OutnBack

Bought this off of a neighbor for $20. Columbus Cromor frame & fork. The frame has zero rust, but plenty of battle scars, as well as many non original parts, including brakes, mis-matched wheels, and perhaps the crank. It fits, so I figured for $20 I couldn't go wrong. It has bosses for 3 water bottles, rack mounts front & back, a nice relaxed geometry, & I believe clearance for 35mm tires. It's tough to find any info on Miele touring bikes, & the top tube model decal is missing, but I believe it's what's known as a Turista. I've seen a couple of online photos of the Turista GT-18, which was a mid 80s Miele bike, but this is the only one I've seen from the 90s. I need to source a seat post rear brake hanger. I've got a Sugino AT crank, some Suntour barcons, a pair of aero Dia Compe GC levers, & a 3 pulley Cyclone M-II RD in the parts bin & think I may build it up with those bits. Also, does anyone know which Shimano cantis these are? Thanks...and Please Be Safe!

billytwosheds 

Considering it's hard to get a decent tire for $20, you did well.

Really liking the green. The only Cromor frame I had (a Pinarello) rode very well.

Enjoy it.

cb400bill

May be Deore DX. Page from Shimano 1993 catalog. Courtesy of Retrobike.uk

The Golden Boy 

Those look like XT Cantis- M734. I don’t know if LX had the same design.


From what I’ve seen of the Miele touring bikes here- they’re class A bikes all the way.

I would say that a Sugino AT and a triple pivot Cyclone are never bad pieces- they would be a bit anachronistic for a 90s bike.

The Golden Boy 

cb400bill I didn’t realize DX was still a thing when they changed canti designs.

OutnBack

I think you may have nailed it. They look like the Deore DX cantis...Thanks!

cb400bill

I am far from an expert. I just looked at the 1993 catalog and compared the pictures.

bikemig 

Great bike and great deal at $20. Plus I'm digging the green; a very classic color especially for a touring bike.

bikemike73 

That's some neighbor !!!!!!


$20.00 for a bike in VERY GOOD condition !!!!


What a steal !!!!!

I would be dropping off something home made since you cannot take him/her out to lunch

T-Mar

The model number should be cast into the back of the cantilever arms.

clubman 

Those low profile canti's popped up all of a sudden on a few groups IIRC. A little harder to set up. I love the bike!

T-Mar

The only low profile Shimano cantilevers that I could find where the cinch bolt goes through a hole in the arm was the 1992 Deore LX and Exage 500LX groups. These look more like the BR-M502 used with Exage 500LX.

ham

Just confirming that’s it’s a Turista, had one a while ago.

OutnBack

Very Nice. That's the only other one I've seen from the 1990s. Looks like the same size as the one I acquired. What were your thoughts on it?

OutnBack

T-Mar, as usual, you are correct. I looked on the rear of the brakes, & the Shimano cantis are BR-M 502s. Thanks!

T-Mar

According to my literature, the BR-M502 were only manufactured for the 1992 model year. The Turista was available in 1992 but my price list doesn't say anything more than Columbus Cromor with Shimano RX100/triple. For 1993, I have the spec sheet and it specifies Columbus Cromor and Shimano RX100 but with Deore LX brakes. RX100 used caliper brakes, so Miele had to substitute a cantilever from an off-road group. Both 500LX and Deore LX are level appropriate, so it wouldn't surprise me if 500LX cantilevers were OEM in 1992 and it rec'd a slight brake upgrade in 1993.

If this were my bicycle, I'd probably leave the RX100 crankset and derailleur. It's only slightly lower level that what is being proposed and it functions very well. Instead, I'd probably seek out some 7 speed brifters. It's always preferable to keep both hands on the handlebars of a fully loaded, grand touring bicycle.

Dfrost 

Great find, awesome price, sooo much radial tire clearance!

Thar front brake will work much better with a shorter straddle cable and adjusting the brake pads inward so the canti arms stick out farther.