TTokyo

Bicycle enthusiasts help me

I am 177cm tall and 105kg heavy. My local bicycle store is telling me that I need to buy a family sized bicycle to accommodate my weight and size and that is going to be the case wherever I go in Japan.

They also sell what looks to be off roading bicycles with the wider tires and stronger frames but are very adamant that those also only hold 100kg in weight and I need to buy a family sized.

Please help, this surely cannot be the case? Any stores to refer me to or specifications on bicycles that I can use? Just looking for something that won’t break on me during my commutes to the station or 1hr rides around my area when I decide to bike there instead of use the train. Thank you.

I stay in Tokyo, Kita-Ku if that helps.

Edit: Thank you all for the great advice. It’s really assuring hearing that I’m not completely ignorant. Just being manipulated. 😂

by Beltorze

9 comments

  1. My friend is about the same as you or maybe a little larger, and he went with a Specialized crossbike (and later a road bike). Might be out of your budget, but perhaps you could find a (used) Giant that might be a bit cheaper.

    Cycle Paradise out near Nishi Kasai has a lot of used bicycles for sale.

  3. Go to a different LBS. Have a look at cross bikes. It’s a hybrid between a road bike and a mountain bike. I trundled around on it during the week then a rode for a few hours at the weekend.I’m the same shape as you and rode a trek FX 3 disc for years no issue. Thrashed it to be honest. The only time I’ve encountered weight limitations was when shopping for high end carbon fiber wheels where I was beginning to approach the combined bike and rider weight for certain brands. So I bought some from different brands instead. I’m now on a Bianchi road bike and weight is no issue with that either. I find buying cycle clothes in japan more troublesome than bikes lol.

  4. I’m shorter but about the same weight. I had a Kona single speed road bike which I loved but the frame would flex when I cranked hard on it.

    A good aluminum frame MTB or cross bike will serve you well. If you want something burly that will never give you trouble pick up a 26 or 29 BMX cruiser.

  5. i used to be 181cm 107kg and just rode the same bike i had before i gained weight (engine 11 crit d fixed gear) I rode it every day for 6 months and its still fine and it also helped me to lose weight to 69kg

  6. My boyfriend is the same size as you and he rides a regular mama chari with no problems!

  7. Can’t you just go in and choose the bike you want but it and quietly leave?

    BTW ride the shit out of it, get into green smoothies, ban the carbs/sugar and lose some of that weight. Japan is unforgiving for the overweight and so am I now. It’s dangerous get serious.

  8. They are looking at it from a liability standpoint. Manufacturers recommended weight limit says x kilo. If they sell you that bike and it breaks or is in an accident you can turn around and say you sold me an unsafe bike the bike shop becomes partially liable. This sucks for your situation I know, because most bikes run a conservative weight limit to further protect the bike manufacturers from liability.
    You could look into a touring style framed bike which are designed for carrying cargo. For example a “surly” frame rates 136kg on a quick google search. Go check out “blue lug” in either yoyogi or hatagaya for an idea of what those bikes are like, those are more fashionable shops so the prices may not be what you’re after. But if you get of an idea of what might be suitable then this might help you when searching downtown the second hand rabbit hole.
    Don’t give up, kita ku is a great place, once you get out to the Arakawa, it’s uninterrupted riding for ages

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