Bell Giro Blackburn
It’s no coincidence that Bell is both the first name in speed and the first name in helmets. Born in the 1950's California hot rod and racing scene, Bell founder Roy Richter built an entire industry anticipating the unmet needs of those with a speed-hungry disposition. People wanted to drive fast … he corralled all the go-fast parts he could find into the world’s first speed shop. They wanted to race … he built them race cars. And when the need-for-speed started to reveal some grim realities, Roy did something about that too and Bell Helmets was born.
Roy Richter spent his life removing the limits of what was possible — and his unlimited spirit has been Bell’s guiding light for nearly 60 years, earning the admiration, trust, and loyalty of generations of champions. Throughout those years nearly every advance on the list of helmet “firsts” was built under Bell’s auspices. That drive to anticipate and create continues, as much a part of Bell’s ethos today as it was back in Roy’s day.
Whether for auto racing, motorcycling, or bicycling, Bell is synonymous with instilling confidence and enabling awesomeness. Established 1954, proven ever since.
Giro was founded more than 30 years ago by Jim Gentes, a man with an obsession for design and answering unmet needs. That obsession led him to start making his own products and ultimately resulted in a company committed to serving the rider through personal expression and advanced performance. Our world has changed dramatically in the past three decades, but Giro has remained steadfastly committed to serving enthusiast riders. We are and always will be a product brand. We argue for weeks about the difference of less than a millimeter in a footwear last, of a head form or the chamfered edge of a vent. We are the brand that sweats the details. From an opening price point helmet to the fit and fabric of our t-shirts to the positive click that the Switchblade makes when the chin bar is engaged. It’s that attention to detail that sets Giro apart. We understand that riding is more than just a fleeting hobby or a passing fad. Riding is the best part of a great life and your equipment deserves attention to the smallest of details. It’s because you keep climbing. That’s why we do what we do. So as long as you keep striving for faster, bigger, and better, we’ll keep making the gear that gets you there.
In 1975, Jim Blackburn set out to design stronger, lighter, more innovative and more reliable cycling products. The first were indestructible racks and cages designed for touring. From there Blackburn grew.
Over the last 35 years Blackburn's spark of innovation would lead to many revolutionary products, like the first high quality aircraft aluminum rack, the first dual stroke mini-pumps, the first over-sized mini-pump, the first dual stage/dual stroke floor pump, and the lightest, brightest rechargeable cycling light in the world just to name a few.
