Araya at one time sold a lot of bikes in Japan under their own name. They had some higher-end bikes, but were stronger on the low-/mid-range.
They never had much US distribution, certainly not like Fuji, Miyata or Panasonic.
Originally Posted by
xuwol7
I have it set up as single speed now and I really don't know much about it myself so I am interested in what others may say.
It was a good solid Japanese bike and I have always liked their wheels.
It may have been just a short run on frames to promote the Araya wheels, but that is just my guess.