[Alexander Johnston]

I’ve had a go on a light carbon Boardman road bike. It was so light it zoomed up the hills like a rocket. There’s no need for low gears on these bikes because they are so light but there’s certainly a need for very high gears because they are so quick.
Wouldn’t it be exciting to have a carbon moulton – more like the Speedsix in design rather than a space frame – which could “compete” with the lightness and speed of modern carbon road bikes?
Technically I suspect it’s possible (most things are technically possible if you throw enough money at it) but the Moulton Bicycle Company would certainly have to acquire new skills.
A gearing option could be a 58/44 couple with a 9 to 32 at the back giving a high performance high gear of 119 inches and a good low of 25 inches.
I suspect it may happen sooner or later.
Probably later.

[david james]

most moulton owners expect their bikes to last, i think the jury’s still out on the lifespan of cf.

[Bob Cordon Champ]

Steel-tube frames remain in fashion; fashionable swoopy plastic curves will inevitably become ‘so last year’. If you want to sprint faster uphill, lose some weight, the bike’s weight being but a fraction of the rider’s! Bob CC.

[Alexander Johnston]

Apart from Bromptons the number of steel framed bikes sold in the UK per year must be very small compared with the number made from lighter materials.
The only people I see riding steel road bikes are older riders riding the bike they bought in the 60s and 70s and people on “retro” rides.
The young demographic buys aluminium frames with carbon forks or all carbon if they can afford it, like their grande tour heroes.
Undoubtedly steel, if looked after, does last and has other advantages.
But steel today is a niche market for road bikes.
I wonder how well a futuristically designed carbon Moulton would perform in the Team Pursuit?
I suspect it would do very well because of the drafting and resistance advantage so long as the suspension components could be kept to a minimal weight.
ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL, the lighter the bike the easier it is to propel just like cars aeroplanes and ships.

[david james]

i doubt very much that steel is in the minority, from where i am most new bikes seem to be commuter/student /folding types. there is a minority who buy racing bikes and ride them in the summer, a bit of rain in the winter and they’re back on their commuters! the cheapest cf bike is about the same price as a fairly top end steel bike. i know which i’d buy! maybe one day cf will take over but i don’t think it will be soon. for a relatively small company like moulton to start making cf bikes would need a massive investment programme and training/employment of new staff, can’t see it happening

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