[Alexander Johnston]

Has anyone successfully incorporated a BF Capreo hub into the rear wheel of a space-frame Moulton?
This may pose all sorts of technical difficulties but theoretically it offers the possibility of a wider gear-range similar to that offered by the TSR 27.

[Bobbie Martin]

I don’t have a BF Capreo hub, but do have a Shimano Capreo hub on my Esprit. The BF hub is 130mm and the Shimano 135, but there were no problems fitting it. I’m sure there are many spaceframes with Capreo hubs. I have a standard Capreo cassette (Shimano only makes one) with a double crankset (55/42 as I recall).

[Alexander Johnston]

Thanks Bobbie.
What gear range does your drive set-up provide on your 17 inch wheeled Esprit?

[Alexander Johnston]

Hi Bobbie
No need to reply to the question above,
I can see that the Capreo 9 to 26 cassette and hub will give you a 27 to 104 inch range.

[Alexander Johnston]

Is anyone running a Capreo hub on a TSR with a triple?
Even a 52/42/30 with the 9-26 cassette would give a range of 21 to 106 inches which is a fantastic range which would meet almost every cyclist’s needs.
On a 58/44/34 triple the range would be 24-119 inches which would frighten the roadies if you have the legs.

[Simon Bryant]

Hello,
I’m a new member after having inherited an AM14 from my late dear uncle who died this year. Would a Capreo hub and triple chainset be a valid option for an AM14 (1991) ? The rear wheel rims are dished through wear and the double chainring (Stronglight) has gotten distinctly pointy. I’m looking to a total overhaul to keep the beast (and my uncle’s memory) alive.
Any observations would be welcome since the front and rear changers are also up for replacement.
All the best
Simon

[Gary Knight]

Yes the Capreo hub can be spaced down to 130mm get this done before the wheel is built you will have to take 5mm off the axle or it on’t clamp down properly. See if the wheel builder can do it all?

[Simon Bryant]

Thank you Gary,
I’m waiting for a reply from the company concerning original Moulton clusters, guess I’m loathed to lose the Campag Record rear hub with grease ports !

[Dave Minter]

Fitting a triple to an AM is not easy, for quite a lot of esoteric reasons. Stick with a double chainring.

[Simon Bryant]

Thanks Dave,
The technical support at the Moulton factory said the same thing. The Stronglight crank arms are still good so it’ll be a simple case of new rings.
Any suggestions for reasonable front and rear derailleurs other than Shimano ? The range today is bewildering and everything seems to “engineered for ultimate performance…”, whatever that is supposed to mean. I have to smile sometimes…
Simon

[Dave Minter]

In one way, it doesn’t matter hugely which derailleur company you use (they all work pretty well if in a compatible system) but if you are aiming for the Capreo 9sp hub, why go for anything else than 9sp Shimano? Match the front derailleur to the chainring sizes, otherwise problems may occur. A big chainring with ‘ramps and pins’ makes changes easier.

[Simon Bryant]

Thanks again Dave, I’ll look for the “ramps and pins” and I guess staying with Shimano will make life easier.
Simon

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