Moulton makes cycles unlike any other, with the small-wheeled stance of a fold-up bike, but with a unique stainless steel frame and quality and performance to put most modern rivals to shame. Despite first appearances, the latest line of Moulton bikes don’t actually fold up, but they do have a neat party trick. They also offer some of the most innovative designs currently on sale.

The latest line of bikes from the high-end cycle manufacturer all boast several distinctive features in common. The Moulton Double Pylon, the Moulton Speed and the Moulton SS stand out from regular bikes by virtue of their relatively small (at 20 inches) wheels – a concept close to the heart of the manufacturer, and one that Moulton claims leads to better performance.

According to Moulton, the more compact wheel size results in a “low moment of inertia, so acceleration is quicker and handling is nimble and fast”. Moulton goes on to say that “cycling requires less effort thanks to the low aerodynamic drag of the small wheels”.

The small wheels gives Moulton’s cycles the look of a fold-up bike – almost like a larger and less compromised Brompton. The latticework of stainless steel tubing that comprises the bike’s frame also sets the latest models apart from rivals, and although the bikes don’t actually fold, the frame is designed to split in the middle.

This won’t benefit you on the daily commute, but it does make the Moulton a lot more versatile, making it easy to pack in the boot of a car in seconds, without having to remove the wheels or seat.

The innovation doesn’t stop there, as Moulton has also used Hydrolastic suspension – a fluid filled rubber mount that’s more similar to a car engine mount than regular cycle suspension, giving better damping without sapping forward momentum. Innovative anti-dive rubber damping at the front, along with those smaller than average wheels, help to create a ride that most cycle manufacturers would kill for.

Features include custom CNC-made brakes and Campagnolo gearing, with a range of different handlebar styles. Moulton will also sell you an array of hand-made luggage bags and carriers to go with the bike, making it practical as well as distinctive.

The cycles are hand-finished with an impressive amount of quality and attention to detail, with the intricate and slender polished stainless steel frame worthy of a place in the Tate Modern. Can you imagine buying a Moulton, however, or do you prefer a more conventional big-wheeled bike?

From: Humans Invent | Innovation, Craftsmanship & Design

A Moulton SPEED has found an illustrious By Royal Appointment host this August in Savile Row, London. Surrounded by luxurious cashmere, and unique Dege and Skinner designs, the bicycle is taking centre stage in the bespoke tailor’s shop window in the heart of Mayfair’s “golden mile of tailoring”. The Moulton SPEED, in aero-graded stainless steel, fits hand in glove with Dege and Skinner’s pictured creations, being a fine example of British engineering and beautiful design. One for the album!

via MOULTON Bicycle Company.

Update 24th August 2011: Thanks also to David Wilson for the extra pictures.

The Moulton is engineered to give the most comfortable and efficient ride, but structurally we like to think that it is a work of art which can be used for super-long distance we have completed Race Across America, speed events the bicycle holds a world speed record and commuting will soak up pot-holes due to its suspension, whilst being able to out-sprint many large-wheeled alternatives and it separates into two halves in less than a minute to go in the boot of a car or take on a train or plane.

via BIKEMINDED | Meet the manufacturer: Shaun Moulton of Moulton Bicycles | BIKEMINDED.

At the end of the 1960s the 6-speed gear system was an unusual phenomenon, making the Moulton Speedsix twice as exotic. It was ahead of its time in its gear-shift technology, although in its design it was very contemporary. The Moultons from the first years of production were rather unexciting mass-market goods, but with the leap to high-end, small series production in the 1980s their street credentials went up.

The bicycle featured here is one of only 600 or so produced, and is number K65310046.

1965, GBR
Frame: Steel varnished
Bicycle gearing:
Brakes: Rim Side Pull / Rim Side Pull
Tyres: 17“ Wired Tyre / 17“ Wired Tyre
Weight: 29,32 lbs

Also in the collection, but not included in the book are a Mark 3, an AM-16, a New Series.

The book is published by Thames & Hudson and the ISBNs are 0500515581, 9780500515587.

The official launch of Cyclepedia: A Tour of Iconic Bicycle Designs is in London on Wednesday March 16th 2011 AT 18:30 at Look Mum No Hands! 49 Old Street, London ED1V9HX.

Jack Thurston, presenter of The Bike Show will be in conversation with Michael Embacher, looking and talking through their favourite bicycles in the collection. Given that Jack is a Moultoneer himself, you can expect the conversation will cover at least one of the Moultons.

From EMBACHER/COLLECTION – ALEX MOULTON Speed Six.

The story of this unique Moulton is told as follows:

A unique piece made of titanium

Mike Augspurger’s company ‘One Off’ in Florence, Massachusetts, specializes in producing unique, made to measure pieces. This includes not only bicycles, for example, but also wheelchairs. The common denominator in these products is the material; One Off favours titanium, thought to be the most promising for future high end bicycles. In 1991 Mike Augspurger made the acquaintance of cyclist Alex Moulton. Their friendship was deepened through cycling trips, and the next One Off idea developed.

