As a brand, Nishiki is among the most reliable manufacturers in the cycling world, with their bikes famous for providing the most comfortable and smoothest rides. However, popularity aside, is Nishiki a good bike?
Nishiki are good entry-level bikes that are more affordable compared to other bicycles in the same category. They have sturdy, robust, and durable frames and are fitted with top-notch components. Additionally, they are stylish, smooth, and easy to ride and control, even on rough terrains.
You will find Nishiki a top choice when looking for a budget-friendly bike rich in essential and exciting.
The brand offers a wide array of bicycles and components, including race bikes, road bikes, and mountain bikes. I’ll touch on them in the post and recommend some worthy Nishiki bicycles that will deliver optimum performance for many years.
Is Nishiki A Good Bike? (The Nitty-Gritty Of Nishiki Bicycles)
Nishiki offers numerous bicycle models, but before committing to one you deem suitable for you, it would be best if you knew what to expect from it.
Well, let’s look at this brand in detail.
1. Nishiki Brand
Nishiki bikes were initially manufactured by Kawamura Cycle Company in Japan and subsequently Taiwan’s Giant. However, Dick’s Sporting Good acquired the brand in 2010, taking ownership of the Nishiki licensing rights in the process.
Currently, West Coast Cycle, located in the United States, designs, specifies, markets, and distributes these bikes. Initially, marketing of Nishiki bicycles was done under the brand American Eagle from 1965, and then the Nishiki brand took over until 2001.
During the 70s and 80s United States’ Bicycle boom, West Coast Cycle and Nishiki competed with major brands like Schwinn, Murray, Peugeot, Huffy, Motobecane, and Panasonic. Other companies include Raleigh, Fuji, Miyata, Centurion, Lotus, Univega, and Bridgestone.
Nishiki had about 50 bike models registered to its name by 2020.
2. Product Line Focus
While Nishiki produces various bike types, including road and race bicycles, they manufacture some of the market’s best mountain bikes.
Nishiki mountain bikes have steel frames and full-suspension making them comfortable, durable, and high-quality.
3. Frame Material
Nishiki bikes are mainly made with aluminum or high-quality steel frames (mostly found on Nishiki mountain bikes). On the one hand, steel is highly durable but quite heavy; on the other, aluminum is light, sturdy, and rust-resistant.
Aluminum frames give Nishiki bikes a relaxed design.
4. Frame Size
Choosing the right frame size is of utmost importance when shopping for a bicycle. This is because riding the wrong bike size puts pressure and stress on your arms and back, affecting your health and making the ride uncomfortable, painful, and unenjoyable.
Luckily, bike brands typically offer different frame sizes for the bicycle models, allowing you to choose your correct size. Nishiki isn’t exempted as it offers multiple frame sizes, including 13 inches, 15 inches, 16 inches, 17 inches, 18 inches, 19 inches, and 21 inches.
5. Price
As mentioned earlier, Nishiki bicycles are cheaper than others at similar levels made by different brands. This, coupled with their durability, quality, and smooth-riding, makes Nishiki bikes desirable to beginners and even seasoned riders looking to limit their spending.
You can get an excellent Nishiki bicycle for under $300, which is a great bargain considering that these bikes are long-lasting.
6. Suspension Mechanism
Suspension is mainly seen in mountain bikes because they operate on rough terrains. Nishiki bikes have a dependable full or front suspension to allow you to ride faster and more comfortably.
Pros And Cons Of Nishiki Bikes
Although there’s a lot of good in Nishiki bikes, they are not flawless. However, before looking at their shortcomings, let me highlight their strengths.
- Pros
1. Robust Construction
Nishiki crafts its bike frames to be robust, durable, and sturdy to ensure they can support heavier riders, withstand rough terrains and intense riding, and give you great service for many years.
2. Entry-Level Bike Style
Nishiki bikes feature beginner-friendly geometry; that’s why they are easy and comfortable to ride. You can easily hop on and off the bike and cycle longer without feeling exhausted.
3. Affordable
Nishiki offers pocket-friendly bicycles, thus serving cyclists on a budget. You are guaranteed an excellent, affordable entry-level bike from Nishiki.
4. Suitable For Everyone
Girls, boys, women, and men can find a Nishiki bike that suits them. The brand makes its bicycle models in different frame sizes, ensuring it accommodates cyclists of all sizes and ages.
In addition, it offers female versions of different models to match the ones for men. Nishiki female bikes have step-thru frames.
5. Vintage Look
Nishiki bicycles, particularly comfort and trekking options, are authentic vintage bikes. They have numerous vintage features like dual fenders, chain guards, and rear racks.
- Cons
1. Some Quality Issues
The fact that Nishiki bikes have some quality issues shouldn’t surprise you, particularly considering their low price tags.
Some of the issues reported by consumers include hard seats, the absence of a kickstand in some bicycles, and brake weaknesses.
2. Heavier Designs
Some Nishiki bicycles, like comfort and mountain bikes, are somewhat heavy, averaging 30 pounds. However, on the contrary, trekking, road, and race bikes don’t weigh much.
Are Nishiki Mountain Bike Good?
Nishiki mountain bikes are some of the market’s most excellent, hard-hitting, rugged mountain bikes. Experience a spectacular ride and impeccable performance with these bikes, helping you undertake off-road adventures with ease.
