Choosing Mid 80s touring
02-06-20, 05:18 PM
#51
Senior Member
The Univega Gran Tourismo was built by Miyata, and is pretty much a Miyata 610 by another name -- other than if you look closely, the Uni has mid-fork braze-ons and the rear rack mounting braze-ons are on the inside of the seat stays...
BTW, here's a pic of my '84 Univega Gran Tourismo 'before':
And the pile of parts that went on it:
I never got around to taking an 'After' pic yet - and I'm not trudging out to the detached garage in an ice storm to do it!
.
BTW, here's a pic of my '84 Univega Gran Tourismo 'before':
And the pile of parts that went on it:
I never got around to taking an 'After' pic yet - and I'm not trudging out to the detached garage in an ice storm to do it!
.
Last edited by Cougrrcj; 02-06-20 at 05:22 PM.
02-06-20, 07:47 PM
#52
Senior Member
That's a nice bike and it looks like most of the vintage components can be cleaned/greased/re-used in order to keep costs down without sacrificing functionality. The tires are a decent size and you might be able to fit slightly bigger. It's interesting to see an old 650b rim.
Re: the size - I suggest that you set the seat height properly for your leg length and then place a level from the seat toward the front of the bike. Measure the height from the 'leveled' level to the top of the headset. This will give the nec. stem reveal to get your bars level with your seat (assuming you want this). The Nitto Technomic 1" threaded stem is known to be one of the longer stem offerings and it has a minimum insertion that yields 160 mm of reveal (max.) above the headset.
This should give you some idea of whether you can make this 23" frame work for you.
https://www.amazon.com/Nitto-Technom.../dp/B001GSSI1I
Re: the size - I suggest that you set the seat height properly for your leg length and then place a level from the seat toward the front of the bike. Measure the height from the 'leveled' level to the top of the headset. This will give the nec. stem reveal to get your bars level with your seat (assuming you want this). The Nitto Technomic 1" threaded stem is known to be one of the longer stem offerings and it has a minimum insertion that yields 160 mm of reveal (max.) above the headset.
This should give you some idea of whether you can make this 23" frame work for you.
https://www.amazon.com/Nitto-Technom.../dp/B001GSSI1I
02-06-20, 08:22 PM
#53
Senior Member
Wow. You did the right thing, but the kid may have thought you were just trying to squeeze him for some more accessory money...
The weird thing to me is that 650B is or at least was the French 26" size. You'd think Raleigh would have used a good British size like 26 x 1 3/8" / EA3. IIRC early brit MTB's used 650B, which must be the reason they spec'd it.
The weird thing to me is that 650B is or at least was the French 26" size. You'd think Raleigh would have used a good British size like 26 x 1 3/8" / EA3. IIRC early brit MTB's used 650B, which must be the reason they spec'd it.
02-08-20, 03:46 PM
#54
Abuse Magnet
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,869
Bikes: '91 Mtn Tek Vertical, '74 Raleigh Sports, '72 Raleigh Twenty, '84 Univega Gran Turismo, '09 Surly Karate Monkey, '92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, '86 Miyata 310, '76 Raleigh Shopper
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 151 Post(s)
Liked 174 Times
in
88 Posts
The Univega Gran Tourismo was built by Miyata, and is pretty much a Miyata 610 by another name -- other than if you look closely, the Uni has mid-fork braze-ons and the rear rack mounting braze-ons are on the inside of the seat stays...
BTW, here's a pic of my '84 Univega Gran Tourismo 'before':
I never got around to taking an 'After' pic yet - and I'm not trudging out to the detached garage in an ice storm to do it!
.
BTW, here's a pic of my '84 Univega Gran Tourismo 'before':
I never got around to taking an 'After' pic yet - and I'm not trudging out to the detached garage in an ice storm to do it!
.
02-15-20, 09:36 AM
#57
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Grove, Ok
Posts: 204
Bikes: 71 American Eagle Olympiad, 03 Trek 5200 P1, 2013 Trek 6 series Domane, 83 Apollo branded Kuwahara, 78 Trek TX 300, 73 Nishiki Intl. 86 Nishiki Prestige, Nishiki Olympic, 72 and 73 Nishiki Safari', two-speed Electra BMX cruiser 1, 87 Nishiki Linear
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Liked 65 Times
in
38 Posts
Still looking for my first Cresta.... enjoy that machine!
