Elevation 5,000
A full aluminum bonded frame by Miyata. Compared to it's carbon and titanium family members more positioned as hard core offering. Introduced in 1991.
The Elevation 5,000 frame was constructed using a bonding method Miyata called Aluminum Pressurized Adhesive (APA). According to Miyata their lab tests prooved the bond was actually stronger than the lug and tubing material itself. Not only bonding was used: the seatstays were bolted on. Some frameparts, like the brake bosses, were bolted on while toptube cable guides were rivited. The lugs and dropouts were neat investment cast aluminum examples.
There exist two generations Elevation 5,000: The 1st is more overbuilt than the 2nd generation. The second generation, introduced in 1992, came with Delta Force Monostay with neatly integrated cable stop for cantilever brake, guide for gear cable and pump peg. The lugs were slimmed down to save weight and the toptube runs more slooping. The 2nd generation tail with its Cobra Chainstays allows for use of wider tyres, up to 2.5 inch. The chainstays connect lower to the bottom bracket to move it away from the chain and reduce chain slap.
In 1991 and 1992 the Elevation 5,000 came with Miyata's own FatMax fork, in Europe better known as the BigChamp. For 1993 it was replaced by the also hard core proof, but lighter FatMax Aluminum. Remaining specs were well thought out and reliable with Shimano's Deore XT, Ritchey/Nitto and Araya RM-17s.
The Elevation 5,000 came finished in red/clear/blue 'patriot' paint (1991, 1992) and in clear (1993).
On basis of the 1991 Elevation 5,000 Miyata introduced a Miyata Team 'Greg Herbold' signature edition to celebrate Greg Herbold conquered the 1990 UCI downhill world title.
Review of 1991 Miyata Elevation 5,000 in MountainBike Action.
