Vintage Miyata 610 and Similar Non Top of the Line Touring Bikes Thread
03-28-20, 02:25 AM
#26
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Bikes: Some mighty fine ones at that!
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An early 80's Shogun 2001 Mangalloy. The ride was nice enough. I have a Miyata Gran Touring with canti's that I love the feel of, so I sold the Shogun. Not sure where it fell in the hierarchy of the Shogun line.
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03-28-20, 04:38 AM
#27
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Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 2011 Jamis Quest, 1980 Peugeot TH8 Tandem, 1992 Performance Parabola, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-S LTD, 197? FW Evans
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I found this Performance Parabola locally at a garage sale. In the shadows, it looked like gray paint, but once I saw it in full sun, it was actually lavender metallic. The large brake calipers allow wide tires and fenders. It has a really long top tube for its size, so I changed the stem to get the bars up higher and closer. I also swapped to a Bio-Pace crank, just to see what all the fuss was about. I can't say I feel much of a difference. If I had any gravel to ride on, this would be my choice, out of the bikes I currently own.
1992 Performance Parabola
Plenty of clearance with 28mm tires. I test fitted some 37mm Paselas and still had room.
1992 Performance Parabola
Plenty of clearance with 28mm tires. I test fitted some 37mm Paselas and still had room.
03-28-20, 07:07 AM
#28
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Fuji Saratoga (as in New York "Saratoga"). Very nice bike. Very happy to have it.
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03-28-20, 01:39 PM
#29
Senior Member
I had posted this in the 'Vintage Tourers' thread, but you asked for middle-ground, and that's what it is...
My '84 Miyata-built Univega Gran Tourismo. Pretty much the equivalent of a Miyata 610 of the same year. Actually, the Uni might be a tad better in that it has the mid-fork braze-on for a low rider rack, the same year Miyata did not. Then again, Univegas were known to change things up whenever they felt like it, so maybe a late-year build.
This pic is as-bought.
Since then, it got a whole bunch of new parts/consumables to suit my particular preferences...
and
No pics of the Blackburn rear rack or vintage red Cannondale Overlander rear panniers...
I'm not happy with the look with the 'peanutbutter-brown' cable housing since I can't find dark brown cable housing anywhere... , so I might switch it out for Teflon-lined (Shimano Ultegra) red housing. If that Mountech rear derailleur gives me any trouble, I have a 1st gen Cyclone GT waiting...
.
My '84 Miyata-built Univega Gran Tourismo. Pretty much the equivalent of a Miyata 610 of the same year. Actually, the Uni might be a tad better in that it has the mid-fork braze-on for a low rider rack, the same year Miyata did not. Then again, Univegas were known to change things up whenever they felt like it, so maybe a late-year build.
This pic is as-bought.
Since then, it got a whole bunch of new parts/consumables to suit my particular preferences...
and
No pics of the Blackburn rear rack or vintage red Cannondale Overlander rear panniers...
I'm not happy with the look with the 'peanutbutter-brown' cable housing since I can't find dark brown cable housing anywhere... , so I might switch it out for Teflon-lined (Shimano Ultegra) red housing. If that Mountech rear derailleur gives me any trouble, I have a 1st gen Cyclone GT waiting...
.
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03-28-20, 08:25 PM
#30
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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03-28-20, 08:43 PM
#31
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This Six-Ten was my second Miyata, the first one being an earlier "Grand Touring" or Gran-Tour" model from 1977 that oddly had steep angles and a high bottom bracket.
I used each of them for some years of mostly off-road riding on a familiar set of MTB trails and occasionally on Mt Tam. Their versatility was pretty amazing, I did put on a treaded rear tire for winter riding so I could get up the steep stuff easier, even as the rear rack trunk added needed weight over the rear tire.
These are sturdy bikes that have the right geometry for this kind of riding. The first one I had found discarded, and this one I paid $24.95 for at Goodwill.
