Miyata Heirarchy
 

Hi,

Can anyone tell me generally about how the serial or model #s work for 80's Miyatas? It's perplexing to me and there's not a lot of info on the web that I've seen. I have what should be a low-end (110) model, but I'v e upgraded most everything and can't remember what most of the original stuff was like.

Does it just go 100-300-500-700-900 in all years?

Thanks

Someone posted a scan of an 1984 Miyata catalog last week perhaps he/she would be kind enough to do it again.

I am only familar with the early 80' models and here is what I remember. Basically, the 110 and lower were entry level bikes. The 310, 710, and 912 were mid-level sport bikes with progressively higher level components. The 210, 610 and 1000 where touring bikes with progressively higher level components. The Pro and Team were pure race bikes. There also was an Aero race bike in the early 80s positioned above the team. In additon to full bikes, you could buy 912, 1000, Pro and Team frame sets.

I hope that gets you started.

The lower the number the more entry level the bike. In general the last two digits were the speed. For example: 912 was a 9-series 12 speed and a 914 was a 9 series 14 speed. This didnt hold true for all models but you can assume it to be true for most.

9x and 1xx series were sports/entry level bicycles.

2xx and 6xx series and the 1000 model were touring bicycles, with the level of bicycle increasing with first digit in the series.

3xx, 4xx, 5xx, 7xx, 9xx series were mid range competition/fitness bicycles. Again, the level of bicycle increasing with first digit in the series.

In general, a 2xx series touring bicycle would be roughly equivalent to a 3xx series competiton/fitness bicycle in terms of component levels, frame materials and value.

The top line, pro series bicycles were generally given names, with the Team Miyata and Pro Miyata being the most common.

1xxx series and x000 series bicycles, with the notable exception of the 1000 touring model, were competition/fitness models with non-ferrous frames.

The above are general rules of thumb. There are exceptions. You may have noted the missing 8xx series. I've never seen one. You would think that based on the even numbered series, that it would be a touring model. It would also be reasonable to assume the same of the 4xx series, but the sole example that I've seen was a mid range, competition/fitness model.

As Miamijim points out the last two digits often indicate the numbers of gears. However this too is a generalization, with several exceptions.

Thank you all! I should print this thread and put it in a binder. :)

Is there a world of difference between (steel) frame materials of upper-level and entry-level models, or is it mostly in the components?

The difference was in the frame materials, geometry and components. In general, the entry level models used plain gauge, CrMo main tubes with hi-tensile steel for the stays and forks. There were some entry level models with completely hi-tensile frames and in the mid-1980s some entry level models had triple butted MnMo main tubes. The top models would generally be butted CrMo main tubes with CrMo stays and forks. It could be double butted, tripled butted or splined triple butted main tubes, depending on the year.

Again, these are genralizations. To know the the exact composition would require a model name and year of manufacture.

OK - so, in the interests of science (as well as a desire to show off my bike), I uploaded some photo's of my 1988 Miyata 215ST touring bike. Thanks to T-Mar's vast knowledge of the Miyata universe, I was able to pin down where it sits in the Miyata touring hierarchy. I bought two of these new (without knowing too much about them) in 1988 on closeout - one for me, and a smaller one for the wife. They are steel Cromoly bikes that feature triple-butted tubing, racks, 18 speed indexed shifting, and cantilever brakes. Even though they are relatively low-end bikes and heavy by today's standards, they ride very nicely, are built well, and display better than average fit and finish.

As you can see from the photo's, my bike (as well as the wife's), has been maintained exceptionally well, and other than a very few nicks in the paint displays as near-new. It is the one and only bike I ever bought new, and at the time its' purchase price represented a vast sum of money to me. That, and I'm a maintenance freak..... :D As it sits today it is all original, save tires, bar tape, brake pads, pedals, and saddle. But I still have the original saddle, pedals, and tires stored away..... :)

I just finished my second century this year, riding it last Saturday in the Lodi CA "Sunrise Century". While I was dropped in due course by many Conalgo's, Trek's, LeMond's, Merckx's, and so forth, I did garner the privilege of some interesting sideways glances as I did my share of dropping in turn.... :D (in case anyone cares, I managed a 14.7mph average on it, for a total of 7h5m in the saddle. I was at 15.5mph average at the 75 mile mark, but a brutal delta headwind came up and made the last 20 miles a real grind).

