"Project" Bike Porn, IT'S DONE!
02-08-06, 05:40 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
"Project" Bike Porn, IT'S DONE!
The Nishiki Altron NFS that I am building for my son's birthday on the 18th (originally reported here, here, and here) is now completely assembled and back from the FLBS where it was given a once-over to make sure that everything was A-OK.
It needs a final sizing for my son and a good, deep-down cleaning, but I've got plenty of time to do both of those before his birthday. The pictures aren't that great due to lighting, so I'll take some more for posting after the cleaning. But here it is:
Here's the parts list:
* Nishiki Altron NFS frame/fork
* Shimano 600 bottom bracket/headset
* Suntour Cyclone cranks
* Shimano 600 pedals
* Shimano 600 downtube shifters, front & rear derailleurs
* SRAM chain
* Shimano 7 speed cassette
* Bontrager Select wheels w/ Bontrager Race Lite tires
* Suntour Cyclone brake handles w/ Campagnolo Veloce single pull calipers
* Sugino seat post w/ Bontrager Race Lux saddle
* SR stem w/ Motobecane bars
The thing that blows me away is this:
Look at the spacing between the rear wheel and the rear triangle! I've never seen such close spacing!
Anyway, I'm quite proud of that little bike.
It needs a final sizing for my son and a good, deep-down cleaning, but I've got plenty of time to do both of those before his birthday. The pictures aren't that great due to lighting, so I'll take some more for posting after the cleaning. But here it is:
Here's the parts list:
* Nishiki Altron NFS frame/fork
* Shimano 600 bottom bracket/headset
* Suntour Cyclone cranks
* Shimano 600 pedals
* Shimano 600 downtube shifters, front & rear derailleurs
* SRAM chain
* Shimano 7 speed cassette
* Bontrager Select wheels w/ Bontrager Race Lite tires
* Suntour Cyclone brake handles w/ Campagnolo Veloce single pull calipers
* Sugino seat post w/ Bontrager Race Lux saddle
* SR stem w/ Motobecane bars
The thing that blows me away is this:
Look at the spacing between the rear wheel and the rear triangle! I've never seen such close spacing!
Anyway, I'm quite proud of that little bike.
02-08-06, 06:11 PM
#3
Emondafied
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I like it!
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02-08-06, 07:37 PM
#6
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Wow, nice results! Your boy is lucky to be receiving such a great present. And when you two go riding together, you'll be creating a lot of nice memories that he'll fondly remember even when he's grown up and has left the nest.
02-08-06, 07:39 PM
#7
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Can I be your 18 year old son too? ;p
Great job!
Great job!
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02-08-06, 08:06 PM
#8
Very nice. A lucky son, to be sure.
02-08-06, 08:49 PM
#9
Unique Vintage Steel
looks great.
02-08-06, 08:50 PM
#10
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classic.
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02-08-06, 09:01 PM
#11
Used to be a climber..
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Originally Posted by Sprocket Man
Wow, nice results! Your boy is lucky to be receiving such a great present. And when you two go riding together, you'll be creating a lot of nice memories that he'll fondly remember even when he's grown up and has left the nest.
02-08-06, 09:15 PM
#12
Baby it's cold outside...
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Good job on a cool and unique ride
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02-09-06, 12:18 AM
#13
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Originally Posted by GuitarWizard
the memories will probably include "why the @#%@ did dad put downtube shifters on this thing"
I've got my eye on Shimano 600 brifters and an 8 speed cassette for a later upgrade, but this'll be fine for him to start out on.
It'll build character.
02-09-06, 08:33 AM
#17
Ha ha ha ha ha
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Originally Posted by iamtim
The Nishiki Altron NFS
I know NJS is Nihon Jitensha Sinkokai. Anyone?
Steve.
02-09-06, 10:23 AM
#18
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Originally Posted by giantcfr1
Any idea what NFS stands for?
02-09-06, 10:25 AM
#19
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Put some 700 wheels on it. He'll get a much better workout!!!!!!! 
The thing that blows me away is this:
Look at the spacing between the rear wheel and the rear triangle! I've never seen such close spacing!
The thing that blows me away is this:
Look at the spacing between the rear wheel and the rear triangle! I've never seen such close spacing!
02-09-06, 01:06 PM
#20
Senior Member
educate me. It's a TT bike, right?
02-09-06, 01:26 PM
#21
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by cyclotoine
It's a TT bike, right?
It was sold to me as a regular road frame. As I started putting it together, I knew that it wasn't. But it doesn't have -- as far as I can tell -- full TT or triathlon geometry (both of which I've been told are what this frame is for).
So I dunno. Heck, I've been looking for someone to educate ME on this mystery frame.
02-09-06, 04:33 PM
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by cyclotoine
It's a TT bike, right?
Originally Posted by T-Mar
The Richard Cunningham designed Altron NFS was intended as a triathlon bicycle, which are very similar to time trial bicycles. However, the Altron NFS was not a full bore triathlon model, and you may be able to use it as a road frame. The oval down tube and tear drop fork blades which were characteristic of triathlon bicycles at one time, have now found their way into road frames. True triathlon bikes have steep seat angles, with many at 78 degrees. However, the Altron NFS used more relaxed angles, that are closer to a road frame.
However, there are a couple of concessions that may cause some concern. The top tube is relatively long compered to the seat tube.This was done to achieve a short head tube that permits a lower, more aerodynamic handleabar position. The other concern are the wheels. All the Altron NFS that I've seen have used the small, 650C wheels. They do have advantages of being stiffer, lighter and more aerodynamic, but may be harder to find. I suggest you try some triathlon forums, specialty shops or Ebay.
I had a 1991 Altron NFS and I'm also familiar with the 1992 model. Yours is closer to the 1992 model which used Tange Concept tubing. However, there are a couple of notable differences, so I wonder if yours could be 1993. It appears to lack the bottle mounts on the rear of the seat tube, the seat tube is not extended very much above the top tube and the seat post is secured using an aluminum clamp, as opposed to welded ears on the front of the seat tube.
FYI, the 1991 & 1992 Altron NFS both used Shimano Ultegra groups with Trispoke 650C wheels and Profile areo bars.
However, there are a couple of concessions that may cause some concern. The top tube is relatively long compered to the seat tube.This was done to achieve a short head tube that permits a lower, more aerodynamic handleabar position. The other concern are the wheels. All the Altron NFS that I've seen have used the small, 650C wheels. They do have advantages of being stiffer, lighter and more aerodynamic, but may be harder to find. I suggest you try some triathlon forums, specialty shops or Ebay.
I had a 1991 Altron NFS and I'm also familiar with the 1992 model. Yours is closer to the 1992 model which used Tange Concept tubing. However, there are a couple of notable differences, so I wonder if yours could be 1993. It appears to lack the bottle mounts on the rear of the seat tube, the seat tube is not extended very much above the top tube and the seat post is secured using an aluminum clamp, as opposed to welded ears on the front of the seat tube.
FYI, the 1991 & 1992 Altron NFS both used Shimano Ultegra groups with Trispoke 650C wheels and Profile areo bars.
02-09-06, 05:45 PM
#24
Unique Vintage Steel
T-mar is almost always able to pull up some information on a bike or frame. He's corrected me more than once. 
Interestingly enough I an certainly imagine that frame fitted out as stated with the trispokes and aeros.
Interestingly enough I an certainly imagine that frame fitted out as stated with the trispokes and aeros.
02-09-06, 08:21 PM
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by cuda2k
Interestingly enough I an certainly imagine that frame fitted out as stated with the trispokes and aeros.
