mariachi

Hey guys! I won an ebay auction for a Koga Miyata Gents Racer with what the seller says to be a complete 600AX group.
As he his a nice guy, he didn't post any drive side pics...
https://www.ebay.de/itm/Koga-Miyata-G...vip=true&rt=nc

The pedals are obviously not 600AX, which tells me that it either has adaptors or the crankset is not as advertised. What do you guys think?
The rest looks right... except there's a cable going into the rear-derailler, but knowing bicycle mechanics in my area like I do, they just installed it like in all other bikes.

I still think it's a fair price. The tires look newish and I'm not paying shipping.

I would also like to ask why are there so many comments regarding the AX group as being impractical. I love the looks, but never used it.

Thanks!

btw: I asked the seller if everything is really AX and he didn't reply. I'll be pickin-up the bike on Wednesday.

ijsbrand

Judging by the old brochures it is a 1982 Gents Racer Aero. The brakes look original. The brake levers and its rubbers too. The gear levers. The rear derailleur probably too, judging by the angle it makes.

My favourite bike is a Koga Gents Racer of that era, as it is a really smooth though direct ride. So, I wouldn't be too bothered not getting a full Shimano 600 AX set anyway.

Should you live in a hilly area, dual pivot brakes are probably better on it than single pivot, for one.

oddjob2

Not mine:
https://vintagekogamiyata.com/koga-mi...cer-aero-1982/

I bought an incomplete KM Gents Racer from a University of Michigan spouse, missing wheels, seat post, original quill and levers. AX is cool, but not popular as it only had a short production run. Parts on ebay are not inexpensive. The brakes really are the design showpiece on the bike, but pads are non standard.

IMHO, you got a fair deal.

Italuminium

I really like these Koga's with AX, imho one of the few Shimano groups I like... I've only tried the brakes and they were ok, and I trust the shifters are of regular shimano quality.

wrk101

Seat post is not 600AX.

mariachi

isn't this the same? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-600-...-/121141338567

Jeff Wills

It looks like it's mostly later 600EX with 600AX brakes. I would guess that the cranks are from 1985-86, where the brakes are 1982-84. Odd mixture.

mariachi

Well.. the bike is in a worse state than it looks like. Only the shifters, brakes (both levers and actual brakes) and front derailer are AX -- maybe stem and seatpost too. Cranks, rear derailer are 600EX. Headset and hubs are 105. Rims are Weinmann.

I must say I'm a bit sad..

robtown

I have AX pedals sans clips.

I think I still have some AX brake levers. I took some AX stuff off a Huffy Aerowind and another odball bike. The areowind got 27" alloy rimmed wheels and an alloy dropbar as upgrades. The suede saddle was nice.

oddjob2

The Huffy Aerowind has Shimano Adamas AX, a lower grade than the Koga-Miyata 600 AX. Currently an Aerowind is listed locally for $50.

If the bike was advertised as 100% 600 AX, then you have a legitimate complaint. Otherwise, you probably don't.

mariachi

Well it was written it was a Koga Miyata 600AX.. the guy even said "just google for infos about this model".
I should've refused it.. it was my first bike purchase that didn't really fit the description, so I was a bit unsure of what to do. I felt a bit bad about refusing, since the guy actually drove some Km to hand me the bike. Oh well.. next time I know.

I'll clean it, lube it and polish it and then resell it probably. It's still a nice ride and the components works, albeit a bit neglected as usual. I will keep looking for a real AX.

1987

The only interesting group from Shimano is the AX stuff.

non-fixie 

I understand your disappointment - I've been there - but don't sell it before you have ridden it for a while. Those Gentsracers have quite a good reputation and even with the parts you've got it won't be easy to find a better-riding bike at that pricepoint.

mariachi

to be honest it's comfortable. it just needs some overall love.. heck the drive I commute with everyday is made out of gaspipe steel and an asortment of parts I've found around my town in abandoned bikes. So driving a bike with 600 parts is a delight and it's amazingly light. But you're right, I should ride it a while.

If I keep it, is there a good substitute for the brake hoods? these are totally dead.

non-fixie 

That is not going to be easy, I'm afraid. That question has been asked before with little result:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...s-where-to-buy

Which is a shame, as I need a pair as well for my Jan Janssen Adamas.

non-fixie 

BTW, if you like the frame, you might consider rebuilding it with (non-aero) 600 EX, like the 1983 GR spec. Much easier to come by, works just as well if not better and - at least to me - it looks better too.