ALL PROJECTS AT A GLANCE
Photography has always been important to us. Since we rarely sell a bicycle that isn’t unique in it’s own way, shooting these bikes is a way for us to remember what has passed through our hands and the doors. Also those images serve as an archive of inspiration for what lies ahead. Almost every bike makes me sit back and just think, ‘holy shit’. Thank you, dear customer, for your trust in us and for cocreating such a beautiful machine. And thanks to our photographer Andreas Sütterlin for these great photographies of them.
Over 3 years ago, we embarked on an exciting journey to develop our very first 3D-printed gravel frame. Designed and crafted in-house, welded in Basel, and featuring titanium components 3D printed in Germany using SLS technology, this bike represents true innovation in cycling! In 2022, we were honored to receive the German Innovation Award Winner price
Ueli ordered a split high-end custom tandem from us. Designed for travel, it features a large overall gear ratio. The basis of the drivetrain is the Appleman 2XR tandem crankset, with 50/32T chainrings, which we combined with a 2x12 Shimano drivetrain along with an 11-40T cassette. The Syncro drive is mounted this time on the left side due to the used derailleur. Our lowrider-compatible tandem carbon fork is also in use here, which can be loaded on both sides with up to 15 kg each. This is made possible by continuous stainless steel inserts in the fork legs. The screws are tightened using fitted nuts, and the fork comes without carbon threads. The split tandem shown here weighed just 13 kg, as depicted in the picture! We wish you a lot of fun on your upcoming long journey.
The world's first tandem with the Mahle X20 Smartbike System has been built. The customer wanted a lightweight tandem with sufficient torque for occasional climbs. The decision to use the Mahle X20 System was due to its low total weight of 3.2 kg and low resistance when the drive is not engaged. This allows the tandem to be ridden like a regular tandem on flat terrain. Since the stoker can contribute little to no power due to health reasons, assistance on climbs is necessary. After nearly 1000 km, the customer confirmed that the tandem moves well without the motor engaged. The tandem is equipped with 50 mm tires and 27.5-inch rims, which provide a lower, more stable frame and increased comfort. The lighting (Schmidt E-Bike Lighting Edelux DC 170) is controlled directly via the Mahle system and does not require an additional hub dynamo. The X20 System impresses with its seamless integration of components such as the battery and shift cable and was combined with thru-axle and Boost axle, which is advantageous for a tandem. The frame was custom-built, and a specially developed tandem carbon fork was successfully tested. The drivetrain consists of a SRAM GX AXS eTap single-speed group, which is considered ideal for a tandem. The final weight of the tandem, including pedals, is only 21 kg. The customer is wished many enjoyable tours with this fast bike.
Laurent and Valerie have each treated themselves to an sPinion Gravel with the Hibox. They are the first to receive the frame 2.0 with the latest updates. These include the revised geometry, 27.2 mm seatpost, additional eyelets, the kickstand plate and, of course, the new integrated cable routing. In combination with Shimano or SRAM brake and shift levers and the Hibox, the washing lines have already been eliminated. We have now also adapted the cable routing on the frame accordingly, but without restricting maintenance. The bike will be used for bike tours with luggage, but also for commuting and evening rides. It therefore needs a bright and reliable lighting system. The new Supernova M99 DY is certainly one of the best, if not the best light on the market. The lighting system is paired with a Schmidt Son hub dynamo. Pannier racks (front/rear) and mudguards round off the bike for year-round use. Gates Carbondrive CDX components in combination with the Pinion C1.12 gearbox are at the heart of the low-wear drive system.
Building a titanium e-bike like this is no trivial matter and we have learned a lot in the process. We were able to build this fantastic pedelec with Mahle X20 and Pinion for a customer from the greater Bremen area. Its frame made of high-quality titanium combines lightness with robustness. The straight lines and the integrated battery give the bike a timeless elegance.
We were able to build a very special silver bike for Michal. It should be as comfortable as possible, built with the most durable or best parts and, if possible, everything in silver. The Pinion P1.18 gearbox and gates were set. Underpinned by a Schmidt SON hub dymo and the silent single-speed hub from Onyx. Once the DT Swiss TK540 rims and the Schwalbe Marathon have accelerated, only a 4-piston brake from Hope brings the whole thing to a standstill. Of course, the new Supernova M99 DY Pro should be missing from this ensemble. Gilles Berthold had a stainless steel mudguard set in his range, which suits the bike extremely well. The frame sliders as well as the Pinion crank were specially anodized silver. Silver brake and switch housings from Jagwire, cable holders, bell and pedals and the saddle rails of the Brooks saddle also made of titanium. After 1500km, Michal is very satisfied with the riding characteristics and comfort of the bike.
For Stephanie and Stephan we were able to build a great tandem. The custom-made frame is based on 2 Retül bike fittings that were made in the Crossklinik Basel. This is always the best basis for a custom-made frame. The frame was designed and built to be divisible. Unfortunately, the new carbon tandem fork was only finished later and cannot be seen in the pictures yet. Powered with a Mullet construction from SRAM. Hand-built wheels with carbon rims, DT Swiss Aerolite flat spokes and an elegant DT Swiss 240s EXP Boost hub at the rear. The front Boost hub dynamo from SON and a Supernova lamp round off the bikepacking tandem. gramm-tourpacking.com was also allowed to make a custom-made bag that fits exactly into the back triangle. The final weight is around 14kg.
Mark his new titanium bike is a marvel of engineering and design. Its sleek, lightweight, made from high-quality titanium, a material known for its strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. The bike is equipped with a Rohloff Speedhub, a 14-speed internal gear system that provides smooth, reliable shifting in any weather conditions. To complete the drivetrain, the titanium bike features a Gates Carbon Drive belt system, which uses a strong, lightweight carbon fiber belt instead of a chain. This reduces maintenance, noise, and the risk of getting your pants or skirt dirty. But the titanium bike's beauty doesn't stop there. It is also equipped with a Schmidt Son Light system, which provides bright, reliable lighting for safe riding in any conditions. The front and rear lights are powered by a high-capacity dynamo hub, which generates electricity as you ride. This means you'll never have to worry about running out of battery power on your rides. Overall, the titanium bike with Rohloff, Gates Carbon Drive, and Schmidt Son Light system is a beautiful, elegant, and reliable choice for any rider. Its top-of-the-line components and sleek design make it a joy to ride and own.
