DISRAELI DOCUMENTS

Shimano Bicycle System Components - 1981

Shimano Bicycle System Components 1981 front cover main image

This catalogue describes the Shimano range for the 1981 model year. The 'prestige' derailleurs are:

Some notable features of this catalogue are:

  • There is no mention of 'mountain bikes', even though they almost existed at the time. The new Deore series is explicitly described as a 'touring' groupset. Interestingly page 33 also features the famous 'Deer Head' logo. This logo did not appear on a derailleur until after the 'touring' Shimano Deore had morphed into the 'mountain bike' Shimano Deore XT. But I am pleased to see the famous logo unarguably associated with the unglamorous activity that is 'touring'.
  • Shimano is famous for its depiction of cyclists in impractical attire - but the idea of cycling in white bell-bottoms (see page 37) is a new high-point!
  • Page 62 may mark the very first appearance of an image promoting Shimano's aerodynamic initiative. This page is possibly the first shot in what was an unprecendented media onslaught.


  • Publisher: Shimano
  • Country: Japan
  • Date: December 1980
  • Derailleur brands: Shimano
  • Derailleurs: too numerous to mention - see individual pages