History of Fuji
Bicycles
Info on your classic Fuji bike:
http://classicfuji.com/index.html
Please Note >
We Cannot Ship Fuji Bikes
Beginning in 1899
Fuji has recorded an impressive number of technological firsts. In 2000,
they recorded firsts again with the Fuji Team, the bike the Mercury
Cycling Team rode to more US National Cup wins than any other team in the
past three seasons. Fuji continues its tradition of innovation and value
that is hard to beat.
Just before the turn of the century in 1899, Japan’s Nichibei Fuji was
born. Since the first Fuji bike was built, Fuji was destined to become a
leader in the bicycle industry. When the first bikes rolled off the line,
Fuji engineers recognized the need for designs that would perform at a
higher level. By the roaring twenties, Fuji was well on its way and was
Japan’s most popular bike, dominating not just the marketplace, but also
winning races in the increasingly popular cycling competitions being held
around Japan. Fuji engineers began researching and developing bicycles for
world-class racing, not only to win, but also to use the competitive
environment as a laboratory for advanced bicycle technology, discovering
faster, lighter and more durable designs. In the 30's, Fuji established
the first national stage race between Osaka and Tokyo and, naturally
sponsored the winning team of this "Tour de Japan." Today, this race
remains one of the premier races in all of Asia.
Fuji's racing tradition continued, when in 1951 the first Asian games held
in New Delhi and was won by a young Shoichiro Sugihara on a Fuji. During
this period, Fuji was so popular throughout Asia that sales of Fuji
bicycles were quickly expanded into other Asian markets. In 1964, the
Olympics were held in Tokyo and Fuji’s chief engineer and world-renowned
competitive bike designer Dr. Shoichiro Sugihara coached the Japanese
national team. He also designed the bicycles that the team competed on.
This is the same Shoichiro Sugihara that won the first international
cycling competition on a Fuji. He repeated this role at both the 1968
Olympics in Mexico and the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Fuji’s place in
bicycle history was assured.
In 1971, Fuji America was established on our shores. Those were days
during which recognition for the innovation, efficiency and craftsmanship
of Japanese manufacture was reserved to the connoisseur. It was just
beginning to become apparent in the field of electronics and the
automotive world. Our mission was clear-cut: earn the deserved admiration
of what Japan's combination of modern technology and old world ideology
could achieve. With one look, one ride, Fuji became one of the most
respected brands in the U. S. Among Fuji’s breakthroughs in those early
years was the utilization of double-butted Chrome Molybdenum frame sets on
many popular-priced models.
We were ahead of our time with the first to introduce the now legendary
Shimano Dura Ace component group on a production bike. In 1974, 1976 &
1980 Fuji was ranked first in Consumers Reports bicycle test. In 1978, we
fielded the first national women’s racing team and in 1986, one of the
first companies to manufacture frames with the space-age material,
titanium. The list of firsts goes on and on, both in world and Olympic
competition and innovation.
Fuji America research and development staff constantly pushes the envelope
of cycling technology to build the finest bicycles anywhere. An example of
their recent achievement is the Team Issue road frame. It weighs in at a
scant 2.4lbs. One of the lightest road frames in the world! This is the
frame that carried the Mercury professional cycling team to over 70
victories in the ’99 season making it the top professional cycling team in
the U.S. The Mercury cycling team was also awarded the VeloNews team of
the year for the fourth year in a row. Another example is our Diamond
series dual suspension. A suspension design that the top German cycling
magazine ranked first in a shoot out of all the popular suspension designs
available worldwide. Fuji’s reputation for state of the art bicycles and
outstanding values has assisted its expansion into Europe, a continent
rich with cycling history.
From the road to the mountains to the city streets, Fuji bicycles are
products of this heritage. Fuji was first to utilize double-butted
Chromoly tubing on popular-priced models; the first to introduce 12-speed
gearing on production bikes; The first to spec a bike with a Shimano Dura-Ace
group. The first to develop a high-quality city bike with oversized tires;
the first to develop 24/27-inch wheel combination models for the smaller
adult cyclist. Fuji’s line remains remarkable with bikes like the 18-pound
Fuji Team and the Fuji Triple Diamond mountain bike, the dual suspension
bike rated #1 by Germany's top cycling magazine. Or the fun, functional
and affordable Fuji Cambridge, one of their leisure bikes. They're all
worth looking into. Fuji's record of offering higher-quality components
than on comparable competitive models, their bikes will give you more than
your money's worth, too.
Today, Fuji brand bicycles are sold world wide and recognized for
innovation, quality, performance and value. Throughout their diverse
bicycle line you’ll find engineering refinements, both subtle and
striking. These are the result of young, dynamic design, research and
marketing teams who are cyclists themselves. They’ve grown up riding
America’s roads and trails. They have searched for precision and
reliability from every element of every bike they’ve ever ridden. They
share your desire for outstanding value.
Info on your classic Fuji bike:
http://classicfuji.com/index.html
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