Andrew wanted to ride a comfortable, but still fast MTB. We have therefore built him our s Pinion Hardtail with a rigid carbon fork, which can accommodate extra wide tires - currently he rides the 29 x 3 "Panaracer - and also has the appropriate eyelets for a front rack. Have fun on your adventures!
The only shifting group Lukas accepts is from Campagnolo and he chose the Record. The new bike geometry was setup up with the help of the Crossklinik and the Retül system. Mandatory for him was a straight top tube, as a reminiscence to the old Italian frames. Moreover we used wheels from DT Swiss and assembly parts from Ritchey. The Dead Blackmagic fork undermines the Italian rootes.
Richard loves Campa and the gravel version had to be attached to his new off-road bike. Combined with Campa LEVANTE carbon wheels and with the noble Fizik R1 saddle. To get started, we went straight to the demanding but beautiful Jura cycle path (Route 7/https://www.schweizmobil.ch/de/veloland/route-07.html) from Basel to Geneva.
Andres from Züribiet wanted a high-quality but simple travel bike that could be repaired anywhere easily. The result is our classic touring geometry paired with the Deore XT group. Have fun pedaling!
Arthur and Irene from the Zurich area have long dreamed of finding the perfect bike for them - both in terms of riding characteristics and in terms of a uniform look for both. We were happy to fulfill this wish for them. Comfort - even on off-road tours - was the objective. So we decided on a MTB-heavy geometry, a high-quality DT Swiss suspension fork and a 650b wheelset with 2.35" wide tires. For drive and transmission, the Pinion C1.12 together with the Gates CXD belt is used. Braking is made an easy game with the Shimano XT4 piston brake. Safety throughout day and night is provided from the smooth-running Schmid hub dynamo and the bright SON lighting system. The front headlight represents a nice detail here, because it is in anodized red. A color that also shows up subtly in other smaller components. We wish the pair a lot of fun on their tours.
Fast and light high end road bike. Custom frame build with the Shimano Dura-Ace, ENVE fork, Ritchey Superlogic seat post, stem and handlebar and a DT Swiss carbon wheel set. Claudia her Bike was 6.5 kg without pedals.
Adrian from Schaffhausen wanted to make our jack of all trades, the s Pinion Gravel Allroad Titan Bike, even more versatile. That's why the new Lauf Grit SL was used, which, as the manufacturer says, is both a rigid fork and a suspension fork and has 60 mm of leaf spring travel. Our gravel bike is no longer just in the middle of a road bike and a hardtail MTB, but covers an even wider range of uses somewhere between road and fully. The bike is currently running on 40 mm wide Terra Speed tires but can reach up to 50 mm. Shifting is done as usual for a racer, with the SHIFT:R ROAD for Pinion, directly on the drop bar. With pedals, the bike weighs 9.5 kg. We wish Adrian a lot of fun sprinting to the finish line on the road or on some manageable single trails in the mountains.
Today I would like to report about a nice new project that we were able to produce for a customer. Due to her height of 158cm, a custom frame was necessary. On the bicycle market there is practically no high-quality and stable (travel) pedelec on 26 inch tires that combines the high-quality Rohloff E-14 gearshift with the Bosch drive. Therefore the possibility to mount 4 luggage bags. Due to the low weight of the vehicle and the coordinated geometry, the bike rides very stable, is agile and fun to move. The most important thing for the customer was a low entry bike with a correspondingly low top tube / bottom bracket height. We planned the bike on a 26 inch wheels with a 50-559 tire. The bottom bracket height is at a low 27.5cm and the lowest point of intersection between the recessed top tube and seat tube is 44cm.
Rohloff dropper race bike Tandem (L/L size) This was our HILITE construction in 2020 and was complex in construction as as was the final build. There are practically no Rohloff dropper race bike Tandems on the market with an extra-long stoker top tube. In addition to being as light as possible, the customer also wanted a tandem that was low maintanance. When it comes to reliability, the Rohloff Speedhub 14 cannot be beaten in a tandem. The shifting were combined with a drive- / synchronization belt from Gates Carbon Drive. The brake and shift levers are from Cinq and thus the Rohloff Speedhub 14 can be shifted perfectly, and also good brake control using the TRB brake, combined with 203mm rotors. The frame was designed with both belts on the right side, which brings different advantages. Both drive cranks are from Cane Creek and are made of titanium. Wheels handbuild consisting of the Rohloff Speedhub 14 hub, a DT Swiss 240s front wheel hub, DT Swiss Aerolite spokes and very stable carbon rims. The Rohloff dropper race bike Tandem with pedals has a final weight of 14kg.
This is already Beat his 2nd Hilite Titanium bike. That was actually the first Titanium Pinion Gravel Randonneur which we build in 2019 and built with the Pinion C1.12 and the Cinq Shift: R for Pinion. As usual with Beat, the parts are the best that the market has to offer. Full Zipp carbon cockpit consisting of stem and handlebars and the Zipp seat post. Rims and fork from Whiskey / USA. Brooks saddle with titanium rails and the Tubus Airy carrier made of titanium. The hubs and the headset from Chris King / USA. Aerolight flat spokes and the blue spoke nipples from DT Swiss from Biel / CH. Tune supplied us with the carbon seat clamp. The 29 inch Horizon tires with 47mm comes from WTB. The tires setup tubeless with NoTubes sealent. The geometry of this frame was practically a copy of Beat's first gravel bike, which he is very satisfied with.
