Hi-E
01-04-22, 05:25 PM
#51
Junior Wingnut
Hi-E wheelset on Teledyne Titan at River City Bicycles
Hi folks, figured I'd post these here. This Hi-E wheelset is hanging on a Teledyne Titan on display at River City Bicycles in Portland, OR. These might be of special interest because they appear to have a slightly different construction type than most of the other rims.
In my collection I've got a set of the early 36h hubs, low flange front and high flange rear, with the stickers instead of engraving. 120 spaced. The front was radially laced and the rear was radial on the non-drive side, kinda neat.
(One of the stickers is upside down so looks like I'm stuck with a left-hand drivetrain lol)
And I just recently got myself a 28h front hub for a 1988 titanium bike that I'm slowly building up as a lightweight build. Now I need a 28h rear hub, and really light rims (I'm a small gal). Thinking about Mavic Argent 7s. Or, heck, if I ever found a pair of Hi-E rims, well that would really be something...
In my collection I've got a set of the early 36h hubs, low flange front and high flange rear, with the stickers instead of engraving. 120 spaced. The front was radially laced and the rear was radial on the non-drive side, kinda neat.
(One of the stickers is upside down so looks like I'm stuck with a left-hand drivetrain lol)
And I just recently got myself a 28h front hub for a 1988 titanium bike that I'm slowly building up as a lightweight build. Now I need a 28h rear hub, and really light rims (I'm a small gal). Thinking about Mavic Argent 7s. Or, heck, if I ever found a pair of Hi-E rims, well that would really be something...
Last edited by 3dvvitch; 01-04-22 at 05:32 PM.
01-04-22, 07:07 PM
#52
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Originally Posted by 3dvvitch
Hi folks, figured I'd post these here. This Hi-E wheelset is hanging on a Teledyne Titan on display at River City Bicycles in Portland, OR. These might be of special interest because they appear to have a slightly different construction type than most of the other rims.
<...snip...>
.....Or, heck, if I ever found a pair of Hi-E rims, well that would really be something...
<...snip...>
.....Or, heck, if I ever found a pair of Hi-E rims, well that would really be something...
The Hi-E sales literature in the early 90's claimed that the weight was 250 grams, and had the disclaimer "failure is safe, but may occur at less than rated loads". Harlan was an engineer, so I wonder what the rated load was supposed to mean? The load at which the spokes all ripped out of the rim simultaneously??
Steve in Peoria
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01-05-22, 12:11 AM
#53
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Originally Posted by 3dvvitch
This Hi-E wheelset is hanging on a Teledyne Titan on display at River City Bicycles in Portland, OR.
(One of the stickers is upside down so looks like I'm stuck with a left-hand drivetrain lol)
(One of the stickers is upside down so looks like I'm stuck with a left-hand drivetrain lol)
DD
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01-05-22, 03:41 PM
#54
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Originally Posted by 3dvvitch
Hi folks, figured I'd post these here. This Hi-E wheelset is hanging on a Teledyne Titan on display at River City Bicycles in Portland, OR. These might be of special interest because they appear to have a slightly different construction type than most of the other rims.
01-05-22, 04:56 PM
#55
feros ferio
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The original front skewers had dangerously failure-prone aluminum axles. Sometimes weight weenieness is overdone.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
01-05-22, 05:49 PM
#56
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Originally Posted by John E
The original front skewers had dangerously failure-prone aluminum axles. Sometimes weight weenieness is overdone.
I' bought mine in the 70's, so maybe they changed since then?
This is what I've got now: They have stainless shafts, or some other alloy that doesn't seem to corrode.
Looking at the marketing literature from the 90's, it does look like Harlan offered a version with an aluminum shaft. I stand corrected!
That does seem particularly ill advised.
Steve in Peoria
01-05-22, 06:28 PM
#57
feros ferio
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I worked at Bikecology 1972 to 1974 when Hi-E stuff first came out. They had a big aluminum shaft recall back then. This was the first wave of weight weenie wars, and drilium was the rage, as well.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
01-05-22, 08:11 PM
#58
Junior Wingnut
Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
Yes, they are made differently from other rims. Most rims start as straight extrusions that are cut to length, rolled onto a circle, and pinned or welded closed. Hi-E rims start as aluminum sheet, cut to width, folded into a box shape, seam riveted, rolled into a circle and pinned closed.
01-06-22, 04:57 PM
#59
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Originally Posted by John E
I worked at Bikecology 1972 to 1974 when Hi-E stuff first came out. They had a big aluminum shaft recall back then. This was the first wave of weight weenie wars, and drilium was the rage, as well.
