Upgrades for Miyata for tours & cents

If you don't already use them I would say to give clipless pedals and some cycling shoes a go (shimano mtb 'spd's' are good). You get an efficient pedal stroke/cadence that is great for hill climbing, even on a heavy bike.

Its best to set them up along a short ride first until you feel comfortable. Besides that just practise! Its always the cheapest option.

I've found Myra VanInwegen's website to be helpful for my own cycling.

Here is a link to her article on clipless pedals http://www.myra-simon.com/bike/clipless.html

Also "How to go up hills easier" link http://www.myra-simon.com/bike/pstroke.html

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by robalomalo
I'm a newbie and got back into cycling 2 years ago when I found a pristine Miyata112 with a thick coat of dust hanging in a garage sale for $50. Did SAGBRAW tour in wisconsin last year and I'm tired of "beeg" wisconsin girls with new bikes beating me up hills! Any low cost upgrades that would help these wobbly 50 year'ol knees do it easier this year. looking at a triple in front or new freewhl with bailout gears. I gotta keep in shape if I want to keep up with my marathon running belgian girlfriend!

It would help to know what you have to start with. All it takes is money. Sure you can put a triple on it.Takes crankset,BB and maybe front derailer. you could also go with bigger cogs in back depending on whether you have a cassette or freewheel and possibly a different rear deraier to shift it. Lighter wheels and tires could help.A new bike might be cheaper.

[Hello gescom , thanks for reply, my bike is almost all original-Shimano light action, shim 6spd 14-28 freewhl in back & 52/42 in front,but I do use a dual spd/platform pedal and road shoe and they make a big difference. Just missed a bid on ebay for a 105 gruppo which had a triple &7 spd components-damn! I did win 2 front rings in my hard to find size 110mm - a 48 and 38 tooth which I could swap out on hilly days? training buddy says best way to get up hills is train for it & to lose weight! I did find your links helpful-Thanks

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by robalomalo
[Hello gescom , thanks for reply, my bike is almost all original-Shimano light action, shim 6spd 14-28 freewhl in back & 52/42 in front,but I do use a dual spd/platform pedal and road shoe and they make a big difference. Just missed a bid on ebay for a 105 gruppo which had a triple &7 spd components-damn! I did win 2 front rings in my hard to find size 110mm - a 48 and 38 tooth which I could swap out on hilly days? training buddy says best way to get up hills is train for it & to lose weight! I did find your links helpful-Thanks

Yeah, training and loosing weight does beat throwing money at the issue.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
It would help to know what you have to start with. All it takes is money. Sure you can put a triple on it.Takes crankset,BB and maybe front derailer. you could also go with bigger cogs in back depending on whether you have a cassette or freewheel and possibly a different rear deraier to shift it. Lighter wheels and tires could help.A new bike might be cheaper.

Thanks for reply, Bikes all original shim lightaction 6 spd/14-28 w/ 52/42 front rings. Just won a bid on some front rings 48/38 should give me more options on hilly days . I am looking at a 7spd shim megarange freewhl with a bailout 32 gear . Someone said it would mean a new rear long derailr and new chain. Really love my Miyata's ride and compared to what a decent road/tour bike goes for I'l probably give the upgrades a try. I have no idea on preferred freewheel combinations for best tour/cent/training though. Lighter wheels? 27s are hard to find, but i've heard they can give new life to older bikes. Ah if only our bodies were like good old bike frames- pop a new part in and off u go.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by robalomalo
Thanks for reply, Bikes all original shim lightaction 6 spd/14-28 w/ 52/42 front rings. Just won a bid on some front rings 48/38 should give me more options on hilly days . I am looking at a 7spd shim megarange freewhl with a bailout 32 gear . Someone said it would mean a new rear long derailr and new chain. Really love my Miyata's ride and compared to what a decent road/tour bike goes for I'l probably give the upgrades a try. I have no idea on preferred freewheel combinations for best tour/cent/training though. Lighter wheels? 27s are hard to find, but i've heard they can give new life to older bikes. Ah if only our bodies were like good old bike frames- pop a new part in and off u go.

700c wheels are maybe a better option, but then you are talking even more money and more issues,again involving money. Sometimes it makes no sense when one can buy a new bike for under $500 on clearance, or even a good used one with the stuff on it you want or need. A $50 garage sale bike is not adeal if you end up throwing away everythine but the frame, unless of course it was somehing special to start with.