Weight weenie comparison: Miyata vs Bridgestone vs Bianchi
09-07-09, 06:00 PM
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Weight weenie comparison: Miyata vs Bridgestone vs Bianchi
I have 3 frames sitting in the workshop: 1989 Miyata 1400, Bridgestone RB-2, early 90s Bianchi Virata.
The Miyata has the famed Miyata triple butted tubes, the Bridgestone has the Ishiwata triple butted stuff and the Bianchi has Tange Prestige tubes.
I did a little weight comparison with my non-digital package weight-o-meter (aka weighing machine) by me standing on the weighing machine, and then holding onto one frame at a time.
Conclusion:
Both the Bridgestone and Bianchi weigh about the same (to the nearest pound). The Miyata is a little bit heavier by about 1/2 pound... I must note though, that the Miyata had about 2 feet of brake housing still stuck in the top tube and shift cable stops on the downtube shifter bosses.
The Miyata has the famed Miyata triple butted tubes, the Bridgestone has the Ishiwata triple butted stuff and the Bianchi has Tange Prestige tubes.
I did a little weight comparison with my non-digital package weight-o-meter (aka weighing machine) by me standing on the weighing machine, and then holding onto one frame at a time.
Conclusion:
Both the Bridgestone and Bianchi weigh about the same (to the nearest pound). The Miyata is a little bit heavier by about 1/2 pound... I must note though, that the Miyata had about 2 feet of brake housing still stuck in the top tube and shift cable stops on the downtube shifter bosses.
09-07-09, 07:10 PM
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Disraeli Gears
You cannot be serious.
09-07-09, 07:17 PM
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Not valid unless a Super Vitus 980-tubed bike is present.
-Kurt
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09-07-09, 07:27 PM
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are all the frames the same size? are they all equally clean? does one have more braze on than the other?
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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09-07-09, 08:26 PM
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Get a good digital hanging scale. I got one on ebay for less than $7 delivered.
09-08-09, 09:25 AM
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All the frames are the same size. All clean. Default braze-ons with headset. Only exception is the Miyata frame as mentioned.
I'll go get a digital hanging scale and report back.
Anyone want to donate a Vitus and/or other "nice" frame?
I'll go get a digital hanging scale and report back.
Anyone want to donate a Vitus and/or other "nice" frame?
09-08-09, 10:36 AM
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I don't think anybody is surprised at the Miyata weighing slightly more. The surprise is RB-2 and Virata being the same. Bridgestone's mix of Ishiwata EX tubes were not overly light and should not be as light as the Prestige frame, unless Bianchi were spec'ing hi-tensile stays and forks. 
09-08-09, 10:53 AM
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If they're all 56cm frames, pick one, sell the others to me.
Oh wait a minute, if the Bianchi is a 56 cm Celeste colored frame, they don't perform well and you need to sell it to me for proper disposal.
Oh wait a minute, if the Bianchi is a 56 cm Celeste colored frame, they don't perform well and you need to sell it to me for proper disposal.
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09-08-09, 12:00 PM
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I have noticed that Japanese frames have never been on the light side, compared to French and Italian frames. The slightly heavier weights do translate into more solid feeling bikes.
The Japanese frames seem to say "solid as a gun", while French ultralight frames frames seems to say "Flexy flyers". JMOs
Chombi
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The Japanese frames seem to say "solid as a gun", while French ultralight frames frames seems to say "Flexy flyers". JMOs
Chombi
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09-08-09, 02:42 PM
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09-08-09, 05:51 PM
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Supervitus 980 = steel
Both are very light and also flexy compared with other steel and aluminum tubesets.
The smaller diameter French sized tubes does not help either. If you're not a racer or a big gear masher and superman climber, the flexibility will not bother you too much. but they do provide the most comfortable rides you can get from any steel and aluminum bike. You just have to get used to the sound of the chain rubbing the FD once in a while when you power up.
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09-09-09, 07:49 AM
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To begin with , the Miyata you have is aluminum , bonded at that. Prestige is inherenty lighter than the Ishi tubes used on the RB2s which was the second best. One could submit a statement such as "all else being equal" ... NOTHING in your case is equal. As for the "triple butted ...." don't think so on that aluminum bike. That Miyata is not so good. The Viratas were OK overall and the RB2s were the best frame overall as well as a better ride overall ALL responses are in accord to anything I have to say though Charles' is the most relavent.
09-09-09, 09:33 AM
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The Miyata's steel. This 1400 is not the 1400A which is indeed aluminum.
I just ordered a scale from Ebay. Unfortunately, it's coming from HongKong, so it'll be a while.
In the mean time, a Prologue (Tange Prestige) is coming in today. I can't decide whether to strip it down for the weight weenie comparo or leave as is and ride it. Hmmm.... I guess that depends on the condition of the bike...
I just ordered a scale from Ebay. Unfortunately, it's coming from HongKong, so it'll be a while.
In the mean time, a Prologue (Tange Prestige) is coming in today. I can't decide whether to strip it down for the weight weenie comparo or leave as is and ride it. Hmmm.... I guess that depends on the condition of the bike...
09-09-09, 04:40 PM
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the fork on a '92 Virata is just listed as Tnge chomoly. however let us not forget that as always the bianchi is built with the Superset frame (superset 2 in this case) with a slightly heavier guage DT and CS but lighter TT and SS to give that fabulous performance and ride.
and does it really matter is one is 3oz lighter than the other?
and does it really matter is one is 3oz lighter than the other?
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
09-09-09, 07:43 PM
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I'll repeat myself. How are you going to ride? If weight is the issue, I assume quickly. In that case, check the frame geometry and I agree with celeste queenie above, pick the quickest geometry and don't let a couple of oz's get in your way.
