Info on Miyata?
 

I just purchased a red Miyata Sport 10FF (with small stickers in multiple places which read Miyata 1024, don't know what that means), high-tensile steel tubing and a forked top tube (from the seat to the handlebars).

serial #: L203357

Does anyone have any info on this one?
Thanks!

Hi-ten means it's an entry level bike. Miyata made quality so it'll be a nice solid ride. Enjoy.

Old Miyata Catalogs

Oh yes, it's true!

Thanks Bam! Does anyone know what year this might be from?

T-Mar to the rescue.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...80&postcount=2

The Miyata Sport-10 dates from 1984 to 1986. The 1984/5 model was a 10 speed, while the 1986 model was 12 speed. Specs varied quite a bit, depending on the year. The 1984 model had a plain gauge main triangle made of hi-tensile steel. It was upgraded to CrMo in 1985, then downgraded to Mangalight in 1986. The stays are hi-tensile steel, regardless of the year. The rims may be aluminum or steel, depending on the year. The crankset should be a swaged, cotterless design with what appears to be steel chainrings. Derailleurs are respectable SunTour Seven with stem shifters. Brakes should be Dia-Compe 730 or Shimano Z-series side-pull with safety levers.

There was also a Sport-10FF model that used Shimano's Front Freewheel system.

If the above means nothing to you, then let's state that it is the bottom of the line model and cost $165 US in 1985! It's also quite heavy, at an advertised weight of 30-32 lb.

On the postive side, Miyata made very nice bicycles. Even the entry level models were properly designed, well manufactured and nicely finished. They were excellent value for their price range.

Wow. Thanks so much, cb400bill, for finding that info. Also, thanks to TheDL for the link to the catalogue. I was able to find a photo of my exact bike in the 1984 catalogue (under the Sport 10FF in Sunrise Red, except mine is in the womens style).

Does anyone happen to know what T-Mar means about "The 1984 model had a plain gauge main triangle made of hi-tensile steel." I don't really know anything at all about bikes so this is sort of a foreign language Also what are "stays?" Lastly, I have no idea what any of this means: "The crankset should be a swaged, cotterless design with what appears to be steel chainrings. Derailleurs are respectable SunTour Seven with stem shifters. Brakes should be Dia-Compe 730 or Shimano Z-series side-pull with safety levers." If anyone could help me out I would appreciate it.

Oh, also from what I can tell, Shimano's Front Freewheel system makes it so you can shift gears while you're coasting, not just while your pedaling. Is that right and is that the only significance? Pretty cool.

Thanks!

Good job on getting a Miyata! Hope it's the right size for you!

Be sure to get your new steed tuned up immediately.

Plain gauge means the tubing has the same wall thickness the entire length of the tube. It is different from butted tubing which has thicker walls on the ends for strength and thinner walls in the middle of the tube for weight reduction. Hi-Tensile steel is a material used on mostly entry level bikes. It is different from Chromoly alloys found on higher end bikes that are often branded Reynolds, Columbus, Tange, or might just say something like "Chro-Mo." I'm not a metallurgist but a believe chromoly is stronger which allows for less material to be used and reduces the weight.

Stays are the tubes that hold the back wheel on.


This means the crank is held together without a cotter pin. It is most likely a square-tapered three piece crank which is easier to work on and find replacements. The front freewheel does make it so you can shift while coasting, but it will make it harder to change your crankset because most cranks don't have a built in freewheel. If you don't plan to work on it it doesn't really matter.

The derailleurs are the mechanical devices that shift your gears. SunTour is the manufacturer and Seven is the component level. Basically T-Mar is saying they're decent parts.

As for the brakes, Dia-Compe and Shimano are manufacturers and 730/Z series are model names. Sidepull brakes have the cable attached on one side and have one pivot point as opposed to center pull brakes that have a cable attached on both sides that V's into the main brake cable. They have two pivot points for greater stopping force (supposedly). Your brakes should be fine but you may want to get new pads. Safety levers are the horizontal brake levers that you can pull while riding upright.

I think that pretty much covers it, but somebody may have to come along and correct my misinformation. There are many people here that know more than I do.