Folding Bikes - moulton= folding bike??

I just picked up a Moulton MK3.Many classify this under folding bikes.Why??They seem to be pretty fast bikes on you tube and can keep up with standard bikes.They are "ugly" in a good way.
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/vincev_2008/non%20road%20bike%20collectables/moultonmk3.jpg

Dude you picked up a beauty!! The MK3 is by far the best of the early lot. And in such pristine condition! That's worth a bucketload. If you were prepared to mail that to Japan you could make a pretty penny. You start showing this to Moulton enthusiasts and you will become the envy of many. :)

Moultons are not folders but due to the small wheels which are almost unique to folders, they get lumped in with them. Due to the small wheels they have similar looks and other characteristics of folders. Some models are separating models, by removing of a bolt through which the frame splits into two.

Seconding what jur says, I consider Moultons honorary folders because Alex Moulton's pioneering work with small wheels and non-diamond frame design inspired a lot of subsequent creative thinking about folders. Andrew Ritchie sought Moulton's assistance to get the Brompton in production, viewing him as a natural ally. Some say the Moulton F-frame is the inspiration for Bike Friday's designs.

At the very least, the Moulton bicycle is a significant forerunner to the contemporary folding bike. That (and the fact that more than a few folder fans in this subforum own Moultons as well :thumb:) makes the Moulton a natural fit here.

You got a beauty, there! Congratulations.

I got one which wasn't in such good shape:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/Moulton1sm.jpg

But fixed it up and she's better looking now:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/MK3withDuomatichub1.jpg

You'll certainly get a lot of looks riding the Moulton. Have fun with it!

?... But fixed it up and she's better looking now:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/MK3withDuomatichub1.jpg


And as dazzling as that bike looks in photos, it's even better in person. All hail SesameCrunch! :)

Nice bike! In Japan, it would be classified as a minivelo since it doesn`t fold but has small wheels. These bikes have a unique ride feel and, I think, are starting to become more popular outside of Asia. Maybe, someday the forum name will evolve to "Folding Bikes & Minivelos".

Some Moultons come apart in 2 sections, but its more a knock down than a fold.

Thanks for the info.The only part I see missing is the air pump.Does anyone know what pump went on the rear rack?Was it a special one or just a store bought pump?

The only, true folding Moulton that I know of is the one that Steve Parry made, but this picture looks different to the last one I saw, so there may be more than one example.
Steve Parry's folding Moulton uses a Brompton hinge/clamp (http://www.flickr.com/photos/83752362@N00/3919418856/)

Yes I saw that bispoke folding Moulton at BOA last year. Nice job :p

Here are some other ideas if you want to update your Mark 3 with lighter alloy parts and improve the ride geometry. The real pain is the Raliegh specific BB threads 26TPI, which make it hard to fit a standard sealed uint. I have left my paint job as is and removed the transfers because it is used as a shopping/day bike and I don't want to draw attention to it as a Moulton.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45051578@N05/4869397626/in/set-72157623633923440/http://www.flickr.com/photos/45051578@N05/4869397626/sizes/z/in/set-72157623633923440/http://www.bikeforums.net/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.flickr.com/photos/45051578@N05/4869397626/%22%20title=%22Bike_right%20by%20Jerrysimon,%20on%20Flickr%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4869397626_538acbb1e4_z.jpg%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22480%22%20alt=%22Bike_right%22%20/%3E%3C/a%3Ehttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4869397626_538acbb1e4_z.jpg

Flickr pages showing various stripdown/upgrades

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45051578@N05/

Regards

Jerry

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/vincev_2008/non%20road%20bike%20collectables/moultonmk3.jpg

Even grandma, in the background of the picture, is impressed.

Some Moultons have "seperatable" frames that come apart using an allen key. Therefore moultons can be used in the same way as a folder ie multi modal transport small folding size. Therefore Moulton nearly= folder

Nice bike, I would install one of these http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/333222365382/619/Sturmey-Archer-S2C-Kick-Shift.html and get rid of the brakes and cables for a cleaner look.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45051578@N05/4869397626/in/set-72157623633923440/http://www.flickr.com/photos/45051578@N05/4869397626/sizes/z/in/set-72157623633923440/http://www.bikeforums.net/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.flickr.com/photos/45051578@N05/4869397626/%22%20title=%22Bike_right%20by%20Jerrysimon,%20on%20Flickr%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4869397626_538acbb1e4_z.jpg%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22480%22%20alt=%22Bike_right%22%20/%3E%3C/a%3Ehttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4869397626_538acbb1e4_z.jpg



Is that a modified Brompton carrier block for a front bag? Clever!

