First thing you notice is that this bike is BALLS heavy. Like 31lbs on the scales. As the frame is "Thin-Wall", I suspect its the components that really add the BALLS heaviness. Speaking of the components, they work well. Its a 7-speed, with an Exage 500LX crankset, rear derailleur and front derailleur. The shifting is all-thumbs, unlike later Shimano models. In the rear, dropping into a higher gear is accomplished with an affirmative click. Hopping into a lower gear isn't so satisfying. There is no click, rather its feels like a series of tiny clicks. One just stops pushing once its in gear. Works, but lacks the precision I expect in Shimano. **Spoiler** Turns out they fix this by 2010. Part of the weight problem no doubt derives from the use of an all-steel cassette. I know heavy metal was popular in the 90s, but c'mon! But seriously, upgrade to aluminum and you'll shave off some serious grams.
The Shimano M454 cantilever brakes work as advertised. The pads seem subpar, however, as they tend to pick up shards of metal from the rim. A little sanding solved the problem. Ultimately, I wish Nishiki would have specced V-brakes. Cantis require the housing to run through the stem, which just screams "I'm from the early 90s!". Honestly, its occasionally embarrassing when I'm with my fashionable bourgeois friends. Furthermore, there's no mounts for disc brakes - lack of foresight by Mr. Nishiki. Shame.
The most important part of a bike - the RIDE. Well, I rode it hard and dirty. Even with a long-looking wheelbase and long top tube it feels a little twitchy. The linear fork is stylish, but without any rake, bumps end up being rather jarring. The steel frame does a great job of dissipating vibrations, but at a weight penalty. Its tig welded at every joint except the bottom bracket, where the chain stays are lugged in.
All in all, a solid bike. I've ridden it in all types of crappy weather (mostly because I don't really like it very much), and its surprised me in a good way. Like when a standard-looking after dinner mint has a delicious soft chewy inside. It continues to shift well and just flat out work. I haven't maintained it at all, it continues to run relatively smoothly and without any painful grinding. Someday I will get out the lube and give it some love, but in the meantime Mr. Nishiki's unrequited affection will have to do.
