StolenBMX

Hi All. I'm new here. I live in Japan and I'm looking to buy a commuter bike. I need some help. Here's where I'm at:

* I want a road bike I can beat on--it will be a commuter bike (about 5 miles to work lots of hills).
* Since I'm in Japan, I want to buy an old Japanese bike fro the 80s. (I've heard good things, but please correct me if I'm mistaken.)
* I don't want to pay over US$500.
* I'm 6 ft 1 or 2 or so and I weigh about 185.
* I'm planning on mounting saddle bags on whatever I get.

The problem is, I have no idea what I should be looking for or how much I should be paying. Could anyone point me in the right direction. Here are some bikes I've found used online here (Univega, Fuji, Panasonic, etc.), but I'm just not sure if there worth spending my cash on:

https://www.cycly.co.jp/buy/item_deta....asp?id=426253
https://www.cycly.co.jp/buy/item_deta....asp?id=426074
https://www.cycly.co.jp/buy/item_deta....asp?id=702740
https://www.cycly.co.jp/buy/item_deta....asp?id=702739
https://www.cycly.co.jp/buy/item_deta....asp?id=694778

randyjawa 

What you need to do, in my opinion, is develop a basic understanding of Vintage Bicycle Quality. A bit more on quality and trading. Armed with that information, then turn your attention to Vintage Bicycle Value. An understanding of bicycle quality and bicycle value will be of great use when out shopping for your new steed. And, for what it is worth, I have sent many bicycles to Japan. Shipping cost is about $225 and the bikes shipped ranged in price from $150.00 to $1,200.00. If interested, you can email me through my website and the link is just below.

RobbieTunes

+1 on Randy's post.

You are wanting specific advice on a very general subject, and there are lots of variables. Don't worry, you'll pick up on everything you need to know, but before you go picking and choosing, know your size, know your terrain, and then go to the market.

Welcome to the forum.

こんにちは

wrk101

And don't overlook a vintage rigid frame mtb. Several of the Japanese manufacturers made them. IMHO, for a five mile commute, they are ideal. They are designed for racks, fenders, can take a lot of abuse, etc.

I had a very nice Panasonic mtb earlier this year.

And realize although Univega, Panasonic, and Fuji are all good brands, they sold a full compliment of bikes; anything from very basic to top of the line.

There is a weight penalty for mtbs compared to many road bikes, but not to the ones you posted as examples.

An added plus is that rigid frame mtbs should cost you quite a bit less, perhaps HALF of what a similar grade road bike will sell for. Check out our thread on drop bar conversions of mtbs, over 50 pages of ideas out there.

The bikes you posted are on the basic side, some need a lot of work. The Fuji Royale is perhaps the nicest of the bunch. I sure hope they are not in that $500 price range. They also look small for someone 6-2. Google bike sizing, there's lots of good information out there. And note that mtb sizing is different than road bike sizing.

I really can't comment on pricing. My meager understanding of the Japanese market is that bikes sell high.

As a comparison to the US market, I have sold several Fuji Royales, in fully rehabbed condition (fresh tires, stainless cables, new chain, freewheel, all bearings and grease) from between $175 and $200. I've bought them in as is needed to be rehabbed condition for $30 to $50. Just bought one two days ago for $37.50. In other parts of the US, a Royale might bring $300.

Lenton58 

Welcome to the forum! These are just personal opinions and by no means meant to be a bible of how and what to do.

MAYBE THIS HELPS:
I came to Japan in 1973. I rode mama-chari bikes until in 1995. Then I bought a new Trek 930 MTB. Right from the git-go it had street slicks. In those days I rode to all the places I worked at. The bike has paid for itself over and over untold times — rebuilt several times and upgraded over the years. As wrk101 says, don't overlook the MTB for beating around town. In Japanese cities they are great for stability, ease of stop-and-start at lights, dodging scooters, braking for pedestrians walking against lights etc. Putting racks and bags on an MTB will be very much easier. If you go to a roadie, you narrow your chances of finding a bike with the required lugs and tanges to mount stuff. You will be into a randonneur type and in even more difficulty in a search for your size.

These days I ride street bikes — racing frames. But they are all compromised during town rides compared to my 930 — a big compromise. But, I am used to it.

