“I am excessively diverted.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
A short diversion comparing and contrasting three Koga-Miyata production bicycles: the 1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Luxe, the 1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Racer, and the 1984 Koga-Miyata Pro Racer-S.
These, plus more, are related to the anticipated arrival of my 1979 Koga-Miyata MXA frameset. “How?” you ask…
1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Luxe
The 1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Luxe bicycle was the top-of-the-line, handmade road racing bicycle from Koga-Miyata, available in Europe. It appeared to be the equivalent of the 1978 Miyata Extra Record, available in North America and Japan. It differed from the 1978 model offered by Miyata in three obvious ways: color, graphics, and the addition of a braze-on front dérailleur hanger.
From the Koga-Miyata catalog:
“Sinds de start van de samenwerking tussen Koga and Miyata is de Pro-Luxe steeds de absolute topper uit het programma geweest. Elke professional zal in dit model direct de kennis van ware racetechnici herkennen. Model ’79 heeft ten opzichte van de voorgaande jaren een aantal ekstra’s meegekregen. Voor een ervaren renner met een normaal gewicht zal deze fiets gemakkelijk aan de volgende eisen voldoen: zeer lichte besturing, grote koersvastheid en uiterst snel in de bochten. De Pro-Luxe is een verfijnde fiets, waarvan het gewicht tot een minimum is teruggebracht. Gebaseerd op een zeer strak gekonstrueerd frame is dit model tot in het kleinste detail een perfect produkt.
Enkele opmerkelijke details van de Pro-Luxe zijn: vaste nokken, waarop de verstellers worden bevestigd; speciaal ovaal gevormde liggende achtervorken (zonder indeukingen); achtervorkern met precisie-aansluiting op de koudgesmede racepadden van het frame; voor het eerst is nu ook de bevestiging voor de voorderailleur opgesoldeerd en dat is uniek; voorzien van een lichte, eveneens nieuwe, Miyata Record-Lug waarmee het zadel met gorte precisie vastgezet kan worden. Verder is deze Pro-Luxe voorzien van bijzonder dunne en mooi uitgewerkte lugs; de remhoeven zign door middel van een uitgekiend bevestigingssysteem via imbusbouten op het frame aangebracht, de pedalen zign van de nieuwste en lichtste soort en voorzien van naaldlagers. De zadelpen en voorbouw zign eveneens zeer licht en fraai afgewerkt. De Unibalance achternaaf zorgt dat de spanning in de verschillende spaken praktisch op gelijkniveau ligt, waardoor minder kans bestaat op spaakbreuk. Verder is deze fiets voorzien van een cassette freewheel, wat wil zeggen dat de losse tandkransjes direkt op de naaf zign gemonteerd en ook dat levert een gewichtsbesparing op en maakt het vervangen van freewheelbodies overbodig; het Shimano Dura-Ace EX w-cut crankstel is tekenend voor de technische vooruitgang die steeds onmiddelijk door ons wordt ingevoegd. Deze ranks zign door middel van een imbussleutel zeer snel los te draaien. Verdere onderdelen behoren stuk voor stuk thuis bij de bekende Dura-Ace lign van Shimano; o.a. het achterapparaat wat slechts 150 gram weegt.
Eeen fiets die door vele professionals in binnen- en buitenland dagelijks gebruikt wordt en een fiets ook die u niet van een plaatje moet kopen, maar eerst moet proberen. U zuit verbaasd staan…want hij is lichter dan u zich voorstelt en strakker dan u voor mogelijk houdt. Pure klasse.”
An approximate translation:
“Since the start of the collaboration between Koga and Miyata, the Pro-Luxe has consistently been the flagship model of the range. Any professional will immediately recognize the expertise of true racing engineers in this model. The ’79 model features a number of enhancements compared to previous years. For an experienced rider of average weight, this bike will easily meet the following requirements: very responsive steering, excellent directional stability, and exceptional speed in corners. The Pro-Luxe is a refined machine with weight reduced to an absolute minimum. Built around a highly rigid frame, this model is a perfect product down to the finest detail.
