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{{short description|Japanese Manufacturer of bicycles}}
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'''Fuji Advanced Sports, Inc.''', better known as '''Fuji Bikes''', is an ] manufacturer of ]s originally established in ] in 1899.<ref></ref>The company takes its name and logo from ], a Japanese symbol of strength and endurance. Fuji Bikes is headquartered in ].
'''Fuji Bikes''' is a brand of ]s and cycling equipment currently owned by ].<ref name="philly.com">{{cite news|url=http://articles.philly.com/2015-06-01/business/62882774_1_bikes-mountain-breezer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813024003/http://articles.philly.com/2015-06-01/business/62882774_1_bikes-mountain-breezer|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 13, 2015|title=Wheeler Dealers|date=1 June 2015|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|last1=Takiff|first1=Jonathan|access-date=23 August 2015}}</ref> The company is a descendant of {{nihongo|'''Nichibei Fuji Cycle Company, Ltd.'''|日米富士自転車株式会社|name=Nichibei Fuji Jitensha Kabushikigaisha}}, a bicycle manufacturer originally established in ] in 1899. The company took its name and logo from ], a Japanese symbol of strength and endurance.
{{portalpar|Philadelphia}}


==History== ==History==
The company was founded in Japan in 1899, by ]. Largely patterned after English and European designs, Fuji bicycles soon became known for offering bicycles that performed outside their price level. By the late 1920s Fuji was Japan’s most popular bicycle, winning races in Japanese cycling competitions. In the 1930s, 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. After World War II, Fuji continued to participate in racing competitions, and in 1951 the first Asian games were held in New Delhi. The New Delhi race was won by a young ] riding a Fuji.


===1899 to 1998===
During this period, Fuji became associated as a partner with several well-known contractors providing bicyle parts for Japanese bicycles, including Sugino and SunTour. Sales quickly expanded into other Asian markets. In 1964, the Olympics were held in Tokyo; Fuji’s chief engineer and designer Dr. Shoichiro Sugihara coached the Japanese national team and designed its race bikes. He also designed the bicycles that the team competed on. 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.
]
The company was founded in 1899 in Japan by Okazaki Kyūjirō. In 1900 it was established under the trade name Nichibei Shōkai (literally 'Japanese-American Trading Company'). At first, it was importing and distributing US-products, but later it began bicycle production in Japan.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}


By the late 1920s, Fuji was Japan’s most popular bicycle. In the 1930s, Fuji established the first national stage race between Osaka and Tokyo and sponsored the winning team. Today, this race remains a premier race in Asia. The first Asian games were held in New Delhi in 1951. Shoichiro Sugihara, riding a Fuji, won the first race.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
Known for their reasonable price and excellent quality, especially in frame construction and fitting, Fuji bikes began to sell widely in the United States. Their modern, slant-parallelogram SunTour derailleurs and Sugino lightweight cotterless cranksets worked as well or better than equivalent European designs. By 1971, Fuji America was established in the United States, and Fuji bikes played a major part in the 'bike boom' of the 1970s. Along with new, lighter chrome-molybdenum and chrome-vanadium butted steel frames, and a top-end Shimano Dura Ace component group, Fuji introduced the first mass production 12-speed bicycle in the mid-1970s, a revelation for the time. In 1974, Richard Ballantine]], a bicycle technology author known as the 'father of the bike boom', recommended Fuji road bicycles at or near the top of each of four price and quality categories, from basic (low-price) to professional (high-end). Ballantine stated that the reason he did so was simple:


During World War II the company name was changed to Dainippon Cycle, which after the war was changed back to Nichibei Fuji Cycle Company.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fuji Bikes: History, News and Bike Reviews|url=https://bikexchange.com/bike-brands/fuji-bikes-review/|access-date=2021-12-23|website=Bikexchange|language=en-US}}</ref>
"Fuji bikes almost always have very good lug work and finish, an excellent well-balanced selection of components, and a value-for-money price tag."<ref>Ballantine, Richard, ''Richard's Bicycle Book'', Ballantine Books (1974), ISBN 0345276213, p.55</ref>


