The one model which has dominated bike elements over the past 25 years or so is Shimano. Nonetheless, they haven’t at all times been primary in bike elements, by the best way, they’re additionally ranked quantity 2 on the earth at manufacturing fishing reels, however thats fairly sufficient about fishing. Shozaburo Shimano began his engineering workshop in 1921, initially making single velocity freewheels utilizing a associates lathe. On the time, single velocity freewheels had been essentially the most technologically superior half on a motorbike, Shozaburo Shimano thought he may make one which was higher than these out there on the time.
The next many years noticed Shimano producing comparatively primary parts which fitted the comparatively primary mass market bikes of the period. The late 1960’s noticed a shift in manufacturing in the direction of the market which European producers had been dominating – Campagnolo, Simplex and Huret had been the massive gamers in sport and leisure highway biking parts.
The 1967 Skylark rear derailleur was a extra sturdy model of a then standard French Simplex items, a few of which used weaker and extra versatile plastic in its development. The skylark rear derailleur was manufactured in metal and offered very properly, this was arguably Shimano’s first main step down the pathway in the direction of domination of the trade.
The 1970’s noticed Shimano ramp as much as the subsequent degree. Coaster brakes had been in large demand for leisure bikes and Shimano made probably the greatest, they had been producing 50’000 caster brakes per 30 days. 1973 was the 12 months Dura Ace was born. Shimano took it’s first steps into skilled highway racing via sponsorship of the Flandria Workforce which featured Belgian famous person Freddy Maertens.
Shimano Timeline of Innovation
1973
Shimano Dura-Ace drivetrain is born!
Shimano sponsor Belgian highway racing staff Flandria. Dura-Ace was within the Tour De France for the primary time and Freddy Maertens’ second place within the World Champs properly kick issues off for Dura-Ace’s racing palmares.
1974
Shimano’s listed shifting design – Positron – involves market. Earlier gear shifting needed to depend on riders feeling for the gears. Positron derailleurs had been listed in a collection of fastened positions that correlated to particular person rear wheel sprockets.
1978
Shimano Dura-Ace EX 2700 is launched. This essential groupset noticed the debut of the freehub.
1980
Shimano Dura-Ace AX 7300 comes out. It’s particularly designed to be extra aerodynamic.
1982
The primary version of Shimano’s Deore XT M700 mountain bike groupset is launched. The launch of the Shimano 105 drivetrain noticed the beginning of the finances efficiency vary which might profit from options which trickled down from the highest finish groupsets.
1983
Shimano make many inprovements to their 600 drivetrain and name it the 600EX.
1984
Dura-Ace 7400 drivetrain first options the Shimano Index System (SIS).
1986
SIS makes the transfer over to the mountain bike world with Shimano Deore XT SIS.
1987
7-speed SIS Shimano 600 Ultegra groupset is launched.
Shimano convey out the notorious Santé groupset. Ridiculed in its day for pretentious advertising and marketing and its distinctive un-macho aethetic, it’s now extremely desired by collectors.
1988
Andy Hampsten wins the Giro d’Italia driving a Dura-Ace groupset outfitted bike. Shimano’s first main tour win. That is arguably the beginning of Shimano’s gradual domination of the professional racing world.
Shimano make their first highway biking shoe – the SH-R100.
1989
Shimano unveil the idea of STI (Shimano Whole Integration) with Rapidfire Distant shifters for mountain bikes. STI permits cyclists to function gears and brakes with out having to let go off the handlebar. This growth noticed rival Campagnolo desperately enjoying catch-up with the event of their equal Ergopower system.
1990
Dura-Ace 7400 options STI Twin Management Levers.
Shimano introduce SPD (Shimano Pedalling Dynamics) clipless pedals to the MTB market.
1991
Shimano flip their consideration critically onto the world of mountain bike racing by releasing the XTR groupset. Their first mountain bike groupset aimed squarely at skilled mountain bike racers.
1992
Shozaburo’s center youngster – Keizo Shimano – turns into the corporate’s third president.
1993
Shimano Dura-Ace 7410 is launched.
1995
Shozaburio’s youngest son – Yoshizo – takes his flip to be firm president.
1996
Dura-Ace 7700 sees the flagship drivetrain getting a substantial overhaul. “Stress free” is the governing concept apparently.
1998
The twenty fifth anniversary of Dura-Ace is marked with the discharge of a particular anniversary version of the groupset.
Shimano’s Flightdeck bike laptop comes out. It’s operational by way of a swap on the brake lever bracket so the rider doesn’t should take away their hand from the handlebar to function the pc. On this regard the Flightdeck is extension of the STI idea.
1999
In an period nonetheless dominated by handbuilt wheels, Shimano convey out a manufacturing facility wheelset. The WH-7700 wheelset is unveiled.
2000
Shimano WH-M959 mountain bike wheelset comes out.
2001
Shimano proceed to maintain it within the fmaily; Yozo Shimano turns into the fifth president.
2003
“For 100% Energy Transmission Effectivity” – the buzz-phrase for the brand new Dura-Ace 7800 groupset. 10-speed, Hollowtech cranks, ergonomic STI levers and different vital strikes.
2007
The final word accolade for a motorbike part producer is to characteristic their elements on the bike of the winner of the Tour De France. This time lastly got here for Shimano in 2007, as Alberto Contador gained the TDF on Dura Ace, the primary official Shimano win within the greatest race on the earth. The 1999 – 2005 Tour De France’s had been ‘form of’ gained on Shimano too, however with assist from pharmaceutical producers. From 2012 with Bradley Wiggins, via to 2019 with Egan Bernal, there have been 7 years TDF winners driving Shimano Dura Ace within the Workforce Sky & Ineos period of domination.
2008
Dura-Ace 7900 – “The Evolution of Perfection”. Hole-in-the-middle Hollowglide cranks make their debut.
2009
Shimano go digital! Digital shifting by way of Dura-Ace 7970 componentry is launched – Di2 (Digital Built-in Intelligence).
2010
Shimano XTR Dyna-sys – 10-speed drivetrains for mountain bikes.
2012
The 2012 model, Dura-Ace 9000 – featured an entirely re-engineered system in 11-speed. The cranks now have 4 arms, the entire groupset mixes polished aluminium contrasting with a darker end.
2013
Shimano produce hydraulic disc brakes for highway bikes.
Shimano Ultegra 6800 11 Pace mechanical groupset launched.
2016
Dura Ace 9100 is launched that includes an non-obligatory energy meter.
2019
Shimano GRX Gravel particular vary is launched with 4 ranges from GRX815 11 Pace Digital to GRX400 10 Pace. All GRX groupsets characteristic hydraulic braking and there’s an choice for 1X or 2X transmission.
2021
Shimano Dura Ace Di2 9200 arrived with 12 velocity wi-fi digital shifting and a selection between hydraulic disc and rim brake. New deep carbon C60, C50 and C36 wheels characteristic elevated width for wider tyres. Ultegra Di2 8100 was launched too, additionally that includes 12 velocity transmissionn and wi-fi actuation.
2022
Shimano Di2 105 is launched that includes 12 velocity wi-fi transmission and far of the identical efficiency as the most recent Dura Ace and Ultegra wi-fi groupsets, however at a cheaper price level.
See our full vary of Shimano right here