02-16-20, 05:47 PM
#58
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 Posts
Likes For thumpism:
02-17-20, 12:19 AM
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,040
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 837 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times
in
521 Posts
Last edited by polymorphself; 02-17-20 at 12:30 AM.
02-17-20, 03:02 PM
#60
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Washington DC area
Posts: 335
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 55 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 57 Times
in
25 Posts
Besides that, I'd keep bending the cage until the bottle is reasonable snug in there, although the noise was probably from the cap loop.
02-17-20, 03:05 PM
#61
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Washington DC area
Posts: 335
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 55 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 57 Times
in
25 Posts
Thanks! I think I prefer the blue shade on yours better. Regarding the Kleen Kanteen noise, I removed the hook loop on the bamboo lid since it's likely the cause of the noise. It's a tight fit, so you'll need to spread it enough to avoid scratching the sides of the cap when you pull it off.
Besides that, I'd keep bending the cage until the bottle is reasonable snug in there, although the noise was probably from the cap loop.
Besides that, I'd keep bending the cage until the bottle is reasonable snug in there, although the noise was probably from the cap loop.
02-17-20, 03:48 PM
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Back in Lincoln Sq, Chicago...🙄
Posts: 1,609
Bikes: '84 Miyata 610 ‘91 Cannondale ST600,'83 Trek 720 ‘84 Trek 520, 620, ‘91 Miyata 1000LT, '79 Trek 514, '78 Trek 706, '73 Raleigh Int. frame.
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 684 Post(s)
Liked 370 Times
in
219 Posts
Anyway, I gave it a fair shake to run off and she followed me home instead, must be true love!
(seat post slipped a bit, I promise it fits lol)
02-17-20, 04:55 PM
#63
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2,040
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 837 Post(s)
Liked 1,080 Times
in
521 Posts
Wait, just noticed you have the VO Modern cage. I had two of those originally. I love that design, but it does not keep the bottle firmly in place, allowing it bob up and down vertically. I switched back to their retro style cages with no rattling at all, since I could never get a heavy filled bottle to rest solidly in that Modern cage.
If I had to use another from them I'd prefer it be the course cage, no idea if that one will have the same issue though...
Last edited by polymorphself; 02-17-20 at 05:00 PM.
02-17-20, 05:02 PM
#64
Full Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Washington DC area
Posts: 335
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 55 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 57 Times
in
25 Posts
I switched to the retro cages which hold them firmly, but still found it necessary to remove the noisy loops from the caps. Hope this helps.
i
02-17-20, 05:39 PM
#65
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 Posts
Mine was even troublesome for me and I nearly bailed a couple of times. The guy sounded like a flake and didn't/wouldn't answer questions. He lives two hours east and was driving to work at a place one hour west and could not be bothered to meet at the interstate exit three minutes from my house, and while driving to meet him at work there was a pileup on the highway that stalled me, and he chose a meeting place off a bypass through a town that had three approaches but not from the direction I was approaching from so I had to wander around town to find the place. I had to work for this one and probably should not have bought it, but what the hell.
02-17-20, 09:00 PM
#66
Senior Member
An embarrassment of riches, really. Round here we don’t get “choices” of multiple dedicated touring bikes. The choice is made for you, and that usually is not which nice touring bike to buy because they don’t exist! Been on the lookout for a blue and white Nishiki Cresta GT for years now with no luck. Sweet!
02-18-20, 12:49 PM
#67
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 Posts
An embarrassment of riches, really. Round here we don’t get “choices” of multiple dedicated touring bikes. The choice is made for you, and that usually is not which nice touring bike to buy because they don’t exist! Been on the lookout for a blue and white Nishiki Cresta GT for years now with no luck. Sweet!
Likes For thumpism:
02-19-20, 09:33 PM
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Seattle WA
Posts: 2,841
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
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 796 Post(s)
Liked 522 Times
in
367 Posts
Thanks! I think I prefer the blue shade on yours better. Regarding the Kleen Kanteen noise, I removed the hook loop on the bamboo lid since it's likely the cause of the noise. It's a tight fit, so you'll need to spread it enough to avoid scratching the sides of the cap when you pull it off.
