Folding Bikes - Inspired by the Moulton TSR-2C - My Abio 2C belt-drive, kick-shift, 2 speed cruiser

A couple of months ago, I was totally inspired by BruceMetras' Uno Duo creation - http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?592559-My-Dahon-Mu-Duo-a-blend-of-old-an-new&highlight=dahon%20uno . Totally cool vintage Duo hub, 2 speeds, coaster brake, clean lines and stunning. I immediately ordered one from his supplier in Germany http://hubstripping.wordpress.com/fs-torpedo-automatic/ . Bruce got the Automatic shifter, I got the Manual model.

I had originally intended to put this Duo hub on my restored 1970 Moulton MK3, restoring it to an original configuration of that time. But, after reading about Moulton's new prototype TSR-2C, belt-drive, 2 speed, kick-shift, coaster brake model (http://www.moultonbuzz.com/2009/10/moulton-bicycle-company-kick-shift-in-the-city-with-the-new-tsr-2/), I became enamored with matching this Duo hub with my Abio Verdion belt drive bike. The simplicity of the hub and belt drive seem like a real good match.

So I went to work on the Abio Verdion. I upgraded both wheels with Dahon's Kinetix line. Built up the rear wheel with the Duo hub, eliminating the cables to the back, upgraded to a Brooks saddle and MKS EZ pedals. Chopped about 3 inches off the handlebars and added Brooks leather bartape. And the result is this:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/MetroSpecial4.jpg

Been riding this bike almost exclusively for the past few weeks, to the dismay of my other folders. Here are some pics of the Abio Verdion around town.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/Metro1.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/Metro10.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/Metro3.jpg

I love this configuration - matching up a simple hub with a clean belt drive train. It's totally counter-intuitive. One can get 30 speeds on bikes now, yet the simplicity of this 2 speed is somehow refreshing. Amazingly, the 2 gears (48/68) meets all my needs for going around town. Of course, this bike is not built for getting anywhere in a hurry - it's for taking time and smelling the roses on the way to someplace. Ahh, what a joy!

When Sturmey Archer comes out with the S2C hub (which works the same way), I will put the S2C on the Abio Verdion and put the Duo hub on the MK3, the lineage matches up better. Can't wait to do that too!

Oh, and here's the best part - my 6 year old son riding it. I just lowered the seat and turned the handlebars around. He likes it too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7OhSwjQD-4

Nice. Just needs a frame respray.

Looks really fun Alan. :thumb:

I had a folder with a Sachs Duomatic combined with a Speed Drive for 4 gears and no cables. Way before the Moulton that came out like that. I didn't like it. Tokk off the Speed drive (it's now on my Birdy) and sold the folder with the Duomatic still on it.

Nice SesameCrunch!! :thumb: .. I know the joy you are feeling .. you can cover a lot of territory with a 2 speed :speedy:.. . your rims will last forever with a coaster brake.. I find I do almost all my slowing with the coaster brake and hardly use the front brake at all.. certainly the opposite with my other bikes where I normally use the front brake the most..

I had a folder with a Sachs Duomatic combined with a Speed Drive for 4 gears and no cables. Way before the Moulton that came out like that. I didn't like it. Tokk off the Speed drive (it's now on my Birdy) and sold the folder with the Duomatic still on it.

That was the limited edition Moulton 50 which paired up the Duo with the Schlumph. This TSR-2C is the S2C hub (modern reincarnation of the Sach Duo) with belt-drive. Not yet released.

I find I do almost all my slowing with the coaster brake and hardly use the front brake at all.. certainly the opposite with my other bikes where I normally use the front brake the most..

that's what I do too. I wish I could do without the front brakes all together, but the rear ones are not quite strong enough by themselves. The bike would look even better without the front brake cable.

that's what I do too. I wish I could do without the front brakes all together, but the rear ones are not quite strong enough by themselves. The bike would look even better without the front brake cable.Agreed. Looks like you could trim a bit off the cable to prevent that long loop sticking out so much.

