You'll have to find out how they ride. Similar/same tires across both would make for a good comparison as it seems lately that tires on any of my bikes can make or break the ride quality and thus the man-and-machine connection. I've had two touring Miyatas and they are excellent rides. The 912 was more or less, from what I understood in their literature, their race bikes, but with a tuxedo on. I'd like to own a race-frame Miyata some day.

I was thinking the same thing. Failed to say it, but it would make sense, and be easy enough to do.

I owned a 63cm '87 912 for many years and rode it with a few different setups. Rode it with all 600 tricolor components and original wheels, rode it with some cockpit changes and 9sp Ultegra STI, and rode it with new wheels plus compact crank and STIs. I was always trying to refine the fit to allow me to use it more frequently. Loved the bike, but it was just a couple cm too small, based on the geometry used(the top tube sloped downward towards the stem).
It was comfortable as can be once I got the fit right, but it was always going to be a bike that was too small.
Really nicely made and plenty stiff but still comfortable.


I have refurbished an 87 Ironman, an 89 Ironman, and own an '89 frame that was made by the same contractor making Ironman frames at that time with the same geometry. They are nice, but not nearly as well finished as my '87 Miyata 912. The brazed points on the fork and rear dropout arent nearly as nicely finished as on the 912 and are finished in a faster/more economical fashion. That doesnt mean anything when it comes to performance, mind you.



- Miyata 912 internal routed brake cable looks nicer.
- The brazed points on both dropouts are nicer on the 912.
- The 912 fork has a visible crown which is lugged and nicer looking than the Ironman unicrown forks.
- Lugs on the 912 are finished nicer than on either Ironman I refurbished.
- 912 Splined tubing is neat from a historical perspective since it wasnt used by many brands, its more unique.

- I like Ironman seat stay caps more as they arent spoon shaped like the 912. Spoon caps are neat, but not my favorite.
- Ironman paint schemes are iconic. legendary. This is one area where few bikes in the price range can match the Ironman.


I would go 912 every day of the week, and just quietly drool over the purple haze and smoke on the water Ironman paint.

Can you imagine what an Ironman would have been by '97? Banned!
(I'm thinking the "97" is a typo....)

I have seen a 912, at a brewery in Kinston, NC, and it was nice, as was the owner.

I think she liked my Ironman, too.

Or you could find the right Fuji and Sleep like a Baby.

Those internal cabled Miyatas had problems with the frames cracking around the cable holes.

For a year or two. then the cable ports were reinforced. Still, a known issue to watch for.
FWIW, my 512 with the internal cable was retired when the top tube rusted through the bottom, not cracks in the top.

Top

some have, yes.
I figure we are discussing franes of both bikes that are in good condition.

my 912 is an 81 so no internal routing. Lucky me!

Love this, as Scott left his new black and white singlet back at Sugarloaf. He had to borrow this singlet from this hyper little kid

Whoa, holy non-sequitur!

Back on zombie thread track, I 'rummage-saled' a too-big, early '80s 912, full Cyclone for $10. Mint. Flipped it for money but still hated myself for not being tall enough. Centurions are gold standard as well.

Or maybe I'm missing a Dave Scott folklore story?

Only two pics in this thread? Man, oh man!

I took an '87 Ironman Expert and an '86 Miyata 912, and built them with 9-speed setups - one 2x, the other 3x. The Miyata:


The Ironman:


My impressions are that both are amazing framesets. The Miyata is a bit stiffer, as mentioned previously, and takes a little more from me to handle fast cornering. It seems to want to go fast in a straight line, where the Ironman has just a bit of an edge in handling. Both feel great when climbing. It would be really hard to choose between the two if I had to give one up. Great bikes!

the miyata is triple tripld splined tubing??
​​buttethe frame is better in my opinion.

There should be "Zombie" emoji we can choose from on our most used E list......faster/easier than typing a response.
Best, Ben

I've had two Ironmans and a 914 SE. I can't really explain why but I just preferred the rides of the Ironman's better. They felt lighter and lively out on the roads I ride than the Miyata did.

Great out on the road.

Nice but just did not stand out in my stable and I didn't have it long.

Modern build but too small really.

Funny thing is I had lusted after a 9 series Miyata for years. When I got it I was just ok with it. It was nice but really did stir my blood once I had it and it quickly was sent on it's way.