peppiace

What is the best way to find out the quality of bikes per manufacturer. For example if I see a miyata listed for sale how can I find out if that model was on the low end or high end of the models miyata was making. The other question would be how much difference does it make in the joy of the ride. Appreciate any guidance.

Lemond1985

Look online for old catalogs that have been scanned. Someone has all the Miyata catalogs I just saw recently.

The high end models are generally better, but often it will be the same frame, just with nicer components. That's where doing your homework pays off.

WT160

Higher-end models are usually lighter, too.

TugaDude

There are some brands that are known for quality and Miyata is one of them. From the quality of their in-house tubing to the manufacturing, every one I've seen up close was nice. Yes, you can find the bike in the catalog scans which you can find online. That will tell you where the bike is on the hierarchy. But that doesn't tell the whole story because I own a 1989 Miyata 312 and it is one of the best riding bikes I own. The 312 was something like 7th down on the list.

Some of the best riders aren't the most expensive, there's a lot that goes into it. The geometry of the frame, the materials, the craftsmanship and of course maybe most importantly it needs to fit you.

peppiace

Do all the catalogs have the higher end models at the top and lower end at the bottom? There is a miyata sports model from about 1975 and a schwinn sprint 1984 that I am looking at. I am not interested in getting the higher end bike but given that there are only so many bikes I can work on I am trying to figure out where the bikes fall on the quality scale. From the old catalogs I have not noticed that weights are listed. I may just not know where to look. Thanks for the feedback.

ramzilla

There are four things that make a bicycle great. Wheels, tires. crankset &, frame. Everything else is just window dressing. Get a bike that you can roll along at twenty miles an hour. And, it won't matter what brand name is on the down tube,

SurferRosa

10 > 9 > 7 > 3 > 1

I love my 9(12). One of the best bikes I've ever had.

kross57

https://www.ragandbone.ca/Miyata/miyata_selector.html

peppiace

Can you tell me more about what to look for to determine quality of the items you mentioned?

d_dutchison

That knowledge is acquired over years of admiring and appreciating bicycles, and varies widely depending on a bikes intended design and age. A basic answer to that question would fill a good sized book, but in the simplest terms...

Wheels: Alloy hollow-section rims w. reinforced eyelets, stainless steel spokes, forged alloy 1pc hubs.
Cranks: Cotterless cold forged alloy arms, 1pc construction, forged rings with machine cut teeth.
Frames: Seamless butted High alloy tubing, forged dropouts, thinned lugs if it's of lugged construction.
Tires: Whatever you like best

ramzilla

I really think that the biggest bang for the buck on any bike is the wheels & tires. And, you really don't have to shell out as much as you think. I built up this bare Shogun frame with very practical inexpensive parts. Sun rims & 25mm Panaracer tires. It only weighed 23lbs when finished & it rode as well as my 2010 Carbon Fiber Fuji. Guy I sold it to was lucky. It was a really fast bike.

peppiace

That is a beautiful bike. Pardon my lack of knowledge but I cannot learn if I do not ask. What does double butted tubing mean?