Does anyone know anything about the Araya frames? I know they built nice rims, and I'm assuming their frames are just rebranded. The bike i'm looking at says prestige tubing. Tange Prestige? Did anyone else make a prestige tubing?

While I have not seen a definitve statement, the evidence supports Araya having made their own frames rather rebranding them. Vista and Concord frames have been spootted with Araya tubing decals and serial numbers beginning with ARY. The few Araya frames we've seen have also started with ARY and the assumption is that this is ARY = Araya.

Araya was a extrusion manufacturer, so manufacturing bicycle tubes would be a logical fit. Araya frames have been seen with both their own tubing and Tange tubing. Is there any specific mention of Tange or Araya on the tubing decal? Tange Prestige came in 3 different seat tube gauges and post sizes can run from 26.8 to 27.2 mm. If it's smaller than this you could eliminate Tange Prestige. Also, if there is anything to indicate that the frame is older than 1983, that should also eliminate Tange Prestige tubing.

I was wrong about the tubing. I was looking at 2 ads simulatneously and confused them. The araya ad says nothing about the tubing. It has a mix of suntour and dia-compe components. I think the deal breaker is the 27" wheels. I'd rather find something meant for 700c.

I just found a Araya in a shed at a friend of mines house. If it's cool with him (and I imagine it would be. It looks like junk) is it worth grabbing? If I do, I would probably convert it into a fixed gear. Don't get made at me... I promise I wont paint it or hack anything off of it!

I’m getting the idea that these are not the coolest, most well known, and highly sought after frames!

I think mainly just an unknown entity. Pics would help if you want opinions on the build quality.

Neal

A 'free' crappy bike, with the off chance that it is made of gold, is worth it.

My Araya came with full Dura-Ace.

I had a Araya built Vista and it was a very nice bike. Nicely finished as well, black paint, gold paint lining the lugs and a red head tube. It was equipped with Shimano 600 Arabesque components that could be serviced with only allen wrenchs to a much greater extent than previous component groups. It also had one of the earliest six speed cassette hubs.

Heres some pics of my Yellow Araya bike...I am trying to speak with an Araya Rex Critieum bike owner from the PA that has more knowledge of the bikes. He is the original owner.

From what I can tell...there are not many around. Rare?? Maybe?? Specifically from a numbers stand point. worth alot? I don't know about that. But I couldn't pass this one up for $51.00 on ebay. I will put new tubes in it tomorrow and take it for a spin.

Dia Compe, Suntour, Araya frame and wheels and lugs (Nervex???) out the wazoo. I think they made a nice product from looking at other brands. I am guessing 76'ish but the other guys bike is almost just like mine (lug and frame wise and he said his is a 73'. I also am going off of parts on it. Any help would be appreciated! I know there is little info on this brand. Follow the link: (Sorry...Pics are lacking)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/umpire5...7622283381989/

You can check out mine over in the CV sale or trade section. I've owned it since new (73 ish)

It is an all chrome frame that rides and feels great..I have loved the bike but it is just too big for me.

No interesting trade offers at this point.


Mike


https://www.bikeforums.net/trash/585281-1973-araya-rex-criterium-58-cm.html

Sold a Puch frame last week that was marked Made by Araya Hi Ten. Lug work was interesting and for Hi Ten it was a light frame. The bike was a basket case when I received it with a Schwinn RD. Rims were ok and I used them on a different project.

I was guessing it dated mid/early 80's from the cranks that were on it but after seeing umpire54 pictures I wonder if the cranks were off something else. The rest of the parts other then the RD were the same.

Atl Craigslist has recently had a couple "Critieum" and "Vista" posted that look to be the same lug work. They were posted forever and dropped down to around $70 last ad I saw. It looked pretty close to Umpire 54's but silver or gray.

they still make bikes for the japanese market, the araya randonneur is one of the coolest bikes that you (basically) cant buy.

https://www.araya-kk.co.jp/bicycle/ran_top.htm#

and the largest size is a 54 (i think)

But you can come pretty close between The Riv Rambouillet
and VO Rando that should be here soon. Both also sell a lot of the Not so common Nitto goodies and similar house brand Rando style goodies as well. I ever hit the Lottery I'll go broke buying from them.

Just picked up this VISTA with an ARAYA frame this morning...

I had this one in my garage for a few months before it went to its new owner.

Araya AeroDynamic