Fuji Bikes were first founded in 1899 in Japan, which makes it one of the oldest bike companies in the world. In the 50s, Fuji Bikes were sold in the United States through retailers like Sears & Roebuck, Montgomery Wards, and more.
The name of the company is derived from Japan’s famous Mount Fuji. This name is symbolic because the company believes that a mountain is the most difficult terrain for any rider, however, they view this challenge as an opportunity to shine and come out on top of the competition.
It, therefore, comes as no surprise that Fuji makes some of the best mountain bikes the market has to offer. Today, they make different kinds of mountain bikes like Trail and XC bikes, plus Electric and Fat bikes. Their prices start quite low, from around $300 but go up to $4,500+ USD.
The company is also great at manufacturing world-class road bikes—their Transonic and Sportif are the best-selling road bikes in their range.
Over the years, the company has developed a philosophy that has been passed from past generations to the current generation. They use the knowledge gained from top athletes to create cutting-edge, high-performance bikes that also come with the latest and most advanced technological features.
History of Fuji Bikes
Okazaki Kyūjirō is the guy who started Fuji back in 1899. The Nichibei Fuji Cycle Company, Ltd was the original company behind Fuji. In 1900, it took up the ‘Japanese-American Trading Company’ trade name.
Fuji’s name was changed to Dainippon Cycle during World War II but it would later change back to the Nichibei Fuji Cycle Company after the war came to an end.
In the early years, Fuji was distributing and importing products from the US before it switched and started doing its production in Japan.
The company became the most popular in Japan in the late 1920s. In the 1930s, Fuji started sponsoring the winning teams which participated in their national race between Tokyo and Osaka. Today, this still stands as one of Asia’s premier races.
In the 50s, Toshoku America became the new U.S. distributor of Fuji-made bicycles in the United States. Using U.S. retailers like Montgomery Wards and Sears & Roebuck, the distributor succeeded in selling private-label Fuji-made bicycles as household brands.
Fuji was a big part of the cycling craze that hit America in the 1970s after it started to distribute models in the U.S using the newly established Fuji America. In the mid-70s, Fuji upgraded their wheel strength by revamping the rear axle to minimize spoke dish; this led to a thriving mass-production of 12-speed bicycles.
By 1974, Fuji was officially on the map and it came as no surprise that the company’s road bikes received high ratings from Richard Ballantine, the popular author of Richard’s Bicycle Book.
The company came up with touring bikes in the early 80s and made history by being among the first bike companies to make titanium frames. However, the company would soon face some hard times after it was caught unprepared by the increased popularity of mountain bikes in the 80s.
Fuji’s road and touring bike sales suffered as consumers moved towards mountain bikes.
This miscalculation by Fuji gave room for other companies like Trek and Giant to have a piece of the U.S. pie. These other companies made profits at the expense of Fuji thanks to cheaper frames that they imported from Taiwan.
In the early 1990s, Fuji was at rock bottom because of the consistent rise of the local currency – Yen. In addition to this, competing brands were offering cheaper bikes in the U.S. market.
Fuji eventually moved its production to Taiwan in order to reduce costs but the U.S consumers had a negative attitude towards Taiwan bikes because they felt that the original Japan bikes were better. Fuji eventually gave their consumers what they wanted but this move came a little too late. In 1997, Toshoku America filed for bankruptcy. Nichibei Fuji Cycle Company also became bankrupt in the next year.
In 2004, Ideal Bike Corporation took up marketing in Asia by purchasing 17% of Advanced Sports International Asia. The company’s bikes are currently manufactured in Dong Guan, Guangdong Province, China; Kutno, Poland, and Taichung, Taiwan. A privately held corporation and Advanced Sports International (ASI) are the companies that own and distribute Fuji bikes in the United States.
Today, Fuji sponsors a cycling team in UCI Continental Circuits. U.S. triathlete, Matt Reed is among the competitors who have benefited from Fuji’s sponsorship. In the past, the company has equipped and supported UCI Continental Circuits NetApp Endura.
