I have the ability to get an older Mitaya road bike for $200. I want to convert it to a SS/FG with a flip/flop hub in the rear. My question it, is it worth the money, and is the frame compatible with modern parts, ie. BB and crank set?
Thanks

we need way more info. Do you have any idea on the year? or the model? or the components that are on it as of now. It is most likely usable, but depending on what it is, it may be worth way less or way more than $200.

Ask the seller what it is, what it has on it, and what year it is and get back to us. They we can let you know what you are looking at.

Obviously, pictures would help a lot.

It might not be worth that much, especially if you plan on replacing most of the components. However, miyata made a wide range of frames; some quality, some crap. For example, I converted a 512, which is a decent frame they produced in the 80's with tight geometry and triple butted tubing (I think). I got that in a trade, but I might have paid $200 for it.

For the most part, old japanese frames are going to have pretty standard sizing, threading, etc. Very easy to convert.

You need to tell us the specific model...

In general, the higher the number, the better it is. A Miyata 1000 was their high end, a Miyata 100 was their low end. I got a Miyata Two-Ten touring bike for $28 and converted it to SS, it's now my girlfriend's bike. It's a very nice bike, especially considering it was on their lower end.

I have a converted 80's Ninetwelve. It's a little big but I really like it. In my mind, Miyata made the best mass produced bikes in the 80's, but as others have said, some are better models than others.

I have an early 90s 714 that I am going to be selling for $250, so depending on what it is it could be worth that much. I have had it for about two years and have really enjoyed it. I bought it to convert to fixed gear but liked it too much how it was.

I have an 83 One-Hundred that has served me well as a general road bike for a few months now. It was in awesome shape when I got it from the original owner and I dont feel I payed too much ($100) for it.

Keep in mind that even Miyata's lower end frames were better than alot of other options out there for bikes at the time.

We are talking about a Miyata frame, right, not a Mitaya?

I played around with a late 80's/early 90's Miyata 912 for my wife and made it into a 1x8 with chop and flips and a friction shifter. It was a really great bike until it magically disappeared.

Is that it's wheel in you're avatar? If so, I don't think it was magic.

Sorry for the typo. I meant Miyata. I have no other info, but i think I'll take the plunge if i can find the model. Thanks.

It was totally magic. I found some white fairy dust on the ground afterwards.

i have a conversion univega/miyata and i can tell you it's not worth 200 unless it has ridiculously nice componenets. you'd be better off spending a little more on a windsor the hour or mercier kilo TT

Miyata 310 conversion right here. Got the frame off eBay for about $40. Sanded it down, rattlecanned it and rode it for a year. No problems whatsoever getting modern parts for it.

Great job! Were the thumb shifters mounted on the stem, top tube, or the lower tube?

gfrance: that looks nice. I'm riding the same frame (310) right now, i really like the geometry. Are those Ofmega cranks?

tehk: there is a shifter boss on the downtube, but it looks like he sanded it off. and $200 is too much to pay unless its a high end model like a 914 with good components.

Thanks... the crankset is Stronglight. And all brazeons were sanded off in the strip down.

The geometry is great on it. The frame however is gone now!! Switched it out for the IRO group buy.

But I agree with the others here. $200 is far too much to pay for a frame like this. You can get very nice new, lighter, stronger stuff for about the same price. Conversions only work financially if you can get the bike/frame for very cheap. Otherwise I think you're better off buying a stock Pista, etc. or getting a good, modern frame and building up.