Tag: speedsix

BoA 2007: Alex Moulton's greatest hits

Alex Moulton and the MBC experts called for examples of each model from the first Standard to the present day from which they judged the best example of each - usually the most original and well maintained. They scrutinised each model in such detail, that they ran out of time at the AM-GT.

Below are a few shots that took my fancy.

The need for speed...

Paul Grogan's Speedsix skips into view...

These gorgeous Speedsixes lost out because their mudguards weren't original...

This one had the original alloy guards...

A lovely blue Moulton S Safari...

And an S Stowaway...

But winner of the S-class was this immaculate chrome S Safari, owned by Ken Butterfield

Lovely rear end...

The crowed oohed and ahhed at the sight of shiny chrome...

Mike Woolf's completely original Moulton S Deluxe was not eligible, due to being a Moulton Preservation bike...

Alex Moulton told some of the history of the S-Works, and the work of Jack Lauterwasser...

Can't read the decals from here, but I think this was a Series 2 Deluxe...

Mike Woolf described the Raleigh era of this Mark 3 as a "mixed blessing...

On to the Alex Moulton era and the AM 7...

Alex Moulton described how the F-frame evolved into the Y-frame prototype, which eventually led to the X-frame - the basic shape of the spaceframe AM.

He recounted feeling distraught when some French club racers told him the Y-frame was wonderful, but too heavy. This led him to develop a frame structure that was entirely different to anything that went before.

Here is a lovely AM2...

Checking a serial number on an AM Speed...

Finally, the AM-GT... the first stainless steel model. Alex Moulton talked about how wonderful a material stainless steel was, and alluded to the skill of the silver brazers at Bradford on Avon. He told the owner of this AM-GT that stainless steel lasts forever, and he would pass the bike on to his great grandchildren.

Unique Moulton Speedsix

The story of Peter Lea is quite an amazing one. During his cycling career, he averaged over 17,000 miles per year and over 187,000 miles in total.

Peter ordered a Moulton S Safari in 1965, with a massive 68t chainring, close ratio block and completed a hugely impressive mileage on it.

The photo above shows Peter on the record breaking S Safari.

Peter completed over 75,000 miles on the S Safari, including a record breaking 30,108 in one year, all while holding down a full time job. When Alex Moulton heard of the record, he put the S Safari in his museum, and gave Peter a custom Moulton Speedsix as a replacement.

Ken Butterfield has since acquired the tangerine Speedsix for his collection.

Ken says...

I knew that in exchange for their new high mileage exhibit, Moulton bicycles had built Peter Lea a replacement and that this was a tangerine orange speedsix which was assembled at Bradford on Avon in 1970. This is remarkably late for a series two, as the Mk3 was in full production over in Nottingham and development work at the Hall was taken up with this latest frameset. Other speedsix specials are known to have been built in this period though, including ones built by Jack Lauterwasser himself. Peter Lea’s experience must have been considered valuable, as Alex Moulton wrote to him asking if he had any advice for a young rider who was going to ride to Australia on a cycle that he was making for him. This was of course the Marathon, and the young man was Colin Martin!

The pictures show Alex Moulton studying the unique Speedsix, at the Moulton Bicycle Club weekend at Bradforn on Avon in September 2006.

You can read more about Peter's unique history in issues 48 and 78 of the Moultoneer, which is the magazine of the Moulton Bicycle Club, and in Tony Hadland's excellent book, The Moulton Bicycle.

This is a stunning and unique bike, as the pictures show. Thanks to Ken for sharing.

Some very special Moultons

When I ride my 1964 Moulton Deluxe or my Mark 3s from 1970 and 1973, I can sense the stares from people who have never seen such bikes before. It makes me feel like I'm riding something quite rare.

But in reality, over 100,000 Moulton deluxes were made and over 3,000 Moulton Mk 3's. They are not that difficult to find. However, over the years, many very special Moultons have been made. While the BMC factory in Kirkby and later the Raleigh factory in Nottingham were churning out Moultons, the factory in Bradford On Avon was often producing limited edition or one off specials.

Below are a few examples from Ken Butterfields photos...

This Moulton S Safari had been overpainted black. The black paint was removed using Nitromors, exposing the original chrome finish.

