Moorhuhn: 3D-Printed Steel Redefines Elegance

Steel has been the backbone of bike building for generations, but in recent years, it's been overshadowed by the allure of carbon fiber and other modern materials. But what if I told you that steel can be just as innovative, elegant, and, yes, even sexy? Meet the Moorhuhn, a 3D-printed steel masterpiece that proves steel is still a serious contender in the world of high-performance mountain bikes.

A Nod to Tradition, With a Twist of Modern Tech

The Moorhuhn is more than just a bike—it's the result of years of experimentation, dedication, and a bit of old-school craftsmanship mixed with modern technology. As an industrial designer by day, I’ve always loved blending cutting-edge technology with classic materials, and that’s exactly what the Moorhuhn represents.

While most frame builders cut and weld tubes the traditional way, I decided to take things a step further with 3D-printed lugs. These custom steel lugs, created using a honeycomb structure, allow for precision engineering and customization that just isn’t possible with standard methods. The lugs are then hand-welded to the frame's Reynolds 853 steel tubes (and Columbus Zona steel for the rear triangle). It’s a process that takes time and care, but the end result is a bike that is both lightweight and incredibly strong.

Performance You Can Feel

The Moorhuhn isn’t just a looker—it’s built to perform. With 129mm of rear-wheel travel and a design optimized for a 140mm front fork, this bike is ready for whatever the trail throws at it. The 67° head angle and 76° seat tube angle give you the perfect balance between aggressive handling and all-day comfort, while the 469.6mm reach and 434mm chainstays ensure it’s playful yet planted. I wanted the Moorhuhn to feel agile and responsive, so I dialed in the geometry to allow you to “cut corners like a chicken,” staying nimble on technical terrain.

Why "Moorhuhn"?

Now, you might be wondering, why name a bike Moorhuhn? Well, “Huhn” means chicken in German, and for me, chickens are the perfect metaphor for what this bike represents. “Getting dirty is fun—chickens live in the dirt, yet they always look elegant. They walk forward with their heads up high, never losing focus. And just like mountain bikes, they can fly, even if just for short bursts,” as I like to say.

The Moorhuhn embodies that same spirit. It’s a bike built for the dirt, for the adventure, but it’s also elegant in its design, and like a chicken, it never backs down from a challenge. The name reflects the balance between toughness and grace, between getting dirty and staying poised.

Additive Manufacturing: The Future of Customization

What makes the Moorhuhn truly special is its use of additive manufacturing. 3D printing the lugs allowed me to create more precise, custom geometries than I ever could with traditional methods. Each part of the frame—from the head tube to the bottom bracket and shock yoke—was designed specifically for the bike’s performance, with internal structures that provide extra strength while keeping the weight down.

The lugs are then brazed and polished by hand, giving the frame its stunning mirror-like finish. It’s a painstaking process, but the result is a bike that not only performs exceptionally but looks like a work of art.

Built in Europe, Made to Perform

The Moorhuhn is also a celebration of European craftsmanship. As part of the European Bike Project, I built this bike using nearly all European-made components, showcasing the best our continent has to offer. Here’s a look at the build:

• Frame: HUHN Moorhuhn 129 (Reynolds 853) 
• Fork: Intend Hero
• Shock: Intend Hover
• Drivetrain: Ingrid Components
• Brakes: Trickstuff Piccola HD
• Wheels: True BC Carbon rims, Extralite hubs
• Tires: Hutchinson
• Dropper Post: Vecnum Nivo
• Handlebar & Stem: Gemini Integrated
• Pedals: Carder Tech
• Seat Clamp: Intend Corona

This bike is the result of collaboration with some of the finest bike component makers in Europe. It’s a high-performance, high-quality machine that’s as stunning to look at as it is to ride.

A Limited Edition with Big Ambitions

The Moorhuhn isn’t just another bike—it’s a limited edition, hand-built masterpiece. I’m only producing 12 frames a year, and each one is built with the same level of care and attention to detail as the first. If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on one, you’ll be riding a bike that’s as exclusive as it is high-performance.

But I don’t want to stop there. I’m working on a Kickstarter campaign to make the Moorhuhn more accessible. My hope is to offer the same level of customization and quality, but at a more affordable price so more riders can experience what this bike is all about.

The Moorhuhn isn’t just a bike—it’s a statement. It’s proof that steel can be both elegant and tough, that modern technology and traditional craftsmanship can coexist in perfect harmony. Whether you’re flying down technical descents or just admiring its polished finish, the Moorhuhn is built to be more than just a ride—it’s built to be an experience.