My Hillman Build

[troppo]

Hello, hello, hello...

I had the pleasure of ordering a frame from Gordon Hill last year and with his recent passing, I understand my frame is now his last.

Gordon was a fanatic...

The bike is aimed at being a somewhat light tourer, gravel thing... my current bike, a Velosmith Jota while nice is not these things. As the frame arrived in the post today I figure I'll document it.

Kit and some photos below.

Will update the thread as the build progresses as well as figure out a more permanent photo sharing service.

With thanks to Gordon, Mal and Geoff of G.Duke

Kit

- [x] Rotors - Avid G2 160mm
- [x] Paul Component Disc Adaptors x2 +0mm
- [x] Seatpost - Nitto 92
- [x] Fenders - Gilles Berthoud 700x50 Long
- [x] Bottom Bracket - TA Axis Square Taper ISO 125mm
- [x] Brake Pads - Kool Stop Disc (comes with disc brakes)
- [x] Brakes - Paul Component Klamper
- [x] Pedals - MKS US-S
- [x] Front Derailleur Braze to Clamp on Adaptor
- [x] Tyres - Schwalbe Marathon Mondial Double Defence 700x40c
- [x] Front Derailleur - SunXCD XFD34M
- [x] Cassette - Shimano XT CS-M770 11-32T
- [x] Levers + Shifters - Gevenalle Audax
- [x] Headset - Phil Wood 1-1/8
- [x] Wheelset - Phil Wood Touring Disc Hubs, Sapim Race Spokes, Sapim Nipples
- [x] Crank Arms - TA Pro Vis 5
- [x] Rear Derailleur - SunXCD SXRD51M
- [x] Skewers - Paul Component
- [x] Chain - KMC X9
- [x] Chain Rings 46t, 28t - TA Pro Vis 5
- [x] Saddle - Brooks B17 Special
- [x] Bar Ends Nitto
- [x] Drop Bar - Nitto Rando 132
- [x] Stem - Nitto UI-75 100mm
- [x] Cable Stop - Shimano CS-50m

Photos
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0f9Bpfk ... NSXY0X2mAw

[MichaelB]

Looks great.

I too have many pics from my Llewellyn frame build, and that's a really special thing imho.

Makes it a true custom.

Looking fwd to the build progress !!

[P!N20]

Very nice. What's the serial number on the last Hillman ever built? Looking forward to progress updates.

[Imwit]

That’s really nice troppo. Great photos and I really like the paint choice.
Did Gordon build many disc brake bikes?
Is the “L.B” the frame number?

[Tim]

I'll be watching this thread with interest.
3 years ago (where has the time gone) I built up a frame from Gordon. Still my favourite bike. I parked it in the family room 30 minutes ago after this morning's gentle spin.
Yours is looking terrific.

Edit; 4 years ago. Bloody hell.
https://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/view ... n&start=75

[troppo]

Very nice. What's the serial number on the last Hillman ever built? Looking forward to progress updates.

5095. Gordon mentioned his books were up to 5000, I imagine that includes the family shop, although I wouldn't be surprised if were him alone. He added the 95 for flair as it's my birth year.

That’s really nice troppo. Great photos and I really like the paint choice.
Did Gordon build many disc brake bikes?
Is the “L.B” the frame number?

L.B. are my initials. I wish it were paint... but got her powder coated instead, I didn't want to be too precious iykwim. Dulux Pale Eucalypt. He did build a few disc frames mainly for the tourer, trail types out there.

I'll be watching this thread with interest.
3 years ago (where has the time gone) I built up a frame from Gordon. Still my favourite bike. I parked it in the family room 30 minutes ago after this morning's gentle spin.
Yours is looking terrific.

Edit; 4 years ago. Bloody hell.
https://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/view ... n&start=75

I know Tim, it was your thread that prompted me to contact Gordon! Originally I was after a 'Great Southern' from Tim Stredwick in Tassie, alas he's retired so had a lurk around here and came across your thread early last year.

Thanks so far for all your feedback, currently at my LBS dropping everything off.

[troppo]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/09aW41_ ... wvkzuZokxQ

A few pics from initial assembly.

Had her complete now for a few days. Tis’ a wonderful bicycle.

[CmdrBiggles]

Just perusing this thread when I noticed mention by @troppo.
I was not aware of the passing of Gordon Hill. I knew Hillman Cycles very well throughout the 1980s, especially Alan (his fierce, scalding rivalry toward other retailers was legendary!), and Gordon, whose counsel I sought with an idea for a "mountain bike", unknown in 1985....also Henry! Then I got talking with Gordon. It was he who built the first cutom MTB frame for me in 1985 (in sky blue), with cut-out lugs, ornate pin-scroll work, gold/red name painted on downtube and assorted unplanned travesties thrown in, such as the very troublesome 'Cunningham' brakes, the rear being directly under the chainstay-bottom bracket junction (!), and which failed completely with a heavy touring load on the big sweeping downhill into Queenstown, Tasmania! I do not know when Hillman Cycles ceased retailing; their shop in Grantham Street was a regular haunt for bike bits (Blackburn, Karrimor, Campagnolo...) gossip and catch-ups, with my route taking me from Chapman Street in North Melbourne, up through Royal Park, skirt around the Zoo and emerge at the intersection of Grantham Street (and the other road...can't recall it's name now...) and straight up.

[P!N20]

I do not know when Hillman Cycles ceased retailing

2016

emerge at the intersection of Grantham Street (and the other road...can't recall it's name now...) and straight up.

Brunswick Rd

[CmdrBiggles]

I do not know when Hillman Cycles ceased retailing

2016

emerge at the intersection of Grantham Street (and the other road...can't recall it's name now...) and straight up.

Brunswick Rd

^^Yes, that's it. Thanks.