dsavard

Hi Guys,

I just registered for this forum because I'm trying to find myself a new bike and it's be an arduous process given that I'm a total noob to bikes in general. I'm coming from two really beat up vintage 70s road bikes and a brutally heavy hybrid bike. Right now I'm looking at a 1987 Miyata 912 road bike which is in great shape for $500, or a new single speed for $550. I'm in average shape for my age and my area has a number of hills, but only a few that are a real challenge. I was just about to buy the Miyata when a friend who is crazy into biking recommended that for a similar price I could get a new and better single speed. I have just ordered the parts online to build it, but I'm having second thoughts, as most people around me are saying it will be very difficult to deal with the hills. Do you think the Miyata is overpriced, or that the single speed will be too difficult? I live in BC, where used road bikes are quite pricey. I intend to use the bike for all purposes.

Thanks a bunch! (If I should post this somewhere else please let me know)

jhess74

I won't claim to know it's specific value, but I'll say this - the 912 is a NICE bike. I'm not sure a new, modern single speed for the same price would really be better.

That said, it's a moot point if you really want a single speed. You could buy the Miyata and convert it, but you may not be up for that if you are that much of a noob.

As for the hills... some here will disagree, but I don't consider that an issue. I tackle plenty of ridiculous hills around here on my single speed, and I'm nearly 40, scrawny, and I eat like **** and drink too much. If I can handle it, anyone can.

I say since you've ordered it, give the single speed a shot. If it really doesn't work for you, Fyxation makes a pretty neat kit for adding gears to a single speed. Good luck, and of course... post some pics of the bike when it's done.

rms13

You can get a new single speed for the same price but a new $550 single speed won't be as nice as the Miyata. Here is a 912 that sold on ebay for $500 recently in near mint condition:

Miyata 912 Road Bike 50 cm Frame Shimano 600 Group 1986 Classic Steel | eBay

One is good shape would go for $300-500 where I live. You could alsway make a lower offer for that one. But the question is do you want a single speed or a geared bike? And please don't buy the Miyata and convert it

dsavard

Hey, thanks for the replies. I cancelled the single speed parts and I'm going to go with the miyata given my noob status. If it turns out I can't cancel them I think I'll just get both, ride them for a while and sell whichever I like less. Might take a slight hit, but I think there should be buyers out there.

Cheers!

europa

People whining and warning about hills are usually people who've never lived with them. Hills are not an issue. Sure, some are, but to be honest, the hills around here that give me grief on the fg also give me grief on my geared bike ... though I'm more likely to get up them on the geared bike (with a 30x32 granny, I've really got no excuse). Just get out and ride the things. Eventually you'll work out for yourself what you can and can't do and it'll be far in excess of what non fg riders will expect.

I went to their website and couldn't find anything. Do you have some links? I'll be looking at doing this to my daughter's bike at some point.

jhess74

IB13: Fyxation un-fixes your fixed with 6 speeds with SixFyx, Plus new Leather Goods

You're right, it's not on their site. Wonder if it's not in production yet. They do make reference to it being in their 2014 catalog here:

Fyxation 2014 Catalog | Fyxation

europa

Thanks for that. You're right, it's not in production yet, says so in that article. Interesting concept, back to the future. My Europa uses the Retroshift system with 9 speeds because I got sick of brifters that didn't want to shift properly because they'd been used for more than a year or so and got tired. In this case though, being able to convert your 120mm frame back to old style gears could be useful, though I do wonder how modern riders will handle only having 6 speeds at the back. The bar end shifter is easily converted to a downtube shifter if you want that, the brackets are available from flebay.