ADAP7IVE

Looking at a couple options for my next commuter/tourer, wondering what you guys think. First, I live in Japan and will remain in Japan for several more years (at least). I also have a Surly Disc Trucker in the US with family, waiting for me when I return. I don't want to ship it because of the cost to family (who know nothing about bikes and couldn't disassemble and pack it properly for shipping).

Right now, and for the next year, I'll be living in a rural area with a 21 km one-way commute. Thereafter, I'll be moving to a city (probably Osaka). I want to ride a bike that I can use for transport and some variable-terrain tours, eventually long-distance tours. I already had a lot of help regarding folding bikes in their dedicated forum, but I'm leaning more toward a full-size bike for long-distance riding and relative cost (when comparing folders to non-folders). Here's where I'm at:

1. A 1-year-old Specialized hybrid bike: This one would be ￥25,000 (it was ￥50,000 new), bought from a friend who rode it A LOT and didn't maintain it. It needs new brake pads, tires, and probably a chain, if not a new cassette. It's not a perfect fit so it'd be temporary; if I go with this, I'll buy one of the others in a year anyway. Purely a "have a bike right now" option, versus waiting a couple months and getting one of the others.

2. A Fuji Feather CX+ : this bike is ￥115,000, with disc brakes and a nice matte black paint job. CroMo, but without braze-ons except fender mounts and rear rack. This isn't a big deal because I would probably just do a frame bag or handlebar bag, rather than carrying a ton with me regardless.

3. A Specialized AWOL: this is the most expensive at ￥159,000, but it's set up with braze-ons, ready for Gates belt drive and compatible with Rohloff hubs. If I go this route I could run the bike with the standard chain drive, then ditch that for easier transport back to the States in a couple years, and rebuild it with Gates and IGH then if I choose. The only downside for me is the military-green finish.

What are you thinking? Anyone have experience with either of these bikes or lines (since the CX+ seems to be available in Japan, but the US has others in their CX line).

ADAP7IVE

Links to the bikes:

Feather CX+: ******************************(MTB)?FUJI track(**********?)/**********??FUJI BIKE [**********],**********???

AWOL: https://www.specialized.com/ja/ja/bi...ad/awol/106553

cooker

I wouldn't buy a bike that doesn't fit well for a 21 km commute.

ADAP7IVE

Thanks for the reply! I agree, it's not a great idea. Between the Feather CX+ and AWOL it is.

ADAP7IVE

Update:

local Specialized dealer told me that Specialized Japan only carries the AWOL up to size Medium, and that I must commit to buying one (at ￥188,000/$1,800) before they will order it. So no sizing or ride check. Going to the Fuji dealer next, so I hope this isn't standard practice in Japan. Who wants to drop that much money on a bike without checking the fit or ride?

Darth Lefty 

Have you considered looking for something uniquely Japanese? Like maybe a rinko bike, since you were talking about folders?

The idea of buying a Fuji or some other Japanese brand while in Japan has some appeal, although I'm not sure if you can tell from the website whether they are made in Japan or Taiwan or China.

Darth Lefty 

Funny how the Fuji product line is so different between countries. Nothing like this throwback in the US lineup:
******************************(MTB)?FUJI track(**********?)/**********??FUJI BIKE [**********],**********???

PatrickGSR94

wow that Fuji looks like it's from 30 years ago, or more!

Darth Lefty 

Well, sorta... if it were a Fuji from the old days it would have the Sugino/Suntour/Dia Compe combo :-)

Old Fuji roadies from the 12-speed, pre-MTB era look like great bikes. They mostly seem to be sport-touring designs and even the cheaper ones were just heavier, not junky. I think I'll get one for a C&V project one day.

joeyduck

I think that the fuji option is awesome and I would go for that one.

Any decisions @ADAP7IVE? What were the issues with the Fuji? I see braze ons?

joeyduck

Ohh that is nice looking.

Edit:

I like these two also.

https://www.fujibikes.jp/2016/products/sinari/

https://www.fujibikes.jp/2016/products/tread_1.3/

ADAP7IVE

Yeah, I'm looking at several options and open to suggestions. Yours is a fun idea, thanks!

The original plan was to get a folder, but I'll be in a rural area for at least another year and wanted to get something comfy for long distances in all weather (particularly heavy rain), which led me to disc brakes. So the plan changed to getting a standard bike now and getting in some light tours, and a folder when I move into the city next year or the year after. I suppose a good folder could also serve as a touring bike, though.

ADAP7IVE

Yeah, that's a beauty.

ADAP7IVE

I do like the Fuji options, both that one and the Tread 1.3. Unfortunately I just learned that the local Fuji dealer doesn't have any of three models I asked for, and they don't allow test rides. So like the Specialized dealer, I'd have to but it without sizing or testing it. There's no problem with the bike itself, though. Perfect for my needs, in theory.

ADAP7IVE

General update: the local Fuji dealer said they don't have any of the bikes I wanted to try, and even if they did, they wouldn't do test rides. But they will order one if I commit to the purchase.

I think I've been foiled by rural living on this, though it could be a broader Japan-standard-practice thing (My experience is that Japanese people don't think beyond a heavy, inexpensive cruiser-type bike--which everyone has--or a high-end road racing bike if they're into that).

I'm hesitant to spend $1000-$1600 USD on something I can't test in person. Going to a city like Kobe or Osaka will cost a lot in time and tolls/gas (four hours' travel and ~$200 per trip), which adds to the cost of whatever I get, too. Am I thinking too much, and ordering one sight-unseen would be okay?

joeyduck

I think @timtak could offer some suggestions. I believe he's somewhere in that country of Japan?

timtak

Hi

I generally get on the Japanese equivalent of ebay, which is Yahoo auctions Japan.

This is cycling/bicycles with the search term "disk" (as in brakes in Japanese) ordered by buy it now price
????! - ?? - ********************?
and current price
????! - ?? - ********************?

I have never tried disk brakes, but I tend to find that my braking is limited by traction especially in the wet. I am sure that the modulation of disk-brakes is better, leading to better control of traction and faster stopping times, but I wonder at how much faster.

This being Japan where there were once many, and there remain a few, cool bike builders I often find myself looking at vintage Japanese chromoly. This is the buy it now price ordered search of yahoo auctions Japan in the bicycles section with keyword chromoly in Japanese.
????! - ?? - ********************?
and current price
????! - ?? - ********************?

A lot of the frames are rather small of course but if it were me I'd search for a vintage chromoly.

This 56cm Panasonic is about 800 USD
Panasonic LES MAILLOTS ********************??C-T560? - ????!
56cm Peugeot PE-8 for 500USD
??70?? PE8********************???? - ????!

ADAP7IVE

Thanks! Do you find that Yahoo auctions are reliable with the state of the bikes sold there? In the US, I'd be concerned about getting something with unreported damage or wear.

timtak

We buy a lot of stuff there, most recently a Canon 40D SLR and a pair of Nike Kukini training shoes both of which were in great condition, as is most of the stuff I have got there. I did have a sad experience once, a long time ago, where something I purchased as "junk" really was! I tend to purchase from individuals rather than stores, and find them very scrupulous.

The 40D seller found and sent the manual and strap for free after the deal had been done. I have also had free gifts included with purchases. I have had a great experience.

ADAP7IVE

Thank you very much! I'll look through those listings and see what I find.