Fuso FRX Criterium
Wed, February 11, 2015 
When I first introduced the Fuso frame in 1984 there was just one model. It was simply a “Fuso.” Then after a couple of years I was getting requests for chrome plating, and an upgraded paint job, so in 1986 I brought out the Fuso “LUX” model. LUX short for Luxury.
So now the original Fuso needed a model name, so it became the FR1. FR for Fuso Racing, and “1” because it was the 1st. Fuso. In another year or so, I realized there was a need for something in between the no frills FR1, and the no expense spared LUX model. So I introduced the FRX model, which was the same frame as the FR1 but had some “Extra” time spent on the paint job. Hence the X.
The FRX was at a price point somewhere in between the other two models, and costing a little more meant that I could offer a few more “Custom” options. I did build a few Fuso FRX track frames, and even fewer Criterium frames, like this one. They are quite rare.
I only know of two on my bike registry. I am sure there are a few more, but I never kept an acurate count of how many of the various models I built. The reason I never kept better records, I never expected to be corresponding with owners and writing on this blog, 25 or more years later.
The Criterium model was based on the geometry of my custom ‘dave moulton’ Criterium frame.
It had a slightly steeper head angle of 74 degrees, and a shorter fork rake or offset of 1 1/8in. (30mm.)
It had a higher Bottom Bracket height, also the seat stays were the larger 5/8 in. diameter as opposed to the 9/16 in. diameter on the other Fuso models.
This is the reason for the different seatstay caps you see in these pictures here. These are the long fluted kind, the standard Fuso caps would not work with the fatter tubes. As its name implies it is a specialist frame built to be stiff and responsive, and handle quickly.
This bike was built in 1989, and is still owned by its original owner. It is a 60cm. (C to T) but looks bigger because of the higher BB.
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Reader Comments (6)
I really like this picture, a complete originally owned Fuso that the owner decided to pull out of the corner of a darken garage and into the sunlight after many of years , does it still get ridden ? please share it's history with us, thanks for sharing !
Mitch,
I have to respect the owner's privacy, but it is my understanding that the bike has not been used in recent years,
Dave
not a problem Dave I understand , I always like to hear about 'new' finds be it a Fuso, Recherché, US Customs or John Howards .....
HI Dave,
A very nice bike.
Although I have a few road bikes in traditional angles I do like the steeper front end and higher b.b. of a criterium bike. I have a 1981 Masi Prestige that has for all intents has been built as a criterium racer. Not a clue what it has been built with but a brilliant ride, whilst not for everybody a crit. bike is worth grabbing if one likes a stiffer quick ride.
I was wondering if you recall using SLX al through the build, or mixed in some different tubing as it is a larger frame bike.?
Also found this on the Toronto craigslist.
http://toronto.craigslist.ca/tor/bik/4859083270.html
Cheers
Very nice special purpose frameset. I raced on an Eddy Merckx Criterium and enjoyed all of the features you listed here. So much so that I had a custom carbon Crumpton SL built to the same specifications.
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