Moulton bicycle questions
Your Name Here
Anyone out there have experience with the Moulton line of bikes? I've
just come across a LandRover APB at a LBS here in Minneapolis and I have
to say I'm intrigued. I'm interested in knowing what any of you might have
to say about reliability and durability of these bikes. Also any comments
you might have on the suspension system would be appreciated. It seemed
to have a very plush (almost bouncy) ride. Perhaps the bounce goes away
as you become acclimated to it. (a la the Softride beam)
Thanks for your help.
Mark
Your Name Here
Doug Milliken
On Thu, 11 Sep 1997, Your Name Here wrote:
> Anyone out there have experience with the Moulton line of bikes? I've
> just come across a LandRover APB at a LBS here in Minneapolis and I have
For more information on Dr. Moulton's unique bicycle designs, see the
Moulton Bicycle Club web pages at:
http://www.whooper.demon.co.uk/moulton/moulton.html
The MBC is an independent club of about 1000 members, perhaps the
largest single marque bike club in the world that is not affiliated
with a manufacturer.
Best Wishes,
-- Doug
Doug Milliken <bd427@@freenet.buffalo.edu>
Kenneth Sole
Doug Milliken <bd...@freenet.buffalo.edu> wrote:
Howdy,
Somehow sensing that I risk the wrath of my colleagues, I will
tell you that I had one for a few years quite a while ago. I sold
it perhaps eight years ago and well recognize that many things
may have changed in their design since then.
Overall, my take: Not a useful bicycle. The only *real* virtue
was that its disassembled size was less than that of a
conventional bicycle. Interestingly, its packed size was not
significantly less.
The biggest problem? Well the small wheels left the thing feeling
extremely twitchy. The feel was that it (at least for me)
required *much* more attention to maintain stability. The
suspension? Well, yes, it did function reasonably well but
overall I had the sense that it took a ton of mechanica to
provide a ride that was about as good as that provided by a
larger wheel.
Finally, would I consider getting one again? Well no, except for
one situation (which happened to be that of the fellow to whom I
sold mine): He lived on a boat. For that, or perhaps for the
owner of a light plane, indeed, it might be the way to go.
Take care,
--
Please respond here, and also via email (after removing "SPAMLESS.")
-Kenneth
Joseph Riel
Kenneth Sole (so...@SPAMLESSnh.ultranet.com) wrote:
[concerning a Moulton]
: The biggest problem? Well the small wheels left the thing feeling
: extremely twitchy. The feel was that it (at least for me)
: required *much* more attention to maintain stability. The
: suspension? Well, yes, it did function reasonably well but
: overall I had the sense that it took a ton of mechanica to
: provide a ride that was about as good as that provided by a
: larger wheel.
I've recently acquired a Moulton, the Jubilee, and cannot agree
with your assessment of the stability issue. Yes, the steering is
different. Riding it no-hands takes a bit of practice---I can
do so well enough to change a jacket, but wouldn't try that in
a group ride or in heavy traffic, at least not yet. I also
have to retrain the way I look over my shoulder, that takes a bit
more attention.
So far as the suspension, it seems less complex then a typical
suspended mountain bike and also works well---the ride is much
smoother than a standard road bike.
Matt Dekker
On 12 Sep 1997, Joseph Riel wrote:
> Kenneth Sole (so...@SPAMLESSnh.ultranet.com) wrote:
>
> [concerning a Moulton]
>
> : The biggest problem? Well the small wheels left the thing feeling
> : extremely twitchy. The feel was that it (at least for me)
> : required *much* more attention to maintain stability. The
<snip>
> I've recently acquired a Moulton, the Jubilee, and cannot agree
> with your assessment of the stability issue. Yes, the steering is
> different. Riding it no-hands takes a bit of practice---I can
> do so well enough to change a jacket, but wouldn't try that in
> a group ride or in heavy traffic, at least not yet. I also
> have to retrain the way I look over my shoulder, that takes a bit
> more attention.
>
> So far as the suspension, it seems less complex then a typical
> suspended mountain bike and also works well---the ride is much
> smoother than a standard road bike.
>
> Joe
> --
> j...@sparc.sandiegoca.ncr.com
>
Kenneth was more than likely writting about an Alex Moulton with 17"
wheels, while the originator of this thread was asking about the Land
Rover APB (Moulton) which uses 20" wheels. While still quick, the APB is
nowhere near as light steering as the AM series. Also, more recent AMs
have more trail to slow the steering a bit.
An AM or APB stowed for transport is only about 39"x23"x12". The only
way an AM or APB can be as big as a conventional bike when packed is if
one doesn't split it and tries to pack it like a conventional bike.
Before one gets too caught up in the opinions of others or the technical
mumbo-jumbo (so prevelant in this industry) they should ride one and judge
for themselves if the the features of an AM or APB will benefit them.
WARNING - I am in the business of selling Moultons so set your sensitivity
to low.
Matt Dekker
mde...@eskimo.com
--
Matt Dekker mde...@eskimo.com
"My liability for this posting is limited to exactly what you paid me for it."
CARockwell
I have owned and ridden a a Moulton AM 14 for seven years. The best
aspect of the bike is the attention you attract. The ride is great and
shows bennefit when you are on rides that are so long you do not even think
about getting out of the saddle to charge up hills. It is possible to get
all of the Moulton ride and stowage benefits on a conentional bike with a
suspended seat post and the S$S Torque Coupler. If you work on your own
bike and enjoy doing the work then the Moulton will interest you. If you do
not work on your own bike then I think the Moulton will prove difficult as
it is annoyingly different in detail than standard bikes.
Smart shops in my area do not work on them and even the local "dealer"
will not stock or supply parts but there are several mail order sources.
Ciao,
Charlie Rockwell