Besides that, I'd keep bending the cage until the bottle is reasonable snug in there, although the noise was probably from the cap loop.
Besides that, I'd keep bending the cage until the bottle is reasonable snug in there, although the noise was probably from the cap loop.
Something I have done is put an old sock around the bottle to cushion the stainless steel kleen kanteen from the stainless bottle cage. YMMV
Likes For ryansu:
02-20-20, 02:06 PM
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 578
Bikes: 1951 Sun Wasp, 1953 Armstrong Consort, 1975 Raleigh Competition, 1980 Apollo Gran Sport, 1988 Schwinn Voyageur, Mystery MTB
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 359 Post(s)
Liked 457 Times
in
190 Posts
I was given my '90 Schwinn Voyageur by a relative who bought it new. He is shorter than me, and at 6'2 the 58CM Voyageur is too small for me so I had a difficult time getting it set up for a more comfortable ride. It is currently having Nitto Albatross bars installed with a Technomic stem as my homage to the the short-lived Raleigh Lenton Tourist, where Raleigh took their lightweight road frame, alloy components, and gave it a more upright posture for all-day tour riding (seen at Peter Kohler's website here https://www.sheldonbrown.com/retrora...ourist-50.html I have some cork grips from Rivendell with holes for the bar-end shifters that I'm going to shellac to match the brown Brooks. The bike is largely unchanged from stock apart from a new cassette, chain, and tires.
This is the bike last Spring. The proportions with a drop bar were not a great fit for my long legs and short torso. After I rode my big Peugeot, I realized how uncomfortable the Voyageur was and decided to make it into an all-day rider that I could tour with. I would LOVE to find another Voyageur or equivalent frame in my size of 60 or even 62cm though that might be a very French fit. I'd just switch the parts over. We'll see how the Albatross bars help, but I am going to keep an eye out for any opportunity to trade for a frame in my size. I'm not enamored with the colour, so it would be OK for it to move along.
This is the bike last Spring. The proportions with a drop bar were not a great fit for my long legs and short torso. After I rode my big Peugeot, I realized how uncomfortable the Voyageur was and decided to make it into an all-day rider that I could tour with. I would LOVE to find another Voyageur or equivalent frame in my size of 60 or even 62cm though that might be a very French fit. I'd just switch the parts over. We'll see how the Albatross bars help, but I am going to keep an eye out for any opportunity to trade for a frame in my size. I'm not enamored with the colour, so it would be OK for it to move along.
Likes For Ged117:
02-22-20, 10:06 PM
#70
Senior Member
I have virtually zero miles on road bikes so sizing is something I need to spend time learning... and like everyone else, it would be a N+1 bike for me so it’s gotta be cheap to maintain peace at home- even if it is cheap the peace is precarious with regard to bikes.
but yeah, a Cresta GT in blue and white is very close to the top of my unicorn list.
02-25-20, 03:55 PM
#71
Perfect bike?
Thread Starter
Update on my bike situation. The Raleigh has been taken apart and all the parts cleaned and polished. It's definitely to small for me, so it's going to get put back together and hopefully one of my friends will purchase this sweet ride.
I found and purchased an 25 inch 1983 Miyata 610. The 83 and 84 appear to be the same specs from what I can tell. This is all original, used condition. It works but all the consumables should be updated. Minimal rust a few rocks chips. Looks good, purchased for a fair price.
126mm rear spacing so modern 130 mm axle is no issue. The problem I'm trying to understand is the brakes with 700c wheels. Seems like many people make exceptions but I can't tell if the set up and performance is worth the hastle. I also can't tell what parts would be easy to source.
If no good options come up I guess I'm looking into modern 27inch wheels. Thanks to the few folks i sent direct messages on for specific feedback!
This bike is still assembled so I don't have the info on the bottom bracket sizing yet but I'm leaning towards something modern cartrige based and adding a couple gears.
Feel free to message any knowledge my way! the
I found and purchased an 25 inch 1983 Miyata 610. The 83 and 84 appear to be the same specs from what I can tell. This is all original, used condition. It works but all the consumables should be updated. Minimal rust a few rocks chips. Looks good, purchased for a fair price.
