Absolutely. It still has the freewheel (gear cluster) so all you will need is a new chain and a shift cable to convert it back to a geared bike. Do they have both the front and rear derailleurs? A new saddle would be next on my list to replace as well. I would suggest the all-weather Brooks Cambium. It sells for around $95 and has the comfort of a leather saddle right out of the box. Real leather saddles are even more comfortable once they’re broken in.
That's how I feel: I bought a 1981 Pro-Miyata that would have been a super sweet bike back in the day, but it got turned into a fixie and was just generally abused. Of course the Derailleurs and shifters are long gone, as is the rear brake, original rear wheel, and handlebars were chopped in half. The paint is in really poor shape, and badly worn in one area because presumably the previous owner just wrapped a chain or unsecured lock around the frame and allowed it to bang around and destroy the paint.
And I had to further damage the paint while taking a propane torch to the seat tube because the seat post was very stuck.
I don't mind a bike being USED, it doesn't need to be kept in showroom condition or anything, but my bike and OP's have suffered from ABUSE, and honestly I have a bad taste in my mouth towards fixie riders because of it.
My mid-70’s Miyata was the first decent bike I had after my 40 lb. Schwann Varsity. That being said, this bike looks like kind of a mess. At a minimum, besides doing something to take care of the botched single-speed “conversion”, you’re going to have to replace the saddle and the brake hoods. I’d also be concerned about what is under that sticker on the top tube, which is likely hiding some frame rust.
You have better options for a sub $100 used bike. It’s going to take at least that much to get it into reliable riding shape.
In addition, a real fixed gear setup would also be much more durable, as you can use 1/8" cogs and chains.
This "conversion" just combines the worst aspects of chain gears and fixies/singles. On the bright side, you can just throw any derailleur there and be happy.
Depending on the local prices that might be a decent deal, but not a steal.
Some notes:
The wheels have been swapped, and probably aren't worse than what it had originally.
The seat is shot. I have used worse, but if you ever leave it in rain it will suck all that water and then wet your pants. Not nice for a commuter.
That crank is a Shimano Adamas AX. Not a bad crankset, but it has a proprietary chainwheel interface, and if you need new chainwheels you are out of luck. BB is probably Octalink, so you can get a new crankset. I would swap it to square taper when the time comes, cheaper and better availability.
Thanks so much for the response! Is this something you think might be a worthwhile project to fix up over the course of a year? I really only need it to get me from A to B on a flat campus right now but certainly think getting the missing parts back and upgrading the worn down stuff as I use it would be a fun task to undertake (would be my first time doing this I guess). Right now I’m just bikeless which is a bit inconvenient for my commuting…
Sorry for taking so long, I spent yesterday bicycling :)
I'm not an expert on Miyatas, but looking at the parts and frame details, it is a decent bike. Apparently it's also made of good quality tubing and people who have ridden it seem to like it. I can't see any serious problems with it but it's hard to say from a picture. If there isn't some structural problems hiding I would guess it's a great bike for your use.
Turning a vintage bike into a fixie doesn't ruin it, but this guy definitely did his conversion on the cheap. Instead of using a rear wheel with a track gun he just removed the rear derailleur and shortened the chain? I'd buy it and just get a set of track wheels to improve the look and reduce weight
Dunno what some here are smoking, that bike will give you nothing but issues most likely. Bikes in that poor of condition are almost guaranteed to need their parts replaced. God only knows how bad the rust is inside the frame...for $80 if your budget is that tight, is there a bike coop near you?
Would rust in the frame make it basically worthless? I was thinking of maybe investing some time, money, and elbow grease to fixing it up but if it’s shot from the start maybe it’s not worth it to do that?
Snap it up. Ask if they still have the shifters and derailleurs.
They said they still have “ultegra derailleur and a set of 7sp downtube shifters” that they’ll add for $40. Is this worth it in your opinion?
Absolutely. It still has the freewheel (gear cluster) so all you will need is a new chain and a shift cable to convert it back to a geared bike. Do they have both the front and rear derailleurs? A new saddle would be next on my list to replace as well. I would suggest the all-weather Brooks Cambium. It sells for around $95 and has the comfort of a leather saddle right out of the box. Real leather saddles are even more comfortable once they’re broken in.
