Commuting - Tokyobike

Does anybody have any experience with the Japan-made "Tokyobike"? It's a commuter model, available online at www.tokyobike.com (site's just in Japanese). I took a spin on one during a visit to Japan. It seems like a pretty solid, light bike and they retail for under $400. Any thoughts, anyone?

It looks like a million old bikes you could buy used for $150 without having to have them shipped from Japan.

Is it made in Japan?

This one (http://www.pakebikes.com/nunubatmobile.html) also retails for under $400, and I'm sure would be easier to get in North America. It's got fenders and a partial chain guard, too. I've taken a test ride, they're nice for their purpose, which seems to be about the same thing as the Tokyobike.

Thanks for the replies.
sdime: Yes, it is made in Japan.

That's what is known in Japan as a "Mama Chari ".

For a fun read there's this article " (http://www.bikeforums.net/Bicycle%20biddies%20terrorize%20streets%20of%20Tokyo)Bicycle biddies terrorize streets of Tokyo" (http://www.bikeforums.net/Bicycle%20biddies%20terrorize%20streets%20of%20Tokyo). "Bosozoku " are Japanese Hell's Angels, sort of.

I spotted one of these in Kyoto back in early May of this year, when I was cycling around town with my brother. The bike caught our eye out of a gazillion bikes that day -- which to me says that it was unique out of all the bikes in Japan (though I don't know why). I say go for it.

http://www.pbase.com/atkinson/image/81500243/medium.jpg

It's a commuter model, available online at www.tokyobike.com (site's just in Japanese).

It's not a 'commuter model', it's a 'mama-chari' (mother's bike)... a ride-to-the-supermarket-or-nearby train station bike... this type of bike is pretty much considered to be disposable by the average Japanese consumer.

One reason it's considered to be disposable is the cost of getting a flat tire fixed at the local bike shop.

The average Japanese person doesn't have the tools or know-how to change a tire... nor the desire nor time to learn. So, their local bike shop charges around $50 for parts and labor just to fix a flat tire... on a bike that probably cost just about twice that.

So, the average Japanese consumer is happy to just buy another $100 bike. They'll leave the 'old' bike with the flat tire at the train station or supermarket, and after about a week, it'll be picked up by the city and then shipped off to some poorer Asian country with thousands of other abandoned shopping bikes.

Take a look at the 'SPECS' link on that website... those bikes feature Shimano Acera derailers... basically, the next-to-the-bottom-of-the-line component that Shimano makes and still has a model name.

The 'TOKYOBIKE' is priced at 48,000 yen... roughly US$500.

A 'commuter' bike with no fenders, no racks, fake GripShifters, crappy side-pull brakes, and a 25-lb chromoly frame...

For about 10,000 yen/US$100, you can get a 3-speed shopping bike with fenders, a front basket, skirt-guards, and a generator light, and even a bell... for about another $30, you can get a kid-carrier, or even two... (one in front, one behind).

I'll bet it's not selling well in Japan... there are no skirt-guards... no front fork bracket for a generator light... no seatstay braze-ons for a rear carrier or child seat... and most Japanese city streets are relatively flat... no need for a 16-speed shopping bike.
Most mama-chari are single-speed or 3-speed bikes.

The average Japanese person doesn't have the tools or know-how to change a tire... nor the desire nor time to learn. So, their local bike shop charges around $50 for parts and labor just to fix a flat tire... on a bike that probably cost just about twice that.



More like 1000 yen ($8) at any LBS near me ...

More like 1000 yen ($8) at any LBS near me ...

Well, lucky you.

I've yet to see an innertube for less than 900 yen, and generally, they're more around 1,000 yen.

That's just for the innertube.
Most bike shops in the Kansai region (Shiga, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hyogo) charge between 3,000 and 4,000 for labor to fix a flat.

The average high school kid or middle-aged office worker would just as soon either steal a bike or just go buy a new one as pay to have the one they already have fixed.