The GT Bicycles collab with Star Wars we didn’t know we needed has finally dropped. To get some more information about the project, we fired off some questions to GT’s Project Manager, Ben Ward. Also thanks to GT’s TM Jeff Z for some additional questions!
How does a project like this even begin?
First off, I’m a huge nerd and pop culture junkie. In 2019 I watched a movie that sparked ideas for a project I thought would be a fun way to bring my personal love of science fiction and bikes together. I proposed the idea to the rest of the GT team and in short time we started conversations with the Disney group. One of our crew already had regular contact with Disney, but that relationship was focused on youth related product and our proposal was to make something cool for us adult kids! With some early concepts they were on board to see what we could collaborate on.
How long was this in the making and what is the process like?
First conversations started in 2019 and that lead to them proposing a project with Lucas Film and The Mandalorian series. By this point it was now mid-2020 and we were in the early stages of “The New Normal,” which made collaborating on a project extra challenging. I would usually make a trip back to CA and collaborate in person, but that would never be an option. So, from first conversation to launch it will be 4 years next week. Just a little bit of time haha.
It looks like a lot of attention was paid to the details on this bike. Do you envision people actually riding these or cherishing them as collector’s items?
I’d love to say we nailed the design in one, but the bike evolved a lot during its design along with the show. During the bikes creation we saw Season two come and go with the two main characters no longer together. A show hiatus for Book of Boba Fett and now the competition of Season Three, spoiler alert, that found the two main characters back together.
We locked up the design around the time of Book of Boba Fett and had to make some guesses as to where the story was going. We didn’t want to put out something that was already old, so we made some best guesses and took some risks on what we’d like to see as fans. Disney we’re great help here too. None of us knew what was coming, but we used our combined love of the series to deliver something that by the end of season three was spot on in the story.
Not only was connecting it to the story important. We wanted to create a bike that would look cool to cruise around on for a rider and something that a Star Wars fan would enjoy owning with little Easter eggs and details hidden throughout. That way if you decide to put it on ice, hang it on display or get your cosplay on for the weekly group ride, a fantastic experience can be had by all.
All of those words aside, this truly cannot have happened without our designer Yunho Seo who has the knack for taking my crazy ideas and making them a reality. My obsession and his skill were paramount in the final product. Thank you, Yunho!
GT has done a lot of collaborations in the past, how does this one compare?
Each collaboration is a challenge in the beginning, and we learn a lot from each one. I can tell you that I definitely get a little emotional thinking about the 3 year-old me experiencing Star Wars for the first time I was conscious of it. Listening to my R2D2 and C-3PO record every morning while A New Hope reruns were constantly playing on HBO…this one is extra special. Thanks to my mom, movies have always been a big part of my life and if this BMX thing hadn’t worked out, screen writing was another dream of mine. So, to connect the two means a whole lot and I cannot thank Disney and the GT fam for letting it happen.
Is this one of your favorites?
Absolutely. I hope I get one!
Could this be the start of some more StarWars themed collaborations?
I think both of our groups had a lot of fun on this project and it sounds like their office is just as excited as ours. We’re all hands getting this out to the galaxy and haven’t thought about the future, but if they are keen, so are we!
Any chance of a 20″ collab in the future?
Hate to break people’s hearts, but not likely. Rights to smaller wheels are secured by others, but you never know! For now, I think a project like this lives best on the big wheel bikes. Our goal as a brand is to get more people on bikes, a GT would be great, but not mandatory. I hope by getting more adults out on two wheels they can lead by example and have their kids follow suit.
Is there anything else interesting about the project that you would like to share?
The show’s creator, incredible actor and director, John Favreau, asked for one to be sent straight to him. Come on, how cool is that!? I hope he loves it as much as we do.
Thanks for the time!—Ben Ward
You can find more information about the bike here!
