A few months ago I bought a 1981 Miyata 1000 for $200, stripped it down, and rebuilt it. I’ve now come across a 1995 Trek 520 for $200, and don’t know which one I’d want to keep as a touring bike…
On one hand the Trek seems to have more braze-ons, fenders, a cassette, 700c wheels, and a good paint job. The Miyata has a freewheel, 27” wheels, and lots of scratches.
On the other hand, I like the aesthetics of the Miyata (lugs, color), I’ve heard great things about it (for its time), and of course I’ve already put all this effort into restoring it.
Do you have any experience with either of these bikes? Which would you choose?
by Sifflez_
6 Comments
My first touring bike was a 1000.
Absolute beast of a bike. Virtually indistructable
Curious why you used p-clips attaching your rear rack to the seat-stays on the 1000 when there are braze ons right there for that specific purpose?
Miyata 1000 all the way btw. Do a 700c swap! Several canti brakes will work with it, probably even the current ones.
dont like the setup of the trek although it is a legendary frame
go for the miyata
I would definitely get the 520. I have had two axle snap on rear hubs that use free Wheels. There is a much longer unsupported axle section because the bearings are very close to the hub and then there is about a 30 mm unsupported portion that runs through the screw on Freewheel to the dropout. In contrast the 1995 trek is certainly running a Shimano cassette where the bearings all right next to the dropout on the drive side.
Second if you are on the road it is easy to get a high quality 700c replacement tire. It is very hard to find 27-in tires that are of good quality at a typical shop now.
Both are all time great touring bikes but the 1000 is slightly better and that’s coming from someone with a 520 and 3 other touring bikes. I would keep and upgrade the 1000 personally, it’s a higher end bike overall. I would use the money you save to swap it over to a more modern drivetrain and 700c wheels.
The half step plus granny gearing on the front chain Wheels on the Miyata are Obsolete and do not provide the same kind of range as a more evenly spaced triple that you have on the 520. And, reluctantly, I’ll say that the V brakes on the 520 are simply better for touring than the caliper brakes even when set up. I was touring last year on a comotion bike with V brakes and it was simply much nicer than the calipers even when using the same kind of brake pad, kool stop salmon.
The rack attachment on the Miyata with those clamps is much more subject to fatigue failure then a stainless steel bolt going through the braze on Dropout on the 520.
In the miyatas defense, the lugwork is amazing.