They have knobby tires which offer maximum traction and rollover obstacles effortlessly. You also get either full or front suspension to cushion your ride against trail bumps and obstacles, helping you cycle in comfort.
Nishiki mountain bikes have steel frames; hence they are highly durable and can resist harsh mountain and trail biking conditions.
The brand offers Nishiki Bike Pueblo, a quality mountain bike model available in women, girls, men, and boys versions. The men and women models have 26-inch wheels, while the girls and boys options come in 24 and 20-inch wheels.
The Nishiki Women’s Bike Pueblo is available in 13, 15, and 17-inch frames, while the Nishiki Men’s Bike Pueblo comes in 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22-inch frames.
Alternatively, if the price isn’t an issue, consider purchasing a Specialized mountain bike because the brand makes highly durable MTBs that stay operational for many years with few upgrades. Additionally, these bikes feature exciting features, superior materials and construction, and excellent design geometry.
Are Nishiki Road Bike Good?
Nishiki roadies are good bicycles suited for commuting, racing, or riding leisurely on the road. Their drop bars and aggressive geometry make them more aerodynamic, allowing you to cycle faster.
Unlike Nishiki mountain bicycles, the road bikes are lightweight, a quality that promotes fast riding.
Like other roadies, Nishiki road bicycles lack suspension, meaning there’s no cushioning. This shouldn’t be a problem when cycling on well-paved roads, but you’ll suffer off-road.
Therefore, stick to the road when riding a Nishiki roadie.
If you don’t own one already, check out Nishiki Men’s Manitoba Road Bike. It’s a flat-bar roadie with an aluminum frame (lightweight) and Shimano components for efficient pedaling and shifting.
Expect a comfortable and smooth ride from a Nishiki Manitoba. You can choose between frame sizes 15 inches, 17 inches, 19 inches, and 21 inches.
Are Nishiki Hybrid Bike Good?
Nishiki offers the best of road and off-road biking through its hybrid bikes that are versatile and capable of navigating both worlds. Hybrid bicycles (sometimes called comfort bikes) are ideal for short tours, casual riding, and commuting.
Hybrid bikes have flat bars, and some models feature knobby tires and front suspension. Nishiki hybrid bicycles mainly constitute aluminum frames.
One impressive hybrid worth having is the Nishiki Anasazi Hybrid Bike, available in women’s and men’s versions. The versatile bike has 700c tires, hybrid geometry, and an aluminum frame.
This dual-sport bicycle lets you accelerate quickly when navigating a sharp turn while maintaining your stability. The women’s model comes in 15 and 17-inch frames, while men can choose between 16, 18, or 20-inch frames.
If you prefer a different brand, Schwinn Discover Hybrid Bike (Amazon link) is a worthwhile option from a renowned company. It’s designed for neighborhood rides and commuting for women and men, offering comfort thanks to its suspension fork and fit geometry.
Nishiki Trekking Bikes
Trekking bicycles are a blend of touring bikes and hybrid bikes (mountain and road bikes). They feature an upright geometry, flat handlebars, and most have kickstands, mudguards, pannier racks, and chain guards.
They make excellent commuter bikes because of their impressive gear range. In addition, you get powerful suspensions that work to make your journey more comfortable.
If you’d like a trekking bike, consider Nishiki Trekking Men’s Bike Master N8 made of an aluminum frame. It has 700c tires, an ergonomic seat, lightweight wheels, and a Shimano hub.
FAQs
1. Is Nishiki A Good Mountain Bike?
Nishiki makes durable, high-quality, affordable mountain bikes built to thrive in off-road conditions. Nishiki mountain bikes are equipped with robust steel frames; hence they can take a beating without breaking down.
2. What Kind Of Bike Is A Nishiki?
Nishiki manufactures mountain bikes, trekking bikes, road bikes, hybrid/dual sport, comfort, and electric bikes. They are affordable, long-lasting, and robust bicycles built with various frame sizes to suit girls, boys, men, and women.
3. Is Nishiki Good Brand?
Nishiki is a good brand that offers excellent entry-level bicycles at very attractive prices and different frame sizes to accommodate small and big cyclists. The brand designs its bikes to be comfortable, stable, easy to ride, and last long.
4. Are Old Nishiki Bikes Good?
Vintage Nishiki bikes are good, quality bicycles that are satisfying to own and ride. These bicycles have high-quality components and frames, making them valuable machines.
5. Who Owns Nishiki?
West Coast Cycle, based in California, USA, owns Nishiki. However, Kawamura Cycle Company owned it originally.
6. How Much Does A Nishiki Bike Weight?
Nishiki bikes’ weight differs based on the bike type and model. For instance, Nishiki mountain bikes are heavier, with some models clocking over 30 pounds.
On the contrary, Nishiki road bikes are lighter. For example, Nishiki Men’s Manitoba Road Bike is 27 pounds.
7. What Are Nishiki Bikes Made Of?
Nishiki bikes are constructed with quality steel (for mountain bikes) and aluminum frames.
In Conclusion, Is Nishiki A Good Bike?
Nishiki bike is undoubtedly a good bicycle if affordable, durable, beginner-friendly, and dependable top your bike selection checklist. This is a machine that will have you reminiscing the old times because it embodies a vintage look.
This brand offers impressive build quality and outstanding performance.
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