Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Old Nishiki on Craigslist

Hi guys,

New to the forums. Not to sound rude since I haven't had a chance to contribute here yet and am already asking for stuff, but I'd like some advice on the following Nishiki on Craigslist: http://collegestation.craigslist.org/bik/1326384591.html

I'm an old mountain biking enthusiast, but am looking into getting into road biking. Being a poor college kid though, I'm trying to start small, but all the decent deals I've seen so far have been out of my price range. I was wondering if you guys could give me some advice on the Nishiki. I kinda gotta move quick though, because the guy said he's already gotten 4 hits on it. Don't know if it's a scare tactic, but it looks to be a good starter bike, and I remember hearing good things about Nishiki.

Thanks!

Worth $100, if you are prepared to do all the remaining work yourself. Otherwise, questionable.

A couple of decent 27" tires and tubes will be $35ish and a cheap complete cable set at WallyMart is $5. If you already have some bike tools, a few dollars worth of bearing balls and grease will hopefully have everything running smooth.

If you go check it out make sure that seat-post isn't stuck. They can be a ***** to get out.

Offer him $60 citing the $40 or so you'll need to put into it to get it rolling.

Good luck...

~kn

I'm gonna go check it out tomorrow. He said someone already offered him $85. Again, don't know if it's true or not. I'm fairly good with a bike, the only thing I really can't do is true the wheels. So I think I should be able to handle most maintenance other than that.

Do you think it'll make a good entry level bike? As of right now, I just plan on doing weekend rides, and riding it to school. Nothing big.

Thanks!

When you go there make sure to slap that guy for setting that bike right on the concrete on the rims!

So, If I were to spend $100 on the bike. Pick up some tires, grease, new cables, and maybe some other components and work on it myself in my spare time, would it be worth it? I'm 22, so I've got a long time ahead of me to get into the fancier bikes, but for now, what would you guys think? It's either this, or try to get an old trek off ebay for $250+, which will also need some work, but not near as much as the nishiki.

Thanks!

So long as it fits and if it all checks out... Go for it!!

~kn

So, If I were to spend $100 on the bike. Pick up some tires, grease, new cables, and maybe some other components and work on it myself in my spare time, would it be worth it? I'm 22, so I've got a long time ahead of me to get into the fancier bikes, but for now, what would you guys think? It's either this, or try to get an old trek off ebay for $250+, which will also need some work, but not near as much as the nishiki.

Thanks!

You'll have at least $150 into it by the time your done and it'll still have 27" wheels.

I only use the WalMart cables for the inner wires. The outer housings aren't lined.

All "projects" deserve this warning/caution/thing to look for.

While it is entirely possible that this project stalled only because of the size issue, and we have no reason to doubt the man's sincerity and owe him the trust and consideration due any fellow of whom no ill is known, double check to be sure there are no problems that stopped him from completing the thing.

Incomplete projects can happen for a lot of reasons, money ran out, other projects took priority, etc. But, they often stall because of problems that aren't obvious until you start working on the thing. Some projects have birth defects that aren't obvious until they get to some point. Stuck stems and seatposts were mentioned, cracked tubes, lugs, bent hangers and trashed, frozen, rusted bottom brackets, headsets etc. weren't.

Check everything.

Trust but verify.

You'll have at least $150 into it by the time your done and it'll still have 27" wheels.

I only use the WalMart cables for the inner wires. The outer housings aren't lined.

Sorry, but could you explain a little on that. 27" wheels, what's wrong with that? I've done lots of riding with mountain bikes, so I'm use to 26" wheels.

The $150, are you saying that that's what it'll cost me in parts on top of the bike itself?

THanks

I love Nishikis, they're one of my favorite brands. This bike is an average value, maybe a little high priced. If it had tires and was ride ready, it would be a good deal. Offer the guy $90 if you really want it. If you aren't thrilled with it, pass and take a look at the Trek.

27" wheels came on 1960s/70s bikes and lower end bikes in the 1980s. The top end bikes used the eruopean standard 700C wheels that are still in use on most road bikes today. The 700c wheel is just a little bit smaller than a 27" wheel, but not as small (in diameter) as a 26" wheel.
The disadvantage of 27" wheels is that tire choices are not as plentiful as 700c. But there are still plenty of tire brands available for commuter riding.

bigtruck,

I just came across this post (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=9495744&postcount=11) in another thread and thought of you. Austin is close to you, right?

~kn

So, If I were to spend $100 on the bike. Pick up some tires, grease, new cables, and maybe some other components and work on it myself in my spare time, would it be worth it? I'm 22, so I've got a long time ahead of me to get into the fancier bikes, but for now, what would you guys think? It's either this, or try to get an old trek off ebay for $250+, which will also need some work, but not near as much as the nishiki.

Thanks!
You are really comparing apples and oranges. Most/all Treks will have more value than this Nishiki. And I have found Treks (on ebay and elsewhere) well under that $250 mark. I picked one up last week for about half that amount (off Craigs List).

As far as is this bike worth it? Yes, if you manage your parts spending closely and do all the work yourself. I buy decent to better tires for $10 each, and I buy tubes for less than $2.50. I picked up stainless cables for $1.65 each, etc......

One challenge is if you happen to miss something, overlook a problem or issue, your costs will go up. Then the deal makes less sense. That's one reason many of us look for a larger discount on a project.

As far as the guy having four people email him already, so what. Craigs List is the land of no shows. And even if someone else is willing to overpay for a project, doesn't mean I will. Sometimes passing on a deal is the best decision.

Sorry, but could you explain a little on that. 27" wheels, what's wrong with that? I've done lots of riding with mountain bikes, so I'm use to 26" wheels.

The $150, are you saying that that's what it'll cost me in parts on top of the bike itself?

THanks

27" were phased out in the late 80's which in turn limits your ability to upgrade/convert in the future. Good quality 27" tires are available so its not that big of a deal.

$150 total including the bike.....possibly more.

Well, the guy sold it right before I headed over to his place. So I guess the search will contineu.


bigtruck,

I just came across this post (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=9495744&postcount=11) in another thread and thought of you. Austin is close to you, right?

~kn


I'm heading home to Houstonish area next weekend, and I'll be with my parents for a couple days. So I'll see if I can browse some of the local shops there and the Houston Craigslist.

Thanks for all the help though.

There is not a damn thing wrong with 27" rims unless you also own a set of wheels with sewups for the same bike and swap them.

When the industry transitioned to 700c for clinchers which match the rim diameter of tubular tires thus making them modern and racy this industry did what it has always done, declared everything old to be bad, wrong and obsolete. And worse started telling everyone that they needed to upgrade because there won't be parts for that anymore. People around here should be pretty well immune to that by now. Yes, some obscure French thing that is correct for some particular bike might be impossible, but a part that fits and works can be had. Over in other forums you see people fretting over whether they shouldn't build up a 9s bike because .... My have they got people spun up. </rant>

There are plenty of very good tires available in 27, you can find them online or in any bike store. The tubes are the same as 700. The rims are also available online or through the LBS.