Bike Forums - My First Miyata, a 912

Miyata catalogs:
http://www.miyatacatalogs.com/
　

Quote:

Originally Posted by arimajol

2) Bartape. The guy I got it from had it set up to be his comfortable commuter, and that's why he put that goofy, thick bar-foam on. Do you think cloth tape makes sense for a bike like this?

Early models likely came with cloth. Later a lot of Miyatas came with something like a Benotto vinyl tape, in some cases perforated. Slippery when wet, but it's thin, slick, and reduces the cross section of the handle bars to the wind, so they would do it for aero reasons. Personally, I think there have been significant advances in bar tape since then, and no one would question if you ran something more modern like Lizard Skins, Fizik micro-texture, cork, padded cork, or whatever. You got a really nice bike for a steal - you should use whatever tape you will make you enjoy riding it.
　
Same comment for the pedals. One strategy is putting original components away so they don't accumulate extra wear. I'm running modern SPD-SL road pedals with both of mine (work well, easily replaceable, matching shoes and cleats also).
　

Quote:

Originally Posted by arimajol

3) History of Miyata tubing. I really like the way this bike rides, but I have some questions about it, too. Ok, so I know Miyata used its in-house tubing, and later went to splined triple-butted Cro-Mo, but that was before this bike was produced, right? From the research I've done, this year's 912 had Cro-Mo forks, but hi-ten stays. Does that sound right? So, (based on the faulty assumption that tubing is the only thing that matters) are the later, cheaper bikes using the splined Miyata tubing as nice/nicer rides than this earlier top-of-the-mid-tier bike? I know, I know, there is so much to it than tubing, I'm just curious after seeing later, lower-level models with fancy tubing stickers! ...and cooler paint jobs!

This is a summary of my reading of the marketing material in the Miyata catalogs website:

Miyata was getting Tange tubesets for some models until 82 or so, when they got their own tubing mill up to full speed. In the earlier years, up to 85 or 86, high tensile and chrome manganese steel were used for some parts of mid range models, and as the years progressed, more models benefitted from their custom Chrome Moly alloys and proprietary treatment of spline double- and triple- butting, which could vary butting and splining designs for each model and each frame size, as opposed to other manufacturers who had get tubing from a supplier like Tange, Ishiwata, Reynolds, Columbus, Dedacciai etc., where tubing is delivered the same for all sizes and is cut to length/ mitered by the manufacturer on each end towards the more butted centers.

At some point, maybe in 86 or 87, they claim they had converted the manufacturing process of all of their frames to hands-off cnc robotic control (I think there were some done this way for 2 -3 years before that, the lower end models). That supposedly went for the manufacturing of the seamless tubing, the butting, the splining, the cutting and finishing of the miters, the investment cast lugs, the component assemblies in the fixtures, all brazing, machining and threading processes. Technicians woud do minor cleanup work and prep for plating and painting. Miyata boldly claimed they had best quality control in world, better than any competitor, including custom builders. There remain fans of handbuilt frames that vigorously dispute this claim, but you'll also find some bicycle store technicians from the 80's who will describe how easily every single Miyata built up to proper alignment and how few adjustments were required to get them ready to use.

The late Sheldon Brown, cycling enthusiast and bike mechanic guru, who posted here at Bike Forums on occasion, wrote that the Miyata 1000 Grand Touring bike may have been the highest quality production bike during that era. The statement was made after Miyata was gone from the USA, so it attracted some curiosity.

My observations about my two Miyatas.

My 88 model 312 is the bottom of the mid-range racer line up, it's over 26 lbs, has splined triple butted cro-moly throughout the frame, but non-butted nor splined chrome-manganese steel forks. The lugwork is thicker and extends farther from the joints than my 92 Team model, and has stamped dropouts (as opposed to the Team's forged and chromed Shimano UF's). To some degree it absorbs bumps better than the Team, and I can fairly easily ride no hands down to maybe 6 or 7 mph even though the steerer has 0.5 degrees more rake than the Team. This bike works well as a sport-tourer/ randonneur for me, and with its 9 - 10cm higher handle position is less racy, so less stressful on my lower back and neck.

The Team is just over 20 lbs lightweight chrome-moly in all parts, slined triple-butted main triangle and forks, tapered seat stays and organically formed and tapered chainstays without any indentations for chainring or tire clearance. It uses modern 130mm rear hubs with freehubs as opposed to 120 & 126mm for freewheels. It's got has very stiff / transmissive, lively ride, that is somewhat unstable at low speeds with its super short chainstays and short wheelbase, where it demands hands-on and significant concentration to maintain balance. The steering tightens right up at speeds where you transition from the small chainring to the big chainring - about 17 - 18 mph, where no hands becomes possible. The connection between the headset and bottom bracket feels stiff and rigid compared to the 312's more damped reactions and hint of flexibility. The Team would make a good climber/ sprinter/ descender, but even though it's Miyata's lightest road racer, there are the lightest Reynolds and Columbus frames from the same era that would probably weigh in as much as 1.5 lb less (but be more flexible/ noodley).

You shouldn't worry about your 912's tubing pedigree. Most of the numbered models remained relatively close to the same weight range even as more technology emerged. The butting and splining advances seem like they were used to put strength in the right places, so the rider got better ride quality, more control, and what will probably turn out to be better longetivity.

Sorry for being longwinded, there are several here who can tell you more than I can, most especially TMar.