UPDATED: Which one should I keep?
 

Unfortunately n+1 equals 2 in my house according to the boss aka my wife. I've already decided to keep my Miyata 3000, but am torn between the following two bicycles as my other keeper. I will be using this bike as an everyday type of bike.

I have been riding a 1990 Miyata 414 which is honestly too small for me, but I've made it work with some serious seat post and a new stem. I think it is gorgeous. It has Suntour Blaze components.

Yesterday I picked up an early '90's Bianchi Virata for a ridiculous price with the intention to flip it. However, I made the mistake of riding it and now want to keep it all to myself. The bike is a much better fit and is lighter and more responsive. This bike has Shimano 600 components. It is pictured below as-bought. If I do decide to keep the Bianchi my Brooks seat and lights would switch over as well as the pedals.

Here's where you guys come in. Tell me which one you would keep (both are not an option) and why. I don't want you to tell me whatever feels right. Also please excuse the terrible cell phone pictures. I can get other pictures upon request I want opinions and through my brief time on this site I can confidently say that y'all have them :p Let it rip!

They are both pretty solid bikes, but my advice would be to sell both and find one that fits better. Due to your saddle and stem configurations they are both too small like you had mentioned.

Personally I think there is a certain badassness that riding a pink bike emits. Perhaps it would be different after accessories, but that bianchi looks boringgggggggg

For a rider fit trumps all, so if these are the two options I'd go with the Bianchi since you say it fits better.
That said, both look too small so I'd agree with Mapleleafs on finding something that fits better.

Sorry, I should have mentioned this. The seatpost went down a bit on the bianchi.

Bianchi, if for no other reason than the better fit you speak of.

Joe

Post pics of wife so we can tell you what to keep and what to get rid of... but my initial thought was inline with previous posters, buy a bigger bike.

The Bianchi is certainly the better of the two in simple terms of tubing and components but fit must be considered as well. can you post some bigger pics? To me it looks like there is alot of seatpost showing on either bike.

Is the Virata Prestige or Utralite prestige?

Sounds like you want to keep the Bianchi, but I'm still going to vote Miyata. Screw the fit, forget the tubing, nevermind the components...NEVER get rid of a Miyata!

+1. They both seem too small, even if you lowered the Bianchi saddle slightly. I see both have riser stems as well. How tall are you, btw?

I have been trying (with only moderate success) to institute a rule at my house: Bike counting is forbidden under any circumstances. I may need to make a sign for my garage. ;)

Agreed. Bigger pics would be helpful. I'd like to see how much lower the seatpost is on the Virata.

+1

Can't really see anything in the pictures.

Both need to go, given the extreme seat post position and stem orientation, use the funds and be patient, and you will find something terrific. The really good news is you need a large frame bike, those tend to sell for a nice discount.

While I am a HUGE fan of Suntour bits, I really hate Blaze, and Suntour indexing is on the shaky side.

IMO sell both and look for a better fitting bike. the fact that both have riser stems and a ton of seatpost tells me that you need to look at 2-4cm bigger frames. Obviously, TT dimension and stem length play into it as well, but unless you have a disproportionately short torso, the dimensions should scale well.
If you're set on keeping one, my vote is for the Bianchi. Better bike, slightly better fit.

I'd feel differently if you were running a standard (non-riser) stem slammed to the headset for a desired aggressive riding position.

I concur with the others. Sell both and buy a bigger bike that fits you well. With the money you get from the Miyata plus the profit from flipping the Bianchi, you should be able to get yourself something really nice that fits perfect.

Ride the Bianchi, take the Suntour components off the Miyata, box the Suntour and HIDE the Miyata frame.:rolleyes:

Trouble maker! :-)
What size are the frames? Look to be about 52-54, I rode a 54 for a while, kicked it up to a 56....now working on building up a 58....hopefully THAT will fix my long torso, shorter legs issue!

Yep, I'd agree on this guess. OP - I'd wager that a 56-58 would be a better fit for you.

Thanks for all the input guys/gals. I do ride a 56cm Miyata 3000 which is a good fit for me. I'm 5'-9", so the above two bikes are a bit small for me, but the vintage market here is kinda slim so I've made do with what I've been able to snag. I'm leaning towards taking y'alls advice on just selling both and getting a more appropriately fitted bike. The only issue is I get a bit attached, I'm sure you understand...

Bianchi. I sold a few of those 414's back in the day and was never fond of them.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=291733

The only issue is I get a bit attached, I'm sure you understand...

UPDATE: I've decided to sell off the above two bikes as suggested. I've got a few people lined up to check them out (Nigerian princes notwithstanding) and found a 1987 Miyata 1000 as the replacement. Please excuse the non-drive side pictures, they were the sellers and not mine. http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=292142http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=292143http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=292144http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=292145http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=292145

Cool! The CX would make for a really nice platform for many customization routes. I could see bar-end shifters and perhaps a nitto noodle bar with technomic stem and brooks saddle. Is it a 56?

Thanks! I'm going to switch out the honey brooks b-17 and consider the bar end shifters with some new bar tape. Why are you recommending nitto noodles? It is a 57

The noodle has a really nice bend - less "racy" than most 80's road bars with great horizontal ramps that make a smooth transition to the hoods.
The bars that are on it might clean up nice and look to have a nice shape. I'd also swap out the brake levers for something with a rubber hood and no turkey levers. Either stay retro, or go with the gum rubber/silver Cane Creeks.

I installed a noodle and the Cane Creeks on my old Marinoni and really liked them:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=292155 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=292156