What kind of mountain surface will you be riding up? Roads, dirt, or both?
I'd go for the most gears because of the hills, and if you're going to be
going over dirt or rocks, then you'd want wide knobby tires, for traction
and stability. If you're going to be on streets, then go for a smooth
skinny tire that will have less resistance (and use less effort / energy).

September

----- Original Message -----

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?