Nishiki help, please
 

I just acquired a landfill rescued Nishiki International Triathlon Series. It is the smallest frame size: 46.5 cm BB center to top tube center. Way too small for me. The bike is unusual in that it has a 24 inch (520 ISO) front wheel with a 700c rear wheel. The frame is oversize Tange 1 tubes. Components are Suntour Cyclone 7000. Rims are Araya. It is in fair condition. By the serial number, it is a 1987. When compared to the specs in an online 1987 catalog it is complete. The catalog says nothing about a Triathlon Series but in the specs it notes that the 46.5 cm bike comes with a 24 inch front wheel.

Does anyone know anything about Nishiki's "Triathlon Series" and the rationale for the small front wheel on this size only?

My thoughts have been all over the place. It seems so unique with the small wheel and oversize tubes. I could refurbish it as it is but is it worth the effort? I'll need an unusually long seat post and stem for me to ride it (and would probably look hilarious on it). Of course, I could sell it if it is marketable. I could refurbish it and replace the front wheel/fork with 700c. I could also harvest the Suntour components and look for another vintage steel frame in my size (56-58 cm).

Any info on this bike?

If you use a 700C front wheel and want a horizontal top tube, the smallest frame size is limited by the minimum length of the head tube. Using traditional lugs, this works out to around 48-50cm. Using a smaller diameter front wheel allows for a shorter fork, which lowers the bottom of the head tube and allows smaller frames to built using traditional lugs. The smaller wheels also allows for shorter top tubes on smaller frames without increasing the toe to wheel overlap.

Bicycles with smaller front wheels are often called Terry bicycles, after Georgena Terry, who originated the concept. Generically, they are called proportional bicycles. Triathlons became very popular in the mid-1980s and there was huge influx of short, females (many who were swimmers or runners) and who could not be accommodated by traditional double diamond frames. There were not a lot of options outside of mixte frames, loop frames or kids frames, all of which were typically used on heavy, entry level bicycles. Triathletes wanted performance bicycles but nothing too expensive, so most manufacturers started marketing their mid-range models to triathletes, with little change outside of triathlon oriented names, graphics and advertising. Following Terry's lead, the late 1980s saw many manufacturers offering a proportional, mid-range model for the influx of performance oriented, short, female riders.

In the 1990s, bicycles with triathlon specific geometry started to appear and the proportional bicycles started to disappear as the move to TIG welding eliminated lugs and allowed for smaller frames to be manufactured with non-traditional angles, in particular sloping top tubes.

Changing the fork and wheel would significantly alter the handling. Don't do it. You're only spending more money and making the bicycle less marketable. Try selling it through a triathlon specific site.

Thank you so much, T-Mar. I realized after posting that a larger wheel would change head tube angle significantly. I won't do it. It's a nice frame and I wish it was larger. The components are in excellent shape cosmetically but I haven't spent any time on it yet. In watching CL and Ebay, the components may be worth more than the complete bike. Thanks again for the explanation and the advice.

P.S. I've attempted to post a picture but apparently I don't have enough posts to be permitted to do that.

Try the little paper clip icon.I think that works.

No go. I'll just be patient.

Hey! I'm no longer a newbie. Now I'm a "junior member". Pictures/images can't be long.

Mitch , is this the frame you have ?
https://images.craigslist.org/00C0C_...xL_600x450.jpg

Congrats on the save! Good on you!

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...190efe5157.jpg
Here's a picture that I found of a 1987 Nishiki International with the 24" front wheel.

Yes, that's the bike. Mine is white with yellow top tube and blue down tube. Also blue diagonal "stripes" on the the fork legs.