Shopping Guide
During your first few days in Yamagata you will have a chance to buy a bike. Bikes are versatile, easy to maintain, and carry just a small price tag, so we recommend that you get one. With a bike and the occasional bus or train ride you can get basically everywhere you need to go. Since you will be using your own money when purchasing a bike, here is a guide to your options.
1) Mamma-chari.
Pros: The mama-chari is the #1 recommendation. Mama-charis typically come standard with light, basket (for holding your groceries and bags), lock and key, and sometimes 3-6 gears. Yamagata is built in a valley that creates a slight incline when going east toward the prefectural office and the university, but there are very few real hills in Yamagata to tackle, making the mama-chai very practical. They are the least expensive option, sturdy, reliable, and come in many different colors. This is the best option by a long shot.
Cons: They can be difficult to ride in the snow, but that is true of all the other options too, barring the mountain bike.
Things to Consider: Try to get a mama-chari with some color. Everyone has a silver bike, so if you park somewhere with a red or orange bike it will be very easy to find in the sea of silver. Having some gears really makes a difference. 3-6 gears is worth an extra ￥5,000, so go ahead and fork up the money for a mama-chari with gears.
Things to Avoid: a silver mama-chari; a mama-chari with a side kickstand (pictured below). These bikes are typically very poorly balanced and can fall over easily, creating a public nusiance and lots and lots of frustration for the owner.
2) Mountain Bike
Cost: about ￥40,000 - ￥100,000
Pros: Fast and good for climbing hills. Even though Yamagata is relatively flat, it does sit on a slight incline, so the extra gears can come in handy. A mountain bike with shocks is great for clearing any bumps in the road.
Cons: More expensive; often don't come with a light or a lock (those cost extra) and there is no basket to keep your bags like on the mama-chari.
Things to consider: With the bigger price tag it is a good idea to watch out for rust and to always keep your bike securely locked.
3) Road bike
Cost: ￥50,000 to 200,000.
Pros: Lots of gears; lightweight; fast; great for cycling trips with friends.
Cons: Expensive; lock and light come separate, and again no basket for your articles. The thin tires are also more likely to go flat, meaning maintenance costs are higher.
4) Electric Bike
Cost: ￥100,000 to 150,000+
Pros: Has an electric motor that increases the efficiency of your peddling, thus going faster for less work.
Cons: Expensive; higher maintenance costs.
Things to Consider: There aren't many hills in Yamagata so the electric assisted peddling is something of a unnecessary luxury.
Final Points about a Bicycle
Whatever bicycle you finally choose, please keep these things in mind:
1) Under Japanese law, bicycles are held to the same traffic laws as motor vehicles. Make sure to respect traffic lights and stop signs, and use caution when riding in traffic. Also, drinking and driving is illegal in Japan. This restriction extends to bicycles as well.
2) Invest in a helmet. A helmet only costs about ￥2,000, but it can save your life. Buy a helmet and wear it!
3) Always keep your bike locked up. Even though Yamagata is incredibly safe and crime and theft are very low, don't let your guard down and end up with a stolen bike.
Pros: Lots of gears; lightweight; fast; great for cycling trips with friends.
Cons: Expensive; lock and light come separate, and again no basket for your articles. The thin tires are also more likely to go flat, meaning maintenance costs are higher.
4) Electric Bike
Cost: ￥100,000 to 150,000+
Pros: Has an electric motor that increases the efficiency of your peddling, thus going faster for less work.
Cons: Expensive; higher maintenance costs.
Things to Consider: There aren't many hills in Yamagata so the electric assisted peddling is something of a unnecessary luxury.
Final Points about a Bicycle
Whatever bicycle you finally choose, please keep these things in mind:
1) Under Japanese law, bicycles are held to the same traffic laws as motor vehicles. Make sure to respect traffic lights and stop signs, and use caution when riding in traffic. Also, drinking and driving is illegal in Japan. This restriction extends to bicycles as well.
2) Invest in a helmet. A helmet only costs about ￥2,000, but it can save your life. Buy a helmet and wear it!
3) Always keep your bike locked up. Even though Yamagata is incredibly safe and crime and theft are very low, don't let your guard down and end up with a stolen bike.
No comments:
Post a Comment