Bagged a Nishiki Cresta GT

[BiketoBasics]

Last November I saw this bike advertised and decided to buy. It is in very good condition and is orignial.

I was thinking of putting Michelin Protek tires on it. The wheels are 27". I'd thought about replacing the 27'ers with 700c but I don't want to put any significant money into this bike if possible. I'd trade this bike instantly for a newer steel frame hybrid of similar calibre. These old road bikes can be some really beauts but they can't take fat tires. Oh well.

 

[BiketoBasics]

Remaining photos

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

That looks like a nice quality tourer.

 

[fiveSixteenths]

Very nice. What size is it? And what kind of swap did you have in mind?

 

[LondonClassic]

Thats very .

I would have thought you could go up to 32mm / 27x 1 1/4 without mudguards....possibly with mudguards even. How fat do you want to go?

 

[MattiThundrrr]

These old road bikes can be some really beauts but they can't take fat tires.

I really like this bike, would love to fit something like this into my fleet. Often it is road calipers which provide the interference, you might be surprised by how much room those cantilevers provide. Pictures don't show clearly, what's the fork, and chainstay clearance like?

 

[BiketoBasics]

Hello, the bike measures 25" ST / 23" TT and 5/8" between the inside of the fork blade and rim (didn't measure chainstay clearance). There was a fellow who had refurbed this exact bike and he had a difficult time finding a brake caliper which would fit after he'd converted wheelsize. His ordeal here

I think the fattest tire one could fit on this bike is 32mm w fenders and I'd like to have fenders on it. I have a brand new set of SKS chromoplastic fenders which I'd bought years ago which should work here.

Living in this part of Canada, there is zero choice for a newer steel frame hybrid in an XXL. I was even going to buy this one NEW which is Reynolds steel and comes in a 25", but they didn't have my size in the entire country. Jamis also makes a modern steel frame hybrid, the Coda, when if found on the used market only costs a couple hundred or so. It doesn't come in a 25" though. There are so many, many bikes on the used market that it is a shame to have to buy new. The USA has incredible choice for bikes on the used market. With postage, exchange, duty and tarriffs all potential deals found are quickly negated.

The Michelin Protek seems like a decent tire for the money. Some have commented that it fits slightly wider than listed (which is good, for cushioning) but others say slightly narrower than listed. Yeesh. So what is it?!

There are much fewer tire choices in a 27" than 700c but I don't want to convert this Cresta to 700c. Every time I see a bike with thin tires my body just aches looking at it.

This Cresta will have the handlebars swapped for mountain style and the bar raised way up above saddle level. I might put a thudbuster post on it as well.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Living in this part of Canada, there is zero choice for a newer steel frame hybrid in an XXL. I was even going to buy this one NEW which is Reynolds steel and comes in a 25", but they didn't have my size in the entire country.

"Winterpeg"
That's tough, for several reasons lol. I'm next door in Ontario, can definitely relate to the troubles finding the right stuff here, or getting it into the country. I'm interested in something steel for the road, I'll be following your adventure

 

[BiketoBasics]

Yes indeed - Winnipeg! That word can send the hairs on the back of one's neck up.

If a set of 700c wheels can be located locally for cheap, I'll probably convert the bike over. 35mm tires are already "in stock" and they should probably fit - but a pre-fit test would be prudent. 27's would be fine but width limited. Currently am down to one working bike with no backup - scary! This Cresta is a fine bike but to make it roadworthy for this rider.... well, I just don't want to fork out $$$ on it. Simpler just to find a newer hybrid. "Simpler" yeah, in theory.

 

[BiketoBasics]

"Winterpeg"
That's tough, for several reasons lol. I'm next door in Ontario, can definitely relate to the troubles finding the right stuff here, or getting it into the country. I'm interested in something steel for the road, I'll be following your adventure

Hello, are you near Barrie, Ont?