1986: Trek vs. Nishiki
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1986: Trek vs. Nishiki
Hi, everyone. Couldn't remember my old account so I made a new one.
I have a 1986 Trek 500 Tri Series frameset (if I can find the fork) as well as a Nishiki Prestige frameset of the same year. The Trek is Reynolds 531, and the Nishiki is Tange Infinity. Both are in need of new paint, and I'm looking to build one of them up with newer parts. I come from a racing background but enjoy riding these sweet steel bikes whenever I can. I plan on keeping both and building both back up eventually. I've been riding the Nishiki and really love it, but the Trek frameset seems lighter.
My question to you is: Which one is worth my primary focus for a rebuild?
Any advice or general knowledge is appreciated!
I have a 1986 Trek 500 Tri Series frameset (if I can find the fork) as well as a Nishiki Prestige frameset of the same year. The Trek is Reynolds 531, and the Nishiki is Tange Infinity. Both are in need of new paint, and I'm looking to build one of them up with newer parts. I come from a racing background but enjoy riding these sweet steel bikes whenever I can. I plan on keeping both and building both back up eventually. I've been riding the Nishiki and really love it, but the Trek frameset seems lighter.
My question to you is: Which one is worth my primary focus for a rebuild?
Any advice or general knowledge is appreciated!
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The one that fits you best and gives you a more satisfactory ride. A little weight in the frame can be offset in many ways and is probably only noticeable when you lift it.
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I agree with Chrome Molly. Assuming you like the way they ride the same, Reynolds 531 is a little nicer frame tubing than the Tange infinity and Trek is considered a better "brand" than Nishiki for what it's worth. Do the bikes need to be painted?
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They really do need to be repainted. There's just too many chips in the paint and there's some rust starting in some of those chips. I plan to have decals repro'd, too. My goal is just to have a solid, quick steel bike that looks awesome.
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The Trek is the better frame. However, your Prestige, if it's a 1986, is not Infinity, it's actually Tange 2 which is better than Infinity as it is a seamless tubing, Infinity has a seam. The 1986 Nishiki Prestige is a very nice rider and worth fixing up, but it's not Reynolds 531. How do I know so much about the 1986 Prestige?
I have one that's been upgraded to a brifter bike.
I have one that's been upgraded to a brifter bike.
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#6
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I vote Trek as well. There is just something about those frames that make them nice riders. Good on the lug looks dept too.
Enjoy which ever one you choose.
Enjoy which ever one you choose.
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Solid advice, guys. Thanks!
More questions: I've lost the downtube shifters. Does anyone besides Shimano still make nice ones? The Dura Ace shifters are a bit pricey for my budget this time around.
Also, if I can't find the original fork, where might I find a good replacement?
More questions: I've lost the downtube shifters. Does anyone besides Shimano still make nice ones? The Dura Ace shifters are a bit pricey for my budget this time around.
Also, if I can't find the original fork, where might I find a good replacement?
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I have a 84 760 -fork. Look up the spec for the fork on the 500 series. I think it may have an offset of 43 or so. If it does, Soma (Tange) and one or several others have forks you can purchase. they are typically 43 offess with the exception of track forks which can be anything but often 38.
Finding a fork is like finding a needle in a haystack. I found a fork for my 760 but it is bent. It may be more cost effective for me to by an aftermarket one. Some would say I am crazy but I am going to try to bend it back. I really want that unique crown. So the next step would be to try to find the right size fork legs for it.
Finding a fork is like finding a needle in a haystack. I found a fork for my 760 but it is bent. It may be more cost effective for me to by an aftermarket one. Some would say I am crazy but I am going to try to bend it back. I really want that unique crown. So the next step would be to try to find the right size fork legs for it.
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Flip a coin. You mentioned a racing background so would imagine you're sensitive to how bikes ride and handle. Assuming both fit you well, how do they compare on the scale and is one known to be more whippy than the other?
Popular opinion is going with the Trek (isn't that tri- 500 essentially the same as Trek's road going 500 of that year?) but the Nishiki with Tange 2 might be a fun canvas to build on. Have fun!
New carbon forks from Nashbar are $90 or so.
Popular opinion is going with the Trek (isn't that tri- 500 essentially the same as Trek's road going 500 of that year?) but the Nishiki with Tange 2 might be a fun canvas to build on. Have fun!
New carbon forks from Nashbar are $90 or so.
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True, and I love how they both ride. I think Trek might be slightly more snappy, so I've pretty much decided on that one for the build/rebuild.
I'd like to keep a steel fork on it, but the Soma stuff mentioned above, as well as stuff I've looked at from Surly, etc, is all 1 1/8" steerer. I can't find a decent fork that has a 1" threaded steerer! Any thoughts?
Also, still striking out on finding downtube shift levers. Dug through my parts box from when this bike was torn down, and I can only find one lever. Damn!
I'd like to keep a steel fork on it, but the Soma stuff mentioned above, as well as stuff I've looked at from Surly, etc, is all 1 1/8" steerer. I can't find a decent fork that has a 1" threaded steerer! Any thoughts?
