Cotterless cranksĪlthough Japanese derailers had appeared as original equipment on Japanese bikes, the SunTour VGT was the first model to make a big splash in the aftermarket. Although the Lark was quite heavy, it shifted markedly better than the French Huret Allvits and Simplex Prestiges that were coming through on the bikes from Europe. This was partly due to design, and partly due to the fact that Japanese steel was not as good as European (nor American) steel.Įven though these bikes were not durable, they did have their good points, most particularly the Shimano Lark rear derailer. It was equipped with Araya steel rims, which were beautifully made, much smoother and truer than European steel rims of the era.but not strong enough to withstand the weight of an average American rider. This bike was only available in one size, 20", which was considerably too small for an average American man. This was a 10-speed, pretty much all steel except for the handlebar stem and the Dia Compe brakes. He most widely distributed Japanese bike of this era was sold under the name Royce Union. (This gap was wider at the time than it is now, due to the privations the Japanese population suffered during and after the war.) Royce Union While Japanese bicycles were manufactured to very tight tolerances, and nicely finished (considerably better than their European competition), the Japanese had not yet come to terms with the average American's being taller and heavier than the average Japanese. market for adult bicycles was basically owned by the French and English. market until the early 1970s.Īs the 1970s opened, the U.S. This began to turn around in the camera and electronics industries in the 1950s, but Japanese companies didn't figure out how to make and sell bicycles for the U.S. Japanese Bicycle Brands.Quick JumpĪfter the Second World War, Japan was primarily known for making cheap knockoffs of foreign designs, competing on the basis of cheap labor.
There are still many very fine Japanese bicycles available on the used market, and this article is intended as a guide to them. market today, due to unfavorable currency exchange rates.
Japanese bicycles are often of very fine quality, but few are available in the U.S.
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