I was no beginner in 1997. I was 35 years old with 5 years of daily bike commuting under my belt after a lifetime of casual biking. I bought an entry-level Nishiki Blazer mountain bike for $240. It was my only bike for the next 12 years, and then still my go-to commuter. Five years ago I bought a new mid-range semi-touring bike to replace it, but I still use it as my SUV/Cargo/Snow and Ice bike and just for fun, especially since putting big smoothies on it for summer, and even more so since converting to drop-bars last year!
The frame, wheels, derailleurs and gears are still original (the front gears were upgraded a week after I bought it). The back rack is from the previous bike I bought in 1987. Just some "less-than-routine" maintenance has kept this "big-boned", callipygian cruiser fun, nimble, comfortable and deceptively fast. (Big girl can DANCE!)
I don't know if there are any comparable entry level bikes today that would hold up to the abuse this bike has.
My 1997 Nishiki Blazer MTB is amazing!