FINDING A BIKE YOUR SIZE:
In Japan it is very difficult to find a frame for a tall dude like you. I'm only about 5' 9" and I've not had any success finding a decent deal on a C&V bike or even a frame. And, I had to order my Trek 930. All my vintage frames have come from Europe, Canada or the USA. I think that your best bet for a used [chuko] bike is a rigid MTB. It will be easier to adapt to your size.

Parts are not hard to get for older MTB's. A lot of Shimano stuff will retro-fit older frames. Not only that, but Shimano's Japanese catalogue still lists jillions of parts for older components. For example, last year I ordered jockey wheel kits for a my 18 year old Alivio rear derailleur — the original part numbers!

Don't get stuck with suspension. On Japanese streets it's just extra weight.

Yahoo Japan does have piles of older, rigid MTB's. I just cannot say if you are going to find your size — or even something that you can adapt. But they are definitely cheaper than the C&V road bikes

WHAT I WOULD DO:
Do what Randy and the others have said. Study bike quality. Look towards learning how to use some basic tools. Find a local sports bike shop that will true a wheel or install a bottom bracket etc. Learn to cost out and budget parts that you will need. You can learn a lot by going to Randyjawa's website "MY TEN SPEEDS". The site is comprehensive, well-written and illustrated. I don't think I'm exactly a novice, but I still go there to read stuff. Also find the pages produced by the late SHELDON BROWN. And of course, here!


NOW FOR MY PET THEME THESE DAYS — MAYBE NOT YOUR THING .... but:
I ride my MTB around town on basically ONE cog. So the next time I overhaul my 930, I am thinking of converting it to single speed. This is dead simple on an MTB. You can buy a BMX freewheel for about 1200 yen that goes right on a free hub. Then a spacer kit. Get a bike shop to help you if you chose. They can set up a chain-line for you and help you choose gear ratios. (Also there are calculators around the web to help you.) By doing this you can overhaul the essentials with fresh grease and eliminate all the mechanical stuff that may be worn out, bent, damaged ... or just cheaper parts that were not made to last. And most rewardingly, you will cut down the weight. Moreover, it eliminates matching up changers with older transmissions — something that has bugged me in the past . I like single speed, but it may not be for you — or your terrain.

If you want a classic-vintage road bike, I think that you will have to search off shore. I gave up looking here — even for my size. And ... EXPENSIVE as wrk101 has said above.

If you are in Tohoku — look me up.

EDITED: I forgot — with all but the oldest MTB's with horizontal drop-outs, you'll need a chain tensioner. They are not very expensive.

StolenBMX

Thanks, Randy. I've been reading up on your website. It's helpful.

StolenBMX

Thanks, WK101. I hadn't even considered mnt bikes, but I will now. I'm obviously clueless about all of this, but I'll study up. And yes, every bike that I posted was going for about 300~500 bucks. If I could buy one for US$175, I'd do a back flip. Everything in Japan is so gottdang expensive.

StolenBMX

Thanks, Lenton. This is great help. I thought I was losing my mind--all these Japanese-made vintage bikes, but none of them are in Japan. It's like that with a lot of stuff over here. Old or retro Japanese stuff that you'd think would be available in Japan, a lot of times, can only be found in the US. I guess it goes to show how much of a good customer the US has been to this place. (That or the Japanese just toss everything out when it gets old.)

The MTB idea is sounding more attractive. I guess, I had a mistaken opinion of MTBs. I rode them for years when I was younger (in the 90s when it seemed like that's all anyone rode), and it always felt like I had to do a lot of work to get the things to move. I NEVER had a rode bike or a touring bike, and I just assumed for an all city streets commute, a rode bike was a better way to go. I guess not.

Lenton58 

I think that's doable. But you will likely need parts, a few tools and some pro-wrenching to start you up. But for a bunch of reasons it may make better economy and function than a new MTB.

wrk101

+1,000,000 Avoid the suspension mtbs. They just add weight and complexity, and IMHO, waste your energy. I want all of my energy to go into turning the wheels, and not wasted on a spring seat post, spring fork, or spring rear set up. And around here at least, the used suspension mtbs have often been flogged hard, where the suspension parts are worn out. No thanks.

