Saddle Up

1988 Miyata 615 57cm. Unfortunately at least one size too big for me. I got it from the original and only owner. The front rack is not original but period correct. The original plastic toe clips were cracked and the nylon straps worn. The rear tire was worn from only rear braking and have been replaced. The front right brake pad and mount is non original. Bar has been retaped and new cables and housing installed.



Replaced brake pad and mount...


Should look like this...


Biopace. Pedal dust cap missing on this side only


Shimano SIS


Original rack, seatpost and saddle...


What would this fetch on Ebay?

wrk101

$400 +/-. ebay is a crap shoot. I would estimate a WIDE spread around the $400 figure. This time of year, probably less.

I bought my pristine, basically NOS Miyata 215ST last year on ebay for $165 (local pickup). Its one model down from your bike of course. It does have nice barcons, the same derailleurs as your 615. And it is in "celeste" color. The seller had a nice ad, bike was local, he could have sold it on Craigs List for more.

I also picked up a pristine Trek 620 last year on ebay for $113 (local pickup). In that case, seller did a lousy job on the listing, had it in transportation collectables. Didn't know the model, even though it was clearly marked on the chainstay.

Pic of 215ST as acquired.

miamijim

My initial quick guesstimate was $300. I dont know, those old steel touring bring good money. WRK101's assesment is pretty good. Its just after the holiday, there's snow on the ground in your parts, it probably wouldnt go for more than $200 on your local CL right now, spring time on Ebay is a whole other story.

Bianchigirll 

very nice looking bikes that 615 is simply beautiful. good thing it is only a 57. since it looks cold I would (unless you really need the funds or space) try and hold on to it for a few months. or go with ebay to get a larger audience. it is sure to sell for a premium.

Work that is seafoam not celeste!! also does you 215 index with the shimano derailleursand the Suntour barcons?

wrk101

Two good catches. First, you are definitely right, the color is seafoam and not celeste. But for a thrifty guy like me, its probably the closest I will ever get to celeste....

And I do have an odd drivetrain, with Suntour indexed barcons, and Shimano derailleurs. It actually indexes OK, it really shouldn't. I have a Suntour RD and freewheel to swap it out, as I like the barcons. Someday I will get around to it. If I end up riding it more, I will probably go all Suntour on drivetrain.


thrifty bill

Saddle Up

Thanks folks. I'll wait for spring before I attempt to sell it. I'd be happy to pulll $400 out of it. Everytime I look at it I try and imagine using the Rivbike method of bike fit and perhaps making it work, then I stand over it and the idea fades away.

Bianchigirll 

by one size do you 1 or 2 cm? (assuming most bikes run in 2 cm incriments either odd or even) do you needa 56 or 55? if you are comfortable standing over it I don't see why a stem change won't make it more comfortable.

however I think it is too bad it is not a 59 as it is too small for me

work, I have a similar setup right now, suntour BC and 600 der but suntour FW. I am trying to change all my 7spd wheels to shimano (only because the hubs are cheaper than campi) and was wondering how your shifting was.

Saddle Up

I'm 5'8" at the very most with more leg that torso so reach is always an issue for me. I'm riding bikes such as my track bike that is 51cm, my modern steel rando and cross bikes are 53cm, my compact geo bikes are 52cm. I have a hard time wrapping my head around riding a bike that is so physically big. I'm thinking maybe a Nitto Dirt Drop stem and Moustache bar or Technomic Deluxe with a North Road bar. The saddle is set to my height in the photos which would mean I'd need almost 2 more inches of rise on the stem to get the bar up to saddle height. Starts to look goofy. My smaller bikes compensate shorter reach for height.

wrk101

Shows how different we all are. I am 5-11, looks like both of our bikes are the same 23 inch frame size, which is big for me (I usually ride 56cm frame bikes). I have short legs and a long torso (just the opposite of you).

trek930miyata

Still have the miyata six fifteen? Mine is IDENTICAL (I bought it new in 1988) except I never got the front rack. Any interest in selling the front rack? If so PLEASE email me at dsmez@hotmail.com with Miyata in the subject line.Thanks

T-Mar

Actually, it's not seafoam green either. It's cane green.

Regarding the OP's bicycle, just remember that this is not your traditional, mid-range Miyata 615. Miyata discontinued their entry level 215 series grand touring bicycles at the end of 1987. The 1988 model 615 was actually downgraded to fill the void. Personally, my estimate would side more with Jim's, but ebay is very hard to predict and there's always the possibility of buyers thinking this is a traditional, mid-range 615.

wrk101

Great insight! That explains why the build is so similar to my 1987 215ST. I was kind of surprised the components and frame are so similar in specification. This explains it. My estimate was for a traditional 615 (a step up from the 215). Since it is not a step up, I would put its value in line with the 215. Note, there are buyers (like me) that would have valued the 615 higher due to the misconception that the 615 was a higher grade bike.

T-Mar

While it's not a traditional 615, it's also not down as low as a preceding 215GT. Perhaps it would have been more appropriate for me to say that it split the difference between these two models. Specifically, the downgrades from the previous year's 615GT were the rear derailleur, chain, freewheel, brakes and elimination of the low rider mounts. However it was better than the previous year's 215GT in that the tubeset is splined, it uses 700C rims and has Bio-Pace chainrings (yes, that's arguable whether it's an upgrade or downgrade, but in its day most considered it an upgrade).

Saddle Up

Thanks for the replies folks. Since the photos were taken I installed period correct fenders. The bike sold this morning for my asking price of $400CDN. Buyer was super happy to have found a bike in this condition that fit him. He's already ordered a 45cm Nitto Randoneur handlebar, Nitto Technomic stem and a Brooks B-17 saddle. I'll post a photo in the Show Your Touring bike thread once the parts arrive and I've installed them for him.

Bianchigirll 

lucky him! that is a beautiful bicycle and one he will enjoy for years to come.