Fuji History

                                                             

1899

Just before the turn of the century, Japan’s Fuji bicycle brand is born. When the first bikes roll off the line, Fuji engineers recognize the need for designs that will perform at a higher level.

1920

Fuji is well on its way to becoming Japan’s most popular bike, dominating not just the marketplace, but also winning races in cycling competitions held around Japan. Fuji engineers begin 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 technoloy.

1930

Fuji establishes the first national stage race between Osaka and Tokyo, and naturally sponsors the winning team of this "Tour de Japan". Today, this race remains one of the premier races in Asia.

1951

Fuji 's racing tradition continues when the first Asian games are held in New Delhi and is won by a young Shoichiro Sugihara on a Fuji. During this period, Fuji is so popular throughout Asia that sales of Fuji bicycles quickly are expanded into other Asian markets.

1964

The Olympics are held in Tokyo. Fuji’s chief engineer and world-renowned bike designer, Dr. Shoichiro Sugihara coaches the Japanese National Team. A bike racer himself, Dr. Sugihara designed the bicycles that the team competes on.

1968

Dr. Sugihara repeats this role at both the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and the 1972 Olympics in Munich

1971

Fuji America is established. Riding the wave of Japanese innovation, efficiency and craftsmanship in manufacturing that have become a hallmark in the fields of electronics and automobiles, Fuji becomes one of the most respected and sought after bicycle brands in the U.S.

1973

Among Fuji’s breakthroughs is the utilization of double-butted Chrome Molybdenum frame sets on many popular-priced models.

1974

Fuji emerges ahead of its time as the first to introduce the, now legendary, Shimano Dura Ace component group on a production bike

1987

Fuji picks up Mark Gorski, Olympic Gold Medalist in the sprints, to ride for Fuji’s elite racing team. Fuji comes through with a couple of “firsts”… First to manufacture frames with the space-age material, titanium and first to develop a high-quality city bike with oversized tires.

1999

The Mercury Professional Cycling Team rides Fuji’s Team Issue to over 70 victories, making it the top professional cycling team in the U.S. The Mercury cycling team is also awarded the VeloNews team of the year for the fourth year in a row.

2001

Fuji corporate changes the way the company does business: moving its distribution channel from “big box stores” to Independent Bicycle Dealers. Fuji partners with a European marketing and distribution company, expanding the brand into 16 countries.

2003

The Diamond series gets four-bar linkage dual suspension, a suspension design that the top German cycling magazine ranked first of all the popular suspension designs available worldwide. Fuji’s Roubaix, (women’s model), wins Bicycling Magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award

2004

German cyclist, Judith Arndt wins the World Road Championships in Verona, Italy on a brand-new Team Issue. She is the first to ride Fuji’s first-ever, full carbon frame.

2005

Regina Schleicher makes it two in a row for Fuji at the World Road Championships in Madrid, Spain. By no means a coincidence, it is a reflection of Fuji’s continuing interest in technological innovations and its dedication to producing the best quality bicycle available.

  • 2006

    The 2006 line features an array of engineering refinements, both subtle and striking - the result of years of fine-tuning and expertise. Fuji has gone to great lengths to ensure that the technology our World Champions ride exists throughout our entire line of bikes. Fuji has expanded its bicycle sales to 36 countries worldwide. It is universally recognized for quality, performance and value.