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Enable Youtube videosSchindelhauer's flagship model gains an especially confident look here: WILHELM IX C-LINE presents itself in deep midnight blue that shifts between dark indigo and an almost black shade of blue depending on the light. Sporty, individual and innovative – that is how the manufacturer describes its city custom series, in which every bicycle is assembled specially for its rider. The frame of aluminium AL6061-T6 with aero-shaped, triple-butted tubes carries the forces cleanly while staying visually slim: internal cable routing, smooth-welded seams and the integrated seat clamp keep nothing from breaking out of the perfect line. The heart is the Pinion C-Line gear unit with nine gears, tuned specifically for the city and among the most compact as well as most powerful central gearboxes in its class.
With a total range of 364 per cent, the nine steps master almost every hill without the shifting losing its pace – the gears are changed precisely and powerfully in every riding situation. The central position of the gearbox balances the ride perfectly, so WILHELM IX C-LINE feels agile yet stable. Propulsion comes from the low-maintenance Gates Carbon belt, which can be swapped without difficulty via the Belt Port. Deceleration is provided by the hydraulic Shimano Alfine disc brakes with 160-millimetre rotors, grip and comfort by the Continental GP Urban tyres at 35 millimetres wide. The noble Brooks B17 saddle and the ergonomic leather grips complete the classic elegance. Racks at the front and rear, mudguards and optional lighting turn the bike into a reliable companion for the city – the permissible total weight of 120 kilogrammes allows even loaded excursions with ease.
Every part of the model name carries a meaning. WILHELM gives the custom range a personal, almost familiar claim – like a chosen first name for a bicycle that is created according to your own wishes. IX stands in Roman numerals for the number nine and names the number of gears of the gear unit. C-LINE designates the gearbox family from Pinion, which counts among the smallest and at the same time most powerful central gearboxes on the market. Finally, mitternachtsblau describes the deep, dark blue tone of the lacquer that recalls the night sky and lends the bicycle its mysterious aura.
WILHELM IX C-LINE occupies a golden middle ground in the Schindelhauer model line-up. With its nine gears it sits exactly between the six gear entry model and the generous twelve gear C-Line versions, while the P-Line and Rohloff derivatives position themselves even higher with more shift steps. The nine steps with a total range of 364 per cent are tuned particularly well for urban everyday life: enough bandwidth for climbs and wind, without unnecessary ballast. The deep, dark blue lacquer clearly sets the variant apart from the paler sahneweiß and alu pur versions – an appearance that pairs seriousness with sporty dynamism. Like all C-Line models, WILHELM IX C-LINE relies on the classic Brooks B17 saddle and the ergonomic leather grips that underline the series' high quality line.
WILHELM IX C-LINE is designed for all riders who want to combine a maximum of comfort, style and reliability in a single bicycle in the city. Whether on the way to the office, between appointments downtown or on extended weekend rides – the nine gears seem made to master climbs effortlessly and speedy sections with confidence. The purist design matches the urban style, while the sporty, tour-ready seating position turns any outing into a pleasure. With the solid belt drive, fancy clothes and trousers stay clean. Those who want to carry luggage will find the right mounting options for racks, mudguards and lighting on the frame. As a diamond-frame bicycle, WILHELM IX C-LINE speaks to everyone who values a classic frame with a dynamic line; those who prefer a low step-over will also find suitable step-through models from Schindelhauer.