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 Some larger mamachari may run on older, outdated wheel size of 27".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.

Can an adult ride an 16 or 18" kids bike?

This bicycle has a size 16″ rear wheel and a size 24″ for its front wheel. It is a bicycle suitable even for shorter members in the family.



This is also a 16″ bicycle.


Adults should not look awkward cycling on bicycles like these.

Size 12″ to 20” folding bike is another option a shorter rider can consider. You can raise the seat post and handlebar to a height where you will feel comfortable cycling. Straddle over the body of a 20” folding bike. It is not likely to touch your crotch area.

This is a how a 12 inch wheel size folding bike looks like.



This is a 20″ folding bike.


If the handlebar of a 20″ foldie is too far away for your reach, choose a folding bike that gives you the option to change the handlebar to one that you can reach. Some folding bikes come installed with T shape handlebar which is not interchangeable.

A bicycle with 20" wheelset is suitable for kids 6 years and above. However, if you get yourself a 20″ BMX bike with a top tube length of 18" to 20" you will be able to ride it till you are 5’ 3” in height.



A BMX has higher handlebar which is more comfortable as you do not have to slouch over to reach it. If it is installed too far for your reach, you can lower it down towards you. The seat post bends backward to accommodate the height of taller riders. That way, their legs will not feel too tired cycling. There is a tendency for cyclists to stand on the pedals to ride to relieve the fatigue and that will damaged the pedals sooner.

I usually discourage my customers from buying 18″ wheel size bicycles as it is not a common size in Malaysia and they will have difficulty finding spare tyres and tubes.

How do I get the bike fit done on a cycle?

Sit on the saddle of the bicycle you are interested in buying. Place your hands on the handlebar. Do you feel that you are leaning way too forward? If it is and you still like the bike, you can request the bicycle shop to change a stem with a shorter reach or replace it with one which is adjustable so that you can raise the handlebar nearer to you.

As you sit on the saddle, are your feet sitting flat on the floor? Raise the seatpost up so that only the tips of your shoes are touching the floor. Sometimes, you may have to change the seatpost if you can’t push the seatpost down any lower as the bolts installed for the cage could be blocking the way. To resolve that, you can change seatpost to one that is shorter in length or have it cut shorter by the shop.

Now get off the saddle and straddle over the toptube. Is your crotch area touching it? If it is, ask the shop to let you try one with a smaller frame size. So, if a 16″ to 17″ frame size (M size in Asia) is too high for you, you may have to try a frame size of 15″ (S size in Asia). Anything above 18″ is L size in Asia. The size is usually printed on the frame where the seatpost is inserted, just below the toptube.

It is safer to buy the bicycle if your crotch area is about 2–3 inches away from the toptube as you straddle over it. That way, should you have an accident and fall, you will not be hurt by the toptube.

What size BMX bike should I get?

Children age six and above should not have any problem cycling on a 20" BMX.  If the toptube is 18" to 20" in length, a child of 5ft 3in in height should still be able to ride on the bike comfortably.

The good part about BMX is that if you opt for a larger size bike and the reach is too far for you at the moment, its handlebar is high and can be moved forward nearer towards you as you sit on the saddle.

Sit on the BMX of your choice, adjust the seatpost so that the tip of your feet touches the floor while you sit on the saddle. Place your hands on the handlebar and feel if it is a comfortable reach for you. Adjust the handlebar forward if it is too far away. Note that your arms should be stretched out comfortably. If your elbows are bent as you hold the handlebar, look for one with a longer toptube length.

In choosing wheel size, make sure that it is easy for you to find the tyres and tubes when replacements are required. Some tyres with size in fractions maybe difficult to find. Examples of such sizes are 20x1 3/8, 20x1 1/8, 24x1 3/8, 24x1 1/8, 26x1 1/8. 

Bicycle for Timid Riders

What should you be riding if you have not been cycling for a while?  Especially, if you are a female rider who lacks confidence but would like to take your wee one for a ride with you.

First, you need to know the type of child seat that are available in the market.

I noticed that mothers with younger children tend to prefer child seats that can be mounted in front of the bicycle.

You have to think about the safety of your child by ensuring that your feet will land on the ground to hold the bicycle steady, should you fall. Choose a bicycle by standing over the top tube, just in front of your saddle.  Is it too close to your crotch for comfort?  If it is, check out another bike.

If you like the old school look, a cruiser bike is what you should check out next.  Here is a very good example of a 26" bicycle suitable for a less confident mummy who intends to ride with her child.

The handlebar of a cruiser bike is usually wider so the child will not feel squeezed between your arms as you cycle.  It also comes installed with mudguards.  It rains all year round in Malaysia.  You do not want your child splattered with mud after a rainfall, do you?

Similar frame mounted child carrier and breach cruiser for female or male riders can be purchased from Amazon.

How wide should handlebars be?

How wide should handlebars be? Downhill riders think that the wider it is the better.

A wider handlebar can give you more control and slows down steering of your bicycle downhill. When your hands are spread wide over the handlebar, your chest is not obstructed, making it easier for you to breathe as you cycle uphill. 

So, how extreme are you?

You can purchase bicycle handlebars from Amazon.  Just make sure that you choose the right model and length, which can be from 680 to 740mm.

Change handlebar tape? Learn to DIY.

If it is time to change your handlebar tape, learn to do it yourself by watching this video.



At Jom Johan you get a rebate of RM4 off SPL-WORKS RACING TAPE if you decide to tape it yourself.