And a front wheel track version with two wrench flats.
I have an aluminum front with the wing rod. A display item.
Rich Hammond (aka Captain America) broke one on his Geoffrey Butler in 1974. wasted the fork. he was quite pleased that the Builder could make him a replacement, essentially identical even the same color.
01-06-22, 07:58 PM
#60
Senior Member
Riveted frame
Early HI-E Cosmopolitan
Harland worked in the avaition industry and they like to rivet everything. He gave this Lady Cosmopolitan to my friend and I have been slowly getting it back into riding condition.
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05-30-22, 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by hazetguy
I'll update my portion of this thread.
Super long story, condensed: the Hi-E stuff I pictured came from First Flight/Mombat. They did not have an auction, Jeff's son was basically selling off what remained in an effort to essentially be done with it all. He sold some items on eBay and facebook, but a lot of it was sold in person. I happen to live a couple hours from where Mombat was, so it was relatively easy for me to make multiple trips to buy stuff (in quantity). A few other people bought stuff, but I feel like I wound up with a good portion of parts from there. Eventually, Jeff's son got rid of "everything" and moved out of NC.
Some of the Hi-E items pictured above were sold on eBay and here.
A good portion of the skewer rods and other misc skewer pieces are in Colorado, being put to use or being used for small run reproduction for mtb application.
About 99% of the remaining items I pictured above were sold and are in Massachussetts, again, being used or small run reproduction of things, with possible remaking of items in the future.
The "Hi-E unknown" chainrings are for Dan / Ed cranks, a fairly "rare" and "uncommon" lightweight manufacturer from eastern Pennsylvania, long out of business. I still have a large pile of them, but they are basically dead stock and I can't give them away.
I know that all the parts went to good homes, where they will at least have a chance of being used, rather than languishing in my basement (and it's really nice to have all that room again).
I did keep a few small bits and pieces as a reminder of the parts stash, and for "historical" purposes.
Super long story, condensed: the Hi-E stuff I pictured came from First Flight/Mombat. They did not have an auction, Jeff's son was basically selling off what remained in an effort to essentially be done with it all. He sold some items on eBay and facebook, but a lot of it was sold in person. I happen to live a couple hours from where Mombat was, so it was relatively easy for me to make multiple trips to buy stuff (in quantity). A few other people bought stuff, but I feel like I wound up with a good portion of parts from there. Eventually, Jeff's son got rid of "everything" and moved out of NC.
Some of the Hi-E items pictured above were sold on eBay and here.
A good portion of the skewer rods and other misc skewer pieces are in Colorado, being put to use or being used for small run reproduction for mtb application.
About 99% of the remaining items I pictured above were sold and are in Massachussetts, again, being used or small run reproduction of things, with possible remaking of items in the future.
The "Hi-E unknown" chainrings are for Dan / Ed cranks, a fairly "rare" and "uncommon" lightweight manufacturer from eastern Pennsylvania, long out of business. I still have a large pile of them, but they are basically dead stock and I can't give them away.
I know that all the parts went to good homes, where they will at least have a chance of being used, rather than languishing in my basement (and it's really nice to have all that room again).
I did keep a few small bits and pieces as a reminder of the parts stash, and for "historical" purposes.
many thanks
rog
05-31-22, 05:34 AM
#62
Palmer
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Hmph! Nobody else has a pair of Hi-E pedals?
I also had a pair of Hi-E wheels back in the day. The rear had hi-lo flanges and the drive side had more spokes. Different.
I also had a pair of Hi-E wheels back in the day. The rear had hi-lo flanges and the drive side had more spokes. Different.
05-31-22, 10:39 AM
#64
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Originally Posted by rogw
hey do you know if the hubs went back in to reproduction?
many thanks
rog
many thanks
rog
the inventory shifted between hands 2? 3? Times. Then nada.
I gave up following the trail.
the pedals were an interesting idea, actually all of his ideas were interesting
the all aluminum front skewer was downright scary.
05-31-22, 11:06 AM
#65
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Originally Posted by repechage
....
the pedals were an interesting idea, actually all of his ideas were interesting
the all aluminum front skewer was downright scary.
the pedals were an interesting idea, actually all of his ideas were interesting
the all aluminum front skewer was downright scary.
I still have some old Hi-E sales literature, and one of them does mention aluminum QR skewers...
I do still own and use a couple of first generation skewers with the steel shafts. They always struck me as about the most minimalist design that would still be safe. By comparison, the Campy Record QR of that era was a boat anchor.... albeit a boat anchor that was going to securely hold the hub in the dropouts under any circumstance.
Steve in Peoria
