1981 Miyata “Commuter”, 25”, New In Box
#26
Junior Member
Hello Everyone!
I just got back into bike riding this Spring (as did the rest of the world), and because it was impossible to find new bikes in stores, I turned to the used market. Well as you know, this is a dangerous and slippery slope. In the last 4 months I've bought 5 bikes. I sold 2 and kept 3. One of my "keepers" is this bike I found in rough cosmetic shape on facebook marketplace. It has quickly become my favorite and has opened up a new world for me - - the 3 speed world!!!! I've been working on a single speed bike build, but now I think I'm going to build the bike with a 3 speed hub instead. I'm surprised you don't really see anybody doing this. Fixed gears/single speed builds are all over the internet.
Anyway, I never would have known this bike existed if it wasn't for this thread, so thank you all. The reason I'm posting is because in my now daily/hourly search for 3 speeds, I'm realizing how unique this bike is. I can't find a single other 3 speed bike out there with 27" wheels. Am I wrong? They all seem to be 26. The other day I missed out on an old Panasonic 3 speed, but I couldn't really tell from the pics if it was 27. It actually had the same fenders and racks as this bike, so I thought maybe it might be. Did Miyata and Panasonic have any sort of relationship? Also, the Panasonic was NOT chromoly.
These 2 features alone make this bike incredibly unique and I love it. Normally with a bike in this condition, I wouldn't hesitate to strip it down, paint it, take off the fenders, etc. But I love this bike so much, I can't bring myself to touch it. I cleaned it and good as I could, but I'm just going to leave it now.
Thanks so much for your time!
I just got back into bike riding this Spring (as did the rest of the world), and because it was impossible to find new bikes in stores, I turned to the used market. Well as you know, this is a dangerous and slippery slope. In the last 4 months I've bought 5 bikes. I sold 2 and kept 3. One of my "keepers" is this bike I found in rough cosmetic shape on facebook marketplace. It has quickly become my favorite and has opened up a new world for me - - the 3 speed world!!!! I've been working on a single speed bike build, but now I think I'm going to build the bike with a 3 speed hub instead. I'm surprised you don't really see anybody doing this. Fixed gears/single speed builds are all over the internet.
Anyway, I never would have known this bike existed if it wasn't for this thread, so thank you all. The reason I'm posting is because in my now daily/hourly search for 3 speeds, I'm realizing how unique this bike is. I can't find a single other 3 speed bike out there with 27" wheels. Am I wrong? They all seem to be 26. The other day I missed out on an old Panasonic 3 speed, but I couldn't really tell from the pics if it was 27. It actually had the same fenders and racks as this bike, so I thought maybe it might be. Did Miyata and Panasonic have any sort of relationship? Also, the Panasonic was NOT chromoly.
These 2 features alone make this bike incredibly unique and I love it. Normally with a bike in this condition, I wouldn't hesitate to strip it down, paint it, take off the fenders, etc. But I love this bike so much, I can't bring myself to touch it. I cleaned it and good as I could, but I'm just going to leave it now.
Thanks so much for your time!
#27
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Join Date: Feb 2021
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this was my dream bike that was stolen
Are any of these still available? I am 5'8" so these in particular may be too big but I am determined to find one of these again. I owned one of these for a few years and I rode it all over NYC every day instead of the subway for commuting. I had it totally tuned up with new brakes and shifter and a rear hub and grips and one day it was stolen from the street, lock cut. I have never grieved an object like I had grieved this bike. I actually stopped riding after that, took the subway, then moved out the city, and basically never rode again. This is a sad story and there is a special place in hell for bike thieves. Keep me in mind if you ever see one. And thanks!
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#28
(rhymes with spook)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Winslow, AR
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Bikes: '83 univega gran turismo x2, '85 schwinn super le tour,'89 miyata triple cross, '91 GT tequesta, '90 yokota grizzly peak, '94 GT backwoods, '95'ish scott tampico, '98 bonty privateer, '93 mongoose crossway 625, '98 parkpre ariel, 2k'ish giant fcr3
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i've had three bikes stolen in my lifetime. always a gut wrencher. good luck on your search, amigo
#29
Senior Member
They shoot horse thieves
It really hurts when your bike is taken. The Miyata commuters are rare, but you may find one eventually if you live on Craigslist long enough. In the meantime perhaps get a different vintage 3 speed to enjoy?
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/b...281642216.html
Ross, Columbia, Panasonic, and of course Raleigh all made them.
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/b...281642216.html
Ross, Columbia, Panasonic, and of course Raleigh all made them.
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#32
Senior Member
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