Fat Tires Come of Age – Vintage “Fat Tire” Mountain Bikes – Bicycling Magazine May 1983

Fat Tires Come of Age

In the May, 1983 edition of Bicycling magazine there is a test of the now vintage Mt. Fuji mountain bike (see page 139 of actual magazine or pg. 22 in the linked article below). The test is part of a long “Workshop” article all pertaining to Fat Tire bikes- yes, before they were referred to as (Vintage) Mountain bikes. The article also features the Japanese made Specialized StumpJumper Sport, Diamondback Ridge Runner (Prototype), Trek 850 (Prototype). Ritchey MountainBikes Annapurna and the MountainBikes Montari. For any vintage mountain bike enthusiast, this is an awesome early article! It breaks down every component, fitting etc.

Frame geometry of Fat Tire- vintage mountain bikes

Click image to link to full article.

 

Great $8.00 classic looking bicycle chain

Ventura Chain on bike

Ventura chain on a 1980 Fuji Feather Pro BMX

Ventura Bicycle Chain 1/2-Inch x 1/8-InchI had been looking for a bicycle chain with a classic look for my bikes that require 1/2″ x 1/8″ chains. For a black chain with a lighter colored inner link, I thought my only choice was the super shiny black/silver Izumi, which was way too shiny. Then I found the Ventura Bicycle Chain. These look great, and not only that, they actually function great too! The black outer links and, what I would call, dark grey inner links gives it the perfect look. It’s a more dull finish as opposed to the shiny Izumi’s you see out there. The shiny just doesn’t look good on a classic bicycle to me. Lastly, I was shocked at the $8.00 price tag on Amazon.com

Vintage Fuji HAO

fuji-hao-vintage-bicyclefuji-hao-vintage-2Fuji HAO

 

 

 

This vintage Fuji HAO recently popped up over on an auction website in Japan. Check out some of the extra details that make these vintage bicycles so interesting to look at.

First, look at the decorated rivets for the fender support bars. While you’re at it look at those awesome brakes and quite interesting quad-divided pedals.

fuji-hao-vintage-6

This one even comes with perhaps an original top-tube cover. How cool is that?! You might also be wondering what is that device with the “FUJI” mountain engraving and bar protruding from the side (bottom left picture). This is a vintage Nichibei Fuji lock. See the next photo for better detail of one.

fuji-hao-vintage-7

 Vintage Fuji Locks

Here’s some greater detail of the vintage Nichibei Fuji locks. On the bottom right hand picture, the silver piece sticking out is actually the key. You release the lock by inserting and pushing this key in; it doesn’t turn. Unfortunately, I didn’t take a picture of the key before sending these off. The bar sticking out is what prevents theft by not allow the spoke to pass by it.

locks-combined

Now for some additional photos the HAO. I always enjoy the top-mounted fender emblems on these vintage bicycles. And the cut-out “FUJI” on the reflector mount is a nice touch.

fuji-hao-vintage-1

fuji-hao-vintage-8

You can occasionally find these bells for sale new-old-stock online, but they can be pricey!

fuji-hao-vintage-4

Lastly, it seems the chain guards were plastic! This I do find surprising and makes me wonder what year this bicycle actually his. I should note that even some of the currently produced Japanese bicycles retain a very vintage and classic look. However, I’m quite certain this one dates back at least half a century.

fuji-hao-vintage-5