toddatron vlog 6/13/2009

Just a vlog well this one got a little fancy but a trip to Lake Town in Koshigaya and I finally found a pro bike shop close to my apt. Its the Lake Town stop on the Musashino line. Parts and tools were a little pricey as always in Japan but the mountain bikes were quite reasonable. They do not sell mamcharis here! I went to buy a tire but got other stuff. As I said they do not carry much for replacement parts for the bikes they sell just mods and upgrades and a lot of tires I wanted were on the new bikes but only special order. They also do tuning there. I need an all terrain tire for road dirt and gravel. My Bontrager Jones wear out fast on the road although they handle well. Three months of hard road riding and the rear is getting bald.

Y's Road Bike shop in akasaka. This location is far better than the one in the video and I found everything I needed after shooting at the mall:

http://ysroad-akasaka.com/akasaka_english/flour.html

A good site for bike rentals and shops in Japan:

http://cycle-tokyo.cycling.jp/shops.html

Nalsima Frend (sic) is a popular racing bike shop very near Shinjuku. They have a good range of top end frames and accessories, prices are good for Japan (although given current exchange rates it's cheaper to buy things in the US or Europe) and service is excellent. It can get crowded on weekends though.

The shop is a 3 minute walk from Kita-Sando Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, or a 9 minute walk from either Sendagaya Station (JR Sobu Line), Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line) or Kokuritsu-kyougijyo Station (Oedo Subway Line). All these lines run from Shinjuku.

Address: 2-2-4 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0051
Tel: 03-3405-9614
Hours: 1200 - 1930 (closed Wed. and Thu.)
http://www.nalsimafrend.jp/
(Japanese only)


UPDATE!!!

Y's road in akaska has the extreme mountain bike selection and lots of tires and parts on the shelf! In contrast to Lake town the staff is much more knowledgeable and helpful to foreigners. They have some of the most extreme frames and tires I have seen . I picked up a set of Maxxis Hookworm tires. I will be pounding the pavement this week and hope to mention them in the next vlog.

http://ysroad-akasaka.com/akasaka_english/index.html

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[themaniusedtob]

trip computer? do you mean gps? if so what gps are you getting? im asking cause ive been trying to find out witch ones i could get besides garmin gps 705

[toddatron]

@themaniusedtob No I mean trip computer..... it just calculates distance and speed. I do not use a GPS ever unless maybe I go across japan someday or need a specific point. Its bad for your sense of direction if you use it every day.

[gurney85]

did you get the tire recommendations? I'm a fan of comfort and utility and if you are riding the paved streets for the most part I'd say look at the Schwalbe marathon plus, if looking for good balloon tire (I've come to really love them), then the Schwalbe big apples (2.35") or maxxis hookworms (2.5")...big air, big bounce so absorbs the shock between you and the road.. Big dudes, need an air cushion! Roll resistance is great, really good on the street in all weather, all of em..'cept snow.

[toddatron]

@gurney85 cool yea I went with the Maxxis hooks 2.5 just cleared on the Gary fisher. Got 2000 miles on them and they still rock! I ride like a mad man and the control and handling totally compliment the piranha frame. They suck in the snow and gravel but don't see much of that. On the road 90% of the time... hard pack is good too. I have been hitting debris and glass but never punctured one! Thanks for the comment!

[toddatron]

Sounds good wifes food beer conversation:) I said 9000 yen about 90dollars... since then I found some awesome ring worm extreme road tires. Gonna try em and then review them.

[Fourthworth]

Great vid. Taiyaki looks umasou dane.

[toddatron]

Yea Thanks... I almost bought one but I had a huge brunch.

[themaniusedtob]

@toddatron oh ok thanks for clarifying love vids keep up the awesome work!

[nihonjohnny]

I'm bringing my Schwinn beach cruiser to Japan!  I'm sending all my worldly possessions in a shipping container to Nagoya. Easier to do from Long Beach, California than from Boston, Mass.

[nihonjohnny]

Todd: Did I hear you say you spent 9,000 yen or 90,000 yen...? I will be in Japan soon: July 1st. baby! I hope we: You & me and our wives can get together for some YAKITORI TIME baby! Best wishes, John.

[toddatron]

Check my "riding a bike in Japan" I briefly go over my Gary Fisher its a good starter mountain bike for the money and available in Japan.