josephgarvey

Hi,

I'm a first time poster to this site, glad I found it, such a great source of information!

I have been looking to buy a vintage bike for a little while and came across this on Craigslist on Friday, I currently have a 25 year old Marin mountain bike that I love but it's time for something new:

My URL post was denied since I'm new ---> early 1980 Miyata Commuter - SF. Brooks saddle. Owners manual. Rarely ridden. Shimano hub. Mint or near Mint condition

newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/6103933123.html

The price dropped from $400 to $200 and it was love at first site and I bought it. It appears to be in almost mint condition. The owner bought it in SF but did not seem to have much enthusiasm for the bike (which kind of made me want to buy it more). It has the original owners manual, a krypto lock, a sealed envelope for the brooks saddle for how to care for it, a cover for the saddle, the original light with generator.

Now Monday rolled around and I'm not sure if its the right bike for me, I went out with my son and realized I'm kind of hard on bikes and feel like I'm going to be too rough with this one.

Looking for some advice, space is a premium in NY so I can't have two bikes.

Thanks,
Joe

lostarchitect 

Hi Joe.

Are you asking what it's worth? If so we will need to see photos, it could vary a lot depending on condition and the model.

josephgarvey

Hi,

Yes I think I'm thinking I may sell not sure yet, info on what the forum thinks would be great, it's still listed here newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/6103933123.html,

Joe

lostarchitect 

https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/6103933123.html

Got it. Looks to be clean and in good shape. Not a huge amount of value, but the Brooks saddle adds some for sure. With that saddle I think $200 is a good deal. I think if you sell it you could replace the saddle with a generic one for, say, $15, then sell the bike for what you paid for it and the Brooks saddle for $75 or so.

bikemig 

This looks like the perfect commuter to me. I'd keep it and ride it. For a lock up bike, I'd probably sell the Brooks on CL and get something cheaper. It's too easy for thieves to walk away with that saddle.

lostarchitect 

I agree, it looks like a very good commuter. I'd suggest keeping the saddle but adding some security for it. Most bike shops in NYC will attach it to the frame for you with an old piece of bike chain, wrapped in an old tube so it doesn't scratch anything. It's not the prettiest solution but it stops most thefts. If someone really wants it, they can get it, of course.

josephgarvey

Always wondered what that old tube on the saddle was!!

Thanks for the advice, rode it around today and felt better about the thought of keeping it and my wife likes how it looks so at the moment its in the living room.

-Joe

boozergut

Id be all over that. Miyatas rule!