Nishiki Ariel Forks
11-27-23, 08:51 AM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Nishiki Ariel Forks
I'm building a 1990 Nishiki Ariel, and I'd like to keep it as close to original as I possibly can. I bought the bike as a frame without a front fork. I'm at a point where I'm looking for the fork that fit this bike. It seems there may be a few other bikes that used the same front fork as my Ariel.
the fork is a little odd in that it is staight from the crown to the axel with no curve in the fork legs at all.
I'm a little in the dark about the specifications of this fork and looking for someplace that will list the specs of this fork, ie: steerer tube length, fork leg length and so on.
I have three questions for the Nishiki experts out there,
1, Will the forks from some of the older Nishiki Cascade, or Raleigh Technium or Diamondback Apex of approximately the same year fit?
2. Will the 26" forks from a smaller framed Nishili fit like forks from a 17" frame fit on a 19" frame.
3. Anyone out there have a fork that will fit they are willing to part with?
the fork is a little odd in that it is staight from the crown to the axel with no curve in the fork legs at all.
I'm a little in the dark about the specifications of this fork and looking for someplace that will list the specs of this fork, ie: steerer tube length, fork leg length and so on.
I have three questions for the Nishiki experts out there,
1, Will the forks from some of the older Nishiki Cascade, or Raleigh Technium or Diamondback Apex of approximately the same year fit?
2. Will the 26" forks from a smaller framed Nishili fit like forks from a 17" frame fit on a 19" frame.
3. Anyone out there have a fork that will fit they are willing to part with?
11-27-23, 02:03 PM
#2
Senior Member
Not 100% sure, but the various straight blade forks are very similar. They are all non-suspension corrected as far as I know, so probably below 400mm axle to crown, likely 390mm-ish. I have an Alien, had an Apex and have the fork off a Colorado I think.
You would have to add threads to go down a size I think. The Colorado fork I have was off a very large frame and I cut the threads off to use it as threadless, if I recall the threaded section was on the short side. It was/is very rusty so I don't feel super bad about that one.
Would gladly sell you the Colorado fork, but it's very sad looking and now threadless. The Colorado fork seems very light to me, and certainly rides like a nice fork. I would have thought it was cheaper/heavier coming from a lower model. Have not taken the Alien apart to see if the fork is lighter or different tubing.
Maybe check retrobike.co.uk for information, the archive sometimes has catalog scans when the forums fail. I'd go measure some forks, but everything is in storage.
You would have to add threads to go down a size I think. The Colorado fork I have was off a very large frame and I cut the threads off to use it as threadless, if I recall the threaded section was on the short side. It was/is very rusty so I don't feel super bad about that one.
Would gladly sell you the Colorado fork, but it's very sad looking and now threadless. The Colorado fork seems very light to me, and certainly rides like a nice fork. I would have thought it was cheaper/heavier coming from a lower model. Have not taken the Alien apart to see if the fork is lighter or different tubing.
Maybe check retrobike.co.uk for information, the archive sometimes has catalog scans when the forums fail. I'd go measure some forks, but everything is in storage.
