1980-1981 Miyata
 

Hi,
I'm going to look at a Miyata road bike from 80 or 81 that cost 200.00 new. any guess where this fits in the heirarchy?

Based on the price, I'm guessing it is a 1981 model 110-SP which cost $198.00. This model was 2nd from the bottom of the lightweight line.

ok cool, so steel rims and stem shifters?

Yes, it should be stem shifters, but the rims should be aluminum if it is a 110-SP. The lower model 110 had steel rims, but it was about $25.00 cheaper.

Regardless, given the era and price, you should be looking a a plain gauge CrMo main triangle with high tensile forks and stays. Crankset should be a swaged, cotterless SR model. derailleurs should be SunTour Seven or AR. Brakes will be Dia-Compe but could be 610 center-pull or 730 or 500 side-pulls. Hubs could be aluminum or styeel with quick release or nuts or a mix. Don't be surprised if the bars are steel. Weight should be 28-29 lbs for a 23" size.

The above variations are due to the uncertainty of the actual year and whether the price is correct. However, it should give an idea of what to expect based on the era and $200 original price. Who knows, it might even be a better model, that he got a great deal on.

Thanks for the info. my personal rule in purchasing old bikes is no steel wheels, so I might be in business. I'll let you know how it goes. thanks again

Miyata 110, with steel rims, steel hubs, stem shifters and steel bars, good shape . very nice lady who bought it when she was 14, it was the first thing she ever saved up money for. Now she lives in a beautiful home in Sonoma County. Bikes are the best!!!. I aired up the tires, adjusted the seat height, lubed the chain and gave her the explicit instructions to put vintage bikes in her upcoming garage sale ad. some hipster will give her the $25.00 for it.

Sorry to hear it didn't meet your criteria. That $200 price must have included taxes and/or some accessories. I hope you told her to mention the model number in her future ads.