|
Show us your Koga-Miyata!
Lately there have been a lot of Koga-Miyata bikes popping up on this forum, so I thought it was time to make a thread specifically for these great Dutch/Japanese bikes.
Not to be confused with the Japanese only sister thread Just how big is the Miyata cult? or the more broad, Netherlands-specific, The Dutch invasion (or show us your DUTCH bikes). So go ahead and post pictures, build threads and general background information you have to share here. :) More information:Parallel models between Koga-Miyata and Miyata: Since Miyata and Koga-Miyata designed a lot of bikes together there is some overlap between models. Most notable ones are:
More information:
|
Koga-Miyata history
Koga-Miyata was founded in 1974 by Andries Gaastra, son of the founder of Batavus. While studying in Germany he met his wife and he came back to work for his father at Batavus in 1967.
When his father sold the brand in 1974 he told his wife he didn't want to stay and begin a brand for himself. Together they started Koga trading by the end of 1974. The name is a substraction of his wife's surname Marion Kowallik and Gaastra. Koga thought there was room for a really upscale bicycle manufacturer in the Netherlands (Holland) using high-quality Japanese parts. They contacted Miyata because they though the company would be able to supply them with high-quality frames at a good price. The name Koga-Miyata came forth from this partnership and design and assembly were done in the Netherlands. The company started building racing models (Pro-Racer, Pro-Luxe & Road-Racer) in 1974, added a touring model (GentsTouring) in 1976 and a Dutch commuter bike (SilverAce AL & SilverAce ST, 3-speed Sturmey Archer) in 1982. Apparently the were one of the first to sell mountain bikes on the Dutch market in 1983-1984 (RidgeRunner & TerraRunner-E) though you won't see them in brochures until 1986. Late 80's Koga-Miyata was a respectable player on the Dutch market, and tested their frames in California, but that faded by the time the 90's came around. Most likely because there were cheaper imports coming in from the US by that time and Koga-Miyata's were relatively heavy, though indestructible, in the pre-suspension days. For the other frames the increasing price of the Yen was also a big issue as the frames were imported from Japan. 1989 saw the introduction of several alloy frames (SkyRunner & SuperWinner Alloy) and lugged carbon fibre frames with an alloy inner tube Carbolite®-7 & Carbolite®-3 (FullPro-Carbolite & Pro-Carbolite). Still all of them made my Miyata. Around 1995 they moved production to Taiwan under Miyata's supervision and according to Koga⁶ they haven't used any steel frames from Miyata since 1998. As far as I can tell they continued to use Miyata frames until 2005 (FullPro-C) but after that it was all 7005 Alloy and Carbon fibre. Some call the 1999 year when they celebrated their 25th anniversary a dark year. By 1997 they had phased out most of the steel frames for aluminum models and they were sometimes innovating just for the sake of change and making weird component choices. Examples of this are the unfortunately chosen Sachs Elan 12-speed hub in the 1999 LiteAce model, which had a history of breaking and at 3.4kg (7.5lbs) was a boat anchor, or some of the early 2000's alloy suspension frames, which had a tendency to break the frame. Nowadays they are making excellent high-quality bikes again. Even our current Prime Minister Mark Rutte rides a Koga. In 2010 they announced they would stop using the Miyata part of their name and would contiunue in 2011 as Koga. 2013 they became part of the Accell group, the biggest bicycle manufacturer in Europe. They have always been seen as a high-end brand over here in the Netherlands and they seem to hold their value well (Marktplaats) on the second hand Dutch bicycle market. The bikes come in understated colours, are often fully loaded and well finished. Even their racing bikes usually came with branded pumps though the designs are not as unique as they used to be. Koga-Miyata always had a few more practical parts and details compared to their Miyata counterparts like a holder for CO² cartridges (1989 ProDelta), a shifter to engage the bracketdynamo on the seattube (1989 Randonneur-Extra) or stainless steel handlebars and screws (1982 SilverAce ST) or the modern Koga Denham touring handlebars that offer both a wide grip as well as the aero position of a drop handlebar. IMHO Koga(-Miyata) buyers are generally more affluent or older people that are willing to spend for high-quality pre-made bikes. They are generally well-thought out and offer plenty of innovation without going full proprietary like Gazelle has a tendency to do. Which nowadays makes for some well-maintained second-hand bikes. Sources:
|
Koga-Miyata tubing
Information on the tubing is a bit spotty at best but generally it seems to follow these lines for Koga-Miyata:
EDIT 2020-jan-16: Miyata confirmed most of what I mentioned below. Seatposts seem to all be 26.8mm. Steel tubing:
When they switched over to aluminum frames (Alloy 7005), which were double/triple butted frames as well, you would see less and less Miyata frames. Alloy tubing:
http://i.imgur.com/A1Ha7Wqh.pnghttp://i.imgur.com/P8ABq6Rh.png http://i.imgur.com/FkLkswHh.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/CV3yGtYh.jpg
|
My own Koga-Miyata bike is a heavily modified 1996 Koga-Miyata SilverAce with FM-1 tubing after the 1989 Koga-Miyata RoadAce with FM-3 turned out to have a broken frame.
