Opinions please, Centurion or Pro Miyata
05-11-15, 11:05 AM
#1
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Opinions please, Centurion or Pro Miyata
Picked up the 86 Centurion Ironman today, and shortly found the Pro-Miyata. Which one should wear the Shimano 600 and which one should be sold. Thanks. Yes they both fit, looking for a good solid fast rider.
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05-11-15, 11:31 AM
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My opinion is purely aesthetic. I think the Miyata looks much nicer. What tubes are used on each frame?
05-11-15, 11:49 AM
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Go for the Miyata. Super classy.
05-11-15, 11:49 AM
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I am a big fan of the Miyata also. Wasn't there a Koga Miyata that wore that livery at one point as well? On the other hand, I'm lazy, the Ironman is already built up and has a pump peg. Still, I think I'd go with the Miyata.
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05-11-15, 12:00 PM
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Shouldn't the Pro get Dura Ace? 
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05-11-15, 12:01 PM
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Keep the Centurion with the 600. Hang the Pro Miyata on the wall until you find a clean DuraAce group or go retro-roadie with it?
How is this even a question?
How is this even a question?
05-11-15, 12:08 PM
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Easy peasy, keep the miyata. This was their top end racing bike and it is a heck of a production racing bike. I own one and raced it many years. It is one of the best riding bikes I have ever owned.
05-11-15, 12:10 PM
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Miyata Pro, they are a great ride. I have a 1976 Pro Racer with 1st generation DurAce and love it.
05-11-15, 12:20 PM
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Below the Team Miyata but still good. Maybe like Ironman Expert vs Master.
05-11-15, 12:27 PM
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I'm unfamiliar with both. Not up on non Italian frames. I was curious about the hype with the Ironmans, but the Pro Miyata looks like a high quality frame. Really looking to keeping just one using the available 600 group.
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05-11-15, 12:33 PM
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I'm a Miyata fan so my vote is goes to the pro.
Miyata's drew their own tubing, often triple butted and are very well made, if not terribly fancy.
Miyata's drew their own tubing, often triple butted and are very well made, if not terribly fancy.
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05-11-15, 12:35 PM
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05-11-15, 12:39 PM
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^^^ Love it. 87 or 88?
05-11-15, 12:40 PM
#15
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That frame appears to be an 81 Pro from the paint scheme, no triple butting in those early years however should be double butted.
Any K in the serial number?
Serial numbers for Miyata Bicycles Made in Japan Since 1972, according with the first letter on the serial number.
"A 1972 B 1973 C1974 D1975 E1076 F 1977 G 1978 H 1979 I 1980 J 1981 K 1982 L 1983 M 1984 N 1985 O 1986 P 1987 Q 1998 R 1989 S 1990 T 1991 U 1992 V 1993 W 1994 X 1995 Y 1996 Z 1997"
Any K in the serial number?
Serial numbers for Miyata Bicycles Made in Japan Since 1972, according with the first letter on the serial number.
"A 1972 B 1973 C1974 D1975 E1076 F 1977 G 1978 H 1979 I 1980 J 1981 K 1982 L 1983 M 1984 N 1985 O 1986 P 1987 Q 1998 R 1989 S 1990 T 1991 U 1992 V 1993 W 1994 X 1995 Y 1996 Z 1997"
05-11-15, 12:45 PM
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Keep whichever fits better. All things being equal, I'd keep the Miyata because I'm more familiar with them. The Miyata was one under the Team...I'm not sure where the Centurion is in their order, and I don't think Centurion made a model intended to be pro race ready like the team was.
05-11-15, 12:50 PM
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Cool find on both.
As far as my opinion, I'd rather see what the ride qualities of that Miyata are all about if I had my choice. I think that Centurion has the potential of a more striking build however.
As far as my opinion, I'd rather see what the ride qualities of that Miyata are all about if I had my choice. I think that Centurion has the potential of a more striking build however.
05-11-15, 01:03 PM
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1990, Miyata Bicycle Catalogs: Miyata Catalog 1990 (100 Year Special Edition)
I bought it as a frame and built it up with a mix of parts. I see you own 2 of them from your sig line. They're great bikes.
I bought it as a frame and built it up with a mix of parts. I see you own 2 of them from your sig line. They're great bikes.
05-11-15, 01:10 PM
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It depends on what type of riding you are doing. I have a Team Miyata, an Ironman and a Miyata 912. I do not know about the Pro Miyata. The Team was pure racing frame with shorter chainstays and steeper angles. The Ironman and Miyata 9 series are all day racers with frames suited for all day racing. I would keep both.
Here is the catalog link: Miyata Bicycle Catalogs: Miyata Catalog 1981
Here is the catalog link: Miyata Bicycle Catalogs: Miyata Catalog 1981
05-11-15, 01:13 PM
#20
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Looking for something to hammer on. Short fast rides.
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05-11-15, 01:20 PM
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We have an identical Ironman with a mix of 105 sti and 600. It's a fine bike, but I'd still go with the Miyata, although I've ridden only a 710. Seems much more likely you'll have another shot at a Centurion than one of those.
05-11-15, 01:30 PM
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Then definitely the Pro Miyata. It has steeper geometry.
Strip the Centurion, build up the Miyata, and hammer away.
Sell the Centurion frame and use that $$$ to fund the eventual Dura Ace group for the Miyata. (just make sure the kid you sell it to promises not to chop off the derailer hanger in his fixie conversion)
If it is a 1981, though, be warned that that era of Dura Ace is a bit weird (especially the AX stuff).
Check the shifter bosses to ensure that they're compatible with the later 600 shifters from the Centurion.
Strip the Centurion, build up the Miyata, and hammer away.
Sell the Centurion frame and use that $$$ to fund the eventual Dura Ace group for the Miyata. (just make sure the kid you sell it to promises not to chop off the derailer hanger in his fixie conversion)
If it is a 1981, though, be warned that that era of Dura Ace is a bit weird (especially the AX stuff).
Check the shifter bosses to ensure that they're compatible with the later 600 shifters from the Centurion.
05-11-15, 01:48 PM
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I like them both, but the Miyato Pro gets my vote. Centurions were decked in really good quality paint, and your bike is a good example. However, the Miyata should clean up well, and has those nice scalloped seat stays, drilled fork tangs, and lug cutouts.
Lose the the dork disc when you switch over the parts, and consider a round big ring, too. I'm mildly opposed to bio-pace rings, but I especially don't like them on the big ring.
Lose the the dork disc when you switch over the parts, and consider a round big ring, too. I'm mildly opposed to bio-pace rings, but I especially don't like them on the big ring.
05-11-15, 03:01 PM
#25
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Shifters are not compatible, I'll ride the Centurion and slowly build the Pro Miyata later. Done!
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