This titanium hardtail frame was made to measure for a customer from Zurich. The basis was a bike fitting carried out by the Crossklinik in Basel. The customer had an exact idea of the requirements and needs on the one hand of the frame and on the other hand of the options or parts. Built with the then brand new 1x12 Shimano XTR gear-brake unit and add-on parts such as suspension fork, spokes, rims and hubs from DT Swiss. Chris King's headset for maximum reliability. Long tours of several months are also planned with this tour hardtail. We hope you enjoy this great bike.
As shown, the Pinion Urban Bike with P1.12 weighs just 12.5 kg complete with lighting system, mudguards and luggage rack. As usually with the Schmidt SON hub dynamo, the Supernova E3 Pro2 lamp and the GPS anti-theft rear light from Velocate. Super clean and focused on the essentials.
This beautiful Rohloff gravel bike with the Gates belt and complete lighting system was built for a customer from Basel who mostly uses the bike for daily commuting to work. It goes without saying that the bike will also be used for bike tours and trips through the forest. Tout Terrain / Cinq Shift: R for Rohloff are the best brake levers for using a Rohloff with racing handlebars. The cut SON hub dynamo provides plenty of power for the Schmidt LED lighting system.
Only shortly after we set up an already extremely light Rohloff tandem, we were able to beat our weight record another time! This tandem goes to Rohn from the US, who will be on the go with lightning speed with either his wife or one of his sons. The structure with a belt/chain combination on the right only side allows us to use “normal” cranks. Here it comes with two SRAM XX1. The cassette is a 10-52 from SRAM´s MTB segment and allows an extremely wide gear ratio despite the single chainring at the front. Shifting is done electronically, braking hydraulically with the SRAM Red eTap AXS. Conti Grand Prix 5000 with a width of 32 mm run on our extra high HILITE carbon rims, which promise a lot of comfort even with the increased system weight. At the moment, a complete SON light package including a hub dynamo, the subtle Tubus Airy luggage rack, and carbon aero clip ons from Profile Design are installed. Without these attachments, we can reach a total weight of 12 kg! We wish Rohn and his family a lot of fun with it and, above all, no speed traps on the way.
Our customer Adrian from Zurich is planning a big trip by bike from Switzerland across Europe to the North Cape for next summer. The only thing missing to make this dream come true was the perfect bike. We were glad to help him out and built our s Pinion Gravel according to his wishes. Only the best parts, which have proven themselves on many customers' bikes for years, are taken along on the journey. Pinion gearshift, Cinq gear lever, Gates belt, and a hub dynamo from Schmidt, which in addition to the lighting system also supplies a USB port from Cinq, which replaces the ahead cap on the stem. That way, Adrian remains independent of external power sources on tour. We mounted 45 mm wide Pirelli Cinturato tires, which will hopefully bring Adrian comfortably to the North Cape and back.
Our customer Egon from Geneva wanted a light bike for the daily commute and was lucky enough to be able to ride one of our standard frames with his body size. The choice, therefore, fell on our s Pinion Adventure Titanium Bike, on which we replaced the add-on parts, which were designed for extreme robustness and stability, with lighter parts, as the bike should primarily be used in daily city traffic and not on long trips. Fork, seat post, handlebar/stem combination, and spacers are made of titanium. For the Pinion C1.12 and all other add-on parts, we chose anodized red. This ranges from larger elements such as the Schmidt hub dynamo to details such as the Pinion gear indicator, the spoke nipples, and the thru-axle cap. This results in a very timeless and yet modern look, which is underlined again by the stylish, but also very practical fender. The rear light is hidden in this. The bike rolls on Pirelli Cinturato Gravel tires and decelerates with a Shimano XTR brake. The saddle is the C15, the first extra light racing model from the Brooks Cambium family. We wish Egon a lot of fun with his future easy traffic lights accelerations.
Recently a very Rohloff - affine customer from Basel came to our store. Francis commutes 40 km by bike every day and has so far switched daily between an MTB with Rohloff and chain drive or a sportier, more aggressive gravel bike from Cannondale, depending on the weather and his mood. His goal was to make the morning decision a little easier for him by simply swinging on the one perfect bike. And when it comes to perfect bikes, we're happy to help. After a thorough Retül analysis, we built a custom frame for Francis. The new gravel bike should of course be shifted with Rohloff again, but powered by a belt that will serve him devotedly for many thousands of kilometers. Discreet add-on parts such as the SKS Bluemels mudguard, the SON lighting system, and of course our in-house s Carry Titan luggage rack complete the package and ensure the desired suitability for everyday use. We wish Francis a lot of fun, an easy decision-making process and saved time and energy on his new bike.
Today we got another special treat. An allroad bike with Pinion C1.12 and the Cinq Shift: R. The s Pinion Gravel frame is from our s frame program, weighs from 1700 gr and offers the possibility of mounting a Pinion gearbox with the Gates Carbon drive belt and a disc brake. The frame can be built with 650B (27.5 ") or 700C (28 ") wheels and the tire clearance without mudguards is 700C tires up to 50mm. The frame has eyelets for mudguards and a luggage rack. The Flatmount fork has an internal guide for the light cable. The Cinq brake is optimized by replacing the TRP brake pistons with Shimano XTR brake pistons. The wheelset weighs 1500g net and consists of a HILITE Aero carbon rim with a height of 40mm, DT Swiss 240s hubs, DT Swiss Aerolite spokes, and aluminum nipples. Here built with tubeless Conti 5000 TL tires in 28mm. The 12mm axles front and rear come from CarbonTi. We put screws made of titanium and aluminum where possible. A carbon handlebar and seat post come from Ritchey´s Superlogic series, the stem from the WCS 220 series. Headset and seat post clamp from Leichtkraft. Final weight: 9.8 kg! Do you want a similar bike? https://www.hilite-bikes.com/de/s-pinion-gravel-allroad-titan-bike.html
This bike goes to a Belgian customer who was looking for a lightweight, low-maintenance bike that would get him to his destination as quickly and comfortably as possible. Due to back pain, a relatively upright sitting position was chosen. Accordingly, the lower-grip position on the handlebar is unnecessary for the customer, so we installed a lighter Bullhorn handlebar instead. The frame geometry was designed based on Retül specifications. The frame also holds a Gates belt in combination with the Rohloff Speedhub and the new Cinq brake levers. Other high-quality premium attachment parts reduce weight. A Schmidt hub dynamo and front/rear light. Fast and light Conti tires with low rolling resistance but still high flat tire protection. This frame was built with our "Classic" tube set, which has tubes with a thinner diameter than a standard frame. Based on this frame, we have now constructed the s Rohloff Randonneur & Gravel standard frame. The geometry is based on the s Gravel, but "Gates Ready" with an EBB, an eccentric bottom bracket.
