Velovision Esprit article online

For me it´s strange to read the last part of the article, ".. if you have your practical cycling needs covered.." etc. I have a TSR and I would say it´s the most practical bike I have ever owned (I don´t think the difference is so great between TSR and Esprit). Faster than an MTB, much more comfortable and versitile than a road bike, take it on a train, load it in a car, hang bags on it and have a camping holiday; no problem. The best all-round bike I have ever tried ! Or as I think of it, "Better than a road bike in the woods and better than a mountain bike on the road" ! (and much better than both in town !)

I agree with you on that, but I can understand where Peter Eland is coming from. I think what Peter considers "practical" is different to what the average Moultoneer would consider practical. You and I obviously appreciate a bike that is sporty, comfortable and light, but also relatively tough and versatile. But Peter is a hardcore utility cyclist and his priorities are a much more extreme version of practical, tough and versatile. While I carry the occasional load of shopping, or a few changes of clothes on a tour, Peter helps his friends to move house. He needs a bike that is reliable, takes standard parts/tyres/etc, can take a lot of abuse, bad weather and is not so attractive to thieves. I love my Moultons, and I'm pretty biased towards them in most respects, but if I wanted to pull a suite of furniture, I'd probably choose a workhorse instead.