Helmz (stylized as HELMS) is a sports bicycle from Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd. jointly developed with fashion brand narifuri.[1][2]

Helmz H1 2009

Overview

Bridgestone Cycle's 60th anniversary model was developed as a "bicycle to be a part of fashion"[3] with narifuri taking charge in frame design and concept establishment. It is made with an "approach to create focus on design". The model was announced in 2009 and was sold starting in 2010.

The name HELMZ derived from the English term "helm."

Custom-designed original parts were made for HELMZ, by Japanese cycle part brands such as NITTO, MKS Pedal, and Sugino. Japanese oriented brand parts were selected carefully to minimize the use of Shimano parts.[4]

These original parts of HELMZ are sold as aftermarket cycle products. The entire sales plan, including the package design of selling boxes and POP, was awarded the Minister of Economy Award and the Planning Award at the 42nd JPM Creative Design Show in 2012. SR1 received the Good Design award in 2014.

Technical features

Air pressure formed aluminum frame

The frame was based on a Top tube, sloped, low-front design from narifuri and was manufactured using superplastic forming) which molds the frame by inflating high air pressure in the 7005 aluminum pipe. Bridgestone cycle usually used this manufacturing method to improve riding performance, but in HELMZ it was necessary to realize the design.[5]

Wheels

The texture and rim height differ in front and rear wheels. The front wheel is silver with 35mm rim height. The rear wheel is black with 38 mm rim height. Models with high-performance sports wheels were launched afterward.

Thumb shifter

For models with gear shifts, the Thumb shifter was selected. This shifter is operated with the thumb unlike the typical modern sports bicycle push bar mechanical shift.[6]

Original aftermarket parts

Hlmz original aftermarket parts were released on 2012. Stem, handle bar, saddle, wheels, gear cranks, and most other original parts were sold on market as aftermarket parts.[7]

Belt drive

The belt drive equipped models, SR1 and S10, were introduced in 2013. These models were an update of Bridegestone's belt drive experience from 1980, "SSSD" (Selectable SS Solld Drive). The new belt drives were made out of carbon instead of kevlar making the belts lighter and more flexible.[8]

Models

Frame shape and concepts have not been changed since its first announcement except for the new sizes being set.

Model Name Model Year Composition
H1 2010 - 2011 9 speed, flat bar handle
H1X 2011 - 2013 10 speed, bull-horn handle, original design parts, high-quality cyclocross wheels
H10 2011 - 9 speed, flat handle, size 510mm added
H65 2012 - 9 speed, size 650B wheels, flat handle, size 480mm (compact model)
SR1 2013 - SSSD (Single Speed Solid Drive), high-quality cyclocross wheels, drop handle
S10 2013 - SSSD (Single Speed Solid Drive), riser bar handle
H2X 2014 - 10 speed, bull-horn handle, original design parts, high-quality cyclocross wheels

Collaboration

Star Wars

Collaborating with Star Wars, Helmz released two 5 year anniversary models in different colors. The Galactic Empire model is black based with blue, while the Rebel Alliance model is Silver based with red. The bikes were hand painted at the Bridgestone Cycle headquarter factory.[9]

Awards

2013 Planning: JPM Minister of Economy Award in 42nd JPM Creative Design Show for Year 2012[10]

2014 SR1: Good Design award 2014 [11]

2016 SR1: selected as "JAPANESE DESIGN TODAY 100" in Singapore [12]

References

  1. ↑ "ブリヂストンサイクルと nari/furi（ナリフリ） ストリート（街乗り）バイシクルに新ジャンルを提唱する 「HELMZ ヘルムズ」を発売 ｜ニュースリリース 2010 ｜ブリヂストンサイクル株式会社". www.bscycle.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  2. ↑ "BICYCLE ONLINE". www.bscycle.co.jp. Retrieved 2017-08-03.
  3. ↑ SwimmyDesignLab. "HELMZ 2013 Story archive". www.helmz.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2016-08-10. Retrieved 2017-03-18.
  4. ↑ 日経トレンディネット (2011-06-29). "高級パーツを使わない高級ストリート自転車！ ブリヂストン「HELMZ」". 日経トレンディネット (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  5. ↑ 日経トレンディネット (2011-06-29). "高級パーツを使わない高級ストリート自転車！ ブリヂストン「HELMZ」". 日経トレンディネット (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  6. ↑ "ブリヂストンサイクルと nari/furi（ナリフリ） ストリート（街乗り）バイシクルに新ジャンルを提唱する 「HELMZ ヘルムズ」を発売 ｜ニュースリリース 2010 ｜ブリヂストンサイクル株式会社". www.bscycle.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  7. ↑ SwimmyDesignLab. "HELMZオリジナルパーツ - Genki Fukunaga". narifuri.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2017-03-18. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  8. ↑ "BRIDGESTONE / Carbon Belt Drive". www.beltdrive.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  9. ↑ "HELMZの自転車にスター・ウォーズモデルが登場 | editeur エディトゥール". editeur エディトゥール (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2017-03-19. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  10. ↑ "広告とマーケティングの資料館「アド・ミュージアム東京」". www.admt.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2017-03-18. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  11. ↑ "ヘルムズSSSD｜GOOD DESIGN HISTORY｜ブリヂストンサイクル株式会社". www.bscycle.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2017-03-18. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
  12. ↑ hermes (2016-09-10). "All-things-Japanese events mark 50 years of Japan-Singapore relations". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2017-03-17.
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