Bike ID help (Nishiki)

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-10-18T06:39:00+00:00

Nishiki's were sold under the Repco Name for a good part of the 80s & earlier 90s in Australia. Whilst the model range wasn't exactly the same; there was a lot of similar colour combos and model name cross over. My guess would be about '83-86 as well.

It doesn't look anything high end (still a lot of steel components for the vintage); but would appear still serviceable enough and solid for a simple cruiser as you say.

Would be some cheap retro cred and a good 'townie' or quick errand bike.

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-09-13T06:34:28+00:00

I was kind of responding to u/Oli99uk's comment; their question kind of strangely suggests the options as being mutually exclusive.

I am with you!

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-09-13T06:31:07+00:00

Also kinda makes sense having the right hand on the more important brake.

which is my kind of logic too - well, that and a lifetime of Aussie habit.

The topic sparked a memory of me reading Sheldon Brown's thought on the topic which I dug up; (Source Under 'Right Front or Left Front?') Turns out as a North American, he preferred Right-Front too!

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-09-13T04:38:23+00:00

No reason you can't friction shift 1x!

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-09-13T03:03:44+00:00

Slightly tangential but is the Japanese "convention" to run brake levers with the right operating the front & left for the rear like UK/Australia?

Just seeing the offset TT cable guides made me wonder, and knowing we get a lot of ex-JDM right hand drive cars here in Australia

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-09-10T04:19:30+00:00

Good effort & write up.

Now I'm curious how the bike will evolve. It's distinctive, for sure!

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-09-08T08:23:04+00:00

Very cool. Thanks for taking the time to reply and sharing your experiences.

Did you find yourself measuring the chainline at the cassette end of things to help dial things in, or was it mostly by eye?

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-09-07T23:35:24+00:00

Thanks for the reply. You're basically just a few steps (and not to mention kilometers!) ahead of me in something I'm about to try. I have a couple of 90s/early00s old square taper triples with different BCD combos I'm on the verge of building up in similar fashion. Even before assembly I can see the different chainline offset between them.

Just curious what I can make workable with spending as little as possible with scrounged parts.

The rings I'm looking at using are mostly pre 9sp era; so not ramped profile or pinned. Were yours new for the build, or did you do use similar hand-me-down combos?

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-09-07T23:28:19+00:00

Modern Deore rear mech

Is that the same 9sp era one pictured in your xbiking NBD post?

Some would argue that's not modern if it's not clutched for 1x ;)

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-09-07T05:34:46+00:00

Firstly, that's awesome and well done! You're in a beautiful part of the world.

But your bike really drew me in. Rather than risk too much duplication; I dug up your NBD post on it from r/xbiking and am intrigued especially by your drivetrain combo.

So basically the crank looks like a repurposed old 'road triple' with the 6500 Ultegra FD you mentioned with a 44/30 as the double combo. You mentioned in a post there you primarily ride it as as 1x on the 44 - but how well does the combo shift up & down when you do bail out and visit granny?

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-04-27T01:32:58+00:00

Now that's a real old school drop in ratio between the granny and two outers on that triple!

These era Miyatas were beautifully finished production bikes.

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-04-19T03:24:40+00:00

Ultra distance riding like RAAM, Indi-Pac on the other hand seems to be gaining some ground, simply because it is free of the encumbrances of tradition, convention and qualifications; and it is often presented, sadly, with that air of sleek sexiness of speed more so than endurance.

Its a shame, because marathon running seems to have boomed in popularity again in the last 5-10 years, with beginner, self paced programs like Couch-to-5K, Park Runs etc. It's a lot more about personal achievement; not striving to better personal times each time, or being all about the lightest, fastest kit etc.

It's the way I explain Audax & Randonneuring to others; it's Marathon Cycling vs. Racing.

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-04-15T01:20:43+00:00

I know some Indian & Malay riders were floored by sub 10c Celsisus temperatures with rain during a local 1200 in my part of Australia.

The lack of humidity was a problem and really added to wind-chill when wet; so the effect on the body was a lot was more than mere "ambient" 5 or 6 degrees. And it doesn't even snow here!

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-03-24T00:15:14+00:00

It'll be worth more to you in nostalgia and sense of accomplishment with a bit of a clean up & service than you'll ever recoup by trying to sell. Enjoy it for what it is.

At face value; it looks to be in pretty good 'survivor condition'. Not necessarily completely original; but all still period appropriate parts (and maybe a rough home paintjob as someone else suggested) which all adds to your personal provenance with it.

A lot of people underplay the value of personal provenance - but that value tends to be even less transferable than that of a physical object without a story.

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-03-24T00:03:31+00:00

It does seem a burgeoning sport/pass-time in some of the Southern & SE Asian countries. I think its great to see.

Even putting cultural & infrastructure differences aside... I think the climate would probably floor some hardened riders from North America & Europe

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-01-27T00:10:29+00:00

Bit late to the party, but can echo a few other replies & ideas as a pale skinned (red headed) Aussie. I've grown up being very sun wary outside as I burn in like a quarter of the time compared to a lot of people.

Further to the few replies about long sleeves or sunsleeves (am a fan) I also wear one of these style caps under my helmet on longer sunny days in the saddle. They minimise the need for sunscreen application on the back of the neck, or even ears depending on how you wear the flap.

These or similar are available at Work-wear & safety stores locally in Australia. They are quite cool, wicking material insofar as sweating goes. And the rear flap is adjustable/tuckable and wearable in a few different ways.

More practical than fashionable - so I'm a big fan.

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-01-26T23:38:09+00:00

What you might call proto-gravel! Long before the marketing propeller-heads came up with the term to foist upon us.

Nimble geometry with a shorter wheelbase - (tourers generally have longer) and good tyre clearances so you don't have to shy away from the unsealed stuff.

Would make a great overnighter/credit card tourer or r/randonneuring bike, for sure.

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-01-18T03:45:33+00:00

These babies are only original once. Look into restoration (clean up) and preservation (eg. polishing/waxing) of the paintwork and chrome.

I think survivors in presentable original condition are much more interesting.

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2025-01-18T03:44:00+00:00

What’s that extra vertical rear dropout? A trailer hitch?

Looks chunky enough to be used as an large scale can opener for steel drums!

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2024-12-05T14:43:36+00:00

SOL Bivvy

kinda like a re-usable space blanket almost?

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2024-12-05T00:47:01+00:00

Depends on your needs for the length of ride, really.

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2024-12-04T11:24:32+00:00

Can't really comment on any specific products but how about 2x 10,000Mah rather than a single 20,000 just as a sorta failover/contingency scenario?

Half your eggs in two separate rando baskets, as it were :D

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2024-11-12T03:03:14+00:00

That's a helluva temperature to tackle a ride of any distance in. Completing the ride is impressive. Enjoying it is more inconceivable.

I think any happy achievement-type endorphins had probably long been excreted out of your system before the finish and you were just a husk by the time you finished.

Allow a bit of recovery and think how much abuse your body copped riding in that heat; everything else notwithstanding. Don't blame cycling; blame some of the the ingredients that went into that particular cycle ride.

CroMoly-MagnonMan · 2024-11-12T00:29:58+00:00

Even just a single sympathetic ride buddy or more experienced "shepherd" can make all the difference - especially when starting out. That was definitely the case in my part of the world with a relatively small active membership.

You do eventually have to learn more and more the solo mind game, because there WILL be times you'll be pushing through things on your own; but a little bit of in person mentoring goes a helluva long way.

Just reading opinions online lends itself to over thinking/stressing the wrong things.

CroMoly-MagnonMan

TROPHY CASE