dedhed

the blue one has a triple in front giving you the larger number and lower gears. If you'll be riding a lot of hills it'll help

3373jones

here is a couple to consider
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...544809178.html - this could easily turn out to be the best deal since it is a newer bike... would need to check it out though b/c the photo is crappy.
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...545466978.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...544730151.html
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb...544649810.html

Doohickie

...except that it doesn't. Look at the picture: It's a double chain ring. The 21-speed vX part in the description is not accurate. The reason it was called an Olympic 12 was because it had 12 speeds. Still a nice bike though. Seems a little high to me but I'm not in L.A. I had an Olympic 12 of that era and it was a sweet bike.

wrk101

+1 Really depends on the market. That price is too high for around here. More like $150 during riding season (which it is not right now, so it would be selling for less than that amount right now).

As far as the Tourist, is it worth $45, sure. But it is really a bottom end bike, I would aim for something better. That front freewheel system is a can of worms.

The burgandy Olympic might be OK, would need to see a pic taken from the drive side. It does look pretty good.

The best deals go fast, really fast. So sometimes you just have to make a quick judgment and go for it.

RobbieTunes

That $45 FFS is not your typical bike, the FFS is a different system than the normal front chain rings/crankset. It may work fine, but it's very heavy, and repl parts are scarce.

I'd get the Olympic 12 if it was in great shape. It may bring $200 here. The Olympic 12 will need at least $15 more worth of work, based on the photos, but if you want to upgrade, some 6-sp rears will swap right to 7-sp, no problem. Not sure if the 5-sp rear on the Oly 10 will do that.

roccobike

+1, What Robbie said. Of those three Nishikis, I'd buy the Olympic 12. IMHO, the Tourist at $45 is not that good a deal and it's too small for you. The Olympic 12 price is high for the Raleigh area, but you're not in Raleigh and while I'm not a LA expert on prices, I know they're higher than here. If I was selling the Olympic 12, I'd have no problem asking for $150, so $200 is high, but if I wanted the bike, I'd go for it. OR keep looking and we'll keep commenting. We're here to help you get a good bike.
EDIT: Look at that Trek Elance that was previously posted. I'm a big Nishiki fan, but would pass on all three to get that Trek. Steel Treks have a great ride and are very desirable, more so than the Nishikis you're looking at.

T-Mar

I don't understand the concern over the size. The Olympic 12 was an entry level model and only available in 4 sizes; 19, 21", 23" and 25". The blue one appears to be a 23". Don't forget that Nishiki measures ctt, so it's probably about a 22.4" or 57cm (ctc). This would be the best size available for someone 5'10".

The bicycle appears to be circa 1978 - 1980. Original price in 1978 would have been about $200 US.

Doohickie

I'd go for the Oly 12.

T-Mar

I don't see the size concern over the blue Olympic 12. It appears to be a 23", meaning it would be about 22.4" or 57cm ctc. Given Nishiki's sizing increments, this is probably the best size for someone 5"10", unless he is oddly proportioned.

BTW, this bicycle is circa 1978, at which time it would have sold for about $200 US.

Oldguy biker

First time poster - please forgive any faux paus I make. I'm going to look at a Nishiki Olympic 12 tomorrow & can't find much info on the webernet on these. I see a model "Olympic" and "Olympic 12" ... which make my brain ask "what is the difference"?
I found NOTHING on the web to enlighten me!

So I'm throwing myself on everyone's mercy - people with more knowledge than I have on this subject. What are the differences between these 2 models of "Olympics".

The seller says it's an "1980's model" - which I guessed all by myself; says he doesn't know much else about it even though he's had it about 10yrs. He bought it 2nd hand.

Any input or info you all have would be greatly appreciated. I'm getting back into cycling after a 30 year absence, so I have a LOT of catching up to do. Thank you all in advance.

habes78023 

I'm no expert but I think it's probably the speeds, The Olympic was probably 10 speed (2 in front, 5 in rear) whereas the Olympic 12 is 12 speed (2 in front, 6 in rear)

Nishiki made some good bikes, the OP was talking about one for 200, and if it rode, shifted and stopped fine, I don't see anything wrong with paying around that for it. Bike markets differ quite a bit, if I were selling an entry level bike like this but it had new tires, tape, cables, brake pads etc. I'd probably be asking more and would be happy to sell for around 250. But I'm in WA state and the weather is getting good. If you are somewhere remote, prices usually are much cheaper.

Oldguy biker

Habes78023 - Thanks for the quick response. Yes - the "10 vs 12 gears" explanation makes sense. (Why didn't I figure that out?)

Where I live in the Central Florida area, it's riding season most of the year. I'm excited to get back on a bike and explore the many bike trails here.

I'll update the post once I see/ride the Olympic 12 tomorrow ... it may just follow me home!

habes78023 

Good luck! Hopefully it fits and rides well.

There's a lot of bikes out there, and there is a lot to learn.

This one sounds like a great (re)starting point.