In the 1950s, Toshoku America acquired distribution rights to Fuji-made bicycles in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2018 Fuji Bikes dealer book Australia by Oceania Cycle Sport - Issuu|url=https://issuu.com/ocbicycles/docs/my2018_-_dealer_book_-_fuji_-_aus_s|access-date=2021-12-23|website=issuu.com|date=8 March 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Toshoku America sold private-label Fuji-made bicycles as house brands through U.S. retailers such as Sears & Roebuck and Montgomery Wards.
Fuji bicycles ranked first in Consumer Reports competitive test evaluations in 1974, 1976, and 1980. In 1978, Fuji sponsored the first national women’s racing team.


During this period, Fuji became a partner with several contractors supplying parts for Japanese bicycles, including Sugino Cycle Industries and ]. Sales expanded into other Asian markets. At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Fuji's chief engineer and designer, Dr Shoichiro Sugihara, designed the Japanese national team bicycles and was team coach. He repeated this role at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and the 1972 Olympics in ], Germany.
During the early 1980s, Fuji developed a series of well-regarded, high-quality touring bicycles, and in 1986, was one of the first companies to manufacture bicycle frames made of titanium. However, Fuji's product line was heavily weighted towards road and touring bicycles, and the company was not well situated to take advantage of the unexpected mountain bike sales boom in the late 1980s, which caused a steep decline in touring and road bike sales. This development allowed other manufacturers such as Specialized, Giant, and Trek to make inroads into Fuji's share of U.S. bicycle sales.


By 1971, Fuji America was established to distribute models across the United States. Fuji played a part in the cycling boom of the 1970s.<ref name="Ballantine, Richard 1974 p.58">Ballantine, Richard, ''Richard's Bicycle Book'', Ballantine Books (1974), {{ISBN|0-345-27621-3}}, p.58</ref> It introduced the first successful mass-production 12-speed bicycle in the mid-1970s, using a redesigned rear axle to minimize spoke ] to maintain wheel strength.<ref name="Ballantine, Richard 1974 p.58"/> In 1974, ], author of Richard's Bicycle Book, recommended Fuji road bicycles at or near the top of each of four price and quality categories, from basic (low-price) to professional (high-end).<ref name="Ballantine, Richard 1974 p.58"/>
With the continued rise of the yen, Fuji fell on hard times in the early 1990s. One of the last Japanese bike companies to shift production to Taiwan after the fall of the dollar, Fuji bicycles became increasingly uncompetitive in price in the United States, causing a drop in sales.<ref>Brown, Sheldon, ''Japanese Bicycles in the U.S. Market'', </ref> Additionally, initial production of Taiwan-made bicycles were not as well-regarded by U.S. buyers as the Japanese-built frames.<ref>Brown, Sheldon, ''Japanese Bicycles in the U.S. Market'', </ref> Eventually, the company designed new model lines, taking advantage of modern improvements in materials and construction techniques.


During the early 1980s, Fuji developed ]s, and in 1986 was one of the first to manufacture frames of titanium. Fuji was not well situated to take advantage of the mountain bike boom of the 1980s. The demand for mountain bikes caused a steep decline in touring and road bike sales. This allowed manufacturers such as Specialized, Giant, and Trek to make inroads into Fuji's share of U.S. bicycle sales, often using frames produced at lower cost in Taiwan.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}}
==Products==
===Bicycle Models===
====Road Bicycles====
=====Road=====
*SL-1
*Team
*Professional 1.0
*Roubaix
*Newest
=====Specialty Road=====
*Aloha
*Track
*Cross
*Touring
=====Women's=====
*Supreme
*Finest


