secondhand bike shops in Tokyo

[meepalicious]

I've looked around and asked around (at work, at random convenience stores, at the train station, etc.), but I can't seem to find any secondhand bike stores in Tokyo. I mean, they must exist, right? I'd like to buy a bike for less than ¥10,000, but I'm not sure that's going to be possible here. I got a secondhand mama chari in Osaka for ¥6,000 or

Comments

[sankakukoen]

I haven't seen any specific second-hand bike stores- I got a secondhand bike for 7000 yen near where I live in Koenji, and I just went to a bunch of bike shops in my area and went in until I found one with cheaper secondhand bikes. There are definitely less here than in Osaka (I did the Osaka to Tokyo move a year and a half ago), and they're more expensive.

You can only take a bike on a train if it's the fold-up kind afaik.

Good luck!

[sekaijuuni]

I'm in exactly the same situation so I'm tracking this post for more advice. Thanks!

I was thinking that if I found a bike that I had to pick up really far away, I could break it up into a couple short trips. Like, bike as far as I can and leave it at a train station along the way to make the rest of the trip home when I had more energy.

Also, this is really obvious, but there are a lot of used bikes on Craigslist, and you could also try posting on Tokyo Freecycle or Tell And Sell Japan (both Yahoo groups). Hope you find something!

[meepalicious]

I've checked Craigslist, Metropolis, etc. I found a bike I thought would work, but it's much too far to bring home if I can't take it on the train, even broken up into multiple trips. ;_;

[angelachibayuy]

Not used but Daiwa cycle sells good normal bikes for 9800 last I saw.

I know what you mean, as a student in Osaka I got a used bike easily years ago but have never seen a used shop in Tokyo.

[meepalicious]

Can you tell me where I might find a Daiwa? I'm not sure I've heard of them before.

[hinoai]

If you check out gaijinpot or the Metropolis website, people are often giving bikes away for free (^-^)v

[ruwell_marianne]

Two years back I bought a used one via Yahoo-Auctions Japan. Really cheap, around 5000 Yen as far as I remember, one of these folding types. Also I got it delivered.
As for Bikes on the train: Folding types are allowed, but only if folded and packaged in a large plastic bag! (They could potentially get other customers clothes dirty or something.) So pack some large Gomi-bags, if you have to take your bike onto the train.