JVN1

Paging T-Mar.... you seem to know your stuff!!

I am brand new to this. I love bikes but haven't ever owned a vintage road bike of any kind. I welcome any and all advice to make this thing better or just cooler!

I bought this Miele yesterday and just spent the afternooon getting it all cleaned up. I made one album of photos of it 'as purchased' and another after I've cleaned everything and replaced the seat and pedals but I'm not allowed to post links yet. I will add more photos in a reply.

What I know:
- Columbus Cromor tubing
- Ordered to Fort Mac, she said around 2000, but it must be early 90's right? She bought it to race triathlons
- She called it a 'Speed' model and there's a FSA (Full Speed Ahead) sticker on the top tube - any significance?
- The brakes, hubs, shifters, front derailleur, and cranks, are 105 but the rear derailleur is Sora - i'm guessing it's not original
- The front wheel is an 'Ambrosio Elite' and the rear is a Mavic 192? I assume the Mavic is not original
- Modolo stem and bars
- 2x7 14-speed drivetrain (not a lot of those come up, would this be original?)
- I haven't been able to find a serial number anywhere, just 'Miele' stamped on the underside of the bottom bracket
- The rear brake is routed through the top tube

Other questions I have
- How's the geometry look? I lowered the seat as much as possible (without cutting the tube) and still feel like I could raise the bars, should I?
- I haven't taken apart a headset or bottom bracket before. Should I? What tools will I need?
- The rear wheel has a low spot that I can feel at speed, can I fix that or is it trash?
- What are the little 'nipples' on the head tube and seatstay?
- Is it lame if I put on the original wheels from my Trek Madone 3.1?
- What should I do with it?! Could this be made into a gravel bike or should I just use it for cruising around?
- There's a lot of 'road rash' is it worth fixing it or even stripping and painting the whole bike?
- What's a good saddle for this? I hade this 'Vetta' in my parts bin, works for now
- I dig the purple, any suggestions for bar tape?
- I just threw that bottle cage on for a short wide, what would be era-appropriate?

Thank you in advance!

JVN1

Pictures as purchased: photos.app.goo.gl/eQf2Wmh74GV1oHry9
Pictures after cleaning: photos.app.goo.gl/BW5SArFcsEwK4nLL8

JVN1

Best pic of the bike now: photos.app.goo.gl/bTfMmYRL6dswUz9k9

randyjawa 

Pic Assist..

T-Mar

Yes, the subject bicycle is 1990s based on the decal style and internal brake cable routing. Also, Shimano 105SC came out in 1990 and given that it has a 105SC headset, it would appear to be OEM. 105SC went to 8 speed in 1993 and had a cartridge bottom bracket introduced in 1992, so this should be 1990-1991. I can pick out a 1991 date code on the crankarm, so it should be a 1991 model. That style of the Cromor decal is era inappropriate but Miele was notorious for not rotating their decal stock. In 1991, the Cromor and 105SC model was the Luna. MSRP was $860 CDN.

The Sora rear derailleur is a definite replacement. The Ambrosio front rim is OEM. The rear wheel appears to have rebuilt with a new rim as the 7 speed 105SC hub would be correct.

The FSA sticker is a red herring.

The nib on the back of the head tube is a pump peg. The nib on the seat stay is a chain hanger.

If that is correct seat for you, the frame is too large. The handlebar stem has been slammed and can be raised about 5 cm. There should be a maximum height line engraved into it.

Given the sizing, you may not want to spend a lot on the bicycle in terms of overhaul and painting.

If you decide to keep it. put on whatever saddle you are most comfortable with. A bicycle is meant to ridden and you won't ride it if you're not comfortable.

A low spot can be fixed. It could be a rim or tyre issue. Try remounting the tube and tyre first.

To overhaul the headset you'll need two headset spanners. I believe the correct size for 105SC is 32mm.

To overhaul the bottom bracket you'll need a lockring spanner and a pin spanner for the adjustable cup. You won't need to remove the fixed cup but if you do, you'll need the appropriate spanner. You'll also need a cotterless crank extractor tool to remove the crankarms.

JVN1

Thank you!

JVN1

Doh! I typed a long response but lost it somehow... here we go again!

First of all thank you for all the awesome info. To clarify, the frame is a Lupa, right, not a Luna?

I'll keep my eyes out for a matching derailleur now

The sticker is long gone now!

I don't know if I'll use that pump peg but the chain hanger is genius!

I have adjusted the seat way back up - I need to raise the bars but don't have the right wrenches. Good to know I've got lots of room to play with.

I won't be spending much at this point, I'm into it for only $50! I threw on some extra wheels I had until I can get the Mavic rim figured out and it's looking pretty sharp from a few feet away haha

Thanks for all the listed tool! I haven't tackled a bottom bracket before but would like to learn. I'll start by getting the cranks off tomorrow and see how it looks.

I got of a few squeaks and rattles today, it's riding very nice! All it really needs now is fresh bar tape.

Updated picture: photos.app.goo.gl/ouZWzxSUJq2fugGx9

T-Mar

Yes, it's definitely Lupa and not Luna. All you should need to raise the handlebar stem is an Allen key. 6mm is the most common size. Loosen the Allen key a few turns. If the stem won't raise with a light pulling and twisting motion. the expander nut has probably not released from the quill of the stem. Give the top of the stem bolt a tap with a hammer, ideally using a hardwood dowel to protect the bolt head. Typically, that will release the expander nut. However, sometimes the aluminum of the handlebar stem oxidizes, causing it to seize in the fork's steerer column. That requires more drastic measures. Seized seat posts and handlebar stems are fairly common on vintage bicycles, however it's easily prevented by lightly greasing the stem and posts, where they insert into the frame.

JVN1

Oh Sweet! I thought the allen key might work but didn't want to mess with it yet. I had a hell of a time getting the seatpost out but did clean it up and lube it before re-inserting, I'll do that same with the steerer!