Fuji Bikes Range Overview
Fuji offers different types of bikes to serve different purposes. They include mountain, city, electric, road, hybrid, kids’, triathlon as well as cruiser & comfort bikes. More detailed reviews about Fuji hybrid and gravel bikes can be found down below.
Fuji Mountain Bikes
Fuji mountain bikes are offered as both hardtail and full-suspension bikes from expert to entry-level riders. They come with a durable frame that carries reliable features. The Fuji mountain bikes are further divided into Trail, Sport, All Mountain.
Trail
- Auric – Full-Suspension, starting from $2,100
- Rakan – Full-Suspension, starting from $2,200
- Outland – Full-Suspension, starting from $2,000
- Bighorn – Hardtail, starting from $1,100
All-mountain
- Rakan LT – Full-Suspension, starting from $2,800
- Auric LT – Full-Suspension, starting from $2,800
Sport
- Wendigo – Fat bike, starting from $1,800
- Nevada – Hardtail, starting from $499
Fuji Road Bikes
Fuji road bikes are made using top-notch components to come up with world-class bikes. The bikes are made by using information gathered from mechanics and pro athletes. These bikes are divided into Adventure & Touring, Endurance, Competition, and Cyclocross. They are made with the intention of giving the rider maximum performance at the best possible price tag.
Competiton
- Transonic, prices from $3,200 to $7,500
- Women’s Supreme, MSRP $7,499
- SL, MSRP from $2,700
- SL-A, prices from 2,000
- Norcom Straight – A triathlon bike, from $3,300
Endurance Road
- Sportif – Starting from $820
- Gran Fondo – Prices from $2,300
Endurance/Gravel
- Jari – A gravel bike, prices from $850
- Jari Carbon – A full carbon gravel bike, from $2,500
- Touring, obviously a touring bike, prices from $1,200
Cyclocross
- Altamira CX, starting from $3,500
- Cross, prices starting from $1,700
Fuji Hybrid Bikes
Fuji sells a range of hybrid bikes including fitness, cross terrain, urban, and cruisers. All the bikes are designed for riding on hard surfaces like tarmac and pavement and are aimed at city commuters, bike messengers, or recreational weekend rides. Their hybrid bikes are generally quite affordable, with prices ranging from $250 to $1,200. They are mostly alloy framed and feature a variety of entry-level to mid-range components from Shimano, Tektro, Kenda, and Promax.
Fuji Absolute
MSRP $399 – $479
Fuji’s Absolute range covers a selection of hybrid bikes for commuting or general fitness.
They are ideal for beginners or those looking for a simple, affordable bike for going to work and getting around town. Fuji Absolute bikes all come with a lightweight aluminum road bike frame and flat handlebars. The entry-level Absolute 2 series (and 1.9) range from $399 to $479 in price and have steel forks and Tektro linear-pull brakes with Shimano Tourney or Acera gears. On the higher grade Absolute 1 series you’ll find carbon forks, Shimano 105 or Sora groupsets, and hydraulic disc brakes. These range from $970 to $1,200.
Fuji Traverse
MSRP $430 – $580
Traverse is Fuji’s range of hybrid cross-terrain bikes, aimed at venturing a bit further afield on gravel or dirt track.
It includes four different builds with standard and step-through editions, ranging from $430 to $580. All Traverse bikes have Fuji A2-SL alloy frames with SR NEX 63mm suspension forks to tackle rocks and other obstacles. On the wheels are Weinmann 32h rims and grippy Kenda Drumlin 700x40c tires to better handle varied off-road conditions. The more affordable models come with Shimano Tourney gears and Tektro mechanical disc brakes. On the pricier builds, you get Shimano hydraulic disc brakes with upgraded Acera gears and hydraulic lockout on the fork.
Fuji Feather
MSRP $600
The Feather is a lightweight, steel-frame track bike with a single-speed, flip-flop hub so that riders can easily change between fixed or freewheel cycling.
With attractive tan leather finishings and old-school design, it’s the perfect bike for getting around town in style. The Reynolds 520 Chromoly frame is a firm favorite amongst fixie riders and its complimented by Keirin-style drop bars and thin 700x25c Vitorria Zaffiro tires on Alex rims. The Fuji Feather is a real classic and will appeal to students, hipsters, and fixie fans the world over. Its simple yet highly functional design has proven consistently popular for decades and is available in six sizes and four different colors. However, riders that are not accustomed to single or fixed-gear bicycles will find it insufficient.
