Podagrower

So, lets say both of these bikes are for sale at the same price. Both are 85/86 ish, the Raleigh I assume is Suntour ARX components the Miyata is 1st year 105. Which would you pick if they both fit?

Cougrrcj

I'm biased since my '86 710 is Cyclone...



FYI, the Miyata 712 debut was '87.... https://www.miyatacatalogs.com/2007/1...alog-1987.html

clubman 

I'd want to see pics (and know the price). Those Raleighs often have lovely chrome stays and forks, even if the frame tubing is a bit of an anomaly (555). Miyatas are solid and sound. Which one speaks to you, especially from the saddle?

Velognome 

I'm partial to Raleigh but for an everyday rider the 712, hands down.

brian3069

Is it actually 555RSL and not 555SL. Custom order frames were made in England for Raleigh of America using tubing labeled 555RSL. I believe 555RSL is Reynolds 531

Bandera

Raleigh USA production for steel frame bikes was mostly Taiwan mfg, nothing wrong w/ that, at modest price points with the tight clearance & aero-fads of the era making for some now non-standard HS, shifter braze-ons and what-nots.
The Miyata was a good solid well designed machine w/o idiosyncratic "features", an easy choice for me.

-Bandera

Podagrower

This particular Raleigh has black forks and stays, which I think looks better with the red. The Miyata paint job has way more flash and speaks to me visually.

Yes, it is indeed RSL. I assumed it was SL and was pleasantly surprised.

T-Mar

Yes, Raleigh 555RSL is equivalent to Reynolds 531C. However, having said that, Miyata's triple butted CrMo tubeset on the 712 is no slouch either, though if it actually is 1st year New 105 (1987), then it's the less refined, non-splined version. Still, I'd say the tubesets were equivalent. The Raleigh should have slightly more aggressive geometry but not so much as to be a consideration, unless you're competing and nobody with serious aspirations is going to compete on a 30 year old bicycle.

The Raleigh sounds seriously underdressed if it's equipped with ARX. Be aware that there were entry level models with Racing USA livery and replacement tubing decals are easy to acquire. The Shimano New 105 on the Miyata was very good for its day. Due to the SIS derailleur and SLR brakeset, it would outperform higher end components of a couple years earlier, in the critical parameters of shifting and braking. The downside is that Miyata spec'd the 1987 712 with a freewheel, as opposed to a freehub, but then that makes it easy to upgrade to HyperGlide and take the shifting to the next level.

It sounds like the Miyata has the definite edge in the component group, so if the Miyata graphics are your preference, that is the way I would go. The only other thing to consider is that the Raleigh frame will likely hold its value better than the Miyata. While I'm a big Miyatya fan, I do prefer the Racing USA livery. I'd probably buy both, switch the components and sell the Miyata frame and Raleigh components.

miamijim

If its a 712 with internal rear brake cable routing make sure its a frame with reinforced holes. Non reinforced internal cable frames crack.

OldsCOOL

Here is my ‘87 Miyata 712 with full 105. The ride is comfy, at 54cm it weighs 22.7lbs and has a very dialed-in feel too real to explain.

Podagrower

Well, I finally bit the bullet and picked up the Miyata 712 for $100. I'm going to say it's about 99% original, the seat and tires look to be the only non-OE parts. It is filthy, looks like somebody used motor oil for chain lube at some point (but I'd rather see oil on everything than rust).

kc0yef 

At that price get both

Podagrower

Very tempted, they were both listed at $150 and I figured the owners would take $100 each. I thought about buying both and figured I could sell either and recoup all my costs.

clubman 

Pics!

Podagrower

Yep, this thread is useless without pics. As picked up, except I aired up the tires. This is the filthiest drivetrain I've seen in a long time.

Podagrower

She's dirty, but that can be fixed.

Podagrower

Quite a bit better, still needs to be taken apart for a good cleaning. The chain is beyond worn out, but the cassette looks good still and can anybody figure out from that photo if the chainring is shot or is just the massive slop in the chain?

Podagrower

And if you are looking for the Raleigh, the link is:

https://us.letgo.com/us/i/racing-bike...d-72761c5bccd3

And if you are looking for Miyata 912:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...29208134106414

ryansu

If a little motor oil is good then a quart must be great.....seriously though nice Score OP, I had a Miyata 912 and loved it.

dedhed

That's a Gran Prix. You can see the decal on the top tube near the seat tube. If it's like my '84 the black is actually chrome. lousy picture. Arx was OEM

3speedslow

Nice score! Partial to Raleighs but could seriously love that Miyata as well.

Podagrower

Sharpen the pitchforks and light the torches. Currently all the Miyata needs to be rideable is a new chain. The seat and tires will probably fall apart pretty quickly, and the brake pads have reached that point of hardening that it's just like rubbing a 2x4 against the rim. I'd like to make this into a regular rider in my stable, which means different gears (42x28 is not going to work for me, unless the ride is dead flat). I have a spare 10 speed derailleur and wheel (you can see where this is going), would I be better served to box up the original 105 pieces and save them for somebody to eventually return this bike to it's OE status, or sell the parts to offset the upgrade cost?

3speedslow

No need to dread. Really your call. If money tight, sell. If not, keep. Since you want a regular rider, make it behave the way you want it to.

Sweet results anyway you go!

Dboyle

To add a bit more confusion, I have a 1980's Raleigh USA, red triangle tubes and black stays and forks, original paint and decals, and it has a 531C Reynolds decal.

Dboyle

The custom order frames in red and black were actually made in England. One option was the 753 frame.