This is a thread for Jitensha (Japanese Bicycles ). Here in the Philippines, Japanese surplus bicycles have made their way into the commuter's way of transport. Malabon City in particular had a huge following on these bicycles not only as a means of transport but a hobby in itself. A simple bicycle can be turned into a newly customed bicycle. Post all classification of commuter's bikes (Mountain Bike, Chary, Folding, Trikes, etc. and bike runs / trips.

Miyata Stainless Max - Size 27, Stainless Steel frame / basket / carrier / stand / rims, 3-Speed, and front dyanamo hub.

Panasonic - Size 27, Stainless steel basket / carrier / rims, 3-Speed, and front dynamo hub.
(No longer in the Sancycles Collection)

National Alfit - Size 27, Alloy frame, stainless steel basket / rims / fenders, 3-Speed, and front dynamo hub.

Sancycles:

How much are bikes like this selling for in the Philippines? How far are people riding on them?
I note the fenders - pretty important for Metro Manila streets.

these bike cost about 12000 to 15000 yen in Japan. AKA mamachiri

jitensha bicycles? translation= bicycle bicycles?

Is that what its really called? Seems odd.

guess I learned something today.

pxboii: then about US$120-150 in Japan? New and outfitted (fenders, baskets, etc)?

These are surplus bicycles from Japan. I simple bike without dynamo hub, gears, and no stainless steel parts ususally cost about $50 US. The high end models like Miyata, Bridgestone, National, Panasonic, and Maruishi when loaded with accessories (Stainless baskets, carriers rims, fenders) sells for $80 - $200, depending on the condition. Usually you don't get a loaded bike so you end up buying two to three bikes to complete the needed accessories.

Here in Malabon City, we have regular runs. To include our neighbor Navotas City almost every Sunday we have runs. Around 300 to 600 cyclists on Japanese surplus bikes and the rest about 60% in Racers and mountain bikes. About 50-80 Kilometers are the distance runs. Runs include visiting neigborhood cities and towns. Other long distance runs are made by racers and mountain bikes.

Jitensha Folding Bicycles :

Compact Shake - Wheel size 20/16, stainless steel fenders, rims, spokes, chromed front and rear carrier, 3-Speed, front dynamo hub, and umbrella holder. Frame re-painted.

Da Vinci - Size 18, alloy rims, 6-Speed, frame re-painted, handlebars changed.

Double Tube (Unknown model) - Size 20, white side tires, alloy rims, 6-Speed, and frame newly painted.

I supervised a bicycle show (Jitensha) last December 2007 and about 120 bicycles were displayed. 90% were Japanese surplus bicycles restored into perfect condition. This coming November 23-24, 2008 another bicycle show is scheduled and again I was invited by the host to layout the display area and invite participants.

BTW, I'm Boy Nepomuceno and usually called "Mang Boy" by fellow cyclists. In one of the image attached I'm in the middle with my son Marc and the other guy is our City Vice-Mayor Arnold Vicencio who host the regular bicycle runs for racers, mountain bikes and Japanese bikes (Jitensha). Other images were taken during the Jitensha Bike Show last year.

My favorite Size 27 bikes.

Miyata Stainless Max, National Auto D, Bridgestone, and Panasonic.

That's really very nice - you should post more stuff like this....

yep, usually it comes with everything. the japanese use these everyday from shopping to picking up kids from school. I had one of these while I was over there and never have to worried getting it stolen because there are cheap and there are everywhere.

Umbrella holder! I love it!

Bridgestone - Single Tube, Size 24, Stainless Steel Rims / Fenders / Carrier / Basket, IRC White Side Tires, Bottle Holder, Bells, and Umbrella Holder.

Pinoy in the house...whoa...what's up w/ the payong holder?!?!?!

And what's the red plunger on the handlebars of the red National Auto D?

Red Plunger on the National Auto D is the plunger for the air horn.

Bridgestone Picnica Wagon - Mounted with a child carrier in the front and a carrier at the back. Trike re-painted and rims polished. A lowrider seat post was installed to have more space from the carrier. Front dynamo hub mounted for headlight power.

I was in Cebu recently, and it was a pretty cool thing to take a hybrid from Cebu City on the coast up into the mountains on the way to Balamban. There isn't alot of money there, but there is a prettly large group of people into recreational bicycles.

There are not many commuters on bicycles. Most are on scooters. However, there is a large bicycle-based taxi industry that move people from their neighborhoods to work. They almost run like buses on established routes. They are called "trikes": Two wheelers connected to a sidecar. The sidecar has a light canopy, windscreen, and clear-plastic side curtains. A strong driver can haul himself and two or three passengers. Impressive as hell. They are always out of the saddle putting power to the pedals! Most times the trikes are motorized. The trikes take kids to school in rural areas too.

Are the bicycle taxis single-speed?

Bridgestone Transit Sport - Size 26, Multi-Speed, Alloy rims, Chromed frame.

Yep... single speed for the most part. I saw a few with that had three sprockets.

Oh.. I forgot... on inclines the passengers will get off of the trike and help push it. A truely cooperative venture!

National - Size 27, Auto D (Automatic gear change), Stainless Steel Rims / Fenders / Basket, / Carrier, Chromed Center Stand, 4-Speed, Front Brake Hub, Million White Side Tires, National Hard Lock, Bottle Holder, Small Ding-Dong Bell, Umbrella Holder, Air Horn, and National Sensored Lights.

I'm a little surprised that 27 is a popular tire size with these bicycles. It has been abandoned on all other recent bikes as far as I know.