Fuji Declaration
MSRP $350
The Fuji Declaration is a single-speed, flat bar hybrid built around a hi-tensile steel frame.
It mimics a design that is popular with bicycle messengers and city commuters in major cycling hubs like New York, LA, and London. The incredibly simple drivetrain runs off a single 46T crank connected to a freewheel rear hub, keeping parts and maintenance to a minimum. It includes both front and rear alloy caliper brakes and comes with the highly popular WTB Thickslick tires for maximum road contact. Although the Declaration is a simple, functional, and low-maintenance bike, it’s not ideal for bad weather or any surface other than smooth pavement.
Fuji Cambridge
MSRP $250
The Fuji Cambridge is a bike that has earned its name with its very traditional, sophisticated appearance.
The iconic design of the step-through steel frame will make the rider feel they’ve gone back in time to the 70s. The Cambridge is a bike built with comfort in mind, utilizing a wide saddle, thick 700x35c tires, and a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain to ensure the rider sails along smoothly. It also comes equipped with a kickstand, fenders, and front and rear alloy caliper brakes so its ready to go straight out-the-box. If you’re a laid-back cyclist who’s into classics, you’ll love the Cambridge – but if you’re the modern sporty type, give it a miss.
Fuji Crosstown
MSRP $430 – $600
Fuji’s Crosstown range of cruiser bikes is designed for maximum comfort and includes several variations with conveniently lowered step-through frames for easy mounting.
They also have comfortable upright seating positions, flat bars, and sprung saddles with gel padding. To absorb any extra vibrations, Crosstown bikes have SR NEX front suspension forks with 63mm of travel. On the higher range models, you’ll find 21 Shimano Tourney gears and Tektro mechanical disc brakes. The lower range models only have 7 speeds and alloy linear-pull brakes. They all have Fuji A2-SL alloy frames and come with Kenda 700x38c tires on Weinmann rims. Although these are fun and affordable recreational bikes, the parts and components are of a low quality that may not appeal to more serious riders.
Fuji Gravel Bikes
Fuji has two gravel-specific bikes in their product lineup, the Altamira CX and the Cross. The Cross features two different builds, the more affordable of which offers excellent value-for-money as an entry-level gravel bike. The top-of-the-range Altamira CX is a professional level gravel bike aimed at a discerning market that wants only the best. Built from industry-leading parts and materials, it’s a truly impressive machine that will undoubtedly win many gravel and CX races.
Fuji Cross
MSRP $1,300 – $3,000
The low price of the entry-level Cross 1.3 should not be taken as a bad sign. This is a seriously good bike, with a carbon monocoque fork, SRAM Apex groupset, and quality finishings from FSA and Oval Concepts.
Admittedly, the aluminum frame adds a bit of weight and it only has mid-level TRP hydraulic disc brakes with fairly decent Vera Corsa wheels and Challenge Grifo tires. It’s certainly not the best gravel bike in the world but you really would struggle to find something better for the price.
The considerably more expensive Cross 1.1, however, offers less value for money. The full SRAM Force CX-1 groupset (incl brakes) is certainly a nice upgrade but without a full carbon frame, it isn’t worth the large price increase.
Fuji Altamira CX
MSRP $3,500
With a custom-designed C10 high-modulus carbon frame, carbon monocoque fork, and SRAM Force 1 groupset, it’s immediately obvious that this bike means business. Add to that the lightweight Oval Concepts 723 disc-ready and tubeless compatible rims with Vittoria Terreno 700x33c tires and you have one of the best gravel bikes we’ve seen.
It’s a super-lightweight bike with an aggressive, gravel-specific frame geometry that includes oversized seat tube and chainstays for added strength and power-conversion. No wonder the price tag is a bit eye-watering!
