Beginner from Sacramento, CA
06-04-12 | 08:00 PM
#1
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 28
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From: Sacramento, CA
Beginner from Sacramento, CA
Hello Bike Forums! I just purchased a vintage Nishiki Marina last Wednesday and I have been riding since! I feel like it's a great beginner bike for myself and I can't wait to upgrade it's components. Since 2010 I transformed my lifestyle and lost a total of 85lbs. I was nearing 300lbs at a very young age and I am glad to say i'm maintaining an active lifestyle while enjoying myself very much. Glad to have stumbled upon these forums and I hope to learn a lot from the community.
Here's a picture of my purchase. Very pleased with how it handles for it's age.
-Hank
06-04-12 | 08:23 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 133
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From: Indianapolis
Bikes: 3 Speeds, DIY Recumbent Trike, Sun Tomahawk
Welcome, Hank. I am reminded of my first bike that I got in my adult life, and old Austrian 3 speed. Still have it, but have
found bikes and riding to be a bit of an addiction! Have added a nice old Trek 560, Sun recumbent, English 3 speed,
etc, to my fleet!
Does the Nishiki have 27", or 700c wheels? Replacing the old steel wheels with modern alloy should improve both
acceleration and braking. If it is 27", it might be a bit of a challenge finding either a nice wheel set, or just
rims to build your own.
Best regards...
found bikes and riding to be a bit of an addiction! Have added a nice old Trek 560, Sun recumbent, English 3 speed,
etc, to my fleet!
Does the Nishiki have 27", or 700c wheels? Replacing the old steel wheels with modern alloy should improve both
acceleration and braking. If it is 27", it might be a bit of a challenge finding either a nice wheel set, or just
rims to build your own.
Best regards...
06-04-12 | 08:48 PM
#3
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 28
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From: Sacramento, CA
Thank you dunelt_1954!
The wheel size on this bike are 27x1 1/4, I see an alloy set on amazon and they're not too expensive.. About $60 for a set but i'm wondering if I should invest just a little more than that.
The wheel size on this bike are 27x1 1/4, I see an alloy set on amazon and they're not too expensive.. About $60 for a set but i'm wondering if I should invest just a little more than that.
06-06-12 | 12:14 AM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,951
Likes: 688
From: Port Angeles, WA
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
Sweet bike! Old steel rules; you just go and ride the ***** out of that thing. You don't need to upgrade anything on that bike, except the brake pads. And maybe add some handlebar tape. If your wheels are a bit wobbly, take them to the Local Bike Shop and get them trued. ($20/wheel)
06-11-12 | 08:17 PM
#9
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 133
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From: Indianapolis
Bikes: 3 Speeds, DIY Recumbent Trike, Sun Tomahawk
It sounds like you have it working well already! Congratulations.
I concur with Lascauxcaveman to a point reference the steel wheels-
one doesn't NEED to upgrade, and going for700C wheels would probably result in
brakes needing replacement to reach. However, steel wheels are evil
when wet- a little water, and one's brakes perform as if lubed.
That said, I still have the original steel wheels on the old Austrian 3-speed, as
well as an English one. I have a modern hybrid that is my all-weather bike,
and save the classics for fair weather. Steel does wear well, and the shine
on the braking surfaces looks quite nice.
Sorry about the late reply... I don't check the forums as often as I should.
I concur with Lascauxcaveman to a point reference the steel wheels-
one doesn't NEED to upgrade, and going for700C wheels would probably result in
brakes needing replacement to reach. However, steel wheels are evil
when wet- a little water, and one's brakes perform as if lubed.
That said, I still have the original steel wheels on the old Austrian 3-speed, as
well as an English one. I have a modern hybrid that is my all-weather bike,
and save the classics for fair weather. Steel does wear well, and the shine
on the braking surfaces looks quite nice.
Sorry about the late reply... I don't check the forums as often as I should.
06-12-12 | 09:27 AM
#10
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Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 28
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From: Sacramento, CA
Next upgrades i'm doing are new alloy wheels, new cassette, derailleurs, saddle and a chain. And I should be finished! I've been commuting to work everyday since I picked this bike up also the gym 3-4 days out the week right after work. I love it!
Also I tried putting on 700c wheels from my Fixed bike and the brakes reach the rim just fine.. So i'm wondering if I should put on 700c wheels instead of the 27's? Ultimately my goal is to be able to still go fast on an old frame. I like catching people.. Maybe 7 speeds will do me just fine for now, Until I get a different frame later
Also I tried putting on 700c wheels from my Fixed bike and the brakes reach the rim just fine.. So i'm wondering if I should put on 700c wheels instead of the 27's? Ultimately my goal is to be able to still go fast on an old frame. I like catching people.. Maybe 7 speeds will do me just fine for now, Until I get a different frame later
06-18-12 | 04:52 AM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis
Bikes: 3 Speeds, DIY Recumbent Trike, Sun Tomahawk
That sounds like a great plan. Glad to hear that the brakes reach, sometimes this does happen. I really
think 700c alloy wheels are one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make. The lower rotating
mass and smaller diameter should give you payoff you can feel, and being the more common size,
opens up a lot of possibilities for different wheelsets. I have a set of Mavic Aksium race wheels
for my old Trek 560, they are better than the original Matrix, but I have kept all the original parts
in dry storage, so the preservation aspect of the vintage bike is doable.
As for the seven speeds... you probably have a freewheel system, while newer wheels are
usually built with freehubs and cassettes. So- new wheels will necessitate a new cassette,
which should get you 9 or 10 speeds. This would fit right in with the plan for derailleurs and
chain.
Glad to hear that the new ride is working out so well.
think 700c alloy wheels are one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make. The lower rotating
mass and smaller diameter should give you payoff you can feel, and being the more common size,
opens up a lot of possibilities for different wheelsets. I have a set of Mavic Aksium race wheels
for my old Trek 560, they are better than the original Matrix, but I have kept all the original parts
in dry storage, so the preservation aspect of the vintage bike is doable.
As for the seven speeds... you probably have a freewheel system, while newer wheels are
usually built with freehubs and cassettes. So- new wheels will necessitate a new cassette,
which should get you 9 or 10 speeds. This would fit right in with the plan for derailleurs and
chain.
Glad to hear that the new ride is working out so well.
