I think it’s called a Nishiki Alien, or a Pinnacle, Ariel or Cascade. They were designed by Richard Cunningham in the late 80s. Search ‘Nishiki Alien’ or “Nishiki elevated chainstay frame.’
Jaimemgn on
Hmmm, so you don’t know what you have?
Newsfeedinexile on
Mandatory elevated chain stay up vote.
Beyond_0451 on
Not bad. If I remember correctly, this is a 1990 model year frame. It could be any of Nishiki’s higher end models from that year, because they were all based on Cunningham’s elevated chainstay Mantis design. I believe they went to 1-1/8″ in ’90, and then in ’91 they moved away from traditional round tubing. It has been a long time since whenever I knew the years for sure, though, so give it a pinch of salt
That said, the disc tab is definitely an aftermarket addition, and the frame looks to have been repainted with slightly anachronistic decals. It would be a good idea to check the stays and BB shell for cracks. A lot of the Ariel and Alien frames cracked down there.
LoathsomeNeanderthal on
Every time someone posts one of these someone else suggests that they turn it into belt drive, then someone else comments it’s a bad idea because the frame wasn’t designed for the stresses of belt
skinsandpins on
Fun to look at, but I’ve never desired one. Wouldn’t mind owning but not gonna go out of my way. Most times they’d come into the shop they were original owners and BEAT. I don’t think I’ve seen a nice build yet.
6 Comments
I think it’s called a Nishiki Alien, or a Pinnacle, Ariel or Cascade. They were designed by Richard Cunningham in the late 80s. Search ‘Nishiki Alien’ or “Nishiki elevated chainstay frame.’
Hmmm, so you don’t know what you have?
Mandatory elevated chain stay up vote.
Not bad. If I remember correctly, this is a 1990 model year frame. It could be any of Nishiki’s higher end models from that year, because they were all based on Cunningham’s elevated chainstay Mantis design. I believe they went to 1-1/8″ in ’90, and then in ’91 they moved away from traditional round tubing. It has been a long time since whenever I knew the years for sure, though, so give it a pinch of salt
That said, the disc tab is definitely an aftermarket addition, and the frame looks to have been repainted with slightly anachronistic decals. It would be a good idea to check the stays and BB shell for cracks. A lot of the Ariel and Alien frames cracked down there.
Every time someone posts one of these someone else suggests that they turn it into belt drive, then someone else comments it’s a bad idea because the frame wasn’t designed for the stresses of belt
Fun to look at, but I’ve never desired one. Wouldn’t mind owning but not gonna go out of my way. Most times they’d come into the shop they were original owners and BEAT. I don’t think I’ve seen a nice build yet.
What’s your plan?