Fuji Electric Bikes
Fuji has a range of five e-bikes consisting of two hybrid-style cross terrain commuters and three electric mountain bikes. They are comparatively well-priced in the e-bike sector, ranging from $1,400 to $4,000. The bikes all have custom-butted alloy frames and components consisting of SR Suntour forks, Shimano groupsets, and hydraulic disc brakes. The range of quality between components is quite large, with the lower-priced bikes lacking some trustworthy parts. Ideally, I would aim for something in the mid-range for the best value-for-money.
Fuji E-Traverse
MSRP $1,400 – $2,700
The E-Traverse comes in two builds, the more affordable 2.1 which also includes a step-through model, and a higher quality 1.2. Both have A2-SL custom-butted alloy frames with SR Suntour NEX 63mm front suspension, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and Vera Traverse 700x47c tires.
On the 2.1 you get 250W Bafang rear hub motor with 417Wh Fuji PowerPack battery that will take you up to 80 miles (125km) at a max speed of 20mph. The drivetrain is a 24-speed mix of Shimano Tourney, Acera and Altus components with Shimano wheels. The 1.2 has a Shimano STePS 250W motor with a 418Wh battery that provides a similar distance and speed. This is supported by a 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain and Formula 6 wheels. While the parts on the 2.1 are of low quality, the slight improvement on the 1.2 doesn’t justify the big price increase, meaning neither bike offers particularly good value-for-money.
Fuji E-Crosstown
MSRP $1,400
The E-Crosstown is a durable commuter or weekend touring bike that comes equipped with a rear rack and includes a low step-through model.
It’s an easy-riding e-bike with a comfortable, upright seating position and a front suspension fork to help reduce vibration. Electric assistance is provided by a 250W Bafang rear hub motor and 468Wh Fuji PowerPack, support by a Shimano Acera/Altus 8-speed drivetrain. The wheels are Vera Terra with a Shimano CL hydro disc brake hub on the rear and Vera Rove 700x42c tires. The integrated rear rack makes the E-Crosstown a very useful e-bike that may not have the best components but will get the job done.
Fuji Ambient Evo
MSRP $3,800
The Ambient Evo is a hardtail e-Trail bike that comes with both 29″ and 27.5″ wheel sizes.
It’s designed around Fuji’s popular Tahoe trail bike with an added Bosch Performance pedal-assist motor that delivers up to 612W of power. The drivetrain is a top-quality 10-speed Shimano Deore set with hydraulic disc brakes and WTB ST i25 rims wrapped in Vigilante Comp 2.3″ tires. Most notable, however, is the excellent RS Recon RL 29 front suspension fork, with Maxlite Stealth thru-axle and 120mm of travel. There is little to fault on a bike of this high quality, except that you’ll need to save up for a while to afford it!
Fuji Blackhill Evo
MSRP $4,000
Fuji’s Blackhill Evo electric dual-suspension MTB comes in both 29″ and 27.5″ wheel sizes, making it a versatile all-mountain ride.
The A6-SL super-butted alloy frames are both strong and lightweight, with 120mm Suntour Raidon front suspension and Active four-bar A4 rear suspension. Power is provided by a 250W Bosch Performance CX motor controlled by a Bosch Purion on-board computer system. This gives you all your trip info and controls speed up to 20mph. A Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain sorts out gearing and the brakes are TRP Slate T4 hydro discs. The component set is great but the large battery makes this bike quite heavy for an MTB so only get it if you feel you really need the engine power.
Fuji E-Nevada
MSRP $1,800 – $2,400
Fuji’s E-Nevada range comprises two hardtail bikes, the 1.1 (29″) and 2.1 (27.5″). However, their other components are also quite different. The lower-grade 2.1 e-bike features a Bafang H400 rear hub motor and 417Wh Fuji Powerpack, whereas the 1.1 has a more powerful pedal-assist Bafang M400 MAX Drive motor.
The drivetrain on the 2.1 is a 24-speed Shimano mix of Tourney, Acera and Altus components while the 1.1 enjoys a 10-speed Shimano Deore groupset. With high-quality SR Suntour fork, Continental Race King tires and WTB ST i23 rims, the 1.1 is a considerable upgrade from the 2.1’s stock-standard parts. All told, if you like the E-Nevada, it’s definitely worth the extra $600 for the upgraded 1.1 model.