Some notable details of the Pro-Luxe include: fixed bosses for mounting the shift levers; specially shaped oval chainstays (without indentations); chainstays that connect precisely to the frame’s cold-forged racing dropouts; a brazed-on front derailleur mount—a unique feature for the first time; and a lightweight, newly designed Miyata Record lug that allows the saddle to be secured with great precision. Furthermore, this Pro-Luxe features exceptionally thin, beautifully crafted lugs; the brake calipers are mounted to the frame using a sophisticated system with Allen bolts, and the pedals are of the latest, lightest type, equipped with needle bearings. The seat post and stem are also very lightweight and beautifully finished. The Unibalance rear hub ensures that tension across the various spokes remains virtually uniform, thereby reducing the risk of spoke breakage. Additionally, the bike is equipped with a cassette freewheel—meaning the individual sprockets mount directly onto the hub—which saves weight and eliminates the need to replace freewheel bodies; the Shimano Dura-Ace EX “W-cut” crankset exemplifies the technical advancements we consistently and immediately incorporate. These crank arms can be removed very quickly using an Allen key. All other components belong to Shimano’s renowned Dura-Ace line—including the rear derailleur, which weighs just 5.29 ounces (150g).
This is a bike used daily by many professionals both at home and abroad—and a bike that shouldn’t be bought simply from a picture, but one you should try out first. You will be amazed…because it is lighter than you imagine and tighter than you thought possible. Pure class.”
The Koga-Miyata Pro Luxe was available in 52, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, and 61cm sizes; one color only, the same as the 1979 Koga-Miyata MXA frameset. As you can see, it was equipped with top-of-the-line parts:
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Headset | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (HP-7200) - Al alloy, silver, 1" (26.4mm CRS), caged-bearing |
| Stem | Nitto Pearl - Al alloy, silver, length varied depending on frame size |
| Handlebars | SR Royal 978 - Al alloy, silver, 25.4mm, width varied depending on frame size |
| Handlebar wrap | Special leather, black, black stitching |
| Seatpost | SR Royal - Al alloy, silver, 26.8mm x 210mm, set-back |
| Saddle | YFC Professional - leather/Fe alloy, black |
| Brakes | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (BR-7200) - Al alloy, silver, short-reach |
| Brake levers | Shimano Dura-Ace (SL-7200) - Al alloy, non-aero, silver, drilled |
| Shift levers | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (SL-7210) - Al alloy, silver, friction, braze-on |
| Dérailleur – front | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (FD-7100) - Al/Fe, braze-on, silver |
| Dérailleur – rear | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (RD-7100) - Al alloy, short cage, silver |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (BB-7100) - Fe alloy, English, caged-bearing |
| Crankset | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (FC-7100) - Al alloy, silver, 165mm |
| Chainrings | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (FC-7110) - Al alloy, silver, 42/52T |
| Cassette | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (CS-7100) - Fe alloy, gold, 12-13-14-15-16-17T, 6-cog |
| Chain | Shimano Dura-Ace EX UniGlide - Fe alloy, 3/32", gold |
| Pedals | MKS Pro-Luxe - Al alloy, silver, needle-bearing |
| Toe clips | MKS - Fe alloy, chrome, medium |
| Toe straps | MKS - leather, black |
| Hub - front | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (HB-7100) - Al alloy, silver, 32-hole, 100mm |
| Hub - rear | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (FH-7100) - Al alloy, silver, 32-hole, 126mm |
| Rims | Mavic Légère - Al alloy, silver, 700C x 19mm, sew-up |
| Tires | Wolber Performance (210) - rubber, black/gum, 700C x 21mm (sew-up) |
| Spokes | Hoshi - stainless, silver, double-butted 2.0/1.6mm (14/16ga.), 3x lacing |
| Quick-release | Shimano Dura-Ace EX (QR-7100) - Fe alloy, copper |
| Water bottle cage | Minoura - Al alloy, silver |
| Pump | Karasawa SL-C - plastic, frame-fit |
The 1979 Koga-Miyata MXA frame is the same frame used on the 1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Luxe, which had my ideal mix of components from that era. With the same component choices, I could recreate it, or even the 1978 Miyata Extra Record itself!
