Hi kekkiumai,

short of going to Japan, i recommend that you study what type of mamachari you want and decide and ask the people in this forum. they can help you and even probably ship to you in silicon valley at a reasonable cost-hopefully. they can use the reliable "balikbayan" box shipping companies like starcargo or LBC or forex. Now if you have friends in Philippines or Japan, then it gets even easier.

I keep 4 japan-surplus bikes and they are tough-as-nails and easy to pedal. the only thing that you may find odd is the tire valves used. Other than that, your local bike store in cupertino should be able to service the mamachari as the hard parts are mostly the same as bikes in the USA. The Japan bicycle standard for tire valves is the "roots" type valve, and not the "sharder" type valve. there is a small screw type adapter that attaches to the shrader and makes it fit to the roots. Or sometimes I use the presta valve adapter to inflate the roots valve and it works well -enough. Or, you can just change the tire inner tube itself to the one using the shrader and you will not need to use the adapter at all.

what i also like about the mamachari are the rear racks and front baskets; i use these to the supermart and office. They have straps and nets to secure the groceries- 40lbs. I once carried a rebuilt tractor radiator on my rear rack, no problem ! Another useful accessory is the internal hub generator with built-in-headlight. I recommend you get that one on your bike as i have not seen those in the states and it will make your bike stand out. You also want to get a mamachari with the JIS (japan industrial standard) seal. The JIS bikes are genuinely "made in japan" and these are the ones sought-after. Lots of info in this website attesting to the quality of JIS bikes so I do not have to delve; bridgestone usa, nishiki, schwinn-of-old, univega, etc.

i always thought having a mamachari would be cool in the bay area. I actually was thinking of bringing one myself when i do go there (san mateo, ca) usually every spring. But, the airlines are now charging me $150/ piece as i travel on staff tickets. And i just cant park the bike in my sister's place as she already has 2 bikes that are not used and taking valuable space in the garage. I see that they allow bikes on the bart/or SP/muni/samtrans; so that is nice and i still plan to bike in the city-by-the-bay, once more.

cheers !