Last year we were able to deliver a bike to the editorial team of the magazine "Mybike" for a long-term test. The test will last for 6 months. We are very curious. Here are a few pictures which we received from the editorial team. We call the bike the "s Pinion Gravel Allroad Bike" because it is so versatile. It can be set up as a gravel bike, a thoroughbred racing bike or as a randonneur.
Dieses s Pinion Classic Adventure Titan Bike haben wir für Doug aus Reno, USA gebaut. Es war sein erstes HILITE Bike, aber nicht sein letztes. Ziel war es ein wartungsarmes Reisevelo zu bauen, speziell für Europa. Als wir das Rad fertig gebaut hatten, kam Doug persönlich nach Basel und startete am nächsten Tag eine Velotour nach Venedig, um das Rad auf Herz und Nieren zu testen. Es lief alles reibungslos, allerdings hatte ihm Europa so gut gefallen, dass er das Rad direkt wieder zu uns nach Basel geschickt hat. Hier bewahren wir es für Doug bei uns im Laden auf und 1 bis 2-mal im Jahr kommt er angeflogen und erkundet von Basel aus Europa. Nach Doug´s erster Tour haben wir übrigens noch einen Custom Vorbau und Lenker montiert, sowie einen Titan Lowrider. Wer das Velo gerne mal in echt sehen möchte, kann das jederzeit bei uns im Laden machen.
We had to wait a long time for the Cinq Shift: R for Pinion, but now the Pinion gravel bike rolls on narrow or wide tires, depending on your taste. And as it should be for a gravel road bike, it can be conveniently shifted using the brake / shift lever combination. We call it the s Pinion Gravel Allroad Titanium bike.
This beauty was built and delivered some month ago. It’s Doug's second Pinion bike from HILITE. Doug was waiting till there was a perfect solution shifting the Pinion gearbox with dropbar shifter. As soon as the Cinq Pinion Shift:R were available, he ordered the bike. His goal was to get a fast belt geared Pinion drop-bar bike made to measure based on his Retül bike fitting. Building bikes for our oversea customers, without visiting our shop in Basel, is very good and till today without flaws. Thanks again for this nice bike and enjoy the ride.
This beautiful bike went to Markus from the urban sprawl of Solothurn. Markus is on of our most loyal customers, in German we call them repeat offenders, as he has already bought several bikes from us, including our very first titanium tandem ever built. Markus recently retired and therefore has plenty of time to drive. We were therefore delighted to build him an extremely light all-purpose bike. With a total weight of 7.8 kg, this gravel bike is one of our lightest ones. At the time of construction, there was no extra gravel group from Shimano, so we built the bike up with the top model from the racing bike sector, the Dura-Ace. The built-in Tune carbon wheels, spoked with DT Swiss Aerolite, weigh only 1205 g. We wish Markus a lot of fun with this versatile lightweight ride.
This is our s Pinion Hardtail MTB. It has a modern geometry for biking, Pinion bridge and Gates ready with eyelets for carrier and fenders (not shown on that frame). That makes it a true multipurpose frame. Bike packing or proper touring, mountain biking in the alps or anywhere else where there are fun-guaranteeing trails gets possible with this allrounder.
Fast, comfortable and light commuter for every day use. The WTB ByWay 650 x 47c Road Tire is an excellent choice for this bike. Shimano Ultegra shifting with a flatbar. Incl. pedals the commuter was only 8.0kg.
This beautiful build has find his new home at the US East coast and was build to be a super light daily commuter. Build with the best parts available and fully equipped with light system, hub dynamo and a titanium carrier. Weight is around 11kg.
This bike was again a real challenge for us and an innovation for the entire bike industry. We were one of the first providers of a fat bike with a Pinion P1.18 gearbox. In addition to this request, the fat bike driver himself presented us with another challenge. While being 2 meters in size with 1 meter of stride length, he still wanted a very upright sitting position on his bike. Thanks to the lowerable seat post, the saddle is always ready for downhill adventures. The CNC-milled yoke guarantees maximum tire freedom, stability, and rigidity. Another special is the painting of the frame, a rare finish with titanium frames.
This bike is our absolute Grinduro highlight and was delivered directly to an employee of the Shimano Germany headquarters. With this, the fresh owner realized a long-standing bicycle dream, which does not exist on the bicycle market in this structure. The geometry is not only adapted to the driver, but also optimized for the installation of both a suspension fork or a rigid fork while using a racing handlebar with Di2 groupset. The bike is currently rolling on 29“ wheels with 60mm wide Schwalbe G-One Allround.
This bike is intended as a small ladies' racing bike for a customer with a height of 155cm. In addition to the small size, a herniated disc also played a role in the design of the frame geometry. The customer had to sit as upright as possible and still be able to drive in a sporty manner. Hence the top tube was shortened and the head tube got a little longer. In this way, the geometry remains relaxed even over longer distances. To reduce weight, all tubes were butted and the titanium frame combined with an ENVE aerocarbon fork. The Ultegra group comes with an energy-saving 2-speed crank with an 11-34 cassette. Just the right thing for ambitious mountain tours. The lightweight Oxic PR1400 Spline with comfortable 23mm rim width from DT Swiss is used as the wheelset. The other attachments are Ritchey WCS. We wish the customer the maximum of fun on two wheels and extended tours with her classy racer despite her herniated disc.
