I just bought this oldie but goodie Miyata for $60 and was planning on fixing or SS'ing it, but now I have an opportunity to buy a 4 month old Bianchi Pista in my size for $400. Four bills can get a pretty decent wheelset built (all I would need are hubs since the rims are 27") but the Bianchi's got the bling. Plus, I'm a Bianchi nut to boot. What're your thoughts?

What type of riding are you doing?

Miyata if the bike is for non-track riding, Bianchi if you are going to use the bike on the track.

Well when I had the SOMA, I kept threatening to get down to the local Velodrome (Hellyer) but never made it before I sold it. I suppose I would mostly be riding it to/from work. I have a feeling I'd end up riding the Miyata more though than my other bikes eventually. It's old enough that there aren't many braze-ons, the derailer cable stops are all bolted on. The seatpost is also a funky 26.7mm size. Oh well, the quirks of an oldie. I do like the head badge though.

That's a tough call-- if u spend money building up an old bike it's money gone down the drain since it won't ever be worth what you spend on it. Unless ur real handy urself then it might be-- im not.

I say get the pista if ur not a mechanic and fix this one up if ur. Either way, making this a ss would be the cheapest option, followed by finding a 27" fixed gear rear wheel.

I build and fix my own bikes except where very expensive special tools are needed, i.e. headset cups and crowns, etc. If I keep the Miyata, I may try my hand at rebuilding the wheels with flip flop hubs.

I wouldn't bother with 27's just build up 700's. The brake will probably reach.

Buy the Bianchi. You know you want to.

Put the Miyata in the garage and build it up later. Where's the dilemma.

Personally I'd build up the Miyata. I enjoy building and converting the bikes myself rather than just buying a sweet ride from the go. But thats just me. Its also a great opportunity but don't go flip flop, no one flips thier flop, it tends to be a waste of money.

As far as going 700c yeah it'll work, but you can still find 27's nowadays so there no real reason to, but once again, that's just my opinion.

keep the miyata. fix the current rear for 100 bucks (or just screw on a cog for free, if you subscribe).

Take the remaining 300 bucks and buy your SO something nice. Or give to charity. Or get a tat and post pics on 'show us your ink'. or something better than another bike for the heck of it.

The Miyata has a soul. Build it and see.

This was my thinking in converting 27s to 700s. The brakes reached, until the pads had worn down about half-way. Then the pads were rubbing on the tires themselves. Pop! Hiss! New Tire! New Pads! Make sure this won't happen if you decide to go with 700s.

I decided to keep the Miyata. I'll rebuild the 27s with hubs or get 700s whichever I find a deal for first. I kinda want a freewheel because of the long steep hill I live on (need low gear to climb but don't want to spin 200rpm goin' down :EEK. I'll see, 46x19 was maybe too small a gear, maybe I'll try 40x16.
It does have a bunch of paint chips and will need to be taken care of. Rattle-can? Color or Clear-Coat?

dude, if you're going with a freewheel, you DEFINATELY dont need to rebuild the rear (you actually dont even need to for a fixie, but many here debate that). Screw the current freewheel off; screw on an bmx freewheel. Youre done. viola.

You may need to add a spacer or change the ring from inside to out (or vice verse) for a perfect chainline, but that should be about it...

Why not build the fixie (because fixed gear is the way of champions) and put two brakes on for the long downhill? That way you can just unclip and let the pedals spin, player-piano style, and brake when you get to the bottom.

Yeah I faced the same issue w/my old Schwinn since I live on the very top of a mountain and our road is almost straight up (only 2 switchbacks) I stuck with freewheeling.

I do agree that the old bike has more soul, well the bike doesn't have more soul but fixing-up and riding it does,,,,,,

We waste and throw away,,,way,way too much stuff

Its not having what you want,its wanting what you got...

Ok enough preaching time to throw a leg over the bike and head out to work---JJ

www.vailcycleworks.com

Keep the bike a ten speed, get the hubs re-laced to mavic ma3 rims, wrap the bars and get a new saddle.

"We waste and throw away,,,way,way too much stuff"

yup.

"Its not having what you want,its wanting what you got..."

yup. credits?

Looks like I'll need rims... I thought the side to side play was just the wheel needing a true but the guys at the shop said the rim is toast although there are not visible signs of damage. I may get a second opinion.

Thanks for all the suggestions... and wasn't it the chick Lance is dating that said "Its not having what you want,its wanting what you got..."?

also get levers with hoods

Save a Miyata, avoid a landfill!

I just finished building up a mid-80s Schwinn Traveler as an S/S with 700c wheels, and it's more fun than any other bike I've built! Fast, simple, quiet. I used a 42-tooth chainring and a 18-tooth BMX freewheel. Perfect for my commute!

Almost done repainting the ole Miyata.
Not too bad for rattlecan Almond and Rustoleum gloss red if I do say so myself.
Just a spray of Rustoleum clear coat and I'll start building her up.

Well done! I can't wait to see her.

Looks good. Be sure to clearcoat the hell out of it. You can never have enough clearcoat. I used two cans on my last repaint, three would have been even better.