I know that sounds pretty weird, but I'm sizing up an '80s touring frame & fork. It's definitely a Fuji, with that pantographed on the fork lugs. What throws me off is, it's quad-butted, which I "thought" was a Miyata-only thing. 🤔
I don't really know why I'm looking at it, lol, but it is a sweet looking lugged steel frame, even if it is the "wrong" color. 😁😉
Thanks.

FUJI did the quad butted VALite tubing.

Miyata’s thing was the Splined Triple Butted tubing

Those Fuji Touring Series IV and V bikes are some of the most aesthetically beautiful bikes I’ve seen. That Teal totally appeals to me!!!

From what I’ve read- several people on the forum that have had these bikes have not been particularly enamored by the ride-

FWIW

Yeah, Miyata did the triple butted tubing, but not any quad butted stuff that I know of. Miyata built a lot of frames that were sold under the Univega brand, but I'm not aware of Fuji building any frames for other companies.

But Fuji have been in the high end bike game a long time, saw this 1970's beauty for sale locally a while back. The workmanship on it is as nice as many of the top quality European frames of the era:

I concur. Fuji had various quad butted Valite and CrMo sets manufactured by Ishiwata, while Miyata used proprietary double and triple butted tubesets. However, the definitive answer on the source will be provided by the serial number, which will also indicate the exact frame manufacture date.

another thread identified Fuji as the first of the Japanese bikes to have the quality to directly challenge the European brands - at least in the USA. The Finest is.. ..perhaps the finest example.

Fuji built some bikes for Backroads touring, Mistaya...

Weren’t those slightly altered Saratoga models?

EDIT:

thought that was familiar:

1990 Fuji Saratoga/Backroads Mistaya touring frameset build is finally done

Now What Do I Have Here?

Sweet!

Especially this one, I like:

Miyatas are very consistently, well-made bicycles. I have owned a few, and I'm in the process of rebuilding new wheels for my wife's 1000. I snuck a ride on it before the teardown for repaint, and I liked how it handled - which is high praise for a touring bike.

That said, the "plushest", smoothest ride I've ever experienced on any bicycle with 26mm or narrower tires is unquestionable my '72 Fuji Finest. There's just something about that geometry and that frame that makes it special in that way.

Thanks guys. 🙂 Sorry I didn't reply sooner, got distracted by a bike ride. 😁 I'll go back & click on the linkies now. 👍

Here's the machine in question, being sold as just the frame, fork, & headset. I first noticed the 3 sets of bottle cage braze-ons, then started looking closer. 😉 BTW, it's Ishiwata EXO M, quad-butted, which sounds pretty high-end to me. 🤔

Google Fuji Touring Series V.

If you're in love with classic Fuji (and other Japanese) bikes, and haven't already, you might want to check this book out ... https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Stee.../dp/0847861708

I met the author and bought an Opus III frame from him, he mentioned the factory or builder where it was built as being special, but the name escapes me now.

The book is packed with great photos and lots of interesting detailed info.

That factory name I forgot was Cherubim (looked in book ), a custom frame builder in Japan, subcontracted by Fuji.

Or maybe the "Professional"?

Here is one of the Backroads for sale:

https://charlottesville.craigslist.o...868550476.html

Touring Bike For Sale - $175

image 1 of 4


© craigslist - Map data © OpenStreetMap(google map)
bicycle frame material: steel
bicycle type: other
frame size: Large
make / manufacturer: Mistanya/Fuji
model name / number: Backroads
wheel size: 27 in

Nice Touring Bike For Sale
This is a Vintage Mistanya/Backroads (the touring company) bike designed for touring. Research indicates made by Fuji and like their Saratoga. Frame is Triple Butted CrMo Featherlite tubing. 23" C/T, 33" Stand Over. Sakae drive train. 7x3. Mounts for front and rear racks. Spare spoke holder on chainstay. Everything works well. For riders about 6'tall or so.
Get ready for that Spring/Summer tour!
Prince is $175 (priced a new touring bike lately?). CASH ONLY. Local Sale Only
Reply with Backroads in subject line and send a phone number for me to call you back

FYI "quad-butted" isn't necessarily higher-end than double- or triple-butted tubing. If I remember correctly it just means the tubes are slightly thicker where the water bottle bosses are. Doesn't necessarily lend more strength than a regular double-butted tube with a reinforcement braze-on at the bottle boss, and is probably slightly heavier.

After looking around for a bit it could also mean just different thicknesses for each butt. Sort of how Ritchey markets it's custom butted tubing