The aim of this bike was to design a particularly strong but low-maintenance e-bike. Our stable travel classic, the s Pinion Adventure titanium Bike, which we combined with the quietest and most reliable hub motor on the market, the 500 watts Go Swiss Drive, served as the basis for this bike. Due to the engine support, an extremely fine gear ratio is not necessary, so a Pinion P1.9 gearbox is installed here. The path is illuminated as usual at night by a Schmidt lighting system. What is special here, however, is that we did not have to install an extra hub dynamo, because regardless of the battery charge level, energy is always generated by the Go Swiss Drive hub motor.
A fast yet maneuverable tandem on 650b rims with Rohloff hub gears and a specially made titanium tandem fork. Taped shaft, large stanchions, and a 15 mm thru-axle. The projectile is decelerated with the non-slip Shimano Zee brake.
This setup went to Andrew just in time for Christmas. The bike is designed as an urban commuter and lightweight crosser for year-round use. The customer got himself measured in the cross clinic and wanted a bike, perfectly tailored to him, to be armed for every everyday situation but still super light. The goal was an upper limit of 12 kg, which we achieved despite full equipment with Pinion C1.12, hub dynamo, Schmidt lighting system, bottle holder, handlebar end croissant, luggage rack, mudguard and last but not least a frame size of 58 cm.
An exciting randonneur for an elderly gentleman who has been climbing his local mountain in Zurich every day for years. The customer's predecessor bike served as the basis for the geometry, but this model should be more comfortable and should not only be ready for the daily commute, but also for the potential next trip around the world. So we built the customer a more stable, comfort-oriented racing bike with a longer head tube, titanium luggage rack, lighting system, and hub dynamo aka a Randonneur, a sporty touring bike. A feature of every randonneur is the racing handlebar, which this customer did not want to do without, despite the Pinion transmission. The solution was to combine Pinion's original twist grip with a hydraulic brake lever. The subtle, unobtrusive look of the bike is emphasized again by the leather saddle and the leather handlebar strap.
A wonderful construction that we were able to realize for a relatively large customer from London. The aim was to build a fast, light, and indestructible bike that comfortably accompanies our customers through their everyday life and on weekend trips. The overall package looks very subtle, although every possible attachment is installed. One detail that I particularly like is the front light attached to the stem. Not only does it look good, but it also serves safety. Because this allows the light beam to be directed further forward without dazzling oncoming traffic.
This bike was a request that could ripen in the head of one of our employees for a long time. Since we work together almost every day, we were of course able to discuss every small detail together for a long time. At the end of this process, there is now a distinctive gravel bike that has been the undisputed number 1 in our employee's fleet since completion, regardless of whether a short journey or a great adventure is imminent. This bike is so much fun and so varied that it became one of our standard frames, the s Gravel. You can find the frame here, you can find the bike here.
At Eurobike, I was able to test ride a bike from the 29+ category for the first time (the Surly Krampus) and was already convinced of grip, comfort, and the good rolling characteristics after just a few laps. At that time there were still relatively few models on the market and of course none made of titanium. So I was all the more pleased when an order from an employee of Shimano Germany came in and I was able to build exactly such a bike. The employee was quite tall, wanted to put very wide tires on his hardtail, and remain flexible in the future with regard to the use of different gears and drives, as well as a rigid fork. His 29+ mountain bike was initially built with a suspension fork and Shimano XTR Di2, but in the future, it would be possible to change to hub gear and Gates belt without any problems because the bike was planned directly with sliding dropouts and frame splinters. The wide fork made it easy to ensure the necessary tire clearance at the front, and at the rear, we did it with an elegant monostay.
This structure on one hand is absolutely unique and on the other hand, it's a direct copy. How is this paradox explained? This Hong Kong customer's favorite bike has long been his old Look KG292 racing bike. He wanted to have exactly this geometry and above all this exact “look”, but without missing the technical advances that have been made in the meanwhile. So we rebuilt the frame according to customer requirements and had to search a long time to find a service provider who polished titanium so perfectly until it shines like chrome-plated steel. Then came the frame of the new SRAM eTap, and light wheelset, headset, and bottom bracket from Chris King. The customer certainly has the most modern classic on Hong Kong's streets and we have a lot of fun with this homage to the old days.
Our customer requested a bike that was a bit more flexible in terms of sport and driving technique, and yet to stay as close as possible to the classic racing bike. In addition to the classic geometry, a particularly agile driving behavior, low weight, very good brakes, and increased suspension properties were important to the customer. Because in addition to sporting excursions alone, this bike should also be the carthorse for the trailer full of children and therefore should be able to be braked stable and controllable even with a lot of weight. Handspoked TUNE wheels reduce weight at the most critical point. We achieved the good braking behavior and the increased suspension through measures and parts that already went in the direction of today's gravel bikes in the time of 2017. Disc brakes and 28 mm wide tires were a real sensation at the time. The class of "standard racing bikes" has meanwhile shifted in exactly this direction, so that the customer with his requirements has been able to realize a real pioneer racing bike that lies exactly in the sweet spot between our s Race Road and the s Gravel Allroad. This bike was the second order from this customer and we wish him a lot of varied riding fun.
For our customer Jean, we were allowed to build the lightest Pinion bike so far. In terms of geometry, we oriented ourselves on our classic s Pinion Adventure. To reduce the weight, we especially benefited from the development of the new C1.12 transmission from Pinion. Also, it was the customers' wish to forego the disc brake. Instead, the crosser is decelerated with a V-brake. This is not only easier to maintain, but also much lighter. Including the Tubus Airy luggage rack, we have a weight of exactly 10 kg. Top performance for a fully equipped, carefree bike in this class.
We have never built such a large frame. Since the customer also has particularly long arms and a long upper body, we came to a top tube length of 670mm. In addition to that, another cross strut had to be installed in order to increase the frame rigidity and thus reduce the torsional moment. Such size and structure is not available on the market as a standard frame, so Tobias had to build a frame for a suitable bike. We are proud that he chose us. Despite his height of almost 2 meters, Tobias prefers to curve through the city on more agile 26-inch wheels. In addition to increased maneuverability, the smaller wheels also reduce the overhang height, so that it is still possible to get on and off comfortably. A hub gear from Rohloff, a Schmidt hub dynamo, and the Tubus Logo titanium luggage rack were installed. The stem is also up to his measure and of course made of titanium. Overall, a beautiful, comfortable, and easy-care everyday bike was created for our customer.
