Shozaburo Shimano opened Shimano in 1921 with one basic goal: to make a great bicycle freewheel. He didn’t choose freewheels because they were cost effective, profitable, or easy to make. He chose them because they require the most technology, ingenuity, and precision. Shozaburo wanted to make the most difficult component he could. He wanted to offer a keystone to cycling, and the industry happily accepted. His ambition combined with his knack for working with great engineers put Shimano’s components at the apex of cycling, where they have continued to stand firmly to this day.

By the late 1950’s, Shimano had begun producing internal 3-speed hubs. It seems like no great feat by today’s standards, but for its time, it was a pretty magnificent device. Adding a simple transmission to contemporary bicycles redefined what bikes were capable of. All of the sudden, hills and other obstacles became less intimidating. Along with a versatile drivetrain, Shimano also knew the importance of a reliable braking system. They engineered the best coaster brake they could, and by the mid 1970’s, they were shipping 50,000 units per month.

To this day, Shimano holds fast to their original goal of meticulously designing and manufacturing the most intricate and vital parts of a bicycle. Their 3-speed hubs have evolved into effortlessly capable 1X11 drivetrains; their coaster brakes have evolved into the hydraulic disc systems that professional mountain bikers use across the globe. Their technology has changed, but their desire to make bicycles more capable machines hasn’t.