mtb-timeline

Focus

Focus was created in the mid-80's by Araya to managed their own brand bikes in places where more closely Araya branded bikes were not otherwise available. Araya released Japan's first mountain bike in 1982 as the Muddy Fox which was soon exported to Europe by S&G in 1983. For the US, Araya worked with many partners who rebadged Araya's exports. After letting got of the Focus brand in 1986, others also used the Focus brand name to make MTBs:

• Focus Bikes UK - made late 1980's MTBs with a “Manufactured by Honda Motors” decal starting in 1987.
• https://www.focus-bikes.com/int/ : Current German maker of quality bikes since 1993.¹⁾
• and others

The 1985 advert, to the right, lists Leeworld as their US West import partner, who also imported their own branded MTBs, which looked a lot like Araya MTBs. The East Coast distributor, Bike Brokers, sold no mountain bikes, nor much of anything with a front derailleur, as Florida has no hills to speak of.

Araya has supplied MTBs to dozens of early brands. For example, in 1983 ²⁾ a Mr. Inamaki of Araya, rode the “Pearl Pass Tour” ³⁾, and reported that more than 50 of the 250 participants were riding MTBs OEM'd from Araya. These included:

• BRC
• Colnago⁴⁾
• Centurion/Diamond Back
• Jamis
• Kuwahara
• Norco
• Peugeot US
• Rocky Mountain
• Specialized
• Univega
• and Focus ⁵⁾

Araya also supposedly supplied early MTBs to SR and Shogun.

Resources:

• http://www.italian.sakura.ne.jp/sons_of_biscuits/?p=4823

1985 Ad bikeforums

1984 MB-400

SunTour Mountech GTL (1982-83), Tange MTB Tubing, made in Japan.

1984 MB-400 bikeforums

1985 MB-350

SunTour XC rear derailleur (1985-86), lugged Tange frame.

1985 MB-350 facebook

1986 MB-450

Lugged Tange tubing, Shimano RD-M700 v2 derailleurs (1985-86), Shimano BR-MT61 rear u-brake (86-88), Shimano FC-6206 Biopace triple, (1984-87), Made in Japan sticker, possibly rebuilt with newer components.

1986 MB-450 pinkbike