RetireJapan

I need a new bike (mine keeps breaking as it is getting old and wasn't very good to begin with).

Tempted to get an ebike. Any recommendations?

Basically to commute and ride around the city (up to 20km distances or so).

Current bike is a mountain bike-ish thing with road tires.

My wife's got a Bridgestone TB1e cross bike, it's good for town and longer rides. She felt the saddle was a little uncomfortable for longer rides (over 30km) so we swapped it for a better one. But other than that, very happy with it. The battery recharges when you brake or go down hill so it lasts a long time between charges. It's pretty heavy - like most ebikes - but the price is reasonable.

RetireJapan wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 2:27 am I need a new bike (mine keeps breaking as it is getting old and wasn't very good to begin with).

Tempted to get an ebike. Any recommendations?

Basically to commute and ride around the city (up to 20km distances or so).

Current bike is a mountain bike-ish thing with road tires.

What is your budget? What is your preferred style? (Reference: https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/blog/t ... ying-guide)

I typically recommend anything from Trek. Make sure you get a bike correctly sized for you if you are taller, it is super important. I had to go to Shinjuku to buy a large frame trek.

Trek EV Comparison - (Japanese website) - https://www.trekbikes.com/jp/ja_JP/compare-ebikes/

Tsumitate Wrestler wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 3:52 am What is your preferred style? (Reference: https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/blog/t ... ying-guide)

Probably gravel (road/commuter?)

I have a pedal assist bicycle made by Bridgestone. The battery will last about 50-70km, so I charge once a week. Couldn’t imagine life without it, we live on top of a very steep hill and the whole area is very hilly…. Couldn’t see myself cycling much without the e-assist!

Had it six years now and had one battery change, free from the manufacturer as there was some defect before. The range does definitely drop with usage, so was down to about 30km before the fresh battery so that’s something to bear in mind.

I’d recommend buying from your local bicycle shop if you want them to service it over the years..

Yes, I agree. Buy it from a local shop. My husband bought a Chinese brand one, maybe on-line, and we could not get the tires changed...no one locally would service it. We had to send it back to a place across town, but the whole thing was very tiresome.

If you don't mind splashing out quite a bit, Specialized !

Really happy with this: https://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/pas/ypj/crosscore-rc/

northSaver wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 3:00 am My wife's got a Bridgestone TB1e cross bike

Sorry for the hijack. I am literally just considering the (not electric) RL1. It's billed as an "entry-level" crossbike. Basically the mamachari of crossbikes. Will be an upgrade from my actual mamachari anyway.
https://www.bscycle.co.jp/anchor/bikes/rl1/

Tsumitate Wrestler wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 3:52 am https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/blog/t ... ying-guide

I used to live in Edinburgh and bought a nice hybrid bike there. But I've never seen anything like it here (except for this Bridgestone). Is that what they call crossbikes here? In the UK most bikes have a front derailleur and 18+ gears, mudguards, etc. But most bikes I've seen here have no mudguards (except mamacharis) and only rear gears.

Here's the TB1e link to make it less of a hijack
https://www.bscycle.co.jp/items/e-bicycle/tb1e/

adamu wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 12:56 pm

northSaver wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 3:00 am My wife's got a Bridgestone TB1e cross bike

Sorry for the hijack. I am literally just considering the (not electric) RL1. It's billed as an "entry-level" crossbike. Basically the mamachari of crossbikes. Will be an upgrade from my actual mamachari anyway.
https://www.bscycle.co.jp/anchor/bikes/rl1/

Tsumitate Wrestler wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2024 3:52 am https://www.edinburghbicycle.com/blog/t ... ying-guide

I used to live in Edinburgh and bought a nice hybrid bike there. But I've never seen anything like it here (except for this Bridgestone). Is that what they call crossbikes here? In the UK most bikes have a front derailleur and 18+ gears, mudguards, etc. But most bikes I've seen here have no mudguards (except mamacharis) and only rear gears.

Here's the TB1e link to make it less of a hijack
https://www.bscycle.co.jp/items/e-bicycle/tb1e/

Hybrids are indeed called cross bikes here. There are a few foreign companies which sell them in Japan, from memory certainly Trek, Giant and Gios. Specialised too I think. But you are right that you don't often see them on display in bike shops. I found the best way to check is to search for the Japanese website of the brands above or others you are interested in, and they will have a list of partner stores. Hopefully there is one close enough to you for easy access, and they will deal with the ordering/setting up etc. Caveat that while I have explored this option I haven't actually bought one here as couldn't find something suitable in my size. Hopefully you are not too tall ..