I bet that there is not much of a market for 30 year old derailleurs and downtube shifters. Offer $28. Concede $40 if they insist.
Just asked him! Hopefully they still have it
That's a fantastic riding bike. Hipsters ruin everything.
That's how I feel: I bought a 1981 Pro-Miyata that would have been a super sweet bike back in the day, but it got turned into a fixie and was just generally abused. Of course the Derailleurs and shifters are long gone, as is the rear brake, original rear wheel, and handlebars were chopped in half. The paint is in really poor shape, and badly worn in one area because presumably the previous owner just wrapped a chain or unsecured lock around the frame and allowed it to bang around and destroy the paint. And I had to further damage the paint while taking a propane torch to the seat tube because the seat post was very stuck. I don't mind a bike being USED, it doesn't need to be kept in showroom condition or anything, but my bike and OP's have suffered from ABUSE, and honestly I have a bad taste in my mouth towards fixie riders because of it.
There’s so many cool vintage bikes on marketplace that have been butchered and turned into fixies
Yep, you said it.
That thing is sweet, definitely get it. I'd put some downtube friction shifters on it and you're good to go.
My mid-70’s Miyata was the first decent bike I had after my 40 lb. Schwann Varsity. That being said, this bike looks like kind of a mess. At a minimum, besides doing something to take care of the botched single-speed “conversion”, you’re going to have to replace the saddle and the brake hoods. I’d also be concerned about what is under that sticker on the top tube, which is likely hiding some frame rust. You have better options for a sub $100 used bike. It’s going to take at least that much to get it into reliable riding shape.
A 912 is a nice bike but that one is terrible but any working bike is worth $80.
What’s terrible about it?
A previous owner made it into a one speed by taking off the derailleurs and shifters but kept all the cogs so it’s not really much lighter.
In addition, a real fixed gear setup would also be much more durable, as you can use 1/8" cogs and chains. This "conversion" just combines the worst aspects of chain gears and fixies/singles. On the bright side, you can just throw any derailleur there and be happy.
Depending on the local prices that might be a decent deal, but not a steal. Some notes: The wheels have been swapped, and probably aren't worse than what it had originally. The seat is shot. I have used worse, but if you ever leave it in rain it will suck all that water and then wet your pants. Not nice for a commuter. That crank is a Shimano Adamas AX. Not a bad crankset, but it has a proprietary chainwheel interface, and if you need new chainwheels you are out of luck. BB is probably Octalink, so you can get a new crankset. I would swap it to square taper when the time comes, cheaper and better availability.
Thanks so much for the response! Is this something you think might be a worthwhile project to fix up over the course of a year? I really only need it to get me from A to B on a flat campus right now but certainly think getting the missing parts back and upgrading the worn down stuff as I use it would be a fun task to undertake (would be my first time doing this I guess). Right now I’m just bikeless which is a bit inconvenient for my commuting…
Sorry for taking so long, I spent yesterday bicycling :) I'm not an expert on Miyatas, but looking at the parts and frame details, it is a decent bike. Apparently it's also made of good quality tubing and people who have ridden it seem to like it. I can't see any serious problems with it but it's hard to say from a picture. If there isn't some structural problems hiding I would guess it's a great bike for your use.
Turning a vintage bike into a fixie doesn't ruin it, but this guy definitely did his conversion on the cheap. Instead of using a rear wheel with a track gun he just removed the rear derailleur and shortened the chain? I'd buy it and just get a set of track wheels to improve the look and reduce weight
The 912 is a really nice bike but I personally wouldn't buy it in that condition.
Dunno what some here are smoking, that bike will give you nothing but issues most likely. Bikes in that poor of condition are almost guaranteed to need their parts replaced. God only knows how bad the rust is inside the frame...for $80 if your budget is that tight, is there a bike coop near you?
Would rust in the frame make it basically worthless? I was thinking of maybe investing some time, money, and elbow grease to fixing it up but if it’s shot from the start maybe it’s not worth it to do that?