SDHawk

Hi, I'm gonna check out 2 bikes, a steel 1989 Nishiki Ariel (ugly three color scheme) and an aluminum 1994 Trek 7000 SHX.

Both appear to be mostly original in v good condition and seller says mechanics are good. Each a similar price.... about $140.

Opinions on which would be better for all around use? Mostly on pavement in my suburban area. Thanks!

panzerwagon 

Is that the Nishiki with the funny looking E-stays?
In general, my suggestion would be to ride both and see which one stands out. Other factors would include condition of frame/components and scope of work to get it to suit your needs.

I personally find aluminum hardtails to be quite dull rides, with stiff and unforgiving frames, but I've never ridden an E-stay bike myself. Love old steel hardtails though.
Post pics when you're able.

SDHawk

Thanks a lot. No, the 1989 Ariel had normal stays and also normal canti brake position. I can post pics soon... just a few more posts .

I also just might wait until I find a Trek 730 or 750...those seem best suited to what I'm looking for.

thook

$140 seems like a bit much for either, to me. otoh, any bike you're really jazzed about is worth the asking price....within reason

pass on the aluminum frame. there are benefits to aluminum, but comfort isn't one of them. they're great for lightweight, short ride trail hoppers

so, either go with the nishiki if it gets you excited or wait for that steel trek....which sounds like is your real cup of tea

tricky

When you say all-around use, do you mean neighborhood riding? Or will you be doing commuting and need to carry stuff? Do they both fit you well? If you are doing casual around the neighborhood and light trail riding, just get whatever fits. If you are going to do some commuting then get something that fits AND has braze-ons for mounting a rack. You're in San Diego so you probably don't need fenders.

SDHawk

Thanks for the replies. It will just be for neighborhood and bike path riding. Won't need to carry stuff.

In the meantime, a perfect size 1996 Trek 730 (green/purple fade) has popped up... for half the price. Looks used but original, owner says all working well, I've already committed to buying it, woo-hoo.

SDHawk

Here's the Nishiki I was considering, just FYI. That thing is UGLY lol

beicster 

Wow. A functioning bike from a big name maker for less than $250 would be news around here. $140 seems way more than fair to me.

thook

number one....i'm cheap....lol
number two....i'm accustomed to finding quality bikes at thrift shops and flea markets where no one's trying to make a killing. for example, i paid '$65 for my '91 gt tequesta at a flea market i paid $10 for both an '85 schwinn super le tour and '98 bontrager privateer at a yard sale. maybe it's partly because of my area? luck? karma? dunno..
number three....it's just my opinion, but i think people get carried away "marketing in" on the vintage thing. again, i'm cheap and to me they are after all just older/used bikes (for the most part). having said that, i "splurged" when i bought my '89 miyata triple cross frame set. i paid $125. i would have preferred to pay less, but you don't run across those frames very often and...well......the money was gifted...haha

Clang

Ugly? I really like this paint job. Nice Deore components too. Definitely get this over the Trek. No elastomers in the Softride suspension stem to turn to goo!

RiddleOfSteel

The Nishiki looks fine to me! White seems like a faded yellow, but otherwise a fairly handsome of-its-era MTB. MTBs from this time also have pretty depressed pricing in general--not that I spend a lot of time looking in that market as none of those bikes fit me, but my 'drive by' observations see as much. I recently picked up a black-with-neon-green-splatter Trek 7000 with Deore LX throughout. Pretty dusty, but otherwise in great shape. A lot less than $140, but this was an 'as is' sale at a local non-profit LBS trying to get bikes out the door, and they were happy to give me a good discount on the asking price. Caveat Emptor x1000 as with any as-is bike. Roll the dice, sometimes you get a cool, but rust-laden frame/bike, other times it's a nice one with a frame that's out of alignment (or dented), and still other times it's a dusty gem. Close inspection is important, but the hunt and the find are part of the fun. Restoring/renovating as well, of course, which is what will happen to this 7000 of mine (LOVE the paint job). Way too small for me, but will make its new owner happy once I'm done fully tearing it down, cleaning, waxing, lubricating, and building back up.

SDHawk

Ok, "ugly" may have been harsh, but I'm not exactly feeling the flow. Seems like the bike version of this girl:



The consensus is the Nishiki over the Trek 700 SHX. But as I mentioned above I'm going with the Trek 730. Hopefully it's in the condition they described.

Thanks to all. I'll report back after getting the bike.

due ruote 

What? To prove how ugly the bike is you’re comparing it to a beautiful okapi? Just kidding, but I do like the Nishiki and the okapi.
Otoh you will probably be very happy with the Trek. They are quite versatile and ride nicely.

francophile 

I guess I'm in the minority then. Without knowing exactly how each one is equipped on the crank, mechs and brakes, I'd go for the alu Trek all day long. The mid-90s 7000 was solid, light, and more attractive IMO.

My SO wanted something new this year, I picked up one of the Trek 7200 circa '05ish for under $60 in damn near mint shape, but with some mechanical issues - handle bar flopping all over the place, one shift cable totally out of the stop, both brake cables floppy. It's turned out to be a better buy than I expected. She loves it. I've ridden it, I actually like it. It's attractive, not too cheaply equipped, well put together.

merziac

I disagree, this thing looks just like it should imo, oldschool cool, rockin and ready to roll.

SDHawk

Ok, I've been outvoted. Both Nishiki and Okapi are fine steeds no doubt. The green to purple fade on the 730 is as extreme as I'll go for now.... baby steps.

Here's the 730 pic from the seller. I will see it in person tomorrow. They're not sure if they can find the key for the lock lol.

TugaDude

Personally, I kind of like the color scheme. And apparently someone at All City did too when they came out with JYD, Junk Yard Dog a few years back.


Same colors, different placement

bwilli88 

Love the Nishiki, here is my All-Road

merziac

No worries, you do you man, I'm not a fan of Trek or aluminum, just not my thing, especially aluminum.

thook

what??!! a modern bike without discs?

panzerwagon 

That Nishiki looks beautiful, and with solid components. The 730 is also a good choice for your use-case. Those 730/750/790 early-90s steel hybrids are great frames and the earliest 750/790 frames were still lugged chromoly made in USA. For years I commuted on a '92 790 setup as a drop-bar gravel tourer. Very similar proportions to the era 520 tourer, with greater BB clearance for light off-road trails. The long chain-stays allowed good pannier clearance, and the long wheelbase frame ate potholes for breakfast.

TugaDude

I know, right? I sometimes wish I had learned of these in time to order one. Sadly, they are history.

francophile 

Sawzall should take care of that in less than 1-2 minutes. But I always check Lockpicking Lawyer's videos first, just to see if he has a quick way to defeat the specific make/model of lock without cutting.

thook

right. a 29er, no less. i'm not really fan of single speed, anyway. but, dang...still pretty cool

SDHawk

Hey thanks for the tip, I'll look into that if they can't find the key.

If we have to cut it, half the guys in the neighborhood would line up for the chance to do it.