1985 Vintage Nishiki Prestige, advice?
 

Hi everyone. I'm new to the bike scene and wanted to get some advice. Theres a Vintage Nishiki Prestige being sold on ebay that seems pretty good condition. I just wanted to know if its worth the 80-90 dollars on this bicycle or if I should just keep looking around. And its convient to me since I can go pick it up since I dont live too far from there..

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Nishiki-...ayphotohosting

That bike looks super clean, and it has quality components. I'm not an authority on market value, but it sure looks like that would be a great riding bike. We've owned a Nishiki International for 25 years, and I just rode it the other day. They're great bikes.

I can't say how Nishikis hold their value, but if you're just looking for a good bike to ride, and if it's your size, it's probably worth it. It sure is pretty.

JMHO!

I agree with Gordo. Nishiki's are great bikes and the prestige is very nice. I also saw the bike on Ebay (not my size), but I thought it was really nice and think it is well worth it.

Thanks guys..I might go check it out today before I actually bid on it..I'm really excited to start riding.

I have a Nishiki Prestige. Very, very nice bike. Not the same year as mine, but well worth the current price!

East Hill

I have a Nishiki frame that's exactly like that, even the same size (58 cm). I can tell you that it's nearly as light as my Raleigh "Competition-quality" frame that's constructed of Reynolds 531C. The tubing on the Nishiki is Tange Infinity -- double-butted, but seamed rather than seamless. The frame is very well constructed, and the one on eBay appears to have all the original componentry (unlike the one I bought, my first C&V buy and still waiting to be turned into a bike). It was built for 27" wheels, so if you want to change that at some point, you'll need a front brake with at least 60 mm reach (rear maybe 1 or 2 mm less). The chromed caps on the seat stays are a nice touch. It has fender eyelets, and the clearance to install them (see Lamplight's silver model from the same year). The only things I don't like about the frame is that the headbadge decal is uninspired, and the damn thing says "Nishiki" six times on the frame: twice each on the seat tube, down tube, and fork -- yeah, we get it already!

IMO the eBay bike appears to be in great condition, and if I were interested in it, I'd pay three times what the $103 current price is to get it.

The saddle looks like it needs to be replaced, and the drop on those bars appears to be "seriously aerodynamical"!

This bike should go much, much higher. We'll have to see where it ends up, but it looks like a super clean, >$250 bike.

I gladly paid $75 and drove 240mile round trip for the 86 version of the Prestige several months ago. It was not in as nice condition as the one on ebay. That ebay sale will probably go over $150. I don't know if it will hit $250 only because of the time of the year. In the spring it will be a different story. Hope the OP gets it.
EDIT: Geez, that Nishiki looks like a real garage queen.

Went for $195...a good price.

East Hill

did fishnips get it? Some exhibit that was!

Yeah I'm wondering the same thing. That was one clean bike.

Darn, they outbid me! Oh well, I guess the search for my first road bike continues!

Do guys know any good "vintage" brands to look for, for someone with a very tight budget?
I just need it to get me places not too far and for excercise.

Best value these days:
80s Japanese bikes with nice lugwork, try to stick with the higher end models that aren't really that more expensive, in the marketplace, than the less glamorous ones -- Nishiki Centurion Panasonic Univega Miyata Fuji.
Trek 80s bikes.

Thanks man

Hells bells! I was watching that auction and decided not to snipe it when I saw someone else on C&V was trying to get it. :notamused:

That bike looked REALLY nice. I would have gone up to around $300 on it, as I would have been able to pick it up as well. I liked it enough that the pics from the auction are now in my WTB reference folder.

>>many expletives deleted<<
:bang:

I'm surprised it went that low. Direct competitor to Centurion Lemans RS that year, same components, and it was prettier and cleaner than a lot of bikes half it's age.

;)

I never post about a bike I am actually trying to win or buy until I have completed the transaction. I feel that not much good can happen by shining light upon something I want. I fear I will alert someone who has deeper pockets than me (not hard) and get outbid. Or, as in this case, neither interested party won it.

If I post a bike on the CL or eBay thread, I am not going after it. I'm just am trying to make someone else aware of it's availability.