Nishiki - worth buying ?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Lars Jensen
I am on the lookout for a roadbike within the 1500$ usd pricerange featuring flat handlebar and ultegra grupo... Kinda hard task, but I came up with this option
http://www.nishiki.com/pages/bikes_2003/Specs.asp?GR=HYBRID&A=Ultra+Pro+SL&V=1

Anyone got any experience with the bike ?

It's ment for recreational use and some trekking/touring. I'm fairly heavy (100kg) so that gotta be added the equation

Advice greatly appriciated

/ LJ
http://www.ljweb.com

Ya better double check the specs.Likely the only ultegra part on it is the rear derailer.

front one is another yes, shifters should be ultegra, but cant find them on shimano site - maybe a typo...

alternatives ?

In a Finnish cycling magazine there was a test of few flatbar roadbikes few issues ago. If I remember right, one of the bikes tested was Nishiki Ultra Pro. There are some differences between the plain Ultra Pro and the SL, but they just might make a fairly similar ride. As I recall it, something following was mentioned: Nishiki has a rigid, slightly hardish frame (Al fork adds to this feeling; SL has a carbon fork) with a deep - xc-racer like - riding position. The test group liked the sturdiness and steadiness of the ride. The Tiagra equipped bike - weighing some 9,9 kg without pedals - did very well in the test, getting 5/5 rating. It was assumed that the Ultra Pro would make a good platform for a (lightly equipped) touring bike.

Some time has passed since I read the article and I have no experience on these bikes; I'll let someone with more knowledge and and hands-on experience correct any misinformation...

Thx for the post pysays, good to know 🙂 even maybe dated... dont think they actually downgraded their top model

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Lars Jensen
Thx for the post pysays, good to know 🙂 even maybe dated... dont think they actually downgraded their top model

It looks as though the plain Ultra Pro still exists as in the test. The SL one should make a smoother ride and lighter bike (carbon fork, Ultegra groupset).

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Lars Jensen
front one is another yes, shifters should be ultegra, but cant find them on shimano site - maybe a typo...

alternatives ?

I don't thinks Shimano makes flat bar ultegra shifters.

you know any other manufacturer doing such, compatible with the ultegra ? (thinking to buildup the bike myself, buying specific parts instead)

http://bike.shimano.com/Road/FlatHandleBar/index.asp

there was something to work with - dont quite get why the front-deraillur should be special, but there must be some reason for it

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Lars Jensen
http://bike.shimano.com/Road/FlatHandleBar/index.asp

there was something to work with - dont quite get why the front-deraillur should be special, but there must be some reason for it

This is a bit off-topic but... what kind of quality do these Shimano 'straight bar shifting components' deliver? I mean durability-wise and in the sense of weight and performance. It would be a shame to have otherwise an excellent bike but lousy shifters and front derailleur.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Lars Jensen
http://bike.shimano.com/Road/FlatHandleBar/index.asp

there was something to work with - dont quite get why the front-deraillur should be special, but there must be some reason for it

Yeah, it's called compatibility.

I had a Nishiki long ago (9 years). Never had any problems, but it was a very cheap bicycle. Not for serious mtb. It was however good enough for the fun rider.

It had shimano groupset (def. not ultegra), very basic. Don't know how they have improved since then.

sounds like, I should maybe try and gather the parts I want, and build a custom bike instead... would also teach me essential info, about the bike for the long tours

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Lars Jensen
sounds like, I should maybe try and gather the parts I want, and build a custom bike instead... would also teach me essential info, about the bike for the long tours

Don't neglect compatibility.

Hello..Not familiar with the ride you are looking at. I was wondering what size of bike you are looking at? I have a titanium bike called a Macalu. It is made by Litespeed. I rode this bike for one season. Its a 57cm (c-t) with a Reynolds Pro Carbon Fork. It has complete Shimano Ultegra and Ritchey Bar and stem. Wheelset is Mavic Cosmos. This ride is way nicer than a production line Nishiki made in asia. Give me an email at [email hidden] or feel free to call me at 719-647-2487 ask for Brian

Hi Brian,

I dont live in the USA... As for roadbike, I dont know the framesize yet, in the MTB world, I ride a 21.5"

/ LJ

yes. it was a quite good bike in its day. Would be considered heavy, by today's standards, but it is a nice sturdy bike

oh well, seems my MTB is ready for the dumpyard and instead the money goes for an Trek 8500... Roadbike project have to be postponed to next summer instead 🙁

It's funny you should mention it, I was out riding last week on the beach trail when I stopped for a breather and to enjoy the view, anyway, I got talking to a Guy named Chris, a very nice bloke, who had his Nishiki turned upside down while he repaired a Puncture..

Turns out he'd done OVER 40,000 miles on his Bike in the 7 years he'd owned it, the thing was loaded down with stuff, in fact 80Lbs of it...he'd ridden from Boston to LA and on this particular trip he said he'd just ridden down from San Francisco...

A Crab Fisherman by trade, he said he spends the 7 months out of season touring the US....

I've never heard of any Bike doing 40K miles, amazing!!

It was a Nishiki and he loved it....
😉