The Nishiki Prestige 1987 was my second bicycle after a 10 year old Gitane. I remember how I used to look at the Nishiki catalog over and over again. Maybe over 100 times in total. Every time I was fascinated by the variety of designs, colors, and quality ranges. Like any other techno-geek, I carefully examined the specifications of each component (which I have scanned in greater detail).
What's funny is my bicycle is 23 years old and I've never once considered getting a replacement. The ride is smooth, the frame solid. Every component with the exception of the seat has remained the same. Even the paint is original. The only other addition I've made is to add a few accessory mounts and a bike rack in the rear and new pedals.
Sure, I don't fly up and down the hills, nor can I compete with the speed of the modern bicycles (and bicyclers) of today, but I'm at peace knowing I will eventually get to where I'm going.
Living here in San Diego, I don't think I saw one cyclist today who wasn't dawning a high tech jersey, bicycling shorts, multiple water bottles and more often than not, a frame with some kind of flattened tubing. This is not to mention the extensions on the handlebars. If I ever bent that low, I'm not sure my neck would handle the continuous strain. And then there's me...in my t-shirt, regular shorts and old bike nashbar gloves. Even my pedals are mountain bike dual sided cleats, simply because I didn't want to get another pair of shoes to switch between my mountain bike and road bike.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to stick it to the modern cyclists of today - they are all friends. It's more the SUV's and trucks that I wish would be a wee bit more considerate of us all.
To those who are living the green life, and especially those who proudly ride steel more than 20 years old, here's a scan of my Nishiki 1987 catalog.
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Dude: I am an old cyclist, having a Schwinn, Peugeot, Mercier, and then none. A few years ago, I went past a neighbor's yard sale, and there she was! A turquoise and white 1987 Nishiki Prestige, in mint condition. Price? $20!!! Just recently got new tires (700 x 23) and tubes. Changed pedals to SPD-SL with matching shoes/cleats. Steel frames are forever!
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