LOS GATOS, Calif. (BRAIN) Influential industry pioneer Jim Blackburn passed away peacefully in his home last week surrounded by family. He was 86.
Blackburn turned a design school project into a multi-million-dollar business. The first Blackburn product, the Wind Foiler, was a lightweight windscreen that could be attached to a bike.
As Blackburn sought means of distribution for this product, he developed relationships with local bike shops and cycling companies. During one of these interactions, he was shown a rear-mounted bike rack from England. He thought he could design a superior product and set about making it happen. The result was the formation of Blackburn Design in 1976, and the introduction of the AR-1 aluminum touring rack.
The AR-1 featured a simple, yet elegant design that was strong enough for even the most ardent touring cyclist. Feedback from bike adventurers around the world led to an R&D effort that determined optimal weight placement on a bike, and the creation of the Front Lowrider Rack. That original Blackburn rack system set industry standards that endure to this day.
The Blackburn product line soon expanded to bottle cages, work stands and trainers; each carrying a style and functionality of their own.
Blackburn and his handpicked team would further evolve the offering to include bags, pumps and tools, all of which all showcased the trademark Blackburn aesthetic.
"Quality, design and reliability were (and remain) the hallmarks of the Blackburn brand, and the company was one of the first cycling manufacturers to offer an unconditional lifetime guarantee," a family obituary reads.
Blackburn sold his company to Bell Sports in 1992 and retired, enjoying golf, piloting his private airplane and cycling. Blackburn's influence in the cycling world is far-reaching, with many industry pioneers and leaders having either worked for or been mentored by him.
Products bearing the Blackburn name continue to grace bicycles of every kind from city streets, backroads and trails to World Championships and the Olympic Games and his impact will live on with every pedal stroke. Blackburn is survived by his wife Patricia, sons Todd and Jeff, daughter Annette, stepson Chas Belden, 10 granddaughters, and 10 great-grandchildren.
BRAIN would like to thank Greg Hine and Paul Thatcher for their assistance with this article.