Spend a little time learning about vintage rigid frame mtbs. And not all Japanese made mtbs are from Japanese brands. I have a budding collection of made in Japan (by Panasonic) Schwinns. The fleet includes a 1973 World Voyageur, a 1986 Peloton, two 1987 Prologues, a 1992 Series 5 Paramount, a 1992 Series 7 Paramount, and a 1992 Series 70 Paramount MTB.

I posted some pics of the Series 70. I picked up the frameset with headset on ebay for $80 late last year. Paid $30 shipping. The build up was easy, as I have a pile of mtb parts (and used mtb parts are plentiful). That model has a wonderful Tange Prestige frame, really top of the line for mtbs. Weighs in at less than 25 pounds. I probably could get it down to 23 pounds, but it is built up the way my wife wanted it.

Yes, this one is an XS frame size, but that is the size I needed. This one is set up with smooth road tires. And the chain stay is supposed to be bent, its an odd design Schwinn used for several years.





Panasonic supplied Schwinn with some really great bikes.


bill

Narhay

Those bikes seem to be all from the same seller...some of them look flipped, others pre-flip. I wouldn't trust a seller trying to pawn off a bike with no cables etc for $300 or whatever it was.

If you have a local Craigslist equivalent I would first figure out what makes a good bike good, then wait for the right deal to come along.


A MTb is a good commuter but sometimes you just want a specific type of bike...maybe a road bike with drop handlebars. For 5 miles you can ride anything. I would go with the style of bike that you have your heart set on.

Lenton58 

My take on it exactly!

The biggest thing in Japan is Yahoo Auction. According to a seller I know, Yahoo takes a lot out of the sale. If he is right, it may partly explain why prices are high. Years ago there was a Buy 'n Sell paper in Tokyo. A lot of foreigners used to it to furnish their apartments and stuff. Nothing like it up here in Tohoku and I am not aware of anything like CL. Rakuten is a service for on-line sellers who are usually businesses rather than individuals. It may be virtually unique to Japan — or so Rakuten itself says. A lot of the sellers are small time ventures — not the giants of Japanese retailing. Most of the goods are new retail stuff, and sometimes you can save some considerable money. The OP might just go on the site and see if there is any new rigid steel around. I have seen new road steel fixies and SS bikes there from various businesses, but the savings were not huge and you pay some freight. But — maybe worth a try. If there is say a rigid Giant with some decent tubes in a large size, it may be just the ticket.


Narhay has a point: if you have the time and are willing to sweat it out, go for what your heart is set on. And, by the way, there is a frame-maker up here in Sendai that will make any custom steel frame you want out of excellent tubing for between 8 to 10 man-yen. That is way over your budget, but if you come by a supply of parts, it would be a way to your dream machine.

frantik

chances are you had "knobby" tires on the mtb.. if you swap out the knobby tires for slicks, it's a HUGE difference. I own a whole bunch of mountain bikes but i put road slick tires on all of them since I only ride in the city where the most off-roading I'll do is over some grass or on a dirt path. I bought my girlfriend a bike today (a rigid mountain bike from 1986) and before we even got home we stopped by the bike store to get slick tires

StolenBMX

You are 100% correct. The tires on my bikes looked like dirt bike tires. Now I know.

StolenBMX

They still have it. I think it's called Metropolis. It might be worth checking out (print and online). I'll also check out Craig's List. I've heard you can find deals on general household--a lot of expats looking to leave quickly and ditch their stuff for cheap--stuff so why not bikes.

I'd be willing to go out of my budget for a dream machine. But I don't think I know what my dream machine is yet. I think I need to study-up a bit and figure out what it is that I need. Something cheap that I can beat on my be the right place to start.

StolenBMX

Good advice. I'm going to look into MTBs, but I have a picture of myself on a road bike. I need think about this a bit more, but I'll probably end up going with a road bike. We'll see though.

StolenBMX

I'm still looking around online, but this bike looks pretty darn cool to me: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...2_549652_-1___ the Fuji Connoisseur.

I'm not sure it's what I'm looking for (I need to research a lot more) but I love the old school look. The price seems okay too (even though shipping to Japan would run me about US$230.

I don't know... Again, I need to do some more research, but I can't wait to start biking in to work.