BiketoBasics
Devout Dirtbag
Are there any Nishiki Cresta GT owners here? If so, I'd like to hear from you.
Nishiki Cresta GT Owners
- Thread starter BiketoBasics
- Start date
BiketoBasics
Devout Dirtbag
This is a 1986 that I recently picked up. Appears to be original and with little use. Others have converted theirs to 700c and 650b wheels. I certainly like the look of some of these old road bikes but their main drawback (for me anyway) is lack of accomodation for wider tires.
non-fixie
Senior Retro Guru
What exactly is your question?
WRT tyre size: touring bikes of this era are great - if not the best - for light touring and randonneuring. The 28-32 mm tyres that this frame will easily accommodate suit that application quite well, IMO. You could go wider with 700C - up to 45mm if the internet is to be believed - but that may be a tad too much.
My Koga-Miyata is from the same era, has a similar geometry and currently wears 30mm Grand Bois Cypres rubber, which I really like:
WRT tyre size: touring bikes of this era are great - if not the best - for light touring and randonneuring. The 28-32 mm tyres that this frame will easily accommodate suit that application quite well, IMO. You could go wider with 700C - up to 45mm if the internet is to be believed - but that may be a tad too much.
My Koga-Miyata is from the same era, has a similar geometry and currently wears 30mm Grand Bois Cypres rubber, which I really like:
BiketoBasics
Devout Dirtbag
Another Cresta owner could answer if they ever had any problems with cantilever setup / compatibility & fit after a changeover in wheelsize, or if their frame failed at any particular point, things to try & look out for.
In my case, I'd go with a change of bars and to a more upright riding position and wider tires. The widest available for the 27" on this bike is a 1-3/8" apparently. Whether fenders would fit afterwards is unknown and fenders would be nice.
The Cresta is an elegant looking bike, like so many similar of the era. It is fairly light (MUCH lighter than what I'm used to). The roads in my City are drek and wider tires are a must. Ultimately, despite the Cresta being in wonderful condition, my size and a steel frame, I would happily trade for a top quality steel hybrid from the 90's or a more modern one both of which could take large volume tires. My hands have taken a beating riding over the years and I have palsy in one as a result. Also, swapping parts out on a bike quickly adds up in costs and I'd rather just put that into purchase of a complete bike. BUT, in the meantime, I may just ride the Cresta for a while (with scrap parts swapped out for the bars/shifters) with some 1-3/8" tires on the original wheels.
In my case, I'd go with a change of bars and to a more upright riding position and wider tires. The widest available for the 27" on this bike is a 1-3/8" apparently. Whether fenders would fit afterwards is unknown and fenders would be nice.
The Cresta is an elegant looking bike, like so many similar of the era. It is fairly light (MUCH lighter than what I'm used to). The roads in my City are drek and wider tires are a must. Ultimately, despite the Cresta being in wonderful condition, my size and a steel frame, I would happily trade for a top quality steel hybrid from the 90's or a more modern one both of which could take large volume tires. My hands have taken a beating riding over the years and I have palsy in one as a result. Also, swapping parts out on a bike quickly adds up in costs and I'd rather just put that into purchase of a complete bike. BUT, in the meantime, I may just ride the Cresta for a while (with scrap parts swapped out for the bars/shifters) with some 1-3/8" tires on the original wheels.
BiketoBasics
Devout Dirtbag
If only the bike knew the difference between being on a tour on bad roads or commuting when on bad roads then it might behave differently. I think to save money what I'll do is locate the fattest tire that will work on the existing rims and try that config out. The wheels can always be swapped out for 700's at a later time. Apparently those that own a Cresta really enjoy it so I'll give it a whirl for a while.
