Cycling UK Forum

I didn’t want to derail another thread so here we go.

I rode Moulton bikes for ages. Now there are fast rolling large volume tyres, seatpost that flex 20mm and systems like the futureshock is it the best solution other than looking really awesome (that is a good reason in itself)?

I can climb out the saddle on my diverge, it can roll over bigger holes, has 20mm front suspension and 18mm rear (via seatpost). I can use normal parts and it handles off road as well as on.

The thing I missed most about Moulton bikes was not feeling fatigued after a long ride, now there are other solutions.

Discuss

fossala wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 12:09pm ................ I can use normal parts ..............

How long do you reckon they will supply spares for that (interesting?) headset?

I think its all nonsense. You need to "ride" the bloody thing; all the gadgets just encourage people to sit on them.
I suspect you only "need" a suspension stem because the saddle is so far forward that it throws your weight onto your hands.

Well, you did say discuss.....

531colin wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 12:42pm

fossala wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 12:09pm ................ I can use normal parts ..............

How long do you reckon they will supply spares for that (interesting?) headset?

I think its all nonsense. You need to "ride" the bloody thing; all the gadgets just encourage people to sit on them.
I suspect you only "need" a suspension stem because the saddle is so far forward that it throws your weight onto your hands.

Well, you did say discuss.....

To be honest, I work in the trade so I’ll only have the bike a year or two. Saying that Specialized make spares for 5 years and then hold stock (I ordered and replaced pivot kits on a 12 year old full suss a week ago).

I have the saddle that far forward because of my midget legs, I do put out enough power to hold that position. I’ve held that position on 600k Audax but I understand why someone 2.5x my age may struggle.


Edit: I should say, I have a 29” inseam even though I’m 5’ 10”.

Get a decent seat, bring the bottom bracket to the front, put a headrest on....

[XAP]Bob wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 12:48pm Get a decent seat, bring the bottom bracket to the front, put a headrest on....

In did, I owned an ICE QNT, Trice Micro and a speed machine. I am sick to death of riding on main roads. Recumbents round here (Cornwall) don’t work with our narrow lanes and high hedges.

To be fair Moultons are a bit of a time warp these days,and I think that you either like that for whatever reason (I personally love the engineering and design, the stiffness as well as the comfort and just being different), or you don't and prefer more modern and frankly conventional designs.

When the spaceframe was designed there wasn't the breadth of frame design and materials that there is now.
You could generally have stiff or light. Little offered both.

Also it was really the idiosyncratic view of one engineer that small wheels and suspension was the answer following a similar path to motor vehicles. I also value that I can separate it the chuck it in a car or take on the Tyneside metro.

The closest competitors seem to be birdy, airnimal or bike Friday, and of course Brompton.

...and the Moulton Space frame can be split making for easier transportation / storage ! Slightly OT I know, but a valid reason ( compomise? ) for not riding larger wheels/tyres.

It's fun to crash through potholes and speed cushions on a Moulton but I reckon a lightly modified Brompton* will be quicker over most rides, simply because it climbs better. A Moulton may be stiff in its main frame but it's like a pogo stick uphill. You'd think they could figure out a lockout for the fork but no, you're riding it wrong!

*JK suspension block, bar ends and some decent pedals

gazza_d wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 6:05pm To be fair Moultons are a bit of a time warp these days,and I think that you either like that for whatever reason (I personally love the engineering and design, the stiffness as well as the comfort and just being different), or you don't and prefer more modern and frankly conventional designs.

When the spaceframe was designed there wasn't the breadth of frame design and materials that there is now.
You could generally have stiff or light. Little offered both.

Also it was really the idiosyncratic view of one engineer that small wheels and suspension was the answer following a similar path to motor vehicles. I also value that I can separate it the chuck it in a car or take on the Tyneside metro.

The closest competitors seem to be birdy, airnimal or bike Friday, and of course Brompton.

You could argue that it was a engineer with vested interest in rubber production applying this to a bicycle to further his families production!

Getting on & off.

rogerzilla wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 9:12pm A Moulton may be stiff in its main frame but it's like a pogo stick uphill. You'd think they could figure out a lockout for the fork but no, you're riding it wrong!

It depends a lot on your riding style. My Moulton doesn't bob up and down uphill (and I have the front suspension set up soft because this gives the best ride), but I do have a smooth pedalling style. I have read this assertion often and I suspect from people who have never ridden one (not that I'm suggesting that is the case for you) but for anyone considering a Moulton a good test ride will reveal whether or not it is the bike for you.

You can’t put any real power out the saddle without a Moulton bobbing like a pogo stick. I’m not saying you can ride it out the saddle without bobbing, just you’d have to unweight your hands and make sure you don’t bottom out at all at the end of your downstroke. Even Alex Moulton understood this and put a basic lockout on the new series to combat it.

fossala wrote: ↑29 Aug 2021, 12:46pm ..........
I have the saddle that far forward because of my midget legs, I do put out enough power to hold that position. I’ve held that position on 600k Audax but I understand why someone 2.5x my age may struggle..........

Even at my advanced age, I can remember being young, fit and strong.
However, if you need to be "putting out the power" in order for that riding position to work, then when you are picking your way along some dodgy track, your weight will be thrown forwards onto your hands. ....thats what makes a suspension stem "necessary".

fossala wrote: ↑30 Aug 2021, 9:33am You can’t put any real power out the saddle without a Moulton bobbing like a pogo stick. I’m not saying you can ride it out the saddle without bobbing, just you’d have to unweight your hands and make sure you don’t bottom out at all at the end of your downstroke. Even Alex Moulton understood this and put a basic lockout on the new series to combat it.

I wouldn't argue with that, and if you like to power up hills out of the saddle then a Moulton isn't a good choice. However I don't believe that hard out of the saddle riding is an efficient technique for everyone, particularly on long hills. On my stiff carbon road bike I will occasionally get out of the saddle to "power up" a short incline but on longer climbs I stay permanently in the saddle, and something I often observe when riding with my club is that stronger riders than me who get out of the saddle I will often end up riding past before the top of the climb. In fact my technique for proper hills (we have plenty of them here in the Yorkshire Dales) is to start on a relatively easy gear and just get into a rhythm and once breathing and heart rate have settled I can often change up a gear or two. Certainly for touring I think keeping things steady is the way to go, and for that sort of riding a Moulton is IMO a serious contender.

iandusud wrote: ↑30 Aug 2021, 12:44pmCertainly for touring I think keeping things steady is the way to go, and for that sort of riding a Moulton is IMO a serious contender.

Sort of agree, but not much. My Mercian leaves the Moulton standing - same bloke riding ......... me.

If you have a light Moulton, I would agree more, but mine is heavy.
It was heavy BEFORE I fitted a hub dynamo and the SA3sp.

Also rolling resistance is an issue with smaller wheels - lightweight or not.
Do a rollout test with a 700c bike and compare it to a Moulton.
Utterly eye-opening to me.

This is all notwithstanding the fact that the Moulton is a lovely bike to ride.
Not fast, rather heavy, poor aerodynamics, poor uphills due to suspension and the overall weight.

Still, a lovely bike.