online

...am usually pretty good at Googling, but the "Vista" is throwing me

Anyone know where I can find any info about this particular brand/make/model bike...???

THANKS

I remember Vista from the 1970s bicycle boom. I believe they were a US company that were having the bicycles manufactured in Japan or Taiwan. The model I recall is the Silver Shadow, which was a mid-range sport/touring model. It had lots of ad coverage in the cycling magazines of the era.

What are the components on your model? Are there any tubing decals? With this info we can confirm the era and establish a rough level for the model.

Any more info on this? I'm looking into one myself - no details yet on alloy type or components. Has about 30 miles on it asking price $75.

Most of the Vista bikes in the early 1970's were manufactured by Columbia Bicycle Co. of Westfield, Mass.
They were somewhat like old Schwinn Varsities. What color is this bike ? The U.S. built ones were orange, yellow, white, . They had steel welded frames, heavy steel forks, SunTour power stem shifters,SunTour derailleurs and Dia-Compe center pull brakes.

Thanks. "Mine" is yellow. It didn't go far from where it was built!

I have my neighbor's 27 inch 3-speed in my basement for overhaul. It rides not too bad, and has seamed tubing with a Sturmey-Archer hub and Dia-Compe center-pulls.

Glad to hear the Columbia connection! I've kept looking at this thing, wondering why does this look like my high school buddy's old Columbia? Now I know. It was heavy, but he rode the heck out of it. Very laid back seat tube.

Based on this one, I think Vista sold a nice, basic bike. This one needs headset, BB, and front hub repacked. I'll see what I think after working more with these lower-quality parts.

Ken

Funny ,I don't remember them manufacturing a 3 speed bike at all. They were very solid and reliable bikes and were built a lot better than Columbia bikes, which were primarily department store bikes. I sold the heck out of them in the early 1970s, mostly because bike demand was very hot and these bikes were available to sell. So, everyone was happy, the retailer and the customer. These bikes should last a long time.

Seeings how you guys know some about the old Vista, can you tell me anything that hasn't been said about a Vista Criterium, black, 54/55CM steel lugged frame, no alloy decals. SunTour/Vista stem shifters, SunTour derailleurs and Dia-Compe center pull brakes. Araya steel rims, Sun Shine spools and SR crank (Japan)? Bought it back in the 80's at a garage sale. I think its been a good bike for me. Any history?
Novice bike person here

Great bike-well made. Pretty sure that Araya of Japan manufactured this bike. Serive Cycle Supply of Commack, N.Y. imported them. I believe that the model that you have sold for about $200. It is very well made with solid Japanese parts and should last you many years.

I have a Vista Aero Course. It is an upper,mid-level bike & pretty well made. This bike was one of those aerodynamic models from the early 80's. All the tubes are tear drop shaped & the parts are Suntour Cyclone II, Aero Dia-compe & Aero Sugino stuff. They also made an aerodynamic model with Dura-Ace ax.
I have also not been able to find much info. Vista must have been a small player that existed in the late seventies until the very early eighties.

Beautiful bike ! I have never seen or known about this particular model. I think that the Vista brand must have been more of a regional brand-NY, New England, maybe East Coast. Service Cycle Supply was a large bike and parts distributor, and I do not know if they even exist anymore (thru 1995 they did). I was only aware that they had 2 or 3 Japanese Vista models.

Been awhile but you're right on jacksbike. I was fooling with the Vista and tipped her over and on the bottom of the bottom bracket housing was the serial number. Something I never looked for before. There it was ARYA700959. I believe your statement about Araya of Japan being the manufacture is exactly right. This is the first bike since being an "adult" and I still like riding it. At just over 31lbs steel wheels and bars and all I still enjoy it. I also think the lugged frame seems a bit more ornamental than many. Anyway I included a few pics .... it’s no show piece but I like it. Thought I’d share. I hope this works otherwise it'll probably make no sense to anyone ..... lol

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The lugs look like the lugs on my Araya criterium Rex. Are the seat stays half notched at the top? Are there any scratches? If there are check them the frame may be chromed.