Softypapa's New Bicycle - Japanese Mamachari

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Author: softypapa

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I'm excited to at last take delivery of my brand new 28 inch Bridgestone Bravestar bicycle (please read below to learn more about mamachari bicycles)! The Bravestar is Bridgestone's extra heavy duty mamachari with thick tubing, reinforced joints and extra strong wheel spokes. The Bravestar is also one of the only Bridgestone mamachari which includes a jumbo 28 inch model (very large by Japanese standards). The bike includes many features such as a three speed integrated gear hub with sealed rear brake. The bicycle's front light is powered by a well designed, low resistance front-hub generator while the rear light includes a solar panel for easy and automatic charging. Both lights come on automatically after the sun goes down though the front light includes a special setting which, when used, will cause the light to stay on whenever the bicycle is being ridden. Strong wire baskets at the front and rear provide lots of room for object being moved while the extra strong frame ensures that even a very heavy load may not cause the bike to wobble or become too unsteady. This type of Bicycle is affectionately known in Japan as a "mamachari" and is most popular with homemakers who use the bikes to run errands around town, carry groceries and ferry one or more children to and from kindergarten. Men in Japan also use mamachari though more often these bicycles are used simply as commuter vehicles. I am a great fan of mamachari as these bikes are normally very durable and well designed for use in navigating the many small, twisty roads of urban Japan. The bikes are also quite comfortable as the riding posture is normally upright and the wide, well cushioned seat is very comfortable even on very long rides. Mamachari perform well in nearly any weather condition and their relatively low cost makes them an affordable alternative for daily transportation. Some mamachari even include special battery-assisted drives to help Okasan (mother) climb tough hills when carrying a full load of kids and groceries.

Comments

I just got a used one today for only 515 yen! This a very well made bike! Thanks!

Can l get the address or phone number of the sealer in Japan.

i have one of that & i love it > thanks japan

Those locking mechanism are interesting. Belated thanks for an older post. :)

Does anyone want my bicycle? It's a top-of-the-line Bridgestone Bravestar. This is the jumbo size (the biggest Bridgestone makes) and perfect for a man 5'10" or larger. It's a Japanese "mamachari" with three speeds, an extra basket and even a special umbrella holder so you can keep both hands on the bars when riding in the rain. The bike has a cool integrated lock which secures both the back wheel and the handlebars when engaged. The tubes that make up the frame are extra thick and strong as are the wheels and spokes. This bike is designed to be used as a delivery bicycle for places like ramen noodle shops which means you can really load it up without worry. The frame will not twist and the wheels will not dent even with big potholes. The bike is super tough and could easily be used to tour around the entire Japanese archipelago if you were so inclined. I paid almost $600.00 for this bike when it was new and it was worth every penny...er, yen. It hasn't been ridden in a year and the tires may need some attention and perhaps you'll need to lube the chain. Otherwise, it was riding fine when I last saw it in February. That said, I offer no guarantees. It's parked in front of my apartment in Shizuoka City Japan and available to anyone who wants to come and take it away. Just let me know and I'll confirm with my wife that she still has the key.

I'm curious. Is the bike heavy or difficult to get up hills? Hills are my kryptonite!

It's your nice "Papachari", haha.

I even wrote to the Bridgestone headquarters in Japan to inquiry about purchasing this Bravestar to no avail. Kurt you might have the only one that was sold!!LOL:-) Oh well the hunt continues:-) Thanks for teasing us with this bike, Kurt, gives me something to hunt for!:-) Good luck in your new adventures!!! Bruce

Well it's September 2013, still cannot find a dealer here in the USA. Thanks for showing us this beautiful bike, but I'm not going to Japan to buy it:-( anyway, if this bike were to be imported to the states, we would not be able to buy it for 600 dollars anyway, the retail price would be, 1000-1200 dollars. So that's why we can't get it, cause they won't sell enough to make any money. It's a shame.

I wonder if there are any plans for exporting these bicycles outside of Japan. Here in the US, we could use something practical like that.

Hands free umbrella holder on a pushbike is a very useful accessory. Perhaps not so useful on a motorcycle LOL.

wow, I paid 5 000 for mine and it was strong as a horse, only one basket though...

i hope you're safe there in japan bro.

Well Kurt, its a year and a half since you did this video, but I never saw it b4. Very nice bike, how is it holding up for you after all this time? Doug =)

I'm a big fan of mamachari bike, too. I wish they sell it in the US.

haha it's a girl's bike

dude, i love your bike and your videos. i'd like to get one of those bikes and i'd love to take a trip to japan. is it nice all year round or just in the summer or spring?

0:22 I have to say that I wonder about the safety of your camera during these kinds of shots, or how many times you double back to retrive it, or just how many cameras you have in general. :)

That's awesome.

i want one.... if possible you can buy a cheaper mamachari and put it on ebay i can buy? ;D