So… I already own the 1974 Miyata STD-A. I honestly bought it because I was infatuated with the yellow paint and not because it’s the best bike. I love the lugged steel frame (again for aesthetics reasons), I put on new tires, but pretty much everything else needs work. It needs new cables throughout, could benefit from a new freewheel and chain, could use a deep clean on absolutely everything, and I would like to put some handlebars for more upright riding on it, which then also necessitates new brake levers. Before I started wrenching on bikes myself, my bike mechanic greased the hubs and headset. He said the BB wouldn’t come out, which has me worried. I just don’t know if it’s worth putting a lot of money into this bike, even though I am blindly in love with it.
Along comes this (70s?) Fuji Royale on Facebook marketplace for $100. It has Chro-Moly tubing and looks to be pretty clean from the pictures. All in all, this seems like a higher quality bike than the Miyata. Needs new tires, but I could steal the ones off my Miyata. Would also wanna put new handlebars and brakes on it. It’s not quite as beautiful as the Miyata, but I don’t dislike it aesthetically.
I plan to do more casual riding on it, maybe around 15-20 miles at a time. I am a little less concerned about resale value and just want a bike that is worth putting money into and will ride well for years.
I just don’t know if I should get the Fuji and make it into what I want it to be or go with my heartthrob, the yellow lugged steel frame… Is either bike significantly better or worse? Is the difference in quality negligible? Are there any factors I’m forgetting to consider? Am I overthinking this? Any opinions at all are welcome! Thanks!
by Cruiser_Supreme