Bike questions
I have recently moved to Fukuoka, which is (mostly) flat and would like to buy a bike to get around.
I’d like a bike with a battery so that I can pedal or use power assist. I previously lived in China where I had an ebike (like this https://global.niufleet.com/en/products ) but these don’t seem to be available (legal?) in Japan.
I’m much taller and heavier than the average Japanese (1.84m/110kg) and don’t have a great back so want a bike where I’m more “sat up” than hunched over (like a Dutch city bike rather than a Tour De France racing bike)
I don’t care about going very fast, looks, offroad. It’s a means of transport for me, not a hobby, I don’t expect to be riding for “fun” as it were. Doesn’t need to be super cheap.
What do people recommend? I’ll probably find a local bike shop but would like to have at least the beginnings of an clue before doing so. I’m also aware that I’ll need to get it registered etc. with police.
Looking around online I see many bikes are foldable? Why? Lack of storage space or some other reason like being able to take on the subway if folded?
Also, if anyone has any recommendations for specific bikes, brands, etc would be appreciated.
I searched the sub prior to posting but didn’t really find much that was relevant or still up to date.
9 comments
Search again. Lots of posts on this.
Japanese ebikes are, AFAIK, heavily regulated. I don’t think you can buy one from China and get away with it, unfortunately.
I have a Yamaha PAS with 27″ wheels (I have never seen a 28 incher ebike, unforunately). If I lift the handle bar up to its highest position, just before it falls out, then it’s a relatively comfy ride. But I am a smidge shorter than you.
I’d say, go to a few well sorted bike shops and try out what they have.
You’re in luck, look up mamachari. You will see so many of them around. Not cool, not fast, not offroad but it will get you around. There may be power assist options, not sure.
The standard panasonic e-bike is in every shop and is popular. It has a model for about 90,000 or something.
Your needs are pretty much the standard e-bike case, you won’t need a specialis shop – so you can just walk into the mamachari shop and pick the one that matches your desired specs.
I got an [ebike](https://ec.cb-asahi.co.jp/catalog/products/84C3427DA11448A68722CDE70669235C) from Asahi Cycle. I’m 1.85 and 100kg, and it works pretty well for me. I wish it were slightly taller for my long legs, but I long ago accepted that was unlikely.
Some people are suggesting mamachari bikes, and you should stay far away from them. My knees practically hit the handlebars on my wife’s.
(Of course, test ride whatever before you buy, we can’t give you perfect advice)
IMO, the main risk of a power assist bicycle, is the battery. If you search (ebike fire), you’ll see news in various countries, where there have been a number of bicycle battery fires that have burnt down entire apartments while charging. There have also been incidents of batteries spontaneously combusting – and in a number of cases, within an enclosed space (eg: an elevator) with fatal results.
In light of battery safety, I’d stick with one of the major 3 locally produced brands. Yamaha, Panasonic, or Bridgestone (who I’ve heard sources from Panasonic).
Mothers use these bikes to ferry up two of their kids, and their shopping with ease. I’m quite sure any of the bikes by these companies will be able to handle your weight… You might need to look over their various catalogues and maybe check with a bike shop for one that would fit your height comfortably however.
Go to several local bike shops and see what they have. Unfortunately, many of the e-bikes on the market are not available with as large a frame as you might like. You may want to raise the handlebars, which could be a safety concern if you’re a highly aggressive cyclist.
Current Japanese law only allows for relatively low power motors. But you probably wouldn’t have wanted something very high power anyway because you’re mostly on flat ground.
There are 3 main brands: Yamaha, Panasonic, Birdgestone.
Any (?) of your local (mamachari) bike shops will have catalogues for all 3 brands.
There’s a spec sheet table at the end of each catalogue, which also lists rider height.
At your height, you’ll be looking for largest bikes from each brand; they won’t be the prettiest (those are for schoolgirls), or necessarily the newest (bridgestone has a model that’s a whole cm larger than the rest, but technically so outdated). Basically you’ll have 3 models to pick from, 1 from each manufacturer. Try them out (typically same store also sells used bikes, those you can try out; they won’t let you try new bikes).
Some fudging is possible (seat post, steering column), but the parts are not listed in the catalogue and most shops won’t do that.
P.S. Shops like Asahi have their own in-house brands, but I don’t find them great.
What you linked is a scooter, and I don’t know how you’ve never seen one outside..???
They sell electric ones here. They’re all limited to 30km/h and you are required to get them registered/need a license