I used each of them for some years of mostly off-road riding on a familiar set of MTB trails and occasionally on Mt Tam. Their versatility was pretty amazing, I did put on a treaded rear tire for winter riding so I could get up the steep stuff easier, even as the rear rack trunk added needed weight over the rear tire.
These are sturdy bikes that have the right geometry for this kind of riding. The first one I had found discarded, and this one I paid $24.95 for at Goodwill.
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06-03-20, 05:36 PM
#33
Newbie
Miyata 618 GT
1980's ( not sure exactly when ) Miyata 618 GT with 700 x 32c tires. I am not really a tourer but have this bike to go around the city/neighborhood running some errands and picking up groceries and other minor stuff.
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06-03-20, 08:55 PM
#34
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I have a Miele Uno SL that I had cantilever brake braze-ons and third water bottle braze-on mounts plus rear rack seatstay bolt mounts added. I use it as my dedicated road touring bike.
Cheers
Cheers
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06-04-20, 04:23 AM
#35
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Bikes: Raleigh Classic 15, 84; Miyata 912, 85; Miyata Ridge Runner SE, 85; Miyata 610, 86; Miyata 100M, 86; Miyata Valley Runner, 88; Miyata Triple Cross, 89; GT Karakoram, 90; Miyata Elevation 300, 91; Marinoni Touring, 95; Long Haul Trucker, 2013
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06-04-20, 05:11 AM
#36
Newbie
Thanks for your reply. I thought it would be late 80s. The serial number on it is RA52307. I noticed that you have quite a few bikes and a few Miyatas as well. I had a Miyata 618 GT years back and did not really appreciate its capability as a tourer. I have a Cervelo R2 that I use when I go road biking with a buddy but need a bike to go around the neighborhood that can take bigger tires and have racks. Thanks again.
06-04-20, 05:27 AM
#37
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Bikes: Raleigh Classic 15, 84; Miyata 912, 85; Miyata Ridge Runner SE, 85; Miyata 610, 86; Miyata 100M, 86; Miyata Valley Runner, 88; Miyata Triple Cross, 89; GT Karakoram, 90; Miyata Elevation 300, 91; Marinoni Touring, 95; Long Haul Trucker, 2013
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Yes, I think the "R" indicates 1989.
06-04-20, 10:26 PM
#38
Full Member
Love my 84' 610. I prefer my 1000, but that could be to the 610 having the original 27" wheelset limiting me to less supple tires? I know the triple splined tubing on the 1000 is supposed to be the sh#t, but this 610 is 90% as good for 50% of the money.
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06-06-20, 12:05 AM
#40
Senior Member
Interesting thing about this thread vs the other big "show your touring bike" threads is that so far this one has more fenderless bikes than fendered. Great idea for a thread though.
06-06-20, 12:10 PM
#41
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Love the handlebars too Robert
Robert, I also have an 88 model 615 that is a bit on the small size for me. However, before I sell it, I took off those stock handlebars. I find them to be very comfortable with the fairly flat, wide tops and the shallow drops. I have several other similar bars and purchased and tried several from a bike co-op, but those I like best. I believe they are only labeled Winpista on my bike and research shows Kusuki. More comparisons show them to perhaps be a somewhat close copy of the Nitto noodle. They are also wide at the brake lever area allowing the use of my favorite mirror; the mirricycle brake lever mounted non aero model. Nice bike.
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08-03-20, 12:36 PM
#44
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Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
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Wow this thread is right in my wheelhouse. I had an 86 Schwinn Passage that was my entry into vintage Touring bikes and I really liked it and only sold it due to economics but that lead to an 87 Nishiki Cresta GT that I have lavished attention and $$ on and then an 87 Trek 520 Cirrus just fell into my lap at the Co-op one day. Feel fortunate to have two golden age Touring bikes even it they are "Beta"
86 Schwinn Passage
87 Trek 520 Cirrus
87 Nishiki Cresta GT
86 Schwinn Passage
87 Trek 520 Cirrus
87 Nishiki Cresta GT
08-05-20, 09:38 PM
#45
Newbie
I have a Miyata 610. Just made a gallery as I can't post pics.
