If you check the last page in the catalog, it gives the Newest specs: Su ntour V, ratcheted SunTour DT shifters, DiaCompe Grand Compe brakes, Sugino Mightly Comp cranks, Sunshine Pro-Am hubs, Nitto bars and stem, MKS road p edals. All the best non-Shimano Japanese components. In other years t he component models may have changed, perhaps to Suntour Cyclone or Superbe , but the component manufacturers would have remained pretty much the same. Odd thing is they list the Newest in only 22 1/2 inches and 24 inches. I don't think that was correct, at least not for long. I thought the Newest was available in a typical range of sizes. Note that the Newest was definitely a racing bike, while the better known Finest was more of a S port bike which was suitable for light touring, although it could be raced and I'm sure a few were. Both these models, however, came with tubular t ires. The Ace was perhaps a more glamorous model, as Shimano was the fir st Japanese manufacturer to make a mark in the European peleton, in large par t thanks to the Freddy Maertens, Michael Pollentier and the Flandria team. Indeed, I don't think Sun Tour ever did really establish themselves at the top level of European racing, although their stuff was more than good e nough to do so. I think SunTour, like many of the French components used on constructeur and lesser touring bikes, is another example of the best s tuff not necessarily appearing in the peleton.
Regards,
Jerry Moos
Big Spring, Texas, USA
From: Kevin Kruger <ktk1_7_0_2_8@yahoo.com> Subject: [CR]1976 Fuji Catalog on Bulgier site To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org, rocketman_531@msn.com Date: Friday, November 21, 2008, 2:30 PM
Here's the address for the 1976 Fuji Newest catalog page found on Mark Bulg ier's great catalog site:
http://bulgier.net/
Fuji line included Sugino, SunTour, Sunshine, Nitto, and Dia-Compe from top to bottom, except for the Ace which used Dura Ace stuff.
Part of me always wanted to own a Fuji Newest since I worked at a shop in t he mid 70s that carried the line. That's when I owned and rode a Teledyn e Titan.
Hope this helps! Kevin Kruger - Grantville, PA (back from a 25 mile ride in the cold and sno w!)