Reto wanted a classic randonneur that should look extremely simple and classy. And of course, it drives beautifully. All attachments are discreetly chosen, the blue Schmidt lamp stands out even in daylight. Thanks to the integrated seat post, we were able to completely lay the rear brake cable in the top tube. A beautiful bike for everyday sport and fast tours with light luggage.
The requirement of our customer, in the language used at that time, was to create a Cyclocross bike that was capable of touring. It was important to him to have a lot of tire clearance and, of course, to be able to travel quickly and easily. Today we would say Gravelbike and the implementation of this customer request became the basis for our first Gravelbike in series, the s Gravel Allroad. At that time, Shimano did not have a groupset specifically for gravel bikes, so we decided on the best possible road bike group, the Dura-Ace.
This bike was developed in-house and subsequently became another standard frame, the s Race Road. The bike is subtle, stable, and unobtrusive. The inner values are convincing. The frame weighs 1350g and a complete bike can be built from 6kg.
The Pinion Tourer is our classic world tour bike made of titanium. It consequently follows the philosophy of an almost maintenance-free travel bike with Pinion gear shift (and chain) or Gates belt drive. In order to simplify maintenance while traveling, our customer decided on a mechanical disc brake. The croissants on the handlebar end provide another possible hand position. With many hours on the bike, it is important to be able to make the contact points as flexible as possible. This bike was a forerunner for one of our current standard frames, the s Pinion Adventure Classic, because compared to previous Pinion touring bikes, thinner tubes were chosen for a more subtle appearance.
This bike was not the customer's first HILITE. There is rarely a better compliment. The aim of this project was to build the perfect bike for an alpine cross. So we decided on a hardtail - MTB with a comfortable, upright seat. For extra stability, we also built a handlebar stem unit. We wish the customer a lot of fun in the Alps.
This bike was among the many Pinion bikes, perhaps the most unexcited and understated so far, and that despite or maybe because of the high-quality attachments, the best that the market has to offer. Pinion P1.12, Gates belt, DT Swiss hubs, and Tubus titanium luggage rack. With the construction of this bike, the inquiries increased again, so that we launched the s Pinion Adventure Titanium Bike.
Another classic randonneur. Designed to drive long distances at high speed even with luggage. In addition to the usual high-quality and stable frame, we have of course also installed Pinion gears, Gates belt, Chris King headset, and DT Swiss hubs. No matter how long the tour is, our customer doesn't have to worry. At the time disc brakes were relatively new on bicycles designed for longer tours.
A bike has to be easier again, even a mountain bike - that was the basic idea at the start of the project. In addition, it should be simple, low-maintenance, durable, and robust in order to meet sporty ambitions. A requirement profile that led to a combination with which HILITE Bikes was once again the first on the market and still belongs to a very small group of manufacturers today. What is it about? The combination of Pinion gear and Lefty suspension fork. To accommodate the Lefty, we built a head tube with an extra-large diameter. The result is a very special bike that will be a real specialty on the trail for many years to come.
This bike currently rolls in Big Apple (New York) on extra-thick 29-inch tires called big apple as well. The tires deliver so much comfort that we can easily do without a suspension fork. At that time it was by far the most exclusive bike that went through our shop door to date. Particular attention should be paid to the double front luggage rack with a built-in light holder. We developed this especially for this structure. We wish our overseas customers a lot of fun with this incredible machine.
This bike went to a customer on the doorstep right here in Basel. The Englishman living here wanted to show his solidarity at his newly adopted home and so the Basel staff is now emblazoned on the seat tube. It is always particularly nice for us when a bike stays here in Basel. Occasionally my path crosses with this chic, classic racer.
Every bicycle construction is exciting, but it will be particularly exciting if the customer also has a very high level of technical understanding and you can talk about every detail. This tandem was intended for a German couple who run bike tours in Spain together and therefore have enormous know-how. If the two are not in the saddle for work, they only ride tandem in their free time and this tandem should of course become their non-plus-ultra. As is typical for tandem, the two of them like to do a lot of altitudes together, so that the maximum switching bandwidth was just as important as the minimum weight. The result is 12.4 kg. So there is not much potential left here to build even lighter or stiffer. You could have used a carbon add-on part here and there, but not to make compromises in terms of comfort, safety, low maintenance, and last but not least, design. The tubes are oversized and double butted. This made it a bit trickier to accommodate the third lateral tandem tube on the head tube, but of course, we did it. At that time Shimano also offered an Ultegra crank especially for the tandem, which is of course installed here. We hope to have made two people very happy with this two-wheeler and of course have a lot of fun climbing the passes.
This bike was one of our first 45 km/h E-bikes and a real high-end model. The geometry of the frame is similar to our s Pinion Adventure. The motor is a Go Swiss Drive hub motor. By using a hub motor, the force acts where it is needed and thus reduces wear on the other drive parts, which is particularly relevant at high speeds. Another structural feature due to the higher speeds is the curved fork tube to increase flexibility.
This bike was a concept study for personal use. We wanted to test the interaction between Rohloff hub gear and full suspension. The bike drives and is fun, but does not meet our requirements and therefore did not go into series production.
This bike was created on the customers' request for a low-maintenance, elegant Pinion women's bike. The frame became our second Mixte frame, with a split top tube. In this project, however, with a deep entry. We are as fond of the design as is our customer.