http://i.imgur.com/nuBbJSZh.jpg http://i.imgur.com/YSGnpToh.jpg I built up a GentsTour with FM-1 tubing for a friend last year: Really nice lightweight bike, though in hindsight a bit small. http://i.imgur.com/V13cifmh.jpg |
1980 RoadWinner. A gift from a coworker, and too small for me, alas. According to the 1980 catalog the tubes are Tange Hi-Manga.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0cc4b00705.jpg |
I have been looking for an older world traveler for a while now
|
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...148e2d6981.jpg
Here's My Cityliner's misguided attempt at being a loaded touring bike. I'm going to rebuild her into more of a "Sports tourer" with drop bars and much lighter tires. The racks are going on another bike. I'm keeping the bottle dynamo and frame lock though, and will probably put some lighter racks on eventually. The frame was way to much of a noodle for full loads, but for would be fun for overnighters. I'll get more pictures when and If I get to work on project # 42. |
Originally Posted by LBCwanabe
(Post 21478498)
I have been looking for an older world traveler for a while now
Originally Posted by bark_eater
(Post 21479007)
Here's My Cityliner's misguided attempt at being a loaded touring bike. I'm going to rebuild her into more of a "Sports tourer" with drop bars and much lighter tires. The racks are going on another bike. I'm keeping the bottle dynamo and frame lock though, and will probably put some lighter racks on eventually. The frame was way to much of a noodle for full loads, but for would be fun for overnighters. I'll get more pictures when and If I get to work on project # 42.
Cool colour though. |
My frames got the Hardlight FM-1 sticker. I realy was asking to much loading it up like that. I've got all the bits together to change her over but not the time.
|
I know @KonAaron Snake commuted on a Koga Miyata for some time. Maybe he can post pictures.
|
Here's my '92 Exerciser, significantly modified by the previous owner.
I've grown very fond of the mustache bars and shifters, and the frame and ride quality are outstanding! https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5540013fcc.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5c0acb865b.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...157615c95d.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a6d2c8cbb8.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8ec45cd65b.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...99d41ef539.jpg |
Here's my 2003 Koga Miyata FullPro with ovalised steel FM1 tubing. I think it was the Koga version of Columbus Max tubing. It is build with a Campagnolo 9 speed record/chorus group with Campagnolo Electron hubs. Nice light and stiff bike
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...199de3e422.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...72838b27fb.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9ae40e52e0.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3a1b9b3c8c.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f6ce43af7b.jpg |
Forbidden Fruit Koga-Miyata fan over here checking in. Loved all that information! Thank you so much for taking the time to write it out well and link to things! (somebody get this guy a medal!)
Late-'80s to early-'90s is my era of preference due to their offerings being all well equipped (nice tubesets for frames) but most importantly, for those freaking sweet graphics. Someday a 63cm example will be mine. Race or touring. :) |
Originally Posted by RiddleOfSteel
(Post 21479561)
Forbidden Fruit Koga-Miyata fan over here checking in. Loved all that information! Thank you so much for taking the time to write it out well and link to things! (somebody get this guy a medal!)
