Category: Gears

Sturmey Archer S2C Review

The Sturmey Archer 2 speed, coaster brake hub, as fitted to the Moulton TSR 2, is reviewed in the current issue of Velovision (Issue 40).

The reviewer tested the old F&S Duomatic hub alongside the new Sturmey S2C for a better comparison between the two hubs. Some of the main findings were:

  • The S2C is about 50% heavier than the Duomatic
  • gear ratios are identical
  • the S2C requires less of a back-pedaling action in order to change gears
  • the brake on the S2C is much stronger

The review is very positive, and the main benefits cited are that you get the simplicity of a fixed gear with a "bailout" gear for hills and headwinds, as well as the lack of cables going to the rear, which is particularly useful for separable Moultons.

Issue 40 also includes an article by Moultoneers Keith Hales, where he describes life with a Double Pylon, and includes his visit to the 2009 Moulton Summit in Japan.

Moulton TSR 2

The Moulton TSR 2 Specification has been released. This model features a 2 speed Sturmey Archer S2C hub, with kick-back shifting and a coaster (or back pedal-) brake. This means that there are no cables running to the rear wheel, and allows the frame to be split more quickly for storage and transportation.

[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/moultonbuzz/4985799589[/flickr]

The initial prototypes, which were shown last year, featured a belt drive, eliminating the maintenance and dirt associated with chain drives.

[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/moultonbuzz/4985801223[/flickr]

However, the production TSR 2 is available with a choice of either belt drive or a standard chain drive. The belt drive model features a Delta 11mm belt, 67 tooth chainring and 25 tooth sprocket, providing approximately 50.6 and 69.9 inches.

[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/moultonbuzz/4985796207[/flickr]

The chain drive features a 44 tooth chainring and 17 tooth sprocket, giving gears of approximately 48.9 inches and 67.5 inches.

The TSR 2 weights 12kgs, and also features folding pedals and Avid Single Digit 5 front V-brakes.

[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/moultonbuzz/4992376277[/flickr]

The Moulton Bicycle Company Website says

Beautiful simplicity - the TSR 2 features the new Sturmey-Archer 'kick-shift' two-speed gear with an integrated back-pedal brake, and belt-drive. Two well-spaced ratios keep you moving through city streets - no shifters, no cable, no adjustment.

[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/moultonbuzz/4985795911[/flickr]

[flickr-gallery mode="photoset" photoset="72157624947556842"]

Alex Moulton TSR 2 - Belt Drive, Sturmey Archer S2C

Moulton Campag Sprocket Set: Up to 11, down to 10

The new Moulton Campagnolo compatible 11 speed sprocket set was on show at Cycle 2010. The press release is below:

The Moulton Bicycle Company is presenting their new eleven speed sprocket set to the public for the first time at Cycle 2010.
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/huggerindustries/5061346428/[/flickr]

Designed to be fitted to the iconic, small-wheeled, Moulton bicycle, this new sprocket set is notable for its lightweight construction and a smallest sprocket with 10 teeth.

Tipping the scales at under 110g, this new sprocket set is CNC machined in three parts:

  • The two smallest sprockets are hardened steel
  • The next five sprockets are titanium
  • The final four (largest) sprockets are ceramic-coated aluminium.

This Campagnolo-compatible sprocket set is available in a 10-28 ratio, with single-tooth jumps between the smaller sprockets: 10-11-12-13-14-15-16-18-21-24-28. Whilst giving high gearing for small wheels, this avoids the inefficiency inherent with 9-tooth sprockets, and large gear jumps that have been an unlikeable feature of some previous sprocket sets.

The new Moulton sprocket set is available only from The Moulton Bicycle Company and its distributors and dealers worldwide.

Moulton bicycles are exhibiting their range of British-built, small-wheeled, full suspension bicycles on stand D26 at the London Cycle Show, Earl's Court, on the 7th-10th October 2010 (7th - trade only).

Notes
Dr Alex Moulton patented the small-sprocket freewheel back in 1970 after devising new tooth profiles to ensure correct chain engagement (wrap), shifting and durability with sprockets as small as nine teeth. Many Moulton bicycles produced since then have featured sprockets with low tooth counts.

The original press release can be seen in this photo from Bike Hugger on Flickr
[flickr]http://www.flickr.com/photos/huggerindustries/5060736793/[/flickr]

11 Speed Alfine hub from SHIMANO

Hubstripping.com reports

Shimano announces a 11 gear hub. The range will be 409% (Alfine 8 gear 307%). The hub runs in a oil bath like the Rohloff Speddhub. This should result a higher efficiency and longer lifetime. The price will be 300,- Euro release data is September 2010.

Details can be found here….

via 11 Speed Alfine hub from SHIMANO « Hubstripping.com.

Kick-shift in the City with the New TSR-2 | MOULTON Bicycle Company

City cycling just got a whole lot easier and smoother with the new Moulton TSR-2. As clean in lines as a fixie, the TSR-2 has a surprise in store- the new Sturmey Archer S2C 'kick-shift' hub. This two-speed hub, shown for the first time to the public at the London Cycle show, offers an overdrive gear in addition to direct drive. There are no control cables- shifting is achieved by a light back-pedalling action. Further back-pedalling activates the integral coaster brake.

To further reduce maintenance and adjustment requirements, the TSR-2 is equipped with a belt-drive transmission. Unlike chains, the belt is clean and does not scratch, so no adjustment is required to take up slack. Efficiency is as high as a chain in good condition, and a belt is always in good condition! With no gear cable, rear brake cable, or chain to adjust, there is little that the everyday cyclist has to do to keep his TSR-2 running sweetly.

TSR2_Zoom

The TSR-2 will be available from Spring 2010.

via MOULTON Bicycle Company.