When we talk about the bicycles that are woven into our daily lives—for grocery runs, school drop-offs, and everyday errands—we are talking about the category of bikes known here in Japan as "mama-chari."
Nowadays, these bikes come equipped with auto-lights and puncture-resistant tires; if you list those features, it sounds like the specs for a touring bike, doesn't it? It’s also pretty impressive that they naturally come with rear carriers and front baskets.
At Circles, mama-chari repairs are our most common service.
Have you ever been left stranded by a flat tire while out shopping or picking up your kids?
I have.
Just the other day, I had a blowout about 100 meters after leaving my house on my commute.
(Good thing I was close to home...)
A blowout?
Yes, that’s when the tire is so worn down that it can’t withstand the pressure of the inner tube and bursts. This happens on mama-chari, too, of course.
If it were just a flat, that would be one thing, but when the tire itself needs replacing, it costs both time and money.
Make sure to check the condition of your tires and replace them early to minimize the risk of unexpected trouble!!
Here is the sign that it’s time for a replacement!
Now, let’s take a look at what a tire that needs replacing looks like, using a bike that came into our mama-chari pit zone the other day.
At first glance, this one might look fine, but if you squeeze the tire a bit, you can see cracks...
Once it gets to this state, it often bursts when you inflate it to the proper pressure, so be careful!!
As soon as you see even minor cracking, it’s a sign that it’s time to replace them!!
"There aren't many cracks, but I can see something like fabric..."
Replace them immediately!!
They will absolutely get a flat or have a blowout!!
On the other hand, here is what a new tire looks like.
You can squeeze it with your hand and there’s no cracking at all.
It even feels a bit supple.
To keep your tires in good condition for longer, maintain the correct air pressure.
Neither too much nor too little is good.
The door with the Pit Service sign is our repair reception
Because it’s an important tool for your daily life, please pay a little attention to the state of your bike.
If you aren't sure about the condition yourself, feel free to come in and consult with us while you stop by to pump up your tires!
For all repair inquiries, including mama-chari, please reach out to us at the door next to Early Birds.
Depending on the repair details and the time of day, we may need to keep your bike for a while.
By the way, the naming sense for these IRC mama-chari tires.
It's the best.
