Vintage Fuji Bicycle History and Facts – Frugal Average Bicyclist

The history of Fuji bikes going all the way back to 1899 with it was founded by Okazaki Kyujiro.  It began as an importer of US and English bicycles and then began manufacturing in Japan in the late 1920s.

Toshoku America acquired distribution rights to Fuji made bikes in the 1950s.  They sold private-label bikes made by Fuji to Sears and Montgomery Wards.

Fuji America was established in 1971 to distribute Fuji branded bikes across the United States.  They had a full range of great bikes from entry level to professional.  Lots of great bikes were made in the 70s and 80s.  Some of the best road bikes of the 80s were made by Fuji like Professional, Team Fuji, and Titanium Dura Ace.  They were also making some nice touring bikes.

Fuji started losing market share with the mountain bike boom starting in the 80s when competitors like Trek and Specialized got stronger.  They also continued to manufacture bikes in Japan later when others moved production to Taiwan, making their bikes more expensive.  This led to Toshoku America filing bankruptcy in 1997, and Nichibei Fuji, the parent company of Fuji America filing bankruptcy in 1998.  Advanced Sports International (ASI) bought the assets of Fuji America and worldwide distribution rights.  In 2004 Ideal Bike Corporation bought a 17% share of Advanced Sports International.  In 2018 the parent company of ASI declared bankruptcy and their assets were sold to BikeCo who now holds the Fuji brand.

Model

450 SE – small road bike

Absolute – entry-level road bike

Allegro – mid-level road bike

Bedford – cruiser bike

Club Fuji – high level road bike

Del Rey – mid-level road bike

Dyna-mite – BMX bike

Feather – BMX bike

Funflower – girls bike

Junior – kids road bike

League Fuji – mid-level road bike

Lil’ Fuji – kids bike

Mt Fuji LTD – mountain bike

Opus III – top of the line road bike

Palisade – entry-level road bike

Professional Feather – BMX bike

Regis – entry-level road bike

Sagres – entry level road bike

Sports 10 – entry level road bike

Suncrest – mountain bike

Sundance – mountain bike

Team Fuji – high level road bike

Touring Series – touring bike

Gallery

80s Team Fuji Red

Fuji Sports 10 Ad

Links

List of vintage bicycle manufacturers and brands

Vintage bicycle component companies