With the continued rise of the yen, Fuji fell on hard times in the early 1990s. One of the last Japanese bike companies to shift production to Taiwan after the fall of the dollar, Fuji bicycles cost more in the United States than most competing brands, causing a drop in sales.<ref name="Article">Brown, Sheldon, ''Japanese Bicycles in the U.S. Market'', </ref> Fuji bicycles produced in Taiwan were not as well regarded by U.S. buyers as the Japanese-built bicycles.<ref name="Article"/> The company eventually designed new models, taking advantage of modern improvements in materials and construction techniques, but this proved insufficient. Toshoku America filed for bankruptcy in 1997, and in 1998, Nichibei Fuji Cycle Company Ltd., Fuji America's parent company, also declared bankruptcy.
====Mountain Bicycles====
=====Mountain=====
*Thrill
*Outland
*Panic
=====Hardtail=====
*Team Issue MTB
*Mt. Fuji
*Tahoe
*Nevada


====Lifestyle Bicycles==== ===Bankruptcy and Purchase===
=====Hybrid=====
*Absolute
*Crosstown
*Sunfire
*Vantage CX


The assets of Fuji America, as well as the worldwide distribution rights to the Fuji bicycle brand, was purchased by ]-based<ref name=philly.com /> ].
=====Cruisers & Comfort=====
*Sanibel
*Captiva
*Shangri-La
*Monterey
=====City=====
*Kobe
*Kyoto
*Slider


In 2004, Ideal Bike Corporation, Taiwan's third-largest complete-bicycle maker, acquired 17% of Advanced Sports International Asia, which markets the Fuji brand of bicycles in Asia. Fuji bicycles are now built in ], ]; ], ], ]; and in ], ] by ].
====Kids Bicycles====
*Dynamite
*Sandblaster
*Boulevard


In November 2018 ASE (the parent company of ASI) declared bankruptcy, leaving the fate of US distribution of Fuji bicycles uncertain. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.velonews.com/2018/11/news/performance-bicycle-owner-ase-files-for-bankruptcy_481472|title = Performance Bicycle owner ASE files for bankruptcy|date = 16 November 2018}}</ref> Originally
====Police Bicycles====
] was set to buy ASE's assets,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2019/01/17/sources-head-bike-czech-republic-company-has-purchased-ase-assets|title=Head has purchased ASE assets|website=Bicycle Retailer and Industry News|language=en|access-date=2019-01-17}}</ref> but the deal was abandoned weeks later. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2019/01/22/ase-explains-why-it-agreed-accept-second-largest-bid-its-assets|title=ASE explains why it rejected the largest bid for its assets|website=Bicycle Retailer and Industry News|language=en|access-date=2019-02-04}}</ref> On February 1, 2019 it was reported that three entities won the auction for ASE and would divide its assets among themselves.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2019/02/02/tiger-group-wins-bid-buy-ase-assets|title=Tiger Group wins bid to buy ASE assets|website=Bicycle Retailer and Industry News|language=en|access-date=2019-02-04}}</ref> One of these, BikeCo, a partnership of Tiger Capital Group and Advanced Holdings, received ASI and its bicycle brands including Fuji.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2019/02/02/tiger-group-wins-bid-buy-ase-assets|title=Tiger Group wins bid to buy ASE assets|website=Bicycle Retailer and Industry News|language=en|access-date=2019-02-04}}</ref>
*Police


