Just bought this 1989 Nishiki 12 speed. (not my photo, this one I found on-line, but identical bike). All original components, Shimano Exage, right up to the handle bar mounted shifters. Mine has a different seat, and some Look pedals. I am just getting started back into riding again and running on a limited budget. Are these shifters Ok, or would you switch them out? (Maybe some STI’s) I need this bike to carry me for a bit until I can buy a nicer one to get serious on.

Exage is below 105 in shimano hierarchy, so it is 4th from the top. If you just need something to start off with I do not see a problem with them.

Ride it as is and flip it to help pay for a better bike when you are ready.

This bike looks OK to me. I'd ride it for a long time, just replacing parts as needed.,,,not before.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a better quality bike than a Nishiki for good solid riding, at reasonable cost.

(Like Maruishi), they have not yet acquired the same aura as Centurion/Panasonic/or Miyata ,so you can still find them occasionally for relatively small sums.

I would probably substitute some DT friction shifters, but that is just me. I would not sink a lot of money into it though - (It kind of defeats the purpose of owning one of these great econo-sport bikes. )