Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Made in Finland
Rebel with a cause The iconic jopo bikes are an essential part of the Finnish lifestyle. The favorite of the ultracool Helsinki hipsters is a true Finnish design classic, and next year, this agile city bike will be 50 years old. Now Scandinavia’s most popular bike, jopo, is conquering new territories. By Mia Halonen | Photos: Helkama Velox
In 1965, the Finns had been rebuilding the country after World War II, and the hard work was starting to pay off. There were more things to buy than ever before. People were moving from small farms to bigger cities. Tango was still the favourite at the rural dance halls, but you could feel that change was coming. In this optimistic atmosphere, a new kind of bicycle was born. jopo, made by Finnish quality bike manufacturer Helkama, was anything but the granny’s old bike. This was something completely modern, something fresh and rebellious: small wheels, low frame, high seat post and high handlebar. And the colours! Bright yellow, red, blue, lime, white and even the quintessential orange that later became
synonymous with other classic Finnish design. jopo really stood out. “jopo was also very practical,” says Helkama Velox’s managing director, Jari Elamo. “The height of the saddle and the handlebar could easily be changed, so this was a bike everybody in the family could use.” For 10 years, jopo ruled the Finnish bicycle market, until other Helkama bike models took over. jopo’s production stopped in 1974. But true classics always come back into style. At the turn of the new millennium, a lot of retro influences came into fashion. Helkama Velox re-launched jopo in 2000, and it was an instant success. Trendsetters with fond childhood memories of
jopos were in their thirties; the familiar name brought back nostalgic feelings of a safe, carefree youth. Who would not want to give that to their own children, too? Despite the retro look, jopo is completely modern. “jopo is now more ergonomic and durable than before,” Elamo explains. “The colours are still bright but updated.” Moreover, when you get too tired to ride a bike all the time, you can get an electrically assisted jopo. Rumour has it that even Santa Claus has one! Elamo is very optimistic about jopo’s future: “If you can be successful in a cycling capital like Copenhagen, then there is no limit.”
For more information, please visit: www.helkamavelox.fi
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