==Sponsored teams and riders==
== Model Specifications ==
From 2015-2017 Fuji sponsored the ] Caja Rural-Seguros Cycling Team. Previously, until the end of 2014, Fuji sponsored and equipped the ] ], which rode the Fuji Altamira Road Bike and Fuji D-6 1.0 Time Trial bike. Riders of NetApp Endura also worked with the Fuji design team in the development of the Fuji Transonic Aero Road Bike. Fuji also sponsors U.S. ] ].{{Citation needed|date=September 2013}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Model !! Type !! Frame Materials !! Tires !! Gearing !! Shifters !! Brakes !! Handlebars !! Speeds !! Mass (kg)
|-
! SL-1
| road racing || carbon || 700 x 23 || external || integrated || calliper || drop || 20 || 6.5 - 6.7
|-
! Team
| road racing || carbon || 700 x 23 || external || integrated || calliper || drop || 20 || 7.1 - 8.1
|-
! Professional
| road racing || carbon || 700 x 25 || external || integrated || calliper || drop || 30 || 7.9 - 9.0
|-
! Roubaix
| road racing || aluminum, carbon || 700 x 23 || external || integrated || calliper || drop || 20 || 8.7 - 9.2
|-
! Newest
| road racing || aluminum, carbon || 700 x 25 || external || integrated || calliper || drop || 27 || 9.7 - 11.3
|-
! Newest 4.2
| road tandem || aluminum, carbon || 700 x 28 || external || integrated || calliper || drop || 27 || ?
|-
! Aloha
| road time trial || carbon, aluminum || 700 x 23 || external || integrated || calliper || aero || 20 || 8.3 - 9.5
|-
! Track
| road track || aluminum, carbon, steel || 700 x 23 || - || - || - || drop || 1 || 6.8 - 8.5
|-
! Cyclocross
| road cyclocross || aluminum, carbon || 700 x 32 || external || integrated || cantilever || drop || 20 || 9.2 - 9.7
|-
! Touring
| road touring || steel || 700 x 32 || external || integrated || cantilever || drop || 27 || 12.1
|-
! Supreme
| road racing || carbon || 700 x 23, 25 || external || integrated || calliper || drop || 20 || 6.8 - 7.1
|-
! Finest
| road racing || aluminum, carbon || 700 x 23 || external || integrated || calliper || drop || 20, 27 || 8.6 - 9.7
|}


==See also==
==Sponsored Teams and Riders==
{{Portal|Philadelphia}}
Fuji sponsors and equips the U.S. professional cycling team ], which races Fuji Carbon Race series bikes. It also sponsors two UCI Women’s road Teams, the American ] and German ], both riding Supreme SLs. Fuji also sponsors ] ].
* ]

* ]
==External links==
*
*
]
]
]


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>



==External links==
*{{official website|http://www.fujibikes.com}}
* {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070430193816/http://www.cycle-info.bpaj.or.jp/english/index.html |date=2007-04-30 }}
*
*
*
*


{{American bicycle manufacturers}}
]
{{cycling-stub}} {{cycling}}
{{Japanese bicycle manufacturers}}
{{Philadelphia Corporations}}


]
]
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Latest revision as of 19:12, 31 October 2024

Japanese Manufacturer of bicycles
Fuji bicycles, used by the Caja Rural–Seguros RGA cycling team, at the 2016 Tour of Britain.

Fuji Bikes is a brand of bicycles and cycling equipment currently owned by Advanced Sports International. The company is a descendant of Nichibei Fuji Cycle Company, Ltd. (日米富士自転車株式会社), a bicycle manufacturer originally established in Japan in 1899. The company took its name and logo from Mount Fuji, a Japanese symbol of strength and endurance.

History

1899 to 1998

Founder, Okazaki Kyujiro（1874-1942）

The company was founded in 1899 in Japan by Okazaki Kyūjirō. In 1900 it was established under the trade name Nichibei Shōkai (literally 'Japanese-American Trading Company'). At first, it was importing and distributing US-products, but later it began bicycle production in Japan.

By the late 1920s, Fuji was Japan’s most popular bicycle. In the 1930s, Fuji established the first national stage race between Osaka and Tokyo and sponsored the winning team. Today, this race remains a premier race in Asia. The first Asian games were held in New Delhi in 1951. Shoichiro Sugihara, riding a Fuji, won the first race.

During World War II the company name was changed to Dainippon Cycle, which after the war was changed back to Nichibei Fuji Cycle Company.

In the 1950s, Toshoku America acquired distribution rights to Fuji-made bicycles in the United States. Toshoku America sold private-label Fuji-made bicycles as house brands through U.S. retailers such as Sears & Roebuck and Montgomery Wards.

During this period, Fuji became a partner with several contractors supplying parts for Japanese bicycles, including Sugino Cycle Industries and SunTour. Sales expanded into other Asian markets. At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Fuji's chief engineer and designer, Dr Shoichiro Sugihara, designed the Japanese national team bicycles and was team coach. He repeated this role at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.

