What is a mamachari?

A mamachari or mom’s bike or Dutch bike in Japan is a utility bicycle.  It is also known as city or leisure bikes in most countries. Some Mamachari in Japan are installed with dynamo. I have seen dynamos like this installed on folding bikes for the Japanese market.

Old school city or leisure bikes that we have repaired have dynamo light set like this installed.

I read that the most common wheel sizes for mamachari are 26″ or 24″. Some larger mamachari may run on older, outdated wheel size of 27". If you plan on getting used Japanese bike in this wheel size, make sure that it will be easy for you to find replacement tyres and tubes for it.

I was told by a distributor that this city bike that they supplied was manufactured for the Japanese market. Bicycles made for the Japanese market are usually of higher quality.

Such bicycles have low top tube and cyclists are able to ride in an upright position because their handlebars curved towards them. They are usually installed with:

-rear carrier.

-front basket.

-single or double bike stand.

-large spring saddle.

-full mudguard.

Most of the time, they are single speed bikes but you can find higher end models with gear components installed.

Though it is known as a mom’s bike, men in Japan ride on them too.  Parents with young children will install child seats on the rear carrier and/or on the handlebar of their mamachari.

We have repaired mamachari with OGK child seat installed.  A model like this can be installed on the handlebar.

This model can be installed on the rear carrier.

We do stock unique child seats like these at our bike shop.