Hillman Pista

Hillman Pista

Believe it or not, Australia has a long list of artisan and trade frame builders. Lying at a midpoint between the two is the name of Hillman Cycles, a Melbourne, Australia institution founded in 1946. Henry Hill passed the management of the shop and frame building business to his son Barry, and you could only hazard a guess s to how many frames the family has produced in that time.

Andy Rogers, a very talented Melburn photographer, shot these images of Eugene’s Hillman Pista, apparently secured from a neighbor’s garage for a ‘couple of hundred’. Those were the days. Designed around ‘fag-paper clearances’, Eugene has kept the component list relatively era-correct, updating the wheel set for a pair of Miche Pistard tubbys. One feature of Hillman frames produced during the mid 80s that have always appealed to me is the ‘Magic Roundabout’ style logotype. Maybe a typophile out there knows the name of the font used, if so, could they mention it in the comments? Keep an eye on Andy’s tumblr, Fame & Spear, for more beautiful photography.

PS: Voting is still open for the 2011 Crank World Cycling Blog Honors and Directory. Cycle EXIF has been nominated in the Lifestyle category. If you like what we do, take a moment to click us a vote.

Hillman Pista
Hillman Pista
Hillman Pista
Hillman Pista
Hillman Pista
Hillman Pista
Hillman Pista
Hillman Pista
Hillman Pista
Hillman Pista

Posted on 25 May 2011 in Fixed Gear.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/shawn.cerveny Shawn Cerveny

    Nice build. Super tight geometry. I like this bike, alot… I do have a question about it though; does it actually see track use? or is it just another hipster fashion accessory?

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-War/727704552 Carlos War

      So, for you, if the bike is not in the track is only an accessory?

      You wrote two comments in the last two fixed gear bikes and it seems like you have a problem with people (like me) who rides fixed on the streets.

      BTW, nice bike, this Hillman. I love the thight clearances.

  • Graham Moore

    ….really???  You need to ask?

    Nice bike though.

  • http://www.facebook.com/shawn.cerveny Shawn Cerveny

    Nah, not really. The silly spoke cards are a dead give away. Thankfully though, no Knog lights and it actually appears to be ridden…

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2B5LQCRQOMGBUNJOKUDTJHJVEM Andy

    The rider initially built it for track use but has since changed his mind – for now anyway. So yes, it does get ridden on the street. And I can tell you now, this bike is much more than a ‘hipster fashion accessory’ to its owner.

  • revdub

    Stop using the term “hipster,” for god’s sake. It’s meaningless and makes anyone who uses it seem like an old man sitting in a retirement home complaining about “those damn young people.” Get out and ride and stop resenting those who are young/have different tastes than yourself.