Late-'80s to early-'90s is my era of preference due to their offerings being all well equipped (nice tubesets for frames) but most importantly, for those freaking sweet graphics. Someday a 63cm example will be mine. Race or touring. :) As for 63cm race or touring frames... I've sent a whole bike to the US once before, a frame is probably easier and cheaper but I might be tempted to ride around on it myself for a bit. :P |
Three Koga's in my shed, first my Adventure from around 1992. This is a high-mileage bike, many parts are no longer original because they wore out. The bike is a bit too small for me but it used to be my dad's:
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...af5f93a037.jpg A Cityliner that my wife uses for everything from commuting to riding trails: https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c5a40f86e7.jpg and a Roadspeed used by one of the kids: https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d67ac78e33.jpg We've also got a Miyata On/Off Road Runner, but that's a Miyata (without the Koga) so that doesn't count. |
In central Iowa, miyatas are rare and I have yet to see a koga miyata for sale. But I did buy a Koga Miyata when I lived in the Netherlands and rode that bike on a a very long tour from Finland to the south of France on the border with Spain. I knew little or nothing about bikes when I bought it. So it was too large and I ended up selling it. Still it was a great bike.
|
Another excuse to post a picture of my bike? Sure why not.
1989 Koga Miyata Randonneur Extra https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cff1aa225.jpeg |
That Randonneur is just an amazing bike. There are two Koga models that I'm always on the lookout for (as in: type in keywords every week or so in Marketplace), one is the Randonneur, the other is one of Koga's early MTB models (Ridge Runner, Valley Runner).
|
Originally Posted by lubloi
(Post 21480391)
That Randonneur is just an amazing bike. There are two Koga models that I'm always on the lookout for (as in: type in keywords every week or so in Marketplace), one is the Randonneur, the other is one of Koga's early MTB models (Ridge Runner, Valley Runner).
Other cool MTB models are the Terrarunner, Sky Runner (Lugged Carbon) and Ti Runner (lugged titanium). There were some wild frames and material combinations going on around the early 90's. Getting one in my size is an issue though. And I'm still on the lookout for a nice TerraLiner, preferably in the Carbolite variety. :) |
At least Koga made keyword searches easy - all we need to do is search for the words Koga and Runner. I don't think I would dare to ride a 25-year-old lugged carbon bike :) That technology is a bit too experimental for me.
|
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...03c0fb1bee.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4055d81769.jpg Couple more pictures of the Cityliner before I convert it to dropbars. |
Did KM ever use Concor Superleggra saddles on their models? I have a white leather saddle labeled from a KM that I am having a hard time identifying.
|
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1d820a3af5.jpg
My daughter wanted to present her boyfriend with a cool vintage bike and get to learn some wrenching basics in the procedure. He's tall — we figured, if you're that tall you might as well be Dutch and ride a Gazelle ;). She came home with this nice Koga Gentsracer instead, dirty and missing some parts, but undoubtedly well cared for during most of it's life (1980 serial). So we spent some quality time taking it apart, cleaning, polishing and replacing consumables, with good result — she's thrilled. Took it for a test ride (saddle slammed down, top tube's only 57 cc for a size 63) and that felt great, it's a true racer. You see a lot of these Gentsracers around here, but not many that look as good. Only original part still missing (apart from the Rolls) is the left crankarm, Shimano Arabesque in 170 (WTB or WTT, by the way). |
Hi all -
I will very happily share my pics of my 1981 (I think) Koga Miyata that I recently bought, but I was hoping some folks might be able to help me with a technical question. I am trying to find out what’s the right size bottom bracket and spindle for a vintage Koga Miyata Roadwinner from about 1981. It looks like the spindle measures 145 mm with a 68 mm bottom bracket. Does this sound right? I'm sure that there are standard measurements, but can't seem to locate them. I'd like to upgrade it to a newer cartridge system, but can't seem to find any advice on this. I’m pulling all the Shimano parts off of another frame and trying to make them fit for this, but the bottom bracket & spindle really need replacing and I would like to upgrade. I know this is a bit off-topic, but if you haven’t guessed, I don’t do this a lot. Any help is very welcome. thanks! Keith |
My modified 1983 Super Winner, related own two Team Miyata's an 81 and 85 also a 1984 Gazelle Cross Trophy.
The Super Winner has seen a bit of the world on a few tours. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e27a84b95b.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0d553baec.jpeg |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:03 AM. |
Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.