Category: Moulton TSR

4-Speed Moulton TSR Prototype

A prototype 4-speed TSR was shown at Bradford on Avon on saturday, as part of the annual Moulton Bicycle Club event.

The gearing combines a Schlumpf Speed Drive and Fichtel & Sachs Duomatic. This means that gear-shifting and rear braking is done without cables, allowing the bike to be separated, without the need for cable splitters.

Gear changes for both Speed-drive and Duomatic are activated by the feet. Gear change in the Duomatic is effected by pedalling backwards about 1/4 turn. Changing gears on the speed-drive is done by tapping a button on the pedal crank with the heel.

The Fichtel & Sachs Duomatic contains a coaster brake, activated by back-pedalling.

The 4-speed TSR was visually stunning. The bright white paintjob contrasted beautifully with the new Moulton Bicycle Company headbadge, and a Union Jack on the seat tube. It was very similar to Team GB's Olympic colours.

The new headbadge, which will adorn all Moultons in future, depicts a cyclist on a Moulton (probably a TSR) infront of The Hall. Colours are traditional AM Red, with the new blue, on a shiny silver background. A Union Jack silhouette appears underneath, along with the words "Made in England".

The prototype also sported Moustache-style handlebars, and a reverse-action brake lever to operate the front brake.

The Sachs Duomatic has been out of production for many years, but a large number of "New Old Stock" seems to be available from various sources.

EcoVelo » Pashley-Moulton TSR8 Impressions

EcoVelo » Blog Archive » Pashley-Moulton TSR8 Impressions
The TSR is a unique design that is beautifully executed. I see it as a replacement for a traditional club racer, but with the added bonus of breaking down for storage or transport inside a small vehicle. With the addition of racks it could be used as a commuter, but because it doesn’t break down small enough to take on a city bus and the wheels are too small to fit most transit bus racks, it’s limited to point-to-point commutes. It’s such a beautiful, delicate bike, I can’t imagine locking it up outside or dragging it through a bustling train station anyway.

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

Pashley at London Cycle Show 2007

Pashley are at the London Cycle Show (stand E11), as BikeRadar reports. The cycling world is obsessed with city bikes at the moment, and the more retro the better, so most of the coverage is of Pashley's traditional bicycles.

The TSR does get a mention however:

Pashley were showing their TSR Pashley Moulton range including this show special (although you can buy it if your pockets are deep enough) featuring a Campag Centaur rear mech matched up with a Miche Supertype aluminium chainset and HED Jet wheels. Nice.