TL;DR: Too tall for Japanese bikes, too poor for imported XL bikes, only here for 6 months. Help?
I’m 192cm (6’3”) on exchange in Fukuoka for 6 months and trying to find an all-purpose bike for daily use with a budget around ¥45,000. Went to multiple shops and everything is painfully small.
What I’ve learned so far:
• Standard Japanese market bikes are sized for ~165-180cm
• I need XL/XXL (58-61cm frame) which basically doesn’t exist in budget bikes here
• The ¥25,000-40,000 bikes are all way too cramped
• International brands with proper sizes start around ¥70,000+ new
What I’m asking:
1. Anyone know online shops that sell larger bikes with reasonable shipping to Fukuoka?
2. Any tall people here – where did you find your bike?
3. Anyone selling a large frame bike (or know someone leaving Japan who is)? I’m happy to pass it on to the next tall person when I leave!
4. Hidden shops in Fukuoka/Kyushu that specialize in larger sizes?
Since I’m only here for 6 months, I don’t want to drop ¥70k+ on a new bike, but I also don’t want to be miserable on a too-small one. I’ve checked local shops and they max out at sizes still too small for me. Willing to buy used, willing to travel within Kyushu if needed.
What I’m looking for:
• Crossbike, hybrid, or even city bike in XL/XXL
• Brands: Trek, Giant, Cannondale, Specialized, etc.
• Condition: Used is totally fine!
• Budget: ~¥45,000 (could stretch to ¥50k for the right bike)
I know finding tall-person bikes in Japan is notoriously difficult, but figured this community might have some wisdom to share.
Also open to online marketplaces I might not know about – already checking Mercari and Jimoty but not finding much in my size.
Thanks in advance for any leads! 🙏
by Theoism