New Rohloff Speedhub in 2008

Via Hubstripping, The German magazine Aktiv Radfahren is reporting on the new Rohloff prototype.

The new version of the widely acclaimed 14 speed internally geared hub will have a number of changes over the current version:

  • It still has 14 gears with even steps all the way, but the overall ratio increases from 526% to 580%
  • The hub shell will be about 20% smaller. Useful for building into small wheels
  • The weight will be about 1400g, compared with 1700g of the current version
  • It will not be suitable for use in tandems or other "hard core" uses.
  • A new shifter will be available, though it's not clear whether this will be an STI/Ergo style shifter for use with drop bars.

The first prototype will be shown at Eurobike 2008.

New Rohloff Speedhub in 2008 « Hub Stripping

Alex Moulton: A Lifetime in Engineering

A new book on Alex Moulton has just been published, and it was unveiled at Bradford-on-Avon last weekend.

It is based on an interview by John Pinkerton in 1998 at The Hall in Bradford on Avon. Some people might remember the VHS video of the same name based on the same interview.

In it Alex Moulton talks about his life growing up in Bradford on Avon, the family business and how he developed a love for cycling and engineering. It contains fascinating insights into the development of the original Moulton bicycle, the involvement with Raleigh, the AM era, as well as his automotive career and life outside engineering.

The list price is €14.99, and the ISBN is 978-3-8258-0755-9. A big box was delivered to the Moulton Bicycle Club at the weekend, and many of these were sold for £5. If you contact Moulton Preservation you may be able to get a copy.
It's published by LIT Verlag in Berlin, Germany, and distributed in the UK by Global Book Marketing, 99B Wallis Rd, London, E9 5LN. It's not yet listed in their catalogue at http://www.centralbooks.co.uk/.

Distribution in the US is by Transaction Publishers, orders@transactionpub.com.

BoA 2007: Demo bikes

After the meeting, members could try out any of the Moulton models.

There were three samples of the Esprit, a Bridgestone, a Double Pylon and an older New Series...

The test track was just too small for the Metro...

This NS had nice narrow flat bars and indexed trigger shifters...

The Double Pylon looks even more exquisite in real life than in any photo you've ever seen...

Two Double Pylons in a corner...

New Style Flexitor unit of the Double Pylon. Having the forks outside the Flexitor unit (instead of inside as with earlier New Series models) gives more steering rake for a more stable ride.

The Demo bike had the softest of the available rubber compounds, so the soft lockout was engaged for demo riders...