Augspurger wanted to produce a Moulton AM from titanium with a frame that could not be separated, and his friend supported the project and supplied special Moulton parts. Only a couple of months later the new frame stood on the weighing scales. It proved to be 500 grams lighter than a Moulton AM Speed stainless steel frame but likewise could not be separated.

Then the project came to a halt. It was only the second owner of One Off who completed the frame and fork to make the bicycle rideable. The Zzipper fairing provides better aerodynamics and the cycle’s frame is just as torsionally rigid as its stainless steel cousins. They produced only one piece, and it is the bicycle featured here. Alex Moulton was rather cautious of allowing others to manufacture frames using his design. He subsequently agreed to no more experiments of this kind.

Cyclepedia: A Tour of Iconic Bicycle Designs will be launched in London on Wednesday March 16th 2011 AT 18:30 at Look Mum No Hands! 49 Old Street, London ED1V9HX.

More photos are available on Michael Embacher’s site

The Sturmey Archer 2 speed, coaster brake hub, as fitted to the Moulton TSR 2, is reviewed in the current issue of Velovision (Issue 40).

The reviewer tested the old F&S Duomatic hub alongside the new Sturmey S2C for a better comparison between the two hubs. Some of the main findings were:

• The S2C is about 50% heavier than the Duomatic
• gear ratios are identical
• the S2C requires less of a back-pedaling action in order to change gears
• the brake on the S2C is much stronger

The review is very positive, and the main benefits cited are that you get the simplicity of a fixed gear with a “bailout” gear for hills and headwinds, as well as the lack of cables going to the rear, which is particularly useful for separable Moultons.

Issue 40 also includes an article by Moultoneers Keith Hales, where he describes life with a Double Pylon, and includes his visit to the 2009 Moulton Summit in Japan.

Practising engineers – especially those concerned with innovation – continuously need quantitative information, especially orders of magnitude, directions and sense of values. In this loose-leaf book of convenient size (which acts as a companion to a scientific calculator) the editors have produced an open-ended collection of directly usable ‘leaves’. Each leaf describes one topic, and includes definitions, units (both SI and Imperial), methods and formulae to determine values. Thus each leaf is an aide-mémoire and as such contains the minimum text on explanation and derivation; instead it relies on graphical and diagrammatic presentation. These are fundamentally sound and not ‘rule of thumb’ calculations. The equations presented are suitable for incorporation into spreadsheet calculation/computing. Their access may well be quicker than trying any search on the Internet.

The format of each leaf is essentially constant, with one topic as indicated by the Title at the top of the leaf, and all symbols used are tabulated in both SI and Imperial units. The key equations are boxed and coloured yellow. The MOULTON FORMULAE and METHODS presents essential information for calculation within topics of mechanical interest. The leaves are titled under the following headings:

• Conversion charts
• Statics
• Structures
• Mechanics
• Dynamics
• Vibrations
• Thermodynamics
• Fluid dynamics
• Mathematics

via Alex Moulton | Buy Book | Engineering Formula | Formulae | Mini.

This has been arranged following the success of last years gathering to celebrate Dr Alex Moulton’s 90th Birthday.

Full details will appear in the upcoming edition of the Moultoneers, and on the members area of the Club Website.

So if you haven’t yet joined the Moulton Bicycle Club or renewed your membership, now is the perfect time to do so.

Please Note: A strict “Members Only” policy will be implemented at this event. There will be NO overnight camping or motor home parking at the Hall for this event. All members must book their own accomodation, if required.

The initial prototypes, which were shown last year, featured a belt drive, eliminating the maintenance and dirt associated with chain drives.

However, the production TSR 2 is available with a choice of either belt drive or a standard chain drive. The belt drive model features a Delta 11mm belt, 67 tooth chainring and 25 tooth sprocket, providing approximately 50.6 and 69.9 inches.

The chain drive features a 44 tooth chainring and 17 tooth sprocket, giving gears of approximately 48.9 inches and 67.5 inches.

The TSR 2 weights 12kgs, and also features folding pedals and Avid Single Digit 5 front V-brakes.

The Moulton Bicycle Company Website says

Beautiful simplicity – the TSR 2 features the new Sturmey-Archer ‘kick-shift’ two-speed gear with an integrated back-pedal brake, and belt-drive. Two well-spaced ratios keep you moving through city streets – no shifters, no cable, no adjustment.

Alex Moulton TSR 2 - Belt Drive, Sturmey Archer S2C

In September 2010 I will be riding 300 miles from London to Paris to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. But things are never that straight forward – I will be riding my distinctive Moulton bicycle, immediately recognizable by its little wheels.Genius or lunacy? Stick around and find out. Follow my vlogs as I train and participate in this event.Donations large or small to the Alzheimers Society are all gratefully received, just use the address at the end of the video.Thank you for your support.

He has produced some cool videos showing the Moulton in all it’s glory, including “It’s not about the bike” shown below.

Follow Andy’s ride on Facebook page, or on the Vimeo channel. You can donate to a worthy cause at http://www.justgiving.com/A-J-Morris

via Video Log 2: Its not about the bike on Vimeo.