# Ode to my Miyata Civicross Bike In 2004, I was living in Toronto near Bathurst and Eglinton, and commuting by TTC to my job at a company that built [control systems for pipe organs](https://organworks.com/) near Woodbine & John, in Markham - about 20 km. As spring approached, I thought it might be fun to try commuting by bike. I wasn’t 100% committed to the idea, so I was looking for something affordable - I found a used [Miyata](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miyata) Civicross for which I paid $175. The Civicross is a hybrid entry level bike, made in Taiwan, sold in early 1990s. ![Miyata Civicross in 1993 Miyata Catalog](images/Miyata%20Civicross%20from%201993%20Catalog.jpg "Miyata Civicross in 1993 Miyata Catalog") ## Oh, the Places You'll Go! I’m still riding this bike - it has served me well: - 2004-2006, I would ride to Markham, April to November. - I’ve ridden it around the GTA, Niagara, and rode it as far as Guelph (for the Guelph trip, I a bit cheated - from there, I borrowed my friend’s pick up truck, tossed it in the back, and drove it home) - Taken it bike-camping on a trip to Pelee island - 2007 to 2012, I rode it much less, as my kids were young. - …but as my kids grew, I’d go on rides with them. Sometimes, I would pull my youngest on a [Trek trail-a-bike](https://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en_CA/bikes/kids-bikes/kids-hybrid-bikes/mt-201/p/24421/), which I highly recommend. We could go on long rides, she could peddle when she wanted, or just coast and look around. - In 2019, the company I was working for opened an office in the Commerce Court complex, about 16 km from our place, and I started commuting there by bike. It was awesome. It’s about 16 km from where I live, near Yonge and Sheppard. Commerce Court has secure, badge-access bicycle parking AND clean showers with towel service. I’ve been remote since then, but still like to get out and ride when I have a day without any other commitments. I like riding down to the lake, either out to the Humber or the Lesley Street Spit. ## The Bike of Theseus What remains of the bike I purchased in 2004 is the frame and a few other bits. The bike is parked outdoors, and exposed to the elements year round. - Shortly after I picked it up, I replaced the saddle with a nice leather saddle I had from a previous bike. - Riding to Markham, I kept getting flats from hitting metal bits on the side of suburban thoroughfares. A salesperson recommended replacing my tires with [Schwalbe Marathon tires](https://www.schwalbetires.com/Marathon-11100151) . I haven’t had an issue since and highly recommend them. These eventually wore out, and were replaced with Marathon tires again. - The wheels have replaced (maybe more than once) - Bike grips have been replaced (definitely more than once) - Fenders added (and replaced) - A rear rack and panniers were added - If I just need to carry my keys and my phone, I put them in an under saddle bag. The one I have meets functional needs, but it’s missing something - I keep an eye open for something better. - I used to mount my phone to the handlebars, but the vibrations damaged the camera of one of my phones ( see https://support.apple.com/en-ca/102175 ). I now pad the phone and put it in my under saddle bag. - Lighting was added, and later upgraded. I can’t believe how awesome modern rechargeable LED bike lights are, they are so much better than the bike lights I bought in the 90s. - In 2020, the original Gripshift shifters had worn out - I was able to source replacements - A second water bottle holder was added to allow for longer rides in the summer - The pedals wore out and I replaced them - In 2025, the saddle had worn out, and I replaced it - I’m using an [Arbus folding lock](https://www.abus.com/ca_en/Products/Bicycle-locks/Folding-Locks). I like how I can carry it on the frame and still have space for two water bottles. It is not clear whether I can attribute my bike not getting stolen to this lock or my bike’s appearance. At one point, I considered buying a new bike. I took it to [MEC](https://www.mec.ca/), and the young bike mechanic took a look, and his eyes lit up when I spoke with him: “This bike is awesome. People are taking bikes like this, gutting them, sandblasting them, repainting them, and putting modern parts on - you should keep it”. So I did. I had MEC replace the freewheel, chain, some of the cabling, and the brake pads. This contrasted with another visit, years later, at [Silent Sports](https://www.silentsports.com/) for a tune up, and the bike mechanic there said: “Are you sure you want to put money into this bike?” ## End of 2025 Season Derailleur Failure On a late 2025 ride, the spring snapped on my rear derailleur, leaving my bike un-rideable. I walked to the nearest bus stop and took the bus home. ![With the spring broken, the chain just flopped](images/no_chain_tension.jpg "With the spring broken, the chain just flopped") ![Derailleur Spring Missing - Close Up](images/derailleur_missing_spring.jpg "Derailleur Spring Missing - Close Up") Given the bike’s age, I once again questioned whether I should be putting more money into this bike. Suitable 6 speed replacement parts were now impossible to come by. My rear 2020 Gripshift shifter didn’t seem to “hold” gears anymore. It took me a while to identify replacement parts that would work. I decided to do the work myself, and I settled on: - Shimano RD-M310 rear derailleur ($44) - Shimano SL-M315 7 speed shifter ($35) - Shimano Tourney MF-TZ500 7 speed freewheel ($25). This required a Park Tool FR-1.3 freewheel removal tool ($15) and an anti-seize grease ($20) for installation - Shimano CN-HG40 chain ($25) So for $165, I would be riding again. I followed these Park Tools how-to videos: [Freewheel Removal & Installation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdQE8-ea1uw), [How to Remove and Replace a Rear Derailleur](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meUQ-BiFL28) and [How to adjust a Rear Derailleur](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkZxPIZ1ngY). It was fairly straightforward, but even with an oversized wrench, it was very hard to remove the freewheel from my wheel - I had to get my wife to help. ![New Shimano SL-M315 shifter installed](images/Shimano_SL-M315_installed.jpg "New Shimano SL-M315 shifter installed") ![New Shimano RD-M310 derailleur, freewheel and chain installed](images/New_Shimano_RD-M310-chain-freewheel.jpg "New Shimano RD-M310 derailleur, freewheel and chain installed") I’ve been able to extend the life of this bike again… Looking forward to some sunnier weather to get the new parts broken in!