Moulton / Land Rover APB

Saturday marks the 14th anniversary of the launch of the Land Rover APB in September 1995. The Land Rover APB was a Pashley Moulton APB, using the Land Rover name under licence. Thanks to Ken Butterfield for the brochure scans and original press release.

Also, have a look at this interview by Carlton Reid with AA President, Edmund King. During his time with the RAC, King launched an RAC branded APB, introducing...

...RAC members to the concept of “mobility, not just motoring”, spearheading a ’smart travel’ campaign by selling RAC-branded bicycles. These were re-badged Moulton APBs, produced by Pashley. “We sold a few,” said King, ” but it was more to make a statement than make money.”

Korean Saddle And Bag Maker Aiming For Brooks And Carradice | BikeRadar

British saddle maker Brooks has owned the leather saddle category for decades, and now a Korean company called Zimbale is branching out into the lucrative US market via Hyde Park Cyclesports in Boise, Idaho.

"My own interest in Zimbale came about partly out of frustration with the unpredictable availability of similar products from existing suppliers and manufacturers," Hyde Park Cyclesports owner Jim Powers told BikeRadar. "I received an email from Zimbale and asked for some samples. I was impressed enough with the samples to begin a conversation about becoming the US distributor.

1252528552543-h66p25rk0da3-798-75

"We were able to come to an agreement, and now I'm working towards meeting their projections for sales in this country. Interbike is the first step."

According to Powers, the Zimbale brand was created by a small group of individuals with backgrounds in textiles, manufacturing and cycling who also saw the need for a more reliable source of fine leather saddles and leather and textile saddlebags. The group is in Korea, and the bags are made in Korea.

Korean Saddle And Bag Maker Aiming For Brooks And Carradice - BikeRadar.

Colin Martin’s Green Bicycle Site

The website of Colin Martin, the legendary Moultoneer, who cycled from England to Australia in 1970, is back online at http://www.moultonbicycle.com.

Colin left England in 1970 on a custom built Moulton Marathon, with the intention of cycling round the world. While in Australia, his bike was stolen and he abandoned the trip and settled there.

Colin Martin's 1970 Ride From England To Australia

In 2002, he continued the trip on a green Moulton New Series, travelling across North America, and visiting England and Japan.

Colin Martin's 2002 Ride Across North America

Finally, in 2008, Colin travelled across Australia from the point where his Moulton Marathon had been stolen, to his home in Queensland, thus completing the round the world trip.

Colin's website, greenbicycle.com, which previously documented the 1970 and 2002 rides, was taken offline in 2009, to facilitate construction of a new site. However, Colin has made the original material available again at the new domain moultonbicycle.com. Read about the 1970 trip from England to Australia and the 2002 Trip Across America.

Colin Martin's Moulton Marathon in Afghanistan

I look forward to reading about the 2008 ride in due course!

Minor British Institutions: The Moulton bicycle

He may not have re-invented the wheel, but Alex Moulton took a lot on when he decided to redesign the bicycle 50 years ago. Like them or loathe them, all the small-wheeled city bikes you see today are a bit of an homage to the original Moulton "F frame" design, though few can be as comfortable as the Moulton, which boasts its own unique suspension system. Dr Moulton's family were "in rubber", you see, and Alex also invented various suspension systems for British cars from the Mini to the Metro.

The Moulton was launched in 1962, and soon became almost as much a symbol of the Sixties as the mini-skirt and The Beatles, though it enjoys less resonance today. Anyway, the small wheels make the machine extremely manoeuvrable in traffic, and the racing version proves you can enjoy quite a turn of speed.

In testament to its enduring appeal, a Moulton bike can still be bought new, but it is priced as what it is - a fine piece of British engineering. Sadly, the ultra-simple and elegant Moulton 50 limited-edition has sold out, but many other exciting variants are just waiting for you to mount them.

via Minor British Institutions: The Moulton bicycle - This Britain, UK - The Independent.