The customer wanted to create a real design classic made of titanium. The bike should look subtle, stylish and light - of course it should also be light - even though it is a large frame size. The split top tube became our first Mixte frame and we really like it. We combined the unusual frame design with attachments that are as special as they are suitable for everyday use. The hub gear from Rohloff is low-maintenance and provides a wide range. The belt drive from Gates is efficient and clean. To tension the belt, we use an eccentric bottom bracket instead of a more striking sliding dropout. The seat post is integrated and all cables are routed internally. Another highlight of this HILITE: the extremely simple combination of luggage rack and mudguard, which even the experienced observer only notices when you take a second look and is ideal for lower weights.
Another extremely subtle bike. The customer wanted a full-fledged randonneur, tailored to his needs. The extra weight of the Shimano Alfine was worth the extra comfort. At the same time, the grip on the road handlebar was not important to him, so that by using a bullhorn handlebar we not only emphasized a fast-aggressive appearance but also reduced a few grams. Nevertheless, the customer did not want to do without a brake lever combination. However, Shimano did not offer a solution for this. Fortunately, we were able to fall back on the third-party provider Versa, which switches the mechanical Alfine now comfortably.
This bike went directly to Biagio himself. The aim was to build a beautiful, classic racing bike. Low weight was important, but also a certain comfort. We achieved this by choosing thin tubes and curved seat stays. With a wheelset of 1200 grams, we get a total weight of 7kg. Enough to keep up with the peloton of the HILITE Bikes team.
This bike went straight to Francesco in Italy, who used it for his trip around the world. On long journeys, a dimension geometry makes increased comfort and efficiency more notably. The integrated luggage racks increase the rigidity, especially with high loads. In order to distribute them more evenly, a lowrider is used at the front. With a particularly long wheelbase and flat steering angle, the geometry is optimized for long tours.
This bike was our first project study of a racing bike with Pinion. At that time there were no Cinq brake levers, so we use the original twist shifter. The downward-facing seat stays make the bike look sportier and give the seat post more flexibility. As a final weight, we came to just under 10kg and have been producing many Pinion racing bikes and randonneurs ever since. The study was a complete success.
This Pinion touring bike went to a customer in Kuala Lumpur. The structure consists exclusively of the best high-end parts. The down tube runs from flat oval to highly oval, which optimally absorbs influences of the drivetrain through the tubes. The engraved emblem is also beautiful. Not from our pen this time, but according to the customers' template.
This bike was built for a German entrepreneur who took a one-year trip around the world. On the one hand, it was particularly important for him to have a lot of tire clearance and, on the other hand, to be able to switch between rigid fork and suspension fork at any time later. So we built a titanium rigid fork with the same installation height as a suspension fork, so that we can change later without affecting the driving behavior.
This bike was designed for an enthusiastic bike polo player. In this sport, the wheels are subject to extremely high wear and are sometimes renewed several times a year. The customer's goal was to break this cycle, and that is exactly what has been achieved with this extremely stable structure. The pipes are not butted, but have constant, thick walls. This increases weight, but stability was more important. The geometry is also adapted to bike polo. Short wheelbase, steep steering angle. The crank comes from the downhill area. The bike has been on the road for several years now and is used in both training and competition games.
This Rohloff body was among our first 3 touring bikes. The customer is already at an advanced age and still cranks 50 - 70 km through the Swiss mountains every day. The aim was to roughly keep the geometry of the old wheel and to put a little more emphasis on comfort. In addition, the final weight should be minimal due to the many meters in altitude. We were able to do without a lighting package since the customer is only on the move during the daytime. By choosing absolute high-end parts, we came to a weight of less than 11 kg. The cranked handlebar protects the wrists. Our highly satisfied customer had the first service after a mileage of 30,000 km.
This beautiful MTB was our first with a forged bridge for the Pinion transmission. The internally routed cables, the handlebar-stem combination, and the integrated seat post make it look particularly sleek. The headset and hubs are from Chris King. A Gates belt in combination with blue Pinion P1.18 and other blue attachments underline the modern, reduced look.
Maximum reduced classic titanium frame combined with an 18-speed Pinion transmission. This makes it only about 700 grams heavier than a comparable derailleur system. Total weight of 13 kg. The 29 ”wheels that were relatively new on the market at the time made the wheel run faster.
An incredibly discreet everyday racer that is equipped with all the frills without being obtrusive. For Biagio, this bike was built as a fast city bike. Accordingly, the seating position is somewhat more comfortable and upright. At that time, the ST-R785 Di2 brake shifters from Shimano just came onto the market and could be wonderfully combined with the Shimano Alfine Di2. This bike was one of the first full Alfine racing bikes worldwide. The complete lighting package comes from Schmidt together with the wireless SON SL. The subtle wood mudguards and chain guard come from the Woody company.
Our customers have been on the road with their old Ibis tandem for over 15 years and the couple fell in love with the new titanium Tandem at the end of December! This bike is characterized by a low weight and rigidity optimized for use. The geometry of the old tandem should be adopted. The Shimano XT circuit was chosen because of its reliability. The trains are laid open. This makes switching faster with precise, and lower resistance shifting. The wheels are spoked by hand. The new tandem never flies, but every vacation and weekend is used for a tour from the front door.
We are convinced. With titanium you build the most comfortable bike frame. This construction proves that you don't necessarily need carbon on the frame to build a light racing bike. Our lightest road bike construction to date with a Di2 circuit. Complete custom-made for our customers. Classic thin tubes, timeless geometry, top equipment. A beautiful bike.
Our customer was looking for a very light, comfortable custom bike. The top tube is specially designed to keep the protrusion height low and to match the stride length. This beautiful bike has its new home in Oslo. With its 60 mm wide tires, it is almost a 29“ + and certainly makes a good figure even in snow. The daily route goes through forest, meadows, and fields. The bike is therefore very comfort-oriented. A particularly upright sitting position was desired. Thanks to the suspension fork and long head tube, the front is particularly high.
Here is a new super-stable mass bike with Pinion and Gates Belt. The new owner lives in England and has already done many and especially long bike tours. The first planned trip with this bike went from the Arctic Circle in Canada to the Ushuaia National Park in Argentina. This wheel was one of our first titanium Pinion bodies.
