dt.

I'm looking for a road bike on craigslist and I came across this one...

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/bik/1556008492.html

Is this a man or woman bike? I see Miyata on the frame...but I'm not sure which "model" is this. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

High Fist Shin

It's a cheap single speed conversion of a Miyata mixte frame. And it's without a front brake. Don't buy it.

-Shin

jburne

I'm virtually certain that is a 100 or 110 mixte. If it was a 210 it would have been a touring model and would have come with a triple in front.

If he didn't cut anything off when he "made" it a single, you could return it to it's original 10 or 12 speed for the cost of deraillers and shift levers. I have a 210 mixte, I'm a guy, it rides fine. But I have been asked why I ride a "girls" bike.

It's a nice frame - if you want to ride a single or fix you could do worse. At this price it's not worth replacing parts if you want gearing.

dt.

Thanks guys, I was so close on buying it!

wrk101

It really depends what you are looking for. If it is exactly what you want, for Southern CA, price is close. Unfortunately, if you are looking for a multispeed recreational ride, it will probably cost you more to rehab this bike (replacing missing brakes, levers, shifters, derailleurs) than the bike will be worth when you are done. In that case, you are better off finding exactly what you want, in ready to ride shape. Looks like a slapped together single speed, which is disconcerting.

3373jones

the guy selling this bike does the same thing to just about all his bikes (he lists several a week). takes off the front break, derailleurs, and puts colored electrical tape on the handlebars... not something i would invest in.

dt.

Wow lucky I researched a bit on it...ro else I'll waste money on this -_-
Thanks a lot of saving me!

kent clark

Thats a girls bike. That frame was used by most cheap bike manufacturers back a few years and it is heavy. As you are probably aware there are 2 Miyatas. They are spelled slightly differently. This is the cheap one. Myatas are the hand made bikes. Thats not a single speed track bike thats a 10 spped with the derailers removed and I guarantee the first time you back pedal the rear sprocket will fall off if it is even locked.

Chicago Al 

+1 most of the above. Except what is this second 'Miyata'? AFAIK there's only the one, still in business after 120 years, though no longer exported to the US. A nice collection of their 80s-early 90s US catalogs is here: www.miyatacatalogs.com

It's a mixte, with the split top tubes running directly to the rear, which is not necessarily a 'girl's bike' though some perceive it that way. Hard to tell exactly what model it is/was but as noted above the only mixte frame Miyata made above the entry-level 100/110 was the 210, which would have had a triple chainring, and this one is a double. There ought to be a name for this kind of cheap-o single-speed 'conversion' as it is very minimal, mainly taking things off, no value added but the chain. On the other hand that's an advantage if you want to turn it back into a geared bike.

If it's a late 80s 100/110 it's still a good if basic bike with cr-mo frame & perhaps fork and I think that's what the stickers are showing. Below that Miyata had a line of bikes with names like 'Nimbus' which are heavier hi-ten steel, definitely lower-end.

For that kind of money you should be able to find a good and intact mid-80s road bike for a very reasonable price. There are lots still out there particularly the Japanese makes like Miyata, Shogun, Centurion, Fuji.

First step should be figuring out what size is right for you. Browsing this forum should provide lots and lots of useful info. But be careful...a year ago I didn't know a 'mixte' from a 'fixie' and now my whole family have road bikes, I have two for myself, and a serious and time-consuming new hobby.

Its kind of fun though!

btw: all our bikes are Japanese, one late 70s, the rest 80s, all but the latest were under $100 on CL.

EjustE

The OP is located in San Diego. I am certain that it would be hard to find a decent bike for around $100 on his CL. (Thrift stores, garage sales, especially 50 miles west from SD, maybe).

auchencrow

Given THAT scenario, I would go shopping on eBay. There are some halfway reasonable deals on frames, without too much for shipping, (and considering the subject CL bike is little more than a frame anyway), eBay may be a better bet.

kent clark

Kogo Miyata is not the miyata. It is manufactured in Europe, Holland I believe. The Miyata company founded by a gunsmith in the 1800s in Japan is a completely different bike. I thought every serious Miyata collector knew this. Dont take my word for it google the 2 names.

Exit.

Not quite.

Koga and Miyata are two separate framebuilders. Koga is a guy named Gaastra, who's from Holland. Miyata is from Japan. The Koga-Miyata brand name was a collaboration between the two of them. The Koga-Miyata bikes were built in Holland, but designed by both Gaastra and Miyata.

T-Mar

Not quite.

Vintage Koga-Miyata bicycles had their frames built by Miyata, in Japan, and were assembled by Koga, in the Netherlands. Koga also designed the bicycles. Sometimes they were virtual copies of the Miyata models, with the exception of the model name. In other cases they could be totally unique, catering to European tastes.