Beginner's guide to where to buy a bike in Tokyo

To start off with triathlon, you only need a basic road bike. Unless you have money to burn, there is no real need to buy an expensive triathlon bike at the start. And a road bike is more versatile and easier to ride around the city until you gain experience and confidence. Plus you can easily add "clip on" aero bars later, or even special race wheels to make you more aerodynamic while you ride.

Good, well known brand entry level road bikes go for about JPY150,000 to JPY200,000, and you can always upgrade the parts later. Best to start off with a carbon framed bike as they are lighter and durable. But an aluminium bike is fine to start off with, especially if you have to store it outside of your home where it might get knocked around. A road bike with a Shimano 105 group set and parts will probably be the best value. Best to stay with Shimano it is a Japanese bike parts company and all nearly all of the bike shops here stock the parts. And with 105 parts, the good thing is that there is no real need to upgrade down the track as the parts are perfectly good to ride and race with.

Next in line is the mid-level Ultegra range if you can afford it. Ultegra is a wee bit lighter than 105 and has a little more “bling”. The sweet spot in the price range. Shimano's top of the line Dura Ace range will be the lightest in weight, but a lot more expensive. Riding in an aerodynamic position will give you real gains in speed over lighter parts. It's important to remember that aero always trumps weight.

For a good bike, I recommend Tim Smith of GS Astuto. Tim is a true bike nerd and knows more about bikes than anyone I know. He can set you up with a good bike and give you great advice. Tim has his own brand of carbon bikes and carbon wheels and a lot of friends of mine ride them with great success. Tim built my titanium frame road bike, as well as my deep profile carbon race wheels for my triathlon bike. He can also help out with well known bike brands, repairs and bike fitting.

http://www.gsastuto.com/

Also can recommended Taku Sekine of Alpha in Kitazawa. Taku is native English speaker, as well as a expert bike mechanic and professional bike fitter. He can help with setting you up with a new bike, and with fitting, servicing and parts. Taku consults at his shop by appointment only, so contact him in advance.

http://alphacycle.co.jp/category/home/

Or you can simply buy a bike at one of the many bike shops in Tokyo. I recommend buying at least your first bike here in Tokyo as it is important to get a bike that "fits" you best. All bike shops can help with bike fitting services. And a professional bike fit will give you a comfortable riding position, which is very important.

Some of the most popular shops in Tokyo (Japanese only, but some English may be spoken at the store):

http://www.nalsimafrend.jp/shop/jingu.html

http://www.ysroad.net/

http://giant-store.jp/futakotamagawa/

http://www.trekstore.jp/news/?author=8

After your bike, the next, and probably most important purchase will be to buy a well fitting bike helmet. For your safety while riding. Again it will be best to buy one here so you can try it on first to make sure it fits you well. And alway ride with your helmet on!

I would be more than happy refer anyone looking to buy a good bike to either Tim Smith or Taku Sekine. Or I can assist and or give advice at a local bike shop.

Now that you have a bike and a helment, my next post will cover the best places around Tokyo and nearby to ride it.