History of
INNOVATION
INNOVATION
Sound ideas forge a new standard of quality and performance.
Sound ideas forge a new standard of quality and performance.
Here are some outstanding examples of innovations born of Shimano’s sensitivity to global needs and bold ideas.
BICYCLE COMPONENTS
This first aluminum crank was employed in the first generation of the DURA-ACE series.
With the marketing of this series, Shimano began taking a challenge on professional road races in Europe.
Shimano released the “Positron System”, a rear derailleur with positioning mechanism.
It enables secure and easy positioning of the shifting gear for everybody.
It enables secure and easy positioning of the shifting gear for everybody.
A free hub, which integrates a freewheel mechanism and a hub, features both compact size and light weight.
The innovation made it easier to replace sprockets, and increased the rigidity and durability of axles.
All components of the Aerodynamics Series employed designs that reduce air resistance.
The DURA-ACE AX series, featuring aerodynamic designs, significantly impacted the bicycle industry.
The DEORE XT series, Shimano’s first MTB components, established standard performance for MTB.
The positioning mechanism for gear shifting was mounted on a shift lever, instead of a rear derailleur in the Positron System. The system was exclusively mounted on the highest grade road components.
The steady speed shifting performance was quickly accepted by professional racers, who had initially been skeptical about its performance.
SIS system mounted on the second generation of the DEORE XT series dramatically improved shifting maneuverability on off-roads.
SLR featured extremely light brake operation.
The unprecedented lightness was achieved by the incorporation of a spring in the brake lever and the reduction of the frictional resistance of the cable.
Containing special grease in the brake, the roller brake significantly reduced noise caused by brake operations.
Because of its excellent weatherproof performance, it was widely employed in city cycles used for commuting.
Each gear tooth had an optimal shape to smoothen chain movement, enabling super smooth and steady gear shifting.
This technology became essential for shifting with a dual control lever, to be developed later on.
A dual control lever enabled the rider to perform shifting and braking operations with a single lever without releasing their hand from the handlebar.
This mechanism triggered a revolution in bicycle racing.
This SPD system was developed as a pedal binding system for off-road rides.
Incorporating anti-mud measures, the SPD achieved drastic improvement in pedaling efficiency.
This internal speed changer system facilitated shifting during pedaling and dramatically improved rider’s comfortableness.
The NEXUS Inter 7 was the first to be equipped with this system.
Hollow crank arms realized both light weight and rigidity.
The successful development of forging technology, which used to be regarded as difficult, enabled production of a wide range of hollow crank arms.
The Di2 series electronically controlled shifting and suspension settings.
To reduce riders’ stress, shifting could be operated by lightly pressing a button and suspension setting was automatically adjusted by sensing the travel speed and road conditions.
Cooling Technologies to prevent the fade phenomenon, caused by friction between the disc brake rotor and pads, and ensure stable performance. In addition to high heat dissipation, the pad’s durability, as well as the brake’s quietness has been improved.
The technology was used for producing cranks and gears by gluing thin forged parts.
The use of this gluing technology enabled creation of three-dimensional and voluminous forms with excellent rigidity and light weight.
A concept that captures the entire functions proposed by Shimano’s use of electricity such as drive units, electronic shifting systems, and interface technologies.
Through improving fitting of chains on the gears, as well as raising efficiency of the drive train, smooth and speedy gear change was made possible. This allows for more focus on the act of riding.
FISHING TACKLE
The DUX series was Shimano’s first series of reels.
In the next year (1972), Shimano launched the DUX AUTO series featuring an automatic gear change function when fish is hooked.
The Bantam (BM) series made innovations in bait-casting reels with its precise mechanism, robustness, and original design.
The series won high acclaim in the United States, the center of bass fishing.
This boat reel, incorporating digital technology,
was equipped with a microcomputer that automatically released the line to a predetermined water depth.
To increase twist resistance, Shimano developed a brand new rod structure by winding carbon tapes around the rod in a series of X shapes.
Carbon fiber with Potassium whisker reinforcement composite titanate was used in the TITANOS series. The R&D team at the time was eager to adopt new materials.
In quest of higher rod operability, Shimano developed a telescopic mechanism that enabled extension of rod length, and employed it in the Fine Ceramics α Ayu (a rod for sweetfish fishing).
Subsequently, this mechanism was incorporated in rods for ISO-fishing.
With the release of Bantam Scorpion, Shimano proposed color coordination of reel and rod.
At the same time, the company suggested total coordination of fishing tackle and a fishing wear.
SBL, mounted on the first generation of the Stella series, dramatically improved the maneuverability of reels by adopting the three-dimensional rotation balance mechanism that reduced vibration of reels.
This was an epochal system that enabled fine-tuning of centrifugal brakes of bait-casting reels depending on the situation.
The SHIP structure achieved smooth and powerful rotation as a result of comprehensive innovation in both technologies and concept. Specifically, the structure employed a high-performance gear system and improved body rigidity.
Shimano specially developed Ocea Jigger Reel and could expand Jigging style of fishing. Also through active expansion of Jigging Rods and Jigs enlargement of Jigging Market became possible.
Using the electronic control system that operates a brake at required strength when necessary, the new brake enhanced the potential of bait-casting reels.
The AR-C spool, with its special spool ring shape, increased the casting distance and reduced line problems at the time of casting.
Shimano optimized the distance between tape strokes in rods. In addition to it, using special technology of wrapping carbon tape in the reverse direction in both internal and outer layers Shimano could enhance basic structure of rods.
Micro Module Gearing, featuring precisely produced gear teeth, enabled both smooth reeling and excellent power transmission.
HAGANE gear, HAGANE body, Micro-module gear, and X-ship are all technologies that fuse Shimano’s unique strengths in metal processing to realize Shimano’s ideal reel that will deliver eternally smooth reeling.
Shimano’s original high functioning guide that fused lightweight, trouble-less, cast performance into one through a high efficiency shape made through 3D structural design.
SPIRAL X, Shimano’s unique fundamental structure that increases rod performance from the core, has been newly equipped with Nanoalloy® Technology employed carbon tape, further enforcing its strength and durability.
A feature where the reflective plate installed inside the lure catches slight movement of the waves and gives off a flashing effect. This feature continually attracts fish even without moving the lure.
FISHING TACKLE
