Road Cycling - Looking for info on Nishiki

I have an opportunity to buy a Nishiki performance equipped Rally model for just over a hundred bucks. It's been ridden maybe twice and hanging in someone's garage for the past five years. Looks brand new. It has Suntour shifters and deraileurs but is under a 30 day warranty. This is a manufacturer I've never heard of. Any info please?

Thanks
Kathy

The only thing I remember about Nishiki is that they used to make a good touring bike. I think, but am not sure, that they were distributed by Derby, which has gone out of business.

SunTour used to be the leading company in the Asian bicycle industry until Shimano came along and knocked them out of their top spot. They lost so much business that they closed shop and went back to China (or someplace in Asia). Much of their equipment --cassettes, shifters etc-- was not compatible with Shimano, but the last couple years, they were here, some of their top-end equipment was.

At $100. it might be a tad over priced, but you need to be the judge of that. If you should buy it, have it disassembled and all grease replaced and everything adjusted properly. Old grease coagulates and does not lubricate. This would be important of any older bike that has not been ridden in a long time.

Nishiki is one of the most popular hybrid-bike brands here in Finland. I belong to a touring club and Nishiki is by far the most popular brand of bike seen there. In fact, I have a Nishiki hybrid myself :) Nishiki has a reputation of having good quality for price and I agree. I've also never heard of any complaints of frames being broken or anything like that, which is strange when you know how many Nishikis there are ridden every day.

Been spending practically the entire afternoon on the web trying to get info on this one particular model. It's not in any database I've been able to access. I haven't even laid eyes on it yet. All I know is that it is a 10-speed performance model (whatever that means) with SunTour shifters and deraileurs and is several years old at least. I didn't get the year but my guess is that it's a late 80's to mid-90's model due to the lack of info. It has foam grips. Apparently this was purchased by or for a non-rider. Was hoping to see a pic. It's being sold by my local bicycle doctor who took it in trade for a comfort bike. He's bringing it over tomorrow and if it looks, rides and fits, I'm gonna diddle a bit on the price and buy it. He's promised a 30 day guarantee and a full lube and adjustment. For sure I'll need new tires.

Any websites that might be of use here?

Kathy:crash:

I seriously considered buying a Nishiki bike in the mid-80s but bought a Schwinn LeTour instead.
In the 80s Nishiki made a very good bike.

Here is some information from Sheldon Brown's Nishiki page.

Nishshiki got off to a good start in the U.S. market, but made the error of selling some models to department stores, which created bad feeling against the line among independent bicycle dealers, and they lost a great many dealers as a result of this.

Later, the Nishiki brand became a division of Derby, along with Raleigh and Univega. The Nishiki and Univega names were retired in 2001 so that Derby could concentrate on it's Raleigh brand.

Here is a website I found. Seems they only sell bikes in Europe.
http://www.nishiki.com/startweb.htm

HI oceanrider!
I am currently restoring a Nishiki Sport Special. I believe it is from the mid to late '70s. It has a chro-mo frame, with some really beautiful lug work. With a frame wieght of 6 pounds, it is a tad on the heavy side, but should yield a very comfortable riding bike when finished.
Nishiki at one time made some very fine bikes. I recently attended a triathalon, and saw that one of the riders was riding a Nishiki.
As far as the Suntour components, they are fine. My first road bike, a Fuji Roubaix, had a Suntour GPX groupo, and it performed flawlessly. Suntour simply got out-marketed by Shimano, and quit making the road groupo, but continued in the mountain bike line. I have heard rumors that Suntour was going to re-introduce thier road bike line, but so far, have not seen anything.
For what might be a good frame with a decent groupo, and with the warranty and service, the price doesn't seem out of line to me. Shoot, if it fits, ride it! You'll have a blast!

Well I did it. For the hundred bucks I got a very clean comfortable machine that flies compared to my hybrid. It's going to take some getting used to having that much speed at my disposal. What a different ride and different sound. I can't wait to take it out for a long ride but unfortunately its blowing at around 20-25 outside. Been that way for days and will be that way till Monday.

It fits like it was made for me, shifts nicely and there's not a rust or pit mark on it. It seems to need no work at all. There are a couple of no big deal scratches in the paint and the chain and drivetrain are in like new condition as well. I'm happy.

Kathy:D

Outstanding, Kathy!
Sounds like you have a sweet ride! Last year I started with a hybrid, and made the switch to the road bike, and I can still remember the thill of the new ride!
We have had high winds around here, too, but I think things will settle down here tomorrow! :) So I should enjoy a long weekend with lots of riding!
Have fun!