Originally Posted by
Chziime
Sorry, I didn't mean to seem like passing this by entirely. I just have no experience upgrading bikes. I'd go to a shop, and there's still the question of which parts to get. On top of that, my Nishiki is old, rusty, and I have a sense of wanting to start anew.
That's why there is a mechanic's sub-forum.
As to what is old and rusty, I'm assuming that you're referring to steel parts, and these are mostly fasteners, ferrules, and the chain. The frame is aluminum, isn't it? Upgrades aren't difficult to understand. You have to learn to think in terms of what defines functionality and performance, what defines mechanical interfaces, and where to locate components that satisfy those things.
Your bike will "feel" like new with the right selections. But you'll have to learn a bit as you go.