The S2C is Sturmey’s modern version of the Fichtel & Sachs Torpedo Duomatic, a two-speed hub with kick-back gear change and coaster brake that dates from the 1960s. These hubs have something of a cult following and are hard, though not impossible, to come by. One of my bikes has one and it’s fantastic to ride. A little back-pedal changes the gear (from high to low, or low to high) and a big back-pedal engages the powerful brake. Unlike rim brakes, a hub brake works as well in the wet as in the dry.
Sturmey have built a new version and I believe it’s going to be a hit. Two speeds allows good acceleration from a standing start and a higher cruising gear than on a single speed bike. The kick-back gear change and coaster brake mean that there are no cable runs to the rear wheel. The result is a faster ride than a fixed wheel bike, with better braking performance, but all the simplicity of the fixed aesthetic. Sturmey will bring the hub into production early next year and the retail price is expected to be in the region of £60-£80. Ninon of Bicycle Workshop, who knows a thing or two about hub gears, thinks they’re great. Dan Farrell of Moulton & Pashley (who can claim some of the credit for getting Sturmey to develop the new hub) shares her excitement. Informed sources tell me Sturmey are anticipating huge sales of this hub: around a quarter of a million a year. And no wonder.
Better by Bike | Guardian
From The Guardian...
There was little sign of wallet tightening, particularly on the stand belonging to Moulton, the British manufacturer of full-suspension, small-wheeled bicycles. Pride of place was the £14,500 New Series Double Pylon, a shiny space-aged number with a silver-brazed frame made from stainless steel. Despite not yet being in production, the bike has already attracted a waiting list of 13 months, with demand particularly high in Japan. Shaun Moulton, great nephew of Alex Moulton, the brand's inventor, was on hand to explain its merits. It is very light yet very strong, and the lack of paintwork means it is completely scratch-proof, apparently.
Moulton TSR 2 with Belt Drive Sturmey Archer S2C Hub
The Moulton Stand at the Cycle Show is currently featuring another Moulton Prototype, and another new Sturmey!
A TSR 2, with a new belt drive, Sturmey Archer S2C hub, which is a prototype 2 speed, kickback hub, with coaster brake.
Thanks to The Bike Show for the pics.
Interbike 2009: New Moulton Model?
As in previous years, the Moulton stand at Interbike has featured in the blogosphere. This year, only one bike has featured, and it looks like a new or a hybrid model, perhaps a prototype.
Bike Rumor refers to it as
$14,500 Moulton Speed stainless steel 20″ bike
adding
As more people are riding bikes and forgoing their cars I guess we’ll see more of these ‘car priced’ bikes? What to do with all that extra money I’ll save by not driving a car…buy a bike priced like a car!
KOOWHO has some more detailed photos.
My interpretation of the limited information thus far, with the help of the Moulton Bicycle Yahoo Group:
- It is a hybrid model, based on an AM Speed S (stainless, non-separable).
- Reynolds 953 stainless steel tubing
- 20 inch/406 wheels
- AM front forks, adapted for nominal 20 inch wheels.
- New Series single diameter seat tube, unified rear triangle, and hydrolastic suspension.
Pictures from Bike Rumor, Single Track World and KOOWHO News : Interbike 2009
BoA 2009 Concours
After the Saturday morning Bring & Buy sale, during which the club marquee overflowed with both buyers and sellers, Saturday afternoon was spent in typical fashion - sunshine, sitting in the courtyard, listening to Alex Moulton and others talk about the past, present and future of the Moulton bicycle, as well as looking at some superb F-Frames.
Some highlights included:
- an ex Reg Randall racing machine
- a newly built Moulton Mark 4
- Moulton Speedsix
- Moulton Automatic with Duomatic hub.
- Andy Forey's Milliken inspired, fully faired, racing deluxe.
- a Vic Nicholson inspired Mark 3 replica
As usual, some new models were shown
- TSR Tour SR, which is a high spec version of the TSR 30 with Brooks saddle and bar tape
- A high spec TSR 27, with Brooks bar grips, chromed front and rear forks, threaded headset and Nitto stem and flat handlebar.
It was also announced that German publisher Lit Verlag has re-published "The Spaceframe Moultons" by Tony Hadland in hardback, paperback and miniature paperback.