Unnecessary to introduce Shimano to cycling enthusiasts. This colossus in the bicycle industry celebrated its 100th birthday in 2021, so in this article we want to explain its history and what important products they have launched.
Shimano founded in 1921
Shimano Inc. was founded by the barely 26 year old Shozaburo Shimano in 1921 in Sakai, Japan.
Practically from the start, he started producing a freewheel (rear sprocket with freewheel) which was also the 1st export product from 1931.
In 1940 the company already had 300 workers and the first derailleurs were produced in the mid-1950s.
In 1957 Shozaburo introduces cold forging in his own factories, a production method he discovered during a visit to West Germany. This method makes it possible to produce higher quality products.
New factories in the US and Japan
In 1961, the 3-speed hub is exhibited at a trade show in the United States, which immediately starts with exports to this country. A few years later in 1965 the 1st factory in New York was opened. The bicycle industry in the United States is booming and Shimano is present.
The 3 gear hub with internal shifting system
Shimano continues to grow, a new factory is opened in Japan and from 1970 products for angling are now also made.
Launch of Dura Ace and AX groupset
Shimano started its own cycling team in 1973, after previous sponsorship of teams in Europe. The same year the groupset Shimano Dura Ace was successfully launched. Dura Ace is still Shimano's best groupset until today.
At the end of the seventies also the groupset Shimano EX Arabesque has been launched. For many vintage Shimano lovers the most beautiful groupset Shimano ever made. Shimano 600Ex Arabesque has been released, for many Shimano enthusiasts the most beautiful group ever released by Shimano. The name was changed in the late 1980s to Shimano Ultegra.
The popular Shimano EX600 Arabesque groupset
Between 1980 and 1983, 3 groups with AX technology were released, namely Dura Ace, Shimano 600AX and Shimano Adamas. The parts were aerodynamic, pedals were ergonomic, brake calipers were centrally controlled and brake cables were incorporated into the handlebars which was very revolutionary.
Bicycle equipped with the aerodynamic group Shimano AX, even the drinking bottle is aerodynamic.
Brake calipers with central control
Real booming thanks to mountain bike
From the 1980s with the invention of the mountain bike in the US, the real boom of Shimano begins worldwide and in 1982 the groupset becomes Shimano Deore XT voor mountainbikes gelanceerd. Hetzelfde jaar komt ook de groep Shimano 105 voor racefietsen op de markt.
In 1984 Shimano launched the revolutionary Shimano Index System (SIS), an indexed shifting system that makes shifting easier and more precise.
Invention of the STI shifting system and SPD pedals
1990 is another revolutionary year for Shimano with the introduction of the STI shifting system and SPD pedals
SPD stands for Shimano Pedaling Dynamics with shoes and pedals adapted for both cycling and walking.
STI stands for Shimano Total Integration and is a unique braking and shifting system. The shifters are no longer on the top tube of the frame but are now on the brakes so that you no longer have to take your hand off the handlebars and no longer have to sit down to shift gears.
In the late 1980s the groupsets SLX, Alivio, Acera and Altus were launched for mountain bike. The well-known Shimano Deore XT group continues to exist.
Launch other groups, wheels and own clothing
From 1999 Shimano expands its range with bicycle wheels. The WH 7700 wheels for road bikes were developed in 1999, the following year the WH M959 wheels for mountain bikes.
From 2001 the range of groupsets for road bikes will be expanded. In addition to the more expensive Dura Ace, Ultegra and 105, now also the cheaper groupsets Shimano Tiagra, Sora and Claris were launched
In 2006 Shimano started with its own cycling clothing and in 2009 with cycling shoes.
Electronic shifting system
In 2009, electronic switching is introduced with the Dura Ace 7970 groupset. In the following years, this system was perfected and in 2016 the group Dura Ace R9100 with built-in Power meter was released.
The Hollowtech II 2 x 11 crankset allows you to use 22 gears and improves shifting performance over the previous Dura Ace groupset.
Launch 1st groupset for gravel bike
In 2019, 4 groups are launched for the popular Gravel bikes, they have the name Shimano GRX. You can choose between mechanical or electronic shifting.
The complete group consists of cranks, front and rear derailleur, shifters, brakes, crankset and wheels with wider rims.
