Nishiki Beta NFS

This is my favorite bike hands-down. What does NFS stand for you say? NEED FOR SPEED. And the "Beta" signifies it as an EXPERIMENTAL bike frame. It's all original except the seat. I added the cyclometer & bottle cages and the twin Zefal quick fill CO2 cartridges. So you can ditch the the air pump. It does have 3 bottle cage braze-ons. See the one the rear. The Michelins will inflate to 110psi! They give very little rolling resistance.

I purchased it new at Sun & Ski Sports Expo on Burnet Rd. in Austin, TX in 1993. It was my first road bike and my first experience with clipless pedals. I will say this is the fastest bike I have ever ridden. I mean freakin' bolt of lightning fast. With a full Shimano 105SC groupo it's a top tier bike. The steel frame & fork is ultra-responsive and forgiving for long distances.

I've only put about 160 miles on it. It has a Cateye cyclometer. It was designed as a Triathlons & Time Trials, but it's more than comfortable for centuries. I also used it briefly as a commuter. I remember dodging deer early in the mornings on Bee Cave Rd before the sunrise. Bloody scary.

Look at the size of that drivetrain! My top speed on 360 is 54MPH without hardly trying.

Article abstract from Bicycling Magazine:

"The bicycle is priced at $949 and is appropriate for road racing. The 650C wheels allow lighter weight and lower air drag. The balanced frame provides quicker acceleration on the well-proportioned bike."

author: Zahradnik, Fred
Publisher: Rodale, Inc., Publication Name: Bicycling, Subject: Sports and fitness ISSN: 0006-2073 Year: 1993

SPECS & PICS:

Original retail price: $949 ($1391.37 adjusted for inflation) Parting from the dollar is such sweet sorrow.

Bicycle Type: Road race & triathlon
Brakeset: Shimano 105SC brakes, levers
Chain:Shimano CN-HG70
Chainrings: 42/53
ChainstayLength: 40.5
ComponentGroup: Shimano 105SC STI
Crankset: Shimano 105SC, 42/53 teeth
ForkBrandModel: Nishiki straight blade unicrown
ForkMaterial: CRO-MO
ForkRake: 3.8
FrameAngles: 74 head, 74 seat

FrameDesign: Nishiki FrameConstruction: TIG-welded steel
FrameTubingMaterial: DB chrome-moly 4130-OS thin wall butted
FrontBrake: Shimano 105SC
FrontDerailleur: Shimano 105SC
Handlebar: Sakae Custom Modolo anatomic alloy drop
HandlebarStem: NFS design TIG welded CRO-MO 90deg
HeadTubeAngle: 74
HubFront: Shimano 105SC
HubRear: Shimano 105SC
Hubs: Shimano 105SC
LargestRearCog: 21
Model: Beta
NumRearCogs: 7-speed
Pedals: Shimano SPD 525 clipless
RearBrake: Shimano 105SC
RearCogs: 7-speed, 12 - 21 teeth
RearDerailleur: Shimano 105SC
Rims: Sun Mistral M14A, 28-hole
Saddle: Selle Italia Octavia gel w/ manganese rails
SeatTubeAngle: 74
Seatpost: Kalloy SP-248 alloy
ShiftLevers: Shimano downtube 105SC STI
Size: 54cm
SmallestRearCog: 12
SpokeHoles: 28-hole
SpokeMaterial: stainless
SpokeNipples: Stainless
Tires: 650 x 20c Michelin Hi-Lite Supercomp H.D.
TopTubeLength: 54
Weight: 22
Wheelbase: 98
Year: 1993
Serial Numbers (2 of them on bottom L bracket): 7600A - T9012
Bike ID (I guess this is what it is) (on bottom R bracket No: 0508

Information: http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1993&Brand=Nishiki&Model=Beta&Type=bike

Another source here: http://www.fiataccompli.com/bike/2009/12/nishiki-nfs-beta.html