This Mark 3 was built by Jack Lauterwasser for his own use. It features a unique 10 speed drivetrain with 3 levers. The Sturmey Archer hub (I presume originally a 4 speed) was converted to 5 speed, with 2 rear sprockets and a custom derailleur. It's got lots of special features - 531 forks with Campagnolo ends, narrow bottom bracket, Mafac cantilever brakes

Another black Mark 3 this time, but very different. This one has derailleur gearing, and a prototype rear triangle with pump mounts.

Ken has lots more photos which are worth checking out, such as this gorgeous Speedsix

The original Moulton Bicycle

Twenty years before the first spaceframe Moulton bicycle, the original F-frame Moulton bicycle was launched. Alex Moulton, an engineer with experience in the automotive industry, and a recreational cyclist, decided to go back to first principles and question every aspect of the design of bicycles.

Questions such as :
Why had the design of the bicycle not changed in any fundamental sense since the "safety bicycle" was developed, replacing the Penny Farthing in the 1880s.
Why, when the wheel sizes of most road going vehicles had reduced with the improvement in road surfaces, had the bicycle wheel remained so large?

After 5 years of development, the original Moulton Bicycle was launched and it was a revolutionary design. The concept consisted of a number of key principles :

  • Small wheels were found to be stronger and lighter than large wheels. They produced less wind resistance, could be more easily accelarated.
  • Small wheels provided no more rolling resistance than large wheels, provided that high pressure tyres (which in 1962 meant 60 psi) were used. The optimum wheel size was found to be 16-17 inches.
  • Small wheels provided a more bumpy ride on paved roads, so the use of suspension was essential.

Additionally, the following features are common to the Moulton bicycle range:

  • The low stepover height compared to the standard bicycle was safer for men, and more convenient for women. It was also safer in the event of a crash insofar as the rider was not "trapped" with one leg either side of the top tube.
  • The ability to carry luggage low down on the centre line of the bicycle, providing more stability.
  • The separable frame, which does not compromise stiffness or stability compared with the non-separable frame, and featured in the f-frame Stowaway model (and in most of the spaceframe models) allows for easy transportation and storage.

    The new bicycle was a revolutionary design, and for a while Moulton was the largest bicycle manufacturer in Britain. The following video dates from the time of the launch of the Moulton bicycle.

    These principles are the core of the Moulton concept, and have remained so through to the very latest spaceframe models.

    The Moulton Range

    The Basic Range

    Continental – the cheapest Moulton with a single speed hub and back pedal brake.
    Automatic – replaced the Continental, had a two speed hub and back pedal brake.
    Standard – the basic model, 4 speed hub.


    Deluxe – a higher spec model, 4 speed hub
    Speed – similar to a standard but with a sportier riding position, 4 speed hub
    Stowaway – the first separable moulton, 2 speed hub with back pedal brake.
    Safari – a fully equipped model for touring. 4 speed hub with optional 2 speed derailleur.
    Speedsix – a racing model with 6 speed derailleur gears.

    The Standard and Deluxe are the most common models by far, and are quite inexpensive to buy. The other models vary in terms of rarity, desirability, and price.

    The S Range

    The S range is very rare, and very collectable. Each model is a higher spec version of the original Deluxe, Safari and Stowaway with slightly larger 17inch wheels, lighter components, and optional chrome finish.

    The picture below is a Moulton S Safari in chrome finish, from Ken Butterfield's photos on Flickr

    Only around 10 S Speeds were produced and the location of most of them is known. However, it looks like there may be a few still unaccounted for. Most F-frame collectors dream of finding an S Speed in a skip or a garage somewhere!

    After the Raleigh takeover the following models were produced:
    Moulton Major – an updated Standard
    Moulton Major Deluxe – an updated Deluxe

    The Mark 3 / Mark III / Mk 3
    This was a new departure in design, with the most recognisable feature being the rear triangle and squashball suspension. This model has a shorter wheelbase than the older Series 1 and 2 models and was fitted with a 3 speed hub with drum brake.

    • There were also a number of other models produced - smaller wheel versions for children/teenagers, export models, and models made abroad under licence. These will be the subject of a post on another day!