Miyata nine 14 (914)
 

sorry to pester you all, but I searched and didn't find anything, even in online catalogs.

picked up a pristine miyata 914 today, 105 gruppo throughout, indexed downtube shifters, top tube brake cable guide, splined triple butted tubing on the mainframe, "cr-mo" on the fork, threaded shimano headset, "custom" stem, headtube decal (not headbadge), wolber square profile rims. sakae seatpost, mundialito seat. no rack eyelets.

serial # TU18802 on the BB and then stamped perpendicular to it, 0909.

strange iridescent "crackle" paint job over deep blue, yellow miyata lettering, wolber rims.

I know this was high-ish in the miyata hierarchy (I think--rides pretty stiff and "racey"), any ideas on the date/particulars of the bike? judging just from the graphics, horizontal dropouts and rims, I'm thinking--late 80s/early 90s? am I mistaken in thinking that the 105 was lower-down in the shimano hierarchy at that time than today (#3?).

a good/decent/excellent bike?

and why the water bottle boss on the front of the downtube?

hopefully this won't double post.

It's circa 1992, original price $700 US. The 914 was a mid-range model. There was a similar 916 that year that used the same frame but had 600 Ultegra components. The 914 is a very good bicycle, particulary the splined, triple butted tubeset.

The bicycle was designed for club racers and triathletes. The single boss on the front of the downtube is not for a water bottle. It accepts the holder for compressed air cartridges which were popular alternatives to pumps, especially with triathletes.

In 1992, 105SC was 3rd from the top, in the road groups.

Thanks, T-Mar!

Even though I guess the bike is just "older" and not really "classic" or "vintage", (shoot, I was in college in '92) let me go on:

First impressions on the commute today. With a little raising and sliding of the seat, the bike fit me to a T.

This is my first true "road" bike--I have a MTB, Jamis Nova cyclocross bike, and 1971 Raleigh SuperCourse fixie conversion, and holy simoleons, I thought-- what have I been missing?

This bike feels much different than the others I own-much more lively, and sort of springy in all the right places. When I stand on the pedals, it's like it pushes me along. I don't know if that's a product of the tubing or the geometry. The handling is awesome, almost telapathic, but still rock-stable, although I haven't taken it down any steep hills yet. 7X2 speeds is plenty for me, and it shifts amazingly clean.

I'm curious: what is the difference between the nines and the more upper-end models? Just the components, or also the geometry? Can I rest content knowing that this bike provides the full miyata experience?

Also, how gingerly do I have to treat the bike? My commute is over some pretty nasty paths with a couple curbs to hop (I put in a whole bunch of chain slap paint divots in the chainstays this morning). Is this going to stress out the frame, or can I basically go at it (within reason)?

Despite the paint job (which is not as bad as it could have been, I suppose), and the clunky plastic look of the 105 gruppo, I'd just like to say:

the bike rocks!

I want one, but only because 914 is my home area code :D

Westchester, eh?
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During this era the 914 used the same geometry as the higher end models. The differences on these models were higher end compoents and/or more exotic frame materials such as titanium or carbon fiber.

As for curb hopping it's no problem, provided you do it right and land light. However, one mis-judgement and you have a pretzeled wheel, bent frame or worse. To me, the MTB or Jamis would be more approapriate for the commute. However, should you continue to commute with the Miyata, post a pic before the scars get too bad.

T-mar thanks for the advice. I'm planning to put a suspension fork on there and a suspension seatpost and riser bars. ha haha..... no.

The nine 14 is of limited commuter use if only because there are no rack eyelets [edit: I meant fender eyelets, same diff anyways...], but maybe I'll just take it on the "road" way to work instead of the "trails" way. As soon as I figure out how to lower the resolution of my camera's pics in order to upload, I will post it along with the supercourse.

I'm thinking of keeping it pretty stock, maybe swapping in a shorter nitto stem I have (the stock one is nice but just a smidge too long) and a brooks pro or swift saddle, eventually (just 'cause), maybe some new cranks--the 105 are early-90s plastic blob fugly.

If the BB is square taper, the sugino double crankset I have on my fixie is way better looking. Are there compatibility issues with using a crankset made for say an 8 or 9-spd in a 7-speed system, assuming one swaps out the chainrings? I know my truvativ 9 speed chainrings did not like the 105 10-speed chain and STIs at all. But is it only forwards incompatibility? (i.e.: 7 rings in an 8 system; 9 in a 10, etc) Well, maybe that question is better left for the bike mech. forum.

Sorry to hijack the thread, but what's the difference between the 914 and the "seven 14." I picked one up at my local bike co-op. It has APA (aluminum pressureized adhesive) construction. Does anyone have any idea how reliable this construction is? I really like it, I have only had the chance to ride it once but it's great so far.

This is really difficult to say, without knowing the model and age of the Sugino crankset. The onlt way to know for sure, is to try it.

The 714 had geometry that was more "fitness" oriented, to quote Miyata's terminology. Both head and seat tube angles were slightly shallower, with a longer wheelabase and chainstays. They were more geared towards xonsumers who cycled regularly, but did not compete or do loaded touring.

I haven't heard of any reliability concerns pertaining to Miyata's bonded frames. A couple of friends have been riding them long term, without incident. However, these frames never earned the reputation of Miyata's steel frames. The marketplace, at the time, just seemed to be hesitant about bonded frames using dis-similar materials.

A assumed the previous owner had set the gearing up like that, it also had flat bars, grip shifters, and a long stem with an extender. It was like 10" long :eek:

I'm stuck with the flat bars and grip shifters for now, but that will change, along with the gearing.

Peekskill, represent :D

Sometimes I go back, just to visit...deeply saddened to see that my favorite bakery as a kid has up and blown away.

North Salem.
But I dated a girl from St. Marys in Peekskill in high school.
I used to ride my then new Atala to see her. About 27 miles each way.
Thirty-odd years ago.
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resurrecting a thread from the past to perform my duty. Big thanks to T-Mar for taking time to help out, here's pics of the bike--everything is stock as I got it, except for the stem. I'd be glad to send additional pics if you want them, including closeups. And I apologize for the quality of composition and odd angles. It was starting to rain and I didn't have much time.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1178/...683758.jpg?v=0

close up of the odd paint job:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/...g?v=1183692218