I'm clueless in the Land of the Rising Sun. The only thing worse than
not knowing anything about bikes is being in a country where you can't
even ask and get an understandable answer.

The situation is that I'm living on the side of a mountain - no,
really - and I need a bike that can get me up the mountain without
giving me a hernia. Of course, part of my success will be based on how
I ride, but I want a bike I can really work with.

First bike is a cream beauty with six gears on the rear and two (or
three) on the front.

Second choice is a sexy number with six gears on the rear.

Third is a...um... I dunno. You know those short bikes shaped kinda
funky that would look really odd with a basket on it? Maybe it's a
BMX. Anyways, apparently they'll get me up the hill without quarrel.

But if you just have some pointers or issues that you think I should
think about, please let me know. I want to buy one pretty soon.
Probably Sat.

I know it's not a lot of info, but this is all I know. Any suggestions?