This bike went to our biggest customer so far. The 2.05-meter tall entrepreneur from Heidelberg needed a suitable world tour bike for gravel roads. We were happy to build it. A special feature due to the size is the reinforcement bridge in the left triangle to better absorb braking forces. The bike was first delivered with a rigid titanium fork but later converted to a 15 mm MTB suspension fork with Q - Lock from Suntour. Not only the tires offer suspension in the rear, but also a special seat post from Cane Creek. This one does not absorb shock vertically, but horizontally. The seat height remains the same. The rear luggage rack is the Tubus Logo Titan. We have developed a suitable lowrider for the front.
A frame geometry perfectly tailored to the customer was the basis for this Tour Divide 29 hardtail. Designed for long bike tours and as low maintenance as possible with low weight. Therefore, a gearbox or hub gear got dispensed. The first long bike tour that was done with this bike was the Tour Divide. Kind of a self-sufficient race from Canada to Mexico. So there had to be a lot of space for bike packing equipment. The seat stays are curved to leave enough space for the brake piston at this position. The downtube was placed further up on the head tube to give the suspension fork more handlebar freedom even when packed. A small gusset was installed to increase the weld area. The MTB has successfully brought our customers through the Tour Divide and is still used for other bikepacking trips.
With titanium and Pinion, we were already trendsetters. With this bike, we presented another world first. A real surprise for all fat bike fans. The world's first titanium 29+ with Pinion and Gates belt. The suspension fork delivers up to 75 mm tire clearance. Rigid fork even up to 85 mm. The rear triangle with Monostay also increases tire freedom. Matching eyelets on the fork offers space for a low rider and also the Salsa Anything Cage.
As long as you have a safe place to lock it, this is the perfect work and fitness bike. This new design wonderfully combines the low-maintenance Pinion P1.18 transmission with the Gates Carbon Drive timing belt. The red Chris King parts underline the elegant look. The integrated trains look nice and tidy. The Airy tube is particularly minimalistic, as is the handlebar/stem combination. The curved seat stays ensure more tire clearance.
We call this bike Simplex! A mixture of simple and complex. How do you solve complex tasks as simply and beautifully as possible? The tidier and simpler a bike appears, the more complicated it becomes for us. Shimano Alfine SG-S705 with brake levers from Versa, internally routed cables and a direct mount brake on the underside of the chainstays directly behind the bottom bracket make this bike a full-fledged racing bike with the look of a single speed.
A beautiful, classic racing bike. Staggered seat stays and titanium seat post. Tune carbon seat clamp and Tune wheelset with hand-spoked wheels. Handlebar and stem also made of carbon from 3T. Shifting is done electrically with the Shimano Dura Ace Di2.
One of our first randonneurs. The bike went to a customer from Switzerland who finally wanted one bike for everything. Built with Rohloff hub gear and despite the racing handlebar with an original twist grip on customer request since it is most often used in the top grip. The geometry is a bit sportier, so the Ergon CF3 seat post provides more comfort, which bounces back like a leaf spring and weighs very little.
Our Pinion Urban Tourer 29er Velo leaves a WOW effect on the first test ride. Extremely comfortable and easy-rolling on its 622-55 C Schwalbe Almotion tires. The reduced entry height allows easy saddling even with a shorter stride length. The ideal touring MTB with a noble stem-handlebar unit made of titanium. The integrated seat post is including lighting.
Our SRAM CX1 Crosser is consistently equipped with high-quality components and ensures an excellent driving experience in cross environments. At that time, the SRAM CX1 was the first 1x11 circuit for racing bikes and brings our titanium featherweight to a final weight of 8.0 kilograms. Crossing off the road is the absolute highlight. This bike is one of our team bikes. As a gravel bike, it is ideal for doing sports on wet and cold days or if you just want a little more action on your bike route. But of course this bike is also ideal for daily, fast commuting.
Clean and clear Rohloff structure for long tours. Rohloff, Gates CDX belts for oil-free, quiet and carefree shifting comfort. Schmidt Edelux with Son SL hub dynamo which is contacted via our specially made dropout. This also generates energy so that you can charge your cell phone, GPS, etc. via the integrated USB interface on the steerer tube while traveling.
This is our take on a reliable gravel disc crosser. Our customer is an avid cruise ship driver and uses this gravel bike as an exploration vehicle when going ashore. Of course, there is no time to worry about maintenance. We therefore use a drive combination of the proven Rohloff gear hub and the Gates carbon belt.
This was our second Pinion touring bike with an integrated luggage rack. Otherwise, all attachments are absolutely high-end and have proven themselves from this bike to this day on all superstructures. Pinion P1.18, Gates belt, and Schmidt hub dynamo are still our classic attachments.
We always build frames for small or large cyclists and a titanium frame is predestined for this. This racing bike frame has a seat tube height of 60cm and an effective top tube length of 62cm with a 72.5 ° seat tube angle. The customer is approx. 2m tall and has a stride length of approx. 100cm. All pretty long. The customer wanted a very light and comfortable racing bike with a classic look. That means tube diameters of 32-38mm. The frame came to around 1650gr. Together with an ENVE 1.0 carbon fork, a 1200g hand-spoked carbon/aluminum wheelset with Tune hubs, an SRAM Red brake/shift group, a Carbon Tune seat post, Zipp stem, an ENVE handlebar, Tune saddle, we are at a final weight of only 6.5kg. The customer is very happy to have found such a light racing machine in its size.
This beautiful road bike is clean, light, classic, and not "loud", but real high-end parts are still installed. A tailor-made frame based on a Retül fitting in the Crossclinic Basel. Equipped with the SRAM red (10-speed) and a Mavic wheelset, we come to a total weight of 7 kg measured with pedals. Unfortunately there are no high-resolution pictures since we tried to take them ourselves. In the future, we will always have professional photos taken before an assembly leaves the store.
This is one of our early Pinion P1.18 frames and also one of the first with an integrated luggage rack. The tire clearance is deliberately chosen to be huge so that the customer can later mount significantly wider tires. The bike is currently running on 50-622.
