The cycling world knows about the Gary Fisher-Subaru racing team, but now word is out that the automaker is launching its own line of bicycles in 2009, starting with a spendy steel hardtail XB model, reported to cost US$3,880.
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., maker of the Subaru brand of cars, will outsource production of the bicycles to a Japanese manufacturer, to be made on a per-order basis. Only 99 will be made available, with the following component spec:
Japanese chromoly steel hardtail frame; RockShox Reba Race Dual Air suspension fork; Shimano XT components (crankset, derailleurs, disc brakes, shifters, brakes, cassette, chain); Deda Big Bar handlebar; Deda Quattro stem; Deda Metal Stick seat post; Mavic CrossRide wheels; Michelin Country Rock 26 x 1.75 tyres; and Selle Italia C2 Gel Flow saddle.
BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Land Rover, Cadillac, and Jeep are just a few automakers to put their names on bicycles, and not always to great affect on the sales floor. Remember: Subaru spelled backwards is U-R-A-BUS.