Folding Bikes - My GF's Moulton TSR

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie here and it's my very first post here.
I live in south Koera where small-wheeled bikes have got great popularity nowadays.
I am running a small wheeler MOD community here. Peoples are doing really crazy stuff here!
I will post pics of some nice folders and small-wheeled bikes my friends built to this forum.

The first one is the parshley-moulton TSR I have built for my girlfriend.
I had spent almost 4 months to get parts from all over the world (Frame is from UK, wheelset is from taiwan, many parts are from Ebay, Shimano parts from japan, etc) and the bike is now 95% completed.





I have acquired some more gold parts (Seatclamp, seatpost,cassette so far) and planning to make the headset gold anodized as well.

Comments welcome!

Very Nice.

Did you save much money by sourcing components and building it up yourself?

I can't tell from the pictures whether you have gone for different components than the standard TSR30 specification.

Ah - I see you have a none adjustable stem and V brakes on it, so it is a kind of a hybrid TSR - drops like the TSR30, Vbrakes like the other TSRs.

It's a lot nicer present for a girl from her boyfriend than a diamond ring! I never did understand why women are so fascinated by little scraps of shiny metal and minerals. I like metal too - but I like it useful and mobile like the above.

You must love your girlfriend as that is a really lovely bike.. I bet that you borrow it sometimes!
Welcome to the forums and thanks for the introduction - I look forward to seeing more eastern bikes!
Huw

Nicely done! I hope she appreciates it. The bike looks lovely!

Triple chainrings on a 20" wheel. I'll be the bike can climb walls :).

I called Parshley and asked if they would sell me the frame. They wouldn't do it! ;-(

Oh.. by the way, that's a beautiful bike.

I notice that you have the V-Brakes with drops, but you are not using anything like a Travel Agent.
How well do they work?

Also why did you go with the break-away cable splitters? Is that a normal on a Moulton, or is it so you can pop the stem/handlebars off more easily?

What make are the stem and crankset? (I can't make out the logo text...)

Very nice bike, thanks for an excellent first post. :)
I'd love to see what other pictures you have from your mod group.

Thanks for all the comments.

I got the TSR 9 (V-brake) framekit from foldingbikes UK (http://foldingbikes.co.uk/moulton_tsr.htm)
They applies VAT discount for foreign customers as well.

Gear range is slightly higher than typical MTB setup. (53/42/30 front, 11-26 rear)
I live in hilly area (Lots of +10% hills) and my GF occationally uses granny ring.

Finally, some components used are:
Shimano dura ace levers/derailleurs/bottom brackets
American classic hubs / double butted spokes / aluminium nipples
Nokon cable housings
Brooks leather handlebar tape / Selle storika leather saddle
KMC X10SL Ti chain

Its weight is around 10.3kg (22.7lbs) sans pedals, which is more than 1.5kg lighter than stock TSR30.

I notice that you have the V-Brakes with drops, but you are not using anything like a Travel Agent.
How well do they work?
Also why did you go with the break-away cable splitters? Is that a normal on a Moulton, or is it so you can pop the stem/handlebars off more easily?
What make are the stem and crankset? (I can't make out the logo text...)
Very nice bike, thanks for an excellent first post. :)
I'd love to see what other pictures you have from your mod group.

They are 'mini-V' brakes, which have shorter arms than normal ones. You can use those brakearms with STI levers w/o travel agents.

Many moultons are separable (Frame parts in the middle) so they need cable splitters.

Stem is from 'Dixna' brand. It has colored faceplate, is very light (only 108g), and cheap (<$40)

Crank is an old octalink version of FSA gossamer triple which I have bought at $50 from eBay.
(Great bargain!)

Fantastic-looking bike!

Please continue with posting pictures - it is a always pleasure to look, and obtain inspiration...

Really sweet bike, gf very lucky

if she rides that work of art, what do you ride??!!

the gold accents really make it stand out

Done a full upgrade.

AM7 wheelset with niobium rims and 16/20 bladed spokes
Panaracer R-air lightweight tubes
Campy record levers
Campy record FD
Sram force RD
Fsa SLK carbon crankset
KCNC superlight cassette
Dixna gold seatpost
Edge full carbon saddle
Kohosis black seatclamp
Canecreek black aheadset
All bolts changed with aluminium/titanium ones

I hope you enjoy the pics

Wow, that bike is incredibly beautiful!
I admired it when you first posted the photos earlier this year but now it looks even better.
You ought to be really proud of your work.

Raxel:

Good job on the bike!:thumb: You got good taste!!! Your photos are always inspirational!

I am inspired by the 9.38 kg weight. I'm going to try to put my TSR on a diet.

Curious, why did you switch from DuraAce to Record?

Stunning!! What's your gear-inch range now after the mods?

Raxel:
Curious, why did you switch from DuraAce to Record?

It's for looks and weight :D. And as my bike has shimano drivetrain and my dad's has sram drivetrain, I wanted to try the other too. I also have lots of campy fans around.

And as I live in hilly area with lots of 10% ascents, I have to fit a 50-34T compact crankset to get low enough gearing for my GF. Top gearing is quite limited now, but my GF doesn't use top gear anyway.

Great looking pictures and a great looking bike!

A TSR is one of the 2 bikes I am currently considering (Birdy being the other choice). Your photographs make me want to buy one even before I even get to try a real test ride.

-Jim

Beautiful and so light - a fetishists dream in black and gold there :)

Anyone want to buy a Dahon Smoothhound 2008 - After seeing those pictures, I'm selling it to buy a Moulton ! ( seriously )

Beautiful and so light - a fetishists dream in black and gold there :)

Brings up visions of John Player Specials... fittingly, quite UK ..

oh man - seeing a JPS lotus makes me all tingly!

Raxel, that Moulton is a jaw-dropper! Please consider posting your work (photos and description) on Alan Barnard's blog "Ecovelo" where he is collecting a photo gallery of special bikes of various sorts from all over the world. His website is photographically stunning and your work would fit right in. Here is the gallery:

http://www.ecovelo.info/category/bike-gallery/

Your girlfriend is one lucky babe!

beautiful

I've been looking for a folder/separable for a while. Was/am seriously considering a Bike Friday. However, Rexel's work of art has made me seriously consider a Moulton. What a stunning bike that is.

Rexel, I take my hat off to you!

I miss Raxel's posts. I also miss the pictures....

Recent pic :]

Great pic, as usual!

What camera settings achieves that shallow depth of field?

Nikkor 105mm/1.8 at wide open.

That bike is PURE SEX! ;D

Hi Raxel,

Could you tell me what brakes are on your GF's Moulton?

I was thinking of putting calipers on my upcoming Moulton build, but those V brakes on your GF's bike look great.

Thanks!

that's stunning...pure energy....awesome. why is your brake cable in front hanging/suspended ?

that reminds me of the 1980s Raleigh Record racer. They were black and gold too.

would have saved a bit of brake cable weight if you'd mounted the v brake under the chainstays.
sometimes its difficult to get them away from the cranks when down there. But those Moultons have mile long chainstays.

The cables run under the bar tape, then down to the brake. doesnt look different to other road bikes how the cables go.