Touring Bikes in Japan

Japanese touring bikes came under the influence of old French touring bikes. They have a horizontal top tube, mud guards, 650A or 650B wheels, and a front rack. Notice that they are suitable for a front bag rather than rear bags. Their geometry are designed to fit that they have good driveability when load in front.

But mud guards and a front rack take up much space when doing Rinko in the way detach two wheels. So the Japanese shops figured out that breakable rear mud guards and easy- detachable front fork.

Detachable rear mud guards

You can easily detach stays without any tool.

As for rock nut, you don't necessarily need to use spanners. Hand tight is OK.

Adjusting nut is also for hand tight.

Bearings never be spilled out even if adjusting nut is completely removed. Lower side bearing cup is the same.

Remove the brake wires to detach the handle bar.

Slide the plate then the wire can be removed from the lever without tools.

Put the frame between the front section and the rear wheel.

It's compact!

On the other hand, separable frames have never gained currency among Japanese cyclists. Because it was more expensive and heavier than normal frames.

In these days, touring bikes are shadowed by MTB and Road Racers. Genuine touring bikes have got fewer and be unobtainable. As a result, Japanese cyclist buy MTB or Cross Bike as a touring bike.

Some craftsmen still make genuine touring bikes as receiving an order from each customer, in many cases, while usually provide track frames to Keirin player. The frame size and it's stiffness is determined by your physical size and capacity. So, it provide excellent ride quality for you. It costs from 100,000 to 150,000 yen (frame only).

Photos (except the first, second, 6th and 7th photos) by Jitensha Touring Saisei Keikaku (自転車ツーリング再生計画)