The Moulton Bicycle Company have launched their new website at www.moultonbicycles.co.uk.
It's a very sleek, modern design, which is easy to navigate, and has lots of pretty pictures, including new photography of the bicycle range, and accessories.
The range shows the entire range of bicycles previously under the separate Alex Moulton and Pashley ranges. It also features the AM-GT and AM-Speed "classics". The website states that "these iconic bicycles feature the original Alex Moulton designs, unchanged from their first conception".
Also shown is the Limited Edition Moulton 50 as shown below.
Tag: models
Alex Moulton featured in The Architects Journal
The Architects Journal website contains a feature on Alex Moulton, including a beautiful series of photographs taken in the Hall, the grounds, the factory and the museum.
Apart from the usual detail that any Moulton fan will be familar with, it contains some interesting insights from an architectural point of view.
Of Norman Foster's Moulton ownership, the article writes:
Foster's enthusiasm is not surprising: Moulton admits that his newest designs have a lot in common with High-Tech architecture, as they allow pure functionality to lead the form. 'With the first model, I was extremely concerned with appearance because I was doing a really brutal thing; I was imposing on the public an enormous change from the classical bicycle,' he explains. 'So, in order not to offend the public, I made the front and back forks nicely curved, and kept the suspension entirely hidden. But very soon, reality punished me – the rear forks bent.
Alex drew attention to the differences between architecture and engineering:
'Architecture has one or two less dimensions than engineering,' adds Moulton. 'I mean, things don't have to fly or go moving about. The things that I'm working on, mechanical things, they've got function. Architecture is more open to styling, to shape.'
And talking about folding bikes:
It is his quest for the most efficient, most technically brilliant ride that has kept Moulton's bicycles from folding. According to Moulton, the Brompton folds exceptionally well because it is designed for folding, whereas his bicycle is designed for exceptional performance on the road. Rather than fold, several of Moulton's models separate into two – an option he claims will not compromise the frame in any way.
'Scores of manufacturers that make a small-wheel bicycle imagine that they're simply folding bicycles,' adds Moulton. 'It hasn't dawned on them that actually, if you do it properly, a small-wheel bicycle is the best bicycle in the world.'
The full sets of photographs are available on Flickr, here, here and here
In gear for a new challenge
In gear for a new challenge - Coventry Telegraph
ONE of the UK's oldest bicycle manufacturers has started a new venture which could boost an iconic bike brand.
Stratford-based Pashley Cycles has joined forces with Alex Moulton Bicycles to create The Moulton Bicycle Company.
It will manufacture, market and distribute the Moulton and Pashley TSR ranges of bikes.
Pashley Cycles and Alex Moulton Bicycles have collaborated for the past 12 years, with Pashley manufacturing the Pashley-Moulton TSR range.
Together, the two companies employ more than 50 people.
Pashley Cycles, set up in 1926, is England's longest-established cycle manufacturer, producing more than 150 models of handmade specialist bikes.
Moulton Bicycles, based in Bradford-upon-Avon, was set up by Dr Alex Moulton in 1958, leading the world in design and manufacture of full suspension small-wheeled, high-performance bikes.
More than half of the company's output is exported, with the brand particularly sought after in Japan and the Far East.
Adrian Williams, managing director of Pashley Cycles, said: "The Moulton Bicycle Company has a substantial order book and a waiting list of some 15 months for particular models.
"So, the task will be to increase production output and at the same time open up new markets which should not be difficult as these superbly engineered cycles are much admired worldwide."
Dr Moulton, who becomes president of the new company, said: "This new initiative will allow us to increase our market penetration and reduce our supply times.
"This will enable us to develop new marketing programmes, strengthen the enviable reputation of the Moulton brand and ensure our bicycles remain at the forefront of the small wheel bicycle revolution."
Paul Bennett, corporate partner at Black Country law firm George Green, who advised on the new venture, said: "Pashley and Moulton are two legendary brands in UK manufacturing.
"What is more, they are two of the very few remaining true bicycle manufacturers left in the country, as they genuinely hand-make the cycles here, rather than just being an assembly or import-distribution-only operation.
"Their focus on quality, design and engineering shows that, done properly, there is still a worldwide market for British hand-made goods."
Bath Chronicle: Jobs Boost In Pipeline For Bradford On Avon
New jobs could soon be coming to Bradford on Avon after a deal was signed between two of the UK's most established bicycle manufacturers.
Alex Moulton Bicycles, which was launched in the town 50 years ago, has joined forces with Stratford on Avon bike builder Pashley Cycles to form The Moulton Bicycle Company.
The new firm will produce and market the ranges of both its founding partners with a combined staff of more than 50 people.
Moulton and Pashley have collaborated for the past 12 years with Pashley building and marketing the Pashley-Moulton TSR range.
Dr Alex Moulton, who founded the Bradford-based business in 1958, said the new venture would establish a solid base for the future growth of the Moulton bicycle business.
"This new initiative will allow us to increase our market penetration and reduce our supply times," he said.
"This will enable us to develop new marketing programmes, strengthen the enviable reputation of the Moulton brand and ensure our bicycles remain at the forefront of the small-wheel bicycle revolution."
More than half of Moulton's output is exported to Japan and the Far East from its base at Holt Road in Bradford.
Manufacturing will remain in the town, and the company hopes to generate more jobs. However, no figure has been put on the number of posts that could be created.
Pashley Cycles managing director Adrian Williams said the new company had already developed a substantial order book with a waiting list of 15 months for its most popular models.
Mr Williams said: "The task will be to increase production output and at the same time open up new markets which should not be difficult as these superbly engineered cycles are much-admired worldwide."
Betcher!
I found this video, from 1971, quite by accident. It's a film made for the Department of the Environment, to promote the National Cycling Proficiency Scheme. There are a few Moultons to be seen, with children from both groups riding them.
Experts will be able to identify the exact Moulton models, and spot a few Moulton suspended cars, apart from the obvious Mini Moke!
My observations:
- Pity the Moultons weren't more central to the plot, but it was nice to see the Chopper (or at least its rider) being taught a lesson or two.
- It was nice to see the "prize" was a sporty, but also functional bike. It had mudguards, mudflap, lights, bell, etc.
- I was struck by how calm the streets were. The traffic was relatively light and moderate in speed, very few parked cars, and no inappropriately over-sized vehicles.
If that's got you in the mood for some nostalgia, have another look at these old CTC videos