Classic & Vintage - Hi-E

I'd like this thread to be a comprehensive resource for all things Hi-E. If you've got pics of your Hi-E parts, reviews of the parts you have used, links, insight or any info at all post it up! I've amassed a little collection so I'll start with some pics of my stuff.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3321459194_b0f2bec897_o.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3294722262_1f7782588a.jpg


And one link ('cause there isn't much out there....):
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/Hi_E.htm (http://www.classicrendezvous.com/USA/Hi_E.htm)


So...Whatcha got?

I used to have one of the front hubs on the right. I think I may have had a rear hub. Don't remember what happened to them. If I did have a rear hub, it was either high flange or hi/low. My friend had high/low laced radially on the non-drive side. We both had weight weenie Teledyne titans.

I saw Phil Wood's site said he pioneered the use of sealed bearings on bicycles, and I was wondering if Harlan didn't beat him by a short time. I loved the Hi-E pedals, never owned any though.

Those rims were a trip. I knew a fairly large guy that used to ride them, he ran a stop sign (during a race? I forget) and wiped the rims out on a car. My friend with the Teledyne had the rims. Incredibly light, but my friend only weight about 120.

Did he make seatposts? I have one I have been thinking is a Hi-E, but now I'm doubting myself.

Here's the link (http://www.velobase.com/ListComponents.aspx?SearchGUID=d0d48b92-7113-4ac1-b3f1-4a34a1b47f6e) to the current Hi-E entries over at Velobase.

Those rims were a trip. I knew a fairly large guy that used to ride them, he ran a stop sign (during a race? I forget) and wiped the rims out on a car. My friend with the Teledyne had the rims. Incredibly light, but my friend only weight about 120.
Most rims are extrusions, the Hi-E rims were made from aluminum sheet.

I remember there being a seam that should be visible in the rims pictured above.

I remember there being a seam that should be visible in the rims pictured above.

There certainly is a seam on the other side. It's kinda scary looking! The seam coupled with the extremely light weight of the rims is not very confidence inspiring....:twitchy:

only one front hub, and it's SOLD 32-hole NOS and included the not-correct but still sort of related American Classic skewer in B&W.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g135/unworthy1/Hi-E%20hub/HiE1.jpg
I wonder if both Bullseye (Burbank, CA) and Harlan didn't beat out Phil Woods in the use of seal cartridge bearings...anybody know? Another trivia question: Harlan was selling a load of his equipment and supplies a few years back (but not *everything*, primarily just his rim-making stuff) anybody know who bought him out?

Phil was around in 1971 for sure.

Hi-E was the first to use needle bearings in a front hub, the small diameter early units promoted that, the heavy duty larger barrel diameter versions might have been different.

Don't forget Bill Shook, his hubs migrated to become Weyless. (Designing the Future)

Bill Shook also was the man behind American Classic, which he sold and then *bought back*! I see there's a pic on CR showing Harlan making adjustments to one of his Cosmopolitan bikes in 1971...so maybe he tied with Phil Wood in the "first cartridge bearing" race.

I had forgotten about Bill Shook. I don't think it was all that easy in the mid '70s for a teenager in the mountains of Virginia to get his stuff. Saw it at races every now and then.

This is the only photo I found. I used to have a pair of Hi-E's that came on my wife's old Super Course. They were laced to a pristine pair of Module E rims. I dismantled the wheels, sold the Hi-E's and rebuilt the rims up with Campy hubs that are now in use on my P-13.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f106/RabidKoala/Hi-Ehub.jpg

I posted about my "free" Hi-e hub in another post. It's a high/low flange rear. I figured it was 36 holes, but when I went to count, it is 12 holes on one side and 24 on the drive side! I guess I need to find some symmetrically drilled 36 hole rims.

Don't forget Bill Shook, his hubs migrated to become Weyless. (Designing the Future)

I still have a set of those.:) 5 speed spacing though :(

I had a Hi-E water bottle cage that was held on with a traditional hose clamp...It wobbled too loose to use after a month or so...

i also had a club set of wjeels i always borrowed for time trials...The superlight ones woth the spoke nipples hidden in the rim.I always used my campy skewers,though. Never had any problems....They had green-label clement silks with red tread...They sure looked trick...

Hi-E 32hole 135mm I hear his shop is closed/For Sale (Hi-E Engineering 2420 Cruzen St Nashville, TN, 37211)
Anyone know any more about Harlen Meyers?

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh168/curbtender/DSC00736.jpg

Thanks for adding your hub! I've got some more bits to add myself including some minty pedals, a spoke wrench and nipples...