I had posted once before in this thread, but thought I would also help keep the thread going and add a photo.

This is my Ariel that was a gift from a good friend back around 1991. That year the bike club I was a member of had Richard Cunningham come in as a guest speaker at a meeting. Was kind of cool since the Ariel came with his signature "Decal" on the top tube. It was my pride and joy bike which I seldom rode off road for fear of scratching it. Still I would buy an occasional accessory or upgrade for it as the years went buy.

I had replaced the stock forks when Marzocchi first came out with suspension forks. I remember being amazed with having a whole 2" of travel. Recently I decided to use it as a Crossover Bike Project. It now has several "Old Man" upgrades which my now 49 year old body appreciates. They include High Rise Stem and Bar, Mirror, Bell, Slick Tires and a much wider and softer seat than that which came with it 20 years ago.
All of the things to make it a full fledge city park bike path cruising machine.


I have done my best to keep it in very good shape. Just recently I was chatting with another old timer who looked at my bike and said "I didn't know Nishiki was still making bikes, and they went with that funny chain stay design from years ago ? "
He was surprised when I told him it was not a new bike, but one of those from Years Ago.
Over the years I have purchased much more advanced and expensive bikes, but still the Ariel has been special to me.