Embacher Collection – MOULTON Speed Six

I just received my copy of the Michael Embacher book Cyclepedia: A Tour of Iconic Bicycle Designs. As well as the ONE OFF Titanium Moulton Special, the book also features a lovely Moulton Speedsix.


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.

Moulton Bicycles at Cycle Show 2010

The Moulton stand at Cycle 2010 had a stunning stand, as usual, with some new innovations on show.
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/tredz/5061698033[/flickr]
This New Series looks interesting. It is the first factory built Moulton to be fitted with a Rohloff Speedhub.
Unlike previous standard New Series models, it features the Flexitor/front fork design from the Double Pylon. The front forks run entirely outside the front flexitor assembly, rather than passing through it in the style of the older New Series models.

The flexitor pivot assemblies are redesigned featuring a narrower middle section on the two side tubes, rather like a double-butted spoke. It also doesn't appear to have a soft lock-out mechanism.

The New Series also features a threadless headset and a new variation of the Moulton Wishbone stem.

[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/tredz/5062371054[/flickr]
The demo model has wide Continental City Contact tyres. Up to now, the NS tyre clearances were too small for all but the skinniest of available tyres. Tyre clearance is helped by the use of longer reach dual pivot brakes, which may be a custom Moulton item.

[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/tredz/5062358750[/flickr]

There was of course the shiny belt-drive TSR-2 with 2 speed, Sturmey Archer S2C kickback hub.

[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/tredz/5062307640/[/flickr]
The gorgeous orange TSR-2 features the new leading link design.
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/19871340@N00/5062901540/[/flickr]

Moulton Speed, featuring the redesigned frame, as seen at BoA
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/19871340@N00/5062904172/[/flickr]

And it was nice to see the beautiful original chrome S Deluxe, owned by Mike Woolf of Moulton Preservation on show.
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/19871340@N00/5062291699/[/flickr]

Finally, a fully loaded TSR-30.
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/19871340@N00/5062903676[/flickr]

Photos from Flickr users tredzweb and Jack999

Alex Moulton AM20-2

The AM was the first spaceframe Moulton and has been in continuous production for over 25 years. The latest incarnation was on show at BoA 2010.
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/moultonbuzz/4993014170/[/flickr]
The main features of the new AM20-2 include... shorter seat tube, similar to the New Series, Reynolds 953 seat post...
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/moultonbuzz/4993014732/[/flickr]
...threadless headset...
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/moultonbuzz/4993014448/[/flickr]
... rear rack and attachment similar to the New Series, custom rear light bracket with a variety of bolt spacings...
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/moultonbuzz/4992407267/[/flickr]
... Campagnolo 11 speed drivetrain, with a custom Moulton 11 speed rear cassette, with 10 tooth small sprocket...
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/moultonbuzz/4992411197/[/flickr]

Further details are available from the Moulton Bicycle Company

Travels on a Moulton in the Cevennes

I recently completed a cycle camping tour in the Cevennes in France. The tour took 6 days and covered about 420km.

There were three of us in the group - one large wheeler, one Moulton TSR and my own Moulton APB.

We wild camped 4 nights, used a campsite 1 night, and stayed in a "Hutte" 1 night.

[flickr-gallery mode="photoset" size="medium" photoset="72157624156930574"]

View more details about the tour here