Wondering what to do with it as I have another project bike. The Miyata has 27" wheels and I think the tires could be more supple/smooth over the bumps and the Randonneur handlebars are probably to narrow for me. New tires look like they'd cost $60+ or get upgrade to replacement 700c wheels and use some 700c tires I have.
Anyways I do quite like it.
Wondering what to do with it as I have another project bike. The Miyata has 27" wheels and I think the tires could be more supple/smooth over the bumps and the Randonneur handlebars are probably to narrow for me. New tires look like they'd cost $60+ or get upgrade to replacement 700c wheels and use some 700c tires I have.
Anyways I do quite like it.
08-05-20, 10:10 PM
#46
Senior Member
I have a Miyata 610. Just made a gallery as I can't post pics.
Wondering what to do with it as I have another project bike. The Miyata has 27" wheels and I think the tires could be more supple/smooth over the bumps and the Randonneur handlebars are probably to narrow for me. New tires look like they'd cost $60+ or get upgrade to replacement 700c wheels and use some 700c tires I have.
Anyways I do quite like it.
Wondering what to do with it as I have another project bike. The Miyata has 27" wheels and I think the tires could be more supple/smooth over the bumps and the Randonneur handlebars are probably to narrow for me. New tires look like they'd cost $60+ or get upgrade to replacement 700c wheels and use some 700c tires I have.
Anyways I do quite like it.
08-06-20, 07:40 AM
#48
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I went on a ride two days ago on my Miyata 610 and stopped to pick up a few groceries.
In a pinch these cloth bags work ok when I tie them to the handlebar.
The cloth handles makes it easy to untie the knot.
Gotta be careful when doing this as steering is different depending on weight of items I've stuffed into the bag.
I need to add rack and basket to another bike for such trips.
I switched to an XT crank on this bike so now it sports XT derailers, crank, shifters and Canti's.
Also I have 700c wheels on it with no problems on the switch from 27".
In a pinch these cloth bags work ok when I tie them to the handlebar.
The cloth handles makes it easy to untie the knot.
Gotta be careful when doing this as steering is different depending on weight of items I've stuffed into the bag.
I need to add rack and basket to another bike for such trips.
I switched to an XT crank on this bike so now it sports XT derailers, crank, shifters and Canti's.
Also I have 700c wheels on it with no problems on the switch from 27".
Last edited by cooperryder; 08-07-20 at 06:45 AM.
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08-06-20, 11:45 AM
#49
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Nishiki Cresta, anyone?
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
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08-06-20, 01:08 PM
#50
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Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
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I have a Miyata 610. Just made a gallery as I can't post pics.
Wondering what to do with it as I have another project bike. The Miyata has 27" wheels and I think the tires could be more supple/smooth over the bumps and the Randonneur handlebars are probably to narrow for me. New tires look like they'd cost $60+ or get upgrade to replacement 700c wheels and use some 700c tires I have.
Anyways I do quite like it.
Wondering what to do with it as I have another project bike. The Miyata has 27" wheels and I think the tires could be more supple/smooth over the bumps and the Randonneur handlebars are probably to narrow for me. New tires look like they'd cost $60+ or get upgrade to replacement 700c wheels and use some 700c tires I have.
Anyways I do quite like it.
OP know that *Some* old touring bikes with Cantis built for 27" wheels can be difficult to convert to 700c due to getting the brakes pads to align with the smaller diameter 700 c wheel so maybe test fit first. I would also HIGHLY recommend a 27 x 1 1/4 (roughly 32mm) Panaracer Pasela in my opinion having used Kenda, Sunlite, CST cheap 27 inch tires the Panarcers are worth paying a bit more for and they are very supple which the cheap ones are not.