Could there be any bicycle as beautiful? Well, yes, of course…plenty of them before and since. But this one appeals to me more than most.
1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Racer
The 1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Racer was similar to the 1979 Koga-Miyata Pro Luxe, but differed in a few, minor ways: bronze-orange paint; drilled bottom bracket shell; plain, fluted seat stay caps; unpainted, chromed fork; Dura-Ace, Black Edition shift levers and chainrings; KKT Pro Victory pedals with black-anodized cages; cotton handlebar tape. Also Dura-Ace EX-equipped, most of the components were otherwise identical:
Not much functional difference, but a different look. A look that was far more appealing to me than simple blue and silver. Although the look of the 1978 Miyata Extra Record (red and silver) is very elegant and fiery, some coppery-orange with silver parts and black accents for the win!
1984 Koga-Miyata Pro Racer-S
Alas, by the time I could afford a Dura-Ace-equipped bicycle, the one I wanted (Miyata Extra Record) was no longer in production. Beginning 1980 and afterwards, Koga-Miyata also no longer offered the Pro Luxe or the MXA frameset.
Instead, for model year 1984, Koga-Miyata offered two top-of-the-line, professional racing models: Full Pro-S and Pro Racer-S. Both were equipped with a mix of Dura-Ace EX and AX components. Neither the frames nor the AX parts appealed to me.
The appealing: chain hanger; fast-back seat stays; the idea of mix-and-match Dura-Ace from different generations.
The unappealing: the entirety of the misshapen horror that is Dura-Ace AX; horizontal rear dropouts; aero shift lever mounts; clamp-on front dérailleur; all-chrome fork; still no pump peg and no second set of water bottle bosses (not all of us have domestiques or support cars to hand us water or change out wheels after a flat).
In particular, the horizontal dropouts seemed to be a step backwards. Vertical dropouts are strong and efficient. They do require precise fitting for perfect alignment – a demonstration of fabrication skill and the care required to make a straight frame – but perfect for a geared road bicycle. I don’t know the reason why they went to horizontal dropouts, but it’s an off-putting change.
Fluted seat stay caps whisper “…classical…” to me, particularly the interrupted, semi-wraparound style found on the MXA frame and the Pro Luxe and Extra Record bicycles. This style is more appealing to me than fast-back seat stays.
Without a doubt, the 1984 Koga-Miyata Pro Racer-S is a fine bicycle. Just not the one that called to me.
Mixing Things Up
Inspired by the 1978 Miyata Extra Record and these three Koga-Miyata bicycles, I selected those aspects that appealed to me the most and combined them into a new project for my 1979 Koga-Miyata MXA frameset.
Coincidentally, another dream project that is in the works provided me with an idea for the perfect Dura-Ace parts mix (with a little creative license) in the form of this old list:
What are the chances I would have all of these Dura-Ace EX parts on-hand? Not a chance. Some of them, at least? 100%, actually. I could substitute “new” Dura-Ace (7400-series) parts for the ones I didn’t have, adding in the “SIS” components that EX never had, mixing things up a bit – somewhat as was done for the 1984 Koga-Miyata Pro Racer-S.
Elements of these six things (MXA, Pro Luxe, Pro Racer, Pro Racer-S, Dura-Ace EX, Dura-Ace 7400-series) inspire my 1984 Koga-Miyata Luxe project. How will they all come together?
Postscript
Do you need or want a beautiful custom bicycle or replica? Do you have a treasured bicycle that needs repair, alteration, renovation, or restoration? Well, you can contact this whimsical frame builder if you want the work done with thoroughness and great care.