Agreed. Looks like you could trim a bit off the cable to prevent that long loop sticking out so much.

Yeah, I doubt if anyone taller than I will be riding the bike. No need to leave that much length there.

Getting the cable cutter now!

Nice! :thumb: did you have any problem getting the coaster brake arm secured to the elevated chainstay of the bike?

Penny just dropped... how come a Yankee is using a right hand brake lever for front brake? (I would feel right at home on that bike!)

Penny just dropped... how come a Yankee is using a right hand brake lever for front brake? (I would feel right at home on that bike!)

Jur. I've said this before and I'll say it again. You don't miss a thing, do you?!!! :lol:

It's a privilege that comes when one builds up one's own bike. I'm right handed and more comfortable with it there. So why not?

Remember where I installed the SA8 sifter on my Moulton MK3? :D

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/SA8shifter.jpg

I swear that part of my liking of folders is that I can be different and individualistic... :o

Nice! :thumb: did you have any problem getting the coaster brake arm secured to the elevated chainstay of the bike?

Another good catch!

I was incredibly lucky. The length of the brake arm fit exactly with the distance of the disk brake mount. I just threaded a bolt between them. Lucky indeed.

It's been over a month now since I've built this configuration up. I have been riding this bike almost exclusively for my around-town rides. I can't believe how much I'm enjoying the simplicity of the two speed kickback shifter. It doesn't make any sense logically. I have so many bikes with so many different drivetrains. Yet, this little two-speeder makes me the happiest.

Yesterday was a rare sunny day around here, so I rode into town, got a sandwich and enjoyed it at a picnic bench along the Pacific Ocean. This bike just does that to me.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/Abiobird.jpg

I did run into a problem with the hub early on. It was rebuilt improperly, with a couple of parts being out of place. With the help of a parts manual, I was able to disassemble it, ordered parts (from Germany) and put it back in proper order. The hub feels rock solid now. And the belt drive makes this bike whisper quiet when I ride it. Ahhhhhh...

Nice! I think the most antiquated part of a bicycle is the dirty ol' heavy chain. Bout time it got updated. It's long since vanished from motor vehicles. What pros and cons do you find with the belt? Lately I'm just using my bike (Swift) for fast workouts, single speed, alternate days with running. I might be happy with two gears, too. Then I could have a big one to stand up on when the wind is behind me. Good video, too. Cute kid. Maybe those are my old Marathon tires...

:)

nice job and nice pics, thanks for sharing Sesamecrunch, I have one old folder with 3 speed backpedal brake, but sure it still needs a cable for the shifter, yours is in another class

Nice! I think the most antiquated part of a bicycle is the dirty ol' heavy chain. Bout time it got updated. It's long since vanished from motor vehicles. What pros and cons do you find with the belt? Lately I'm just using my bike (Swift) for fast workouts, single speed, alternate days with running. I might be happy with two gears, too. Then I could have a big one to stand up on when the wind is behind me. Good video, too. Cute kid. Maybe those are my old Marathon tires...

:)

Hey Werewolf:

Nice to hear from you. Your tires are doing duty on my Dahon SmoothHound, the front wheel of our family recumbent tandem, and a Dahon Mu P24. I sure do appreciate them!

I really like the belt drive - for casual riding around, not for racing or performance rides. Belt drive is virtually silent and very clean. I don't have problems with belt slippage under normal conditions. Only when stomping on the pedals in a standing start. I think most of the cruisers that they sell for casual riders should be belt drive. So much easier. But who knows, it's hard to get people to change habits.

Nice to hear from you too, SC.

"...not for racing or performance rides...I don't have problems with belt slippage under normal conditions. Only when stomping on the pedals in a standing start. "

Guess it still needs to be perfected - and then we could get rid of chains for good! Shaft drive is another alternative to the chain, but it seems to have its own inherent and insurmountable problems.