By 1971, Fuji America was established to distribute models across the United States. Fuji played a part in the cycling boom of the 1970s. It introduced the first successful mass-production 12-speed bicycle in the mid-1970s, using a redesigned rear axle to minimize spoke dish to maintain wheel strength. In 1974, Richard Ballantine, author of Richard's Bicycle Book, recommended Fuji road bicycles at or near the top of each of four price and quality categories, from basic (low-price) to professional (high-end).

During the early 1980s, Fuji developed touring bicycles, and in 1986 was one of the first to manufacture frames of titanium. Fuji was not well situated to take advantage of the mountain bike boom of the 1980s. The demand for mountain bikes caused a steep decline in touring and road bike sales. This allowed manufacturers such as Specialized, Giant, and Trek to make inroads into Fuji's share of U.S. bicycle sales, often using frames produced at lower cost in Taiwan.

With the continued rise of the yen, Fuji fell on hard times in the early 1990s. One of the last Japanese bike companies to shift production to Taiwan after the fall of the dollar, Fuji bicycles cost more in the United States than most competing brands, causing a drop in sales. Fuji bicycles produced in Taiwan were not as well regarded by U.S. buyers as the Japanese-built bicycles. The company eventually designed new models, taking advantage of modern improvements in materials and construction techniques, but this proved insufficient. Toshoku America filed for bankruptcy in 1997, and in 1998, Nichibei Fuji Cycle Company Ltd., Fuji America's parent company, also declared bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy and Purchase

The assets of Fuji America, as well as the worldwide distribution rights to the Fuji bicycle brand, was purchased by Philadelphia-based Advanced Sports International.

In 2004, Ideal Bike Corporation, Taiwan's third-largest complete-bicycle maker, acquired 17% of Advanced Sports International Asia, which markets the Fuji brand of bicycles in Asia. Fuji bicycles are now built in Taichung, Taiwan; Dong Guan, Guangdong Province, China; and in Kutno, Poland by Ideal Bike Corporation.

In November 2018 ASE (the parent company of ASI) declared bankruptcy, leaving the fate of US distribution of Fuji bicycles uncertain. Originally HEAD was set to buy ASE's assets, but the deal was abandoned weeks later. On February 1, 2019 it was reported that three entities won the auction for ASE and would divide its assets among themselves. One of these, BikeCo, a partnership of Tiger Capital Group and Advanced Holdings, received ASI and its bicycle brands including Fuji.

Sponsored teams and riders

From 2015-2017 Fuji sponsored the UCI Continental Circuits Caja Rural-Seguros Cycling Team. Previously, until the end of 2014, Fuji sponsored and equipped the UCI Continental Circuits NetApp Endura, which rode the Fuji Altamira Road Bike and Fuji D-6 1.0 Time Trial bike. Riders of NetApp Endura also worked with the Fuji design team in the development of the Fuji Transonic Aero Road Bike. Fuji also sponsors U.S. triathlete Matt Reed.

See also

References

  1. ^ Takiff, Jonathan (1 June 2015). "Wheeler Dealers". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on August 13, 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
  2. "Fuji Bikes: History, News and Bike Reviews". Bikexchange. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  3. "2018 Fuji Bikes dealer book Australia by Oceania Cycle Sport - Issuu". issuu.com. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  4. ^ Ballantine, Richard, Richard's Bicycle Book, Ballantine Books (1974), ISBN 0-345-27621-3, p.58
  5. ^ Brown, Sheldon, Japanese Bicycles in the U.S. Market, Article
  6. "Performance Bicycle owner ASE files for bankruptcy". 16 November 2018.
  7. "Head has purchased ASE assets". Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
  8. "ASE explains why it rejected the largest bid for its assets". Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
  9. "Tiger Group wins bid to buy ASE assets". Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
  10. "Tiger Group wins bid to buy ASE assets". Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Retrieved 2019-02-04.

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