News | Fuji Bikes Launches New ‘Auric’ & ‘Rakan’ Platforms
Fuji Bikes are one of those long-standing traditional bike brands that can be seen everywhere, but rarely get the blood pumping when it comes to design and innovation. But all this is set to change as Fuji has just announced its reentry into the full-suspension mountain bike market with two new interesting platforms: the all-mountain Fuji Auric with 160mm of travel and the XC/Trail Fuji Rakan with 120mm of travel. The defining feature of both? Patented MLink suspension technology.
MLink is a four-bar linkage system that uses a mid-length linkage in the rear triangle. This combines the suspension tuning previously possible on only short-link systems with the geometry advantages of long-link systems. MLink’s longer links rotate less than short-link systems, reducing stress on pivot bearings — and unlike a long-link system, MLink connects the seatstays and chainstays for better triangulation and a stiffer rear swingarm, while still taking advantage of shorter rear chainstay geometry.
“We believe MLink is the best performing suspension system on the market today,” said Fuji Mountain Bike Marketing Manager Brian McKinney. “It guarantees incredibly efficient climbing, yet doesn’t sacrifice anything on the descents. MLink will fundamentally change rider perceptions of how efficient and plush a full-suspension bike can be. We can’t wait for riders to experience Auric and Rakan.”
The all-mountain Fuji Auric features 27.5” wheels mated with 160mm of MLink suspension. A tapered head tube, Boost 148 x 12 rear hub spacing, 67-degree head tube angle, oversized hydroformed downtube, and press-fit 30 bottom bracket form a stiff, durable, and lightweight frame that boosts confidence when hitting corners hard and stabilizes the ride on high-speed technical descents. All Auric models come with a dropper seatpost for crushing steep, gnarly descents and railing big berms at warp speed. Auric is available in 4 sizes and 4 models, with specification ranging from SRAM XO1 down to Shimano Deore.
The XC/Trail Fuji Rakan features 29” wheels with 120mm of MLink suspension. Rakan also has Boost 148 rear and Boost 110 front hub spacing paired with a 69-degree head tube angle and 449mm chainstays for a nimble ride in tight trails and confidence when hitting high-speed corners. Internal cable routing, optimized for side-swing front derailleurs, provides clean frame aesthetics and tidy cable management. Rakan is available in 4 sizes and 3 models, with specification ranging from SRAM X1 down to Shimano Deore.
“Auric and Rakan represent a new era for Fuji Mountain bikes, a renewed focus on innovation in this growing category,” said McKinney. “Riders are going to look at Fuji mountain bikes in a whole new way.”
After a soft launch at Eurobike, the Fuji Auric and Rakan microsites officially went live this morning, along with the Fuji Auric and Rakan Launch Video (watch below). Both models will be available for test rides at Interbike’s Outdoor Demo in Bootleg Canyon, Nevada USA from September 14-15 at Fuji Booth #D1106. They will also be on display at the show in Las Vegas from September 16-18 at Fuji Booth #8131.
‘Auric’ and ‘Rakan’ will be available globally in November 2015.
Words and Photos: Fuji Bikes PR
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