beanteck

While obviously not a high end model, I was curious if someone might be able to take a stab at IDing this spraybombed fixed conversion I just picked up.

Parts that the seller included were...

SLR brakes
SIS derailleurs
and a Matrix Strada rear wheel with a Maillard Heliomatic 6 speed hub

It was once red in color.












Im going to try to restore it as best I can, as I currently have no projects going on. Ive got some parts already laying around, so I only really need shifters, levers,and a front wheel. Well, and a paint job of course. Thanks in advance.

spacemanz

Well, I'm not even close to being an expert, LOL, but the cast BB shell & chromed fork, make me think it's one of their better models, or at least not entry-level. I don't remember seeing one with the lugs painted a contrasting color like that, that "might" be a one-off customer customization. (?) But definitely wait for more input, from folks who actually know what they mean. EDIT: I just realized my spelling error, on the BB "shall".

dmds

I think the chrome fork is a replacement. The majority of forks I have seen from Miele were lugged. Also, the rear wheel might have been from a trek.

mikemowbz

I disagree. Though it's possible, a huge number of Miele offerings came stock with a chrome fork identical (from what I can see) to the one on the OP's bike - including the Miele Lupa that passed through my hands a while back, a couple of other models owned by friends and acquaintances, and many of the bikes in this Miele catalogue from randyjawa's website (that he's helpfully posted in other past threads seeking Miele ID info):

https://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...ele_1980_1.htm

Perhaps the catalogue could be of some use here - included a lot of detailed info re: equipment spec'd on particular models, etc.

dmds

I knew I was most likely wrong as soon as posted. I did more sleuthing and came across a bunch of mieles with a similar chrome fork.

T-Mar

SLR brakes came out in 1987, so it's no older than that, assuming they are OEM. Miele added pump pegs to all models in 1988, so that should make it a 1987. There were two Miele models with SLR brakes in 1987, but those are the Light Action calipers, so it should be a Miele Alfa. Checking the literature, it does show that it was available in Ferrari Red. Pending further evidence (such as a serial number, which is typically on the back of the lower seat tube and the seat post diameter), the best candiate would appear to be a 1987 Miele Alfa.

BTW, while Miele did often spec chrome forks, I question this one being OEM. It's unusal to have eyelets on the forks but not the rear dropouts.

beanteck

It does have a pump peg. Thanks for the location of the serial. I'll check when i get home from work. I also noticed the oddity of only the front eyelet. Thanks for the info.

T-Mar

It certainly doesn't show up well agianst the vinyl siding! That may open up things a bit. While you're at it, it wouldn't hurt to grab the date codes off the calipers.

dmds

Mine is also located behind the seat tube. Just to give an idea where it is. Because yours was repainted it may be difficult to read out the numbers. Its kind of tricky to see on mine like the first and last digit.

Also, can you find out the year of your frame based on the serials?

T-Mar

While I don't have very many samples of Miele serial numbers, the first digit appears to be the year. The 2nd and 3rd may be further stratification, such as the month, fortnight, etc., but I'd need a lot more samples to be even reasonably confident on that. Assuming yours was made sometime in 1989, it could be either a 1989 0r 1990 model. Maybe if you provided further information, we could narrow that down to a single year.

mikemowbz

Good catch. I didn't notice that - perhaps more struck by the logic backing up the original suggestion that it was not an OEM fork than observant of what was in the photos. They did often have forks much like that one, but for the stated reason, this one does indeed appear a likely replacement.

spacemanz

Aha, I'll have to look there more closely, on my Miele, but I suspect it might be unreadable anyways, if it's there. Mine has a weird splatter paint job, very texture-ey, if that makes sense, so even if there ever was a number there, it was painted over thickly.

dmds

T-Mar, Heres a poor shot of the frame. I got it as a frameset, so we cant pinpoint by component set. But what I can tell you is that its cromor tubing, and the top tube has internal cable routing. The brake bridge isnt straight, but a pointed arch. Top decals are missing but the seat and downtube are still there.

Beanteck, sorry about the threadjack. My apologies

beanteck

Some more things learned about my bike this evening include...

-Fork is indeed a replacement, but we pretty much knew that anyway.
-Stem and seat post are replacements (kalloy)
-brakes and derailleurs are all from late 87, verdict may still be out on them being original as nothing much else is.
-frame alone sans fork weighs 4.6 lbs
-Serial number is completely gone
-there are holes for set screws in rear drops

Still maybe an alpha? Would that make it tange tubing then? If so, what kind?

randyjawa 

The pictures offered are poor and hard to see details on. That said, I recognized the seat stay top right away. Chances are that the OP's frame set is from a Miele Doral...



I have owned lots of Miele bicycles, so many that I never took pictures of them all. But I do have a few of the three Dorals I have owned and all sported the squared off seat stay top. None of my other Miele bikes sported that feature...

T-Mar

Having the seat post diameter would help.

T-Mar

I don't suppose it had the fork or a headset? That would be a big help, as Miele had three different Cromor models during the period in question and I don't have any colour specs from those years, to help narrow things down.

T-Mar

The squared off stay caps were a fairly common feature on the Miele sports models of the very late 1980s. Here's a picture of an Azsora with these caps.

While I wouldn't discount a Doral, a 1988 Azsora is probably a better candidate given that it was available in Ferrari Red and used the Light Action brakes found on the OP's bicycle. However, we'll have to wait for the seat post diameter to narrow things down.

dmds

The thing with the Doral model is that they have fender eyelets in the rear

Edit:

I found this bike in google images from a local bike website. They seem very similar including the rear dropouts, squared off stays, components and fork. The photos arent the greatest, but website indicated that this model was Ishiwata 022 cro-mo quadruple butted tubes (including stays and forks).

hope this helps

beanteck

Its 27.2, don't know how i missed that. Sorry bout that.

All good input everybody. Thanks. That's what i love about this place. So much knowledge.

T-Mar

The 27.2mm post eliminates a Doral, who's Infinity tubeset used a 26.8mm post. The best candiate is a 1988 Azsora, which was basically the replacement for the Alfa. Both used Ishiwata 022, were available in Ferrari red and used Shimano Light Action components.

beanteck

Awesome. I have a 1988 azsora. Now i have a project. Now to decide if i finish piecing the original stuff back together, or to go out and get a new used group, like 105 or something.

Either way I'm stoked to have the answers to my questions.

beanteck

Getting there on the rebuild. Decided to go with white paint because I thought they would look better with the wheelset I got for a steal. Going with an 8 speed Tri Color Shimergo setup. Just need cranks, bottom bracket, and a few more odds and ends. Wish money grew on trees...

beanteck

Velocals decals came in this afternoon, and with their application, this project is finally complete. Well, except for maybe the saddle. Anyone looking to trade a concor supercorsa for an avocet racing or something similar?

JRrestore

Great looking restoration, good job.