Also, still striking out on finding downtube shift levers. Dug through my parts box from when this bike was torn down, and I can only find one lever. Damn!
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i vote TREK (or... support your decision. hopefully the interwebs affirmation helps...)
fork: Lugged Steel Bicycles, Wool Clothing, Canvas Bike Bags & Brooks Saddles & from Rivendell Bicycle Works - they have 1in forks, BUT they have canti-bosses on them. As you said, the road fork is 1 1/8 steerer. You could send them an email, maybe.
DT Shifters: eBay (unfortunately). I bought a set of 105 8-spd indexed last fall. Paid too much, but I was "heck" bent on a full 105 group for a bike project.
ALTHOUGH! I have 2 set of DT Shimano shifters, 6-spd index / friction. If you think one of those might work for you, I'll send photos. One is Dura Ace, the other Ultegra ( I think).
And I got some other old Shimano parts I'm thinking of selling, if your bike is bear... (bare).. naked.
fork: Lugged Steel Bicycles, Wool Clothing, Canvas Bike Bags & Brooks Saddles & from Rivendell Bicycle Works - they have 1in forks, BUT they have canti-bosses on them. As you said, the road fork is 1 1/8 steerer. You could send them an email, maybe.
DT Shifters: eBay (unfortunately). I bought a set of 105 8-spd indexed last fall. Paid too much, but I was "heck" bent on a full 105 group for a bike project.
ALTHOUGH! I have 2 set of DT Shimano shifters, 6-spd index / friction. If you think one of those might work for you, I'll send photos. One is Dura Ace, the other Ultegra ( I think).
And I got some other old Shimano parts I'm thinking of selling, if your bike is bear... (bare).. naked.
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The decision hath been made! I'm going with the Trek.
New question: Do I go with DT shifters or modern 11spd? I don't have the parts or resources for a true restoration, but still enjoy the DT shifters. I want to keep a classic look, so no carbon fork, deep wheels, etc.
Advise me!
New question: Do I go with DT shifters or modern 11spd? I don't have the parts or resources for a true restoration, but still enjoy the DT shifters. I want to keep a classic look, so no carbon fork, deep wheels, etc.
Advise me!
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DT 10-sp Dura Ace. Cheap. Easy.
Can use any 10-sp Shimano RD and cassette.
Scrounge, secure, mount, ride.
Not sure if SunRace is making 10-sp DT shifters.
The do make 9-sp DT shifters pretty cheap, if you have those parts.
That would be my plan B.
Can use any 10-sp Shimano RD and cassette.
Scrounge, secure, mount, ride.
Not sure if SunRace is making 10-sp DT shifters.
The do make 9-sp DT shifters pretty cheap, if you have those parts.
That would be my plan B.
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Everyone has their own P.O.V. I happened to come across a Trek like that once, and I just didn't care for how it rode. I would have passed on both, but then again, I'm not Mr. Leach. If you like how one fits and rides... go for it.
I was used to bar-cons and I still like them. For quite a while, I thought I'd never like brifters, but on a bike that I am going to be riding a lot, and that I'm not concerned with how original it appears at a glance, I have no qualms about using them. They are still rather more expensive than the alternatives though.
I was used to bar-cons and I still like them. For quite a while, I thought I'd never like brifters, but on a bike that I am going to be riding a lot, and that I'm not concerned with how original it appears at a glance, I have no qualms about using them. They are still rather more expensive than the alternatives though.
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I've been running a 10spd cassette with friction DT shifting on the Nishiki, and I dig it, so I think that's what I will do on the Trek. I've got plenty of modern wheels that will do the trick.
My hesitation with building with 11spd 105 STI shifters was that it would be harder to keep a clean, classic look.
I think I have a line on some Dura Ace DT shifters, but I'm still looking for a good lugged 700c fork...
My hesitation with building with 11spd 105 STI shifters was that it would be harder to keep a clean, classic look.
I think I have a line on some Dura Ace DT shifters, but I'm still looking for a good lugged 700c fork...
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Took the plunge and went with brand new, Shimano 105 11spd. Added a Cinelli quill stem, Sakae alloy fork that I found for $25, some REALLY heavy Oval wheels (that I will replace eventually). Current saddle is only a placeholder. I've got a matching red/white Fizik Arione ready to slap on there. Trying to keep it classic and clean.
Too excited to ride it to wait/can't afford new paint right now, so I am going to finish the build and get out there and ride it!
Feel free to share your input!
Too excited to ride it to wait/can't afford new paint right now, so I am going to finish the build and get out there and ride it!
Feel free to share your input!
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It is good you made a choice because you could spend your whole life wringing your hands, as both are excellent frames and worthy of being rebuilt and ridden.
I personally would have gone for the Nishiki, but I love love LOVE old Treks.
I personally would have gone for the Nishiki, but I love love LOVE old Treks.
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It's being ridden as often as I can. I even take it for some of my lighter training rides.
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