126mm rear spacing so modern 130 mm axle is no issue. The problem I'm trying to understand is the brakes with 700c wheels. Seems like many people make exceptions but I can't tell if the set up and performance is worth the hastle. I also can't tell what parts would be easy to source.
If no good options come up I guess I'm looking into modern 27inch wheels. Thanks to the few folks i sent direct messages on for specific feedback!
This bike is still assembled so I don't have the info on the bottom bracket sizing yet but I'm leaning towards something modern cartrige based and adding a couple gears.
Feel free to message any knowledge my way! the
Last edited by Egginahole; 02-25-20 at 04:34 PM.
Likes For Egginahole:
02-25-20, 05:23 PM
#73
Bikes are okay, I guess.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 6,938
Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,446 Times
in
1,557 Posts
The Portage looks good. What's the frame size and standover height and (I can't believe I'm actually asking this) how much do you want for it? I hope it's too small. I just bought an '80s tourer that I have not ridden yet that is also 27" so I'm looking to fit 700C wheels and am going through the canti pile to see if I have anything with short enough reach to make that work. I have some oddball stuff like Paul's, Onza and Curve that might work.
02-25-20, 05:46 PM
#74
Master Parts Rearranger
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Posts: 4,402
Bikes: 1982 Trek 720 - 1985 Trek 620 - 1984 Trek 620 - 1980 Trek 510 - Other luminaries past and present
Mentioned: 221 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1556 Post(s)
Liked 2,024 Times
in
989 Posts
Man that is a clean 610!! I wish my '84 had been that clean (paint-wise), because I wouldn't have powder coated it. Mr. Egg and I have been going back and forth on things, and I realize yet another thread of mine has had its images removed as it was the hosting-era of BF as opposed to the era of uploading from your computer (now). Since I am totally not at work right now and have no access to my library of photos of my 610, I will share the only one that's on hand (thankfully).
700C wheels (Vuelta Corsa Lites), 32mm tires, Shimano CT91 cantis in black (IIRC), compact crankset (50/34T), 11-36T 10-speed casette, 7900 Dura-Ace shifters, XT RD, newer Sroa/105 FD, quill stem conversion.
700C wheels (Vuelta Corsa Lites), 32mm tires, Shimano CT91 cantis in black (IIRC), compact crankset (50/34T), 11-36T 10-speed casette, 7900 Dura-Ace shifters, XT RD, newer Sroa/105 FD, quill stem conversion.
02-25-20, 10:36 PM
#75
Senior Member
Update on my bike situation. The Raleigh has been taken apart and all the parts cleaned and polished. It's definitely to small for me, so it's going to get put back together and hopefully one of my friends will purchase this sweet ride.
I found and purchased an 25 inch 1983 Miyata 610. The 83 and 84 appear to be the same specs from what I can tell. This is all original, used condition. It works but all the consumables should be updated. Minimal rust a few rocks chips. Looks good, purchased for a fair price.
126mm rear spacing so modern 130 mm axle is no issue. The problem I'm trying to understand is the brakes with 700c wheels. Seems like many people make exceptions but I can't tell if the set up and performance is worth the hastle. I also can't tell what parts would be easy to source.
If no good options come up I guess I'm looking into modern 27inch wheels. Thanks to the few folks i sent direct messages on for specific feedback!
This bike is still assembled so I don't have the info on the bottom bracket sizing yet but I'm leaning towards something modern cartrige based and adding a couple gears.
Feel free to message any knowledge my way! the
I found and purchased an 25 inch 1983 Miyata 610. The 83 and 84 appear to be the same specs from what I can tell. This is all original, used condition. It works but all the consumables should be updated. Minimal rust a few rocks chips. Looks good, purchased for a fair price.
126mm rear spacing so modern 130 mm axle is no issue. The problem I'm trying to understand is the brakes with 700c wheels. Seems like many people make exceptions but I can't tell if the set up and performance is worth the hastle. I also can't tell what parts would be easy to source.
If no good options come up I guess I'm looking into modern 27inch wheels. Thanks to the few folks i sent direct messages on for specific feedback!
This bike is still assembled so I don't have the info on the bottom bracket sizing yet but I'm leaning towards something modern cartrige based and adding a couple gears.
Feel free to message any knowledge my way! the
