Yowamushi Pedal Re:ROAD

Imaizumi initially mocks Onoda when he sees him riding a bulky mamachari (a simple city bike), but he becomes impressed when he watches Onoda climb a steep hill effortlessly on that same bike. This surprising hill-climbing ability demonstrates Onoda's natural cycling talent despite his unconventional setup, causing Imaizumi to shift from mockery to genuine respect.

Imaizumi's earlier inward ridicule sets up his later surprise when he witnesses Onoda's unexpected skill on the hills.

A mamachari is a Japanese city bike designed for everyday practical use, bulky, sturdy, and comfortable for casual rides rather than competitive racing. In the story, Onoda rides one despite being invited to join a serious cycling team, which initially makes him seem unqualified. However, his ability to climb hills easily on this heavy bike surprises everyone and proves he has natural cycling talent.

Both Imaizumi and Naruko recognize that Onoda possesses remarkable endurance and hill-climbing ability despite riding an ordinary mamachari. They see his tenacity and loyalty, traits he developed pursuing his anime hobby, as qualities that would benefit a competitive cycling team. They believe his skills could help Sohoku High's cycling club succeed in races.

Onoda faces a dilemma after learning the anime club has been disbanded and requires four new members to revive it. When Imaizumi and Naruko invite him to join the cycling club, he must decide whether to pursue cycling as a new path or continue trying to rebuild his anime club. The invitation presents an opportunity to channel his abilities into a team sport.

The anime club was disbanded due to lack of interest from other students. When Onoda arrives at Sohoku High hoping to join, he discovers the club no longer exists because there weren't enough members to keep it running. He then faces the challenge of recruiting four new members to revive it.

Naruko encounters Onoda in Akihabara while buying Gundam models for his younger brothers. He notices Onoda's unusual cycling skills on the mamachari and recognizes a kind of persistence and determination in him that could translate well to competitive racing. This observation prompts him to consider recruiting Onoda for the cycling team.

Onoda has ridden a mamachari since childhood for practical travel rather than sport or speed. He isn't familiar with competitive cycling gear and simply uses the bike he has for everyday transportation. His lack of awareness about racing bikes makes his natural cycling talent even more surprising when he demonstrates impressive hill-climbing ability.

To establish or continue the cycling club at Sohoku High, a minimum of four members is needed. This requirement becomes a driving obstacle for Onoda, Imaizumi, and Naruko as they work to recruit enough members to form a legitimate team that can compete in races.