Bicycle History

Postwar Bicycles

After World War II, bicycles in Japan evolved under a heavy American
and European influence.

Mitsubishi Jujigo	1947
	The frame was made out of duralumin used in airplanes.
	In 1947, a mere two year after the end of World War II, an airplane design engineer who had been designing the Isshiki Rikko at the former Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Tsu Factory, produced the Jujigo, a bicycle with a duralumin frame. Using 2 mm-thick duralumin that was no longer needed for building planes, he came up with an innovative bicycle design crossing two rivet-fastened box structure frames which were widely used by ship builders at the time. The first model was based on an everyday bicycle from Great Britain, but from the second model on, they started basing the Jujigo on sports bicycles, and it continued to be produced up to a fourth model. The Jujigo was also ridden in the bike races of the period and it attracted much attention.
Everest Racer	1948
	Employed parts from sports bicycles and others types of bicycles.
	TSUCHIYA MFG. CO., which had been manufacturing track racing bicycles before World War II, began full-fledged production of such bicycles in November 1948 when the first race was held at a cycling stadium in Kokura, Japan. It is said that since parts for track racing bicycles were still hard to come by at the time, it was common to employ parts from sports bicycles and other bicycles instead.
Smart Lady	1956
	Sold to consumers based on a monthly installment plan.
	This was the first bicycle to be sold using a monthly installment plan. In 1956, bicycles were still considered to be a luxury, and with a price tag exceeding 10,000 yen at the time, it was not something the average person could readily afford. However, by allowing these bicycles to be purchased in monthly installments, sales of the Smart Lady were very successful, especially among woman. The Smart Lady later evolved into the staggered pleasure bicycle and the mini bicycle.
Mini Bicycle	1965
	One-Piece Frame for both Men and Women
	This is the Japanese mini bicycle said to have appeared around 1965 due to the influence of the English Moulton. Its one-piece frame for both men and women made it easy to ride and inexpensive. These factors helped stir up demand among woman, and almost immediately, the streets were overflowing with these bicycles. At the time, the bicycles were equipped with 16" and 18" tires, but later the tires grew to 20", 22", and finally 24" due to the conditions on Japanese roads.

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