Category: Moulton AM / Esprit

New SPEED is the lightest Moulton yet | MOULTON Bicycle Company

The new Moulton SPEED is the first production Moulton bicycle to weigh in at less than 20lb (9.1kg)- quite some feat for a full-suspension road bike.

As befits a special bicycle, the Moulton SPEED is equipped with Campagnolo Super Record components, and is fitted with Moulton's own seat pillar and handlebar stem in Reynolds 953. The distinctive spaceframe design is constructed entirely from stainless steel. Every joint is silver-brazed, and the entire frameset is laboriously polished to mirror finish. With no paint to scratch, the Moulton SPEED can be returned to 'as new' condition with the application of metal polish.

Moulton_SPEED_Zoom

The time-honoured combination of the low aerodynamic drag, the rapid acceleration afforded by the small wheels, the low rolling resistance and the superlative comfort of the well-proven Moulton suspension, make the Moulton SPEED a perfect choice for the performance-orientated Sportive rider as well as those who just want to go out for a blast round the lanes.

The Moulton SPEED will be available from mid-2010.

via MOULTON Bicycle Company.

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.

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

Exciting Moulton Announcement This Week?

Alex Moulton Bicycles and Pashley are being very tight lipped, but both confirmed that they will make a big announcement, probably later this week.

The announcement is expected to define how the two companies will work together in the future.

Frame brazing at Alex Moulton Bicycles in Bradford-on-Avon. Photo by Ben Wilson

It is unclear, at this point, whether this means some kind of merger, a joint venture by both companies, or simply, a manufacture under licence agreement.

The APB was the first bicycle produced in cooperation between the two companies. The bicycle was designed by Alex Moulton, who then sought a manufacturer to produce the bicycle under licence using Moulton's tooling. While Raleigh was considered at first, thankfully it was WR Pashley who eventually manufactured the APB at its premises in Stratford-upon-Avon.


Picture: Pashley

The TSR was designed and manufactured by Pashley.

So what is this new partnership likely to involve?

One possibility is that the Esprit could be manufactured by Pashley. From day one, the Esprit was manufactured in a separate unit to the New Series/Pylons and by separate staff, so this could be moved to a different site relatively easily. Also, the hairpin design is more like the APB/TSR and this lends itself to slightly higher volume, lower cost manufacture. Such a deal would be likely to see the Esprit being marketed more agressively than any Bradford built bike, as we have seen with the TSR since it's introduction.

Whatever the announcement, it is likely that we will see more Moulton bicycles rolling out of Pashley's doors in the near future.


Picture: Pashley

Esprit Review on BikeRadar

BikeRadar.com has a review of the Moulton Esprit.

The review is overwhelmingly positive, describing the Esprit as

a spirited and yet controlled ride

handles like a 700c bike, which is a trait of all Moulton bicycles and part of the reason they are so successful

and

a fine addition to the range, and at the lower price point it also presents a chance to pay sensible money for a great piece of British craftsmanship