As an aside, although I did not get a chance to inspect all of the 600+ bikes on that ride, I was on the lookout for other steel lugged bikes. I only spied one other, a mid-late '70's Univega touring bike (Grand Tourist?). I'm a Luddite, it would seem...... :(

Anyhow, for anyone that cares to look and comment, here you go:
Miyata 1
Miyata 2
Miyata 3
Miyata 4
Miyata 5
Miyata 6
Miyata 7

John D.

Can anyone give me any info on the Miyata Triton? I picked one up used and converted it to a ss, but I've never found any info on the bike. The guy I bought it from said it was an early 90's bike.

Curious,
--AK

hey! that garage in the background looks just like mine!

I have been out of town but I now have some decal paper and will practice, um, maybe tonight!

It could be a 1990s model, but the only Trition I'm familiar with was a 1987 model. That year, Miyata produced three sports/entry level models below the 100 series and named them, from bottom up, Victor, Nimbus and Triton. These three are examples of the exceptions, as mentioned in my previous posts, to the normal model desgnations. These models appear to have been produced only that one year as they are not in the 1986 or 1988 literature.

To verify it is a 1987 Triton, it should be black with a silver head and seat tube. The frame should be double butted with forged dropouts and an integral derailleur hanger. Derailleurs should be SunTour Alpha 3000 with stem shifters, brakes should be Dia-Compe 500N sidepulls and it should have aluminum, 27", Araya rims laced to aluminum, quick release hubs.

A little more info which you may not discern from appearances, is that it has CrMo stays and a hi-tensile fork. I don't have aprice for this year, but based on comparably equipped models from the same year, it was likely $300-$350 US.

You nailed it, that's my singlespeed beater. Thanks for the info.

My 110 was circa 1983 and had Miyata straight gauge cro mo tubes and fork (It didn't specify main tubes, but the stays could have been hi-ten). The stem was alloy but the rims (27"), bars, crank (cotterless), seatpost and brakes were plain crappo steel.

I transferred Campy record and GS parts over from a trashed Tommasini racing bike someone gave me and man was that a sweet ride! I also used the Tommasini's Columbus aircrown fork......I ran the bike with a 700c frnt and a 27" rear for a long time. It was a fantastic commuter/tourer. Built up with those parts it was about 24 or 25 pounds and despite long chain stays it climbed farily well. Built up as a single speed it checked in even lighter (maybe 22lbs.) I can only imagine how nice Miyata's other bikes were if that 110 was so nice.

nice Miyata, John D!!! I miss mine.

Maybe it is...... you missing any bikes? :D

John D.

Thank you.

Over the years I've thought of turning to the Dark Side and going modern. I almost bought a new Fuji last year on closeout, but just couldn't pull the trigger. My Miyata is a bit heavy and slow, but after all this time it would be like selling my child. 'Sides, it flat out flies downhill..... :D

It just rides so well, I've always been happy with it.

John D.

I've never considered that an option until now. "Dear, I'll sell some bikes if you sell some children..."

does anyone know anything about the miyata sport

You'll have to be a little more specific. Is it a Sport-10, Sport Junior, Sport Runner, Sport Cross, Sport Touring, etc.?

On this same subject, can anyone provide data on a Miyata Americana? it looks bike-boomish.....
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it is a miyata sport 10 in good shape just a little rust spots but only surface

Bottom of the line lightweight, mid-1980s.

Post boom circa 1976-1979. The ones I've seen were entry level models with hi-tensile frame. Typical stem shifters, Dia-Compe center pull brakes etc. Derailleurs werer usually VGT, implying it was not bottom of the line.

Sums up the one out in the barn nicely. Tubing sticker claims butted Hi-Ten steel.
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Would you care to submit the serial number for my database?

Sure; I thought I already did.
F207436. There are letter stickers at each end of the serial #, B as a prefix and C as a suffix.
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Thxs, that would make it a 1977 or 1978 model. It's nice when it jives with your expectations. :)