TimothyH

Can anyone recommend a reliable Japanese parts dealer for SSFG parts?

Noli Timere

Retrogression

Track Supermarket - NJS/Keirin track/fixed gear bikes, frames, and parts from Japan

ThermionicScott 

A parts dealer in Japan, or a dealer of Japanese parts?

TimothyH

Sorry... yeah... a reliable parts dealer located in Japan.

Is Track Supermarket in Japan? For some reason I though they were UK.

prooftheory

Why do you care? Are you in Japan?

jlafitte 

NJS parts lose their luster after they've been touched by gaijin.

alfmil

I've never actually bought anything from either of these stores, but the websites are uh... interesting.

www.riderzcafe.com
This one keeps getting edited so I can't link it: star*uckers.jp

TimothyH

I couldn't care less about NJS.

Overseas dealers seem to have dirt cheap prices. There are no import/customs fees for <$200. Even with the fees it is often cheaper to by from an overseas distributor if you have enough patience to wait a little longer for shipment.

Hang out in the Honda or Toyota forums and you'll find guys buying whole engines, carbon hoods, bumpers and such direct from Japan. It is very common. Most of these guys have a short list of reliable companies they deal with who are very familiar with the needs of the US market and are experts at shipping to the US.

I love 'Merica as much as the next guy but it gives me pause when I see a part for $129 domestically and $79 from Japan. I have to wonder if the dealers are legit, if the prices are real and if the parts are fakes. chainreactioncycles.com is in Northern Ireland. I've purchased high end tires and tubes from them and they arrived within a week.


-Tim-

hohum

ALEX's CYCLE seem to be located in Japan.

prooftheory

I've heard of people buying from Kashimax. I wouldn't.

Do you speak and read Japanese? Don't rely on Japanese speaker's high school English, or you'll end up with something other than what you want.

Regulatori

I know exactly what you're talking about and have yet to come across the same thing in the bicycle scene. I've been into a lot of different hobbies and found it's the same story: ridiculous prices in the US for Japanese products but very inexpensive when actually ordering from Japanese shops. Surprisingly, I found that the shipping was even faster from Japan to the US (compared to domestic shipping) including customs when they used EMS...and shipping is usually cheap too.

I noticed it a lot with Japanese car tuning parts, darts/dart accessories, airsoft stuff (back when I used to play), electronics, etc.. So many times I would be wanting to buy a Japanese/Asian made product in the US and end up finding it available in Japan for 25-50% cheaper. 10 minutes ago I was doing some price checking on specific dart product and comparing the US vs Japan prices. Same deal. Japan $66 vs USA $110 (last time I ordered from this shop it took 3 days from Japan to my mailbox with $7 shipping).


Can't say I've come across this yet with bike parts though except for maybe used stuff.

TimothyH

Alex's is a site I've looked at. Prices seem almost too good to be true but they have a very positive rating on eBay.

I might give them a try but will ponder the universe a bit first (I find it helps) and poke around the interwebz to see if anyone is upset with them.

hohum

Let me know what you find out and if you end up ordering from them, I'd appreciate some feedback. They sell some neat ****. I'd throw some patronage their way just to support them.

TimothyH

Order placed.

Alex's forwarded to paypal for processing. Charge was slightly less than advertised on the website probably due to today's Dollar-Yen conversion rate. Paypal has an option to choose their conversion process or using the credit card company for conversion. I guess one could play the market, wait for the Yen to drop and save some money on a high-dollar purchase? The difference in my order was only a few cents.

I can't wait for my Nagasawa frame! Just kidding.

TimothyH

Received the order today. Here is a summary:

Vendor: Alex's Cycles
Location: Osaka Japan
Parts Ordered: Nitto stem and bar

ALEX's CYCLE

Order placed Friday, 9/25. Received email invoice immediately after ordering. Received Japan Post (EMS) tracking number via email on Saturday, 9/26. EMS tracking number linked to USPS which showed their receipt of the shipment in Osaka. Credit card was charged correctly. Parts arrived in suburban Atlanta Tuesday 9/29, four days after order. Shipping cost was $19.39. Everything was taped and bubble wrapped and undamaged in shipment.

I would definitely order from them again.

Regulatori

Yep, that's typical from Japan/HK...it's extremely fast shipping.

I buy from a few European companies (use Royal Mail in the UK or DHL if from Germany) and the packages always take 3X as long compared to Japan. All the packages make it to the US quickly but my Japanese/HK packages just fly through customs while the Euro stuff can often take over a week just for the customs stage.

jlafitte 

In my dealings and general understanding, the Japanese are polite to a fault, and customer service is practically an art form. They have a mastery of respectful social interaction, bar none. The rest of the world could do as well.

Noli Timere

Wow, thanks for the update. I just bookmarked their site. Will give them a try.

hohum

Indeed. They've just earned my business as well.

hohum

I've had my eye on that blue and white Panasonic frame forever now.

TimothyH

NJS Export is a fun site to browse.

NJS EXPORT

TimothyH

Keep in mind US Customs rules for importing things into the US. There may be extra import fees owed to the US government for expensive items.

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-impor...rnet-purchases

My understanding is that items <$200 have no extra import fees but I'm not 100% sure. Caveat emptor!

mrosenlof

I've bought from Track Supermarket. It was a while back. I actually don't know where they're located, but the transaction was fine.

hohum

I looked it up the other day. The import duties on bicycle frames and most bicycle parts is 4% in the US. Well worth it in most cases. Though there may also be additional import duties and sales tax on a state-by-state basis.