And as dazzling as that bike looks in photos, it's even better in person. All hail SesameCrunch! :)

Alas, she pales next to a Moulton TSR-2C with whom she recently was acquainted. :(

Is that a modified Brompton carrier block for a front bag? Clever!

Yep though its a bit industrial i.e. uses jubilee clamps wrapped in heat shrink. The center clip goes though a slot cut into the middle of the block which sits and is held firmly between the top and bottom clip. I then use a Brompton open bag which carries my local shopping usually milk bread and a bottle of wine ;)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4677598159_f144902822.jpg

The best solution would be to braze on a lug like the one on a Brompton, but hey this works :p

Regards

Jerry

Nice bike, I would install one of these http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/333222365382/619/Sturmey-Archer-S2C-Kick-Shift.html and get rid of the brakes and cables for a cleaner look.

Like this

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4970836536_a5ed73d3c2.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4970224959_4e22c5f873.jpg

It works and as you say, then there is then only one cable to the front brake. However the original Fichtel & Sachs Duoamatic fits better (the brake arm sits more flush on the rear chain stay) and I have since used that.

Regards

Jerry

Alas, she pales next to a Moulton TSR-2C with whom she recently was acquainted. :(


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5151484274_bf3e3b00e0_z.jpg

:p

As highlighted above the frame splits in the middle and the new TSR2 has both the S/A S2C hub and is belt drive. Its also now the cheapest new Pashley/Moulton in the range.

My hopped up Moulton MK3 with the equivalent Duoamatic, was not a lot cheaper in parts than my brand new TSR2 which as you would expect provides a more smooth and solid ride.

But, restoration of these older machines is not just about the cost or resale value, but more about the fun of bringing them back from the past and keeping them on the road.

Regards

Jerry

Would make more sense for this to be the small wheels section intread of folding bikes? Can you really make my folding 1975 Kingpin fit in this forum but exclude a non-folding version of the same bike? With the exception of early paratrooper bikes, folders started in the 60's as folding versions of small wheelers such as the RSW and Dawes Kingpin. These were created in reaction to the Moulton bikes. The Kingpin was even originally a separable bike, clear evidence that Moultons influenced the design.

Whilst I would agree maybe the MK3 is not really a folding bike (though there were a few MK4 prototypes made that split in the Stowaway fashion) the Moulton TSR/APB/AM do seperate and like the Kingpin, also come in a "fixed" version.

Already owning a Brompton (which is my daily commute bike), I purchased my TSR2 because of the split down ability that allows me to use it in simlar applications.

Couple of more recent pitcures showing the MK3 (now fitted with the F&S Duomatic) and TSR2 side by side

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1108/5133297920_979e401ef9_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/5132696751_825e65efb4_z.jpg


Regards

Jerry

Jerry:

I fitted my MK3 with the F&S Duomatic also. Got it from Germany. It's the perfect complement to the MK3. I love the simplicity of the Duomatic, and the elegant aesthetic of not having cables running to the back of the bike.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e157/sesamecrunch/MK3withDuomatichub2.jpg

Very tidy job SesameCrunch,

As you say it complements the bike perfectly though maybe not so good in very hilly areas. I think it is a better option than a fixie. In many ways I am surprised they never fitted the Duoamatic to the MK3 as an option.

Interesting arrangement how you have used the top chain stay for the arm attachement rather than the usual fitting which is to the bottom stay ?

Also those adjusters in the dropouts look interesting, are they for tension adjustment ? could you give me some more info ?

Also worth noting the real challenge with the MK3 in this area, is getting the chain line straight when changing/upgrading the main chain ring.

Regards

Jerry

Ha ha. The higher profile of the brake arm draws more attention to the Duomatic. It is a measure of my high regard for that hub that I think it deserves a higher profile. :)

The adjusters are indeed chain tensioners. It gives me a positive adjustment for chain tension and alignment of the back wheel. Here's an example:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/RD402Z01-Surly+Tugnutt+Chain+Tensioner.aspx

Cheers,

Ah the penny drops. When I fitted mine I just pulled back the wheel trying to get the tension right and then fiddling to do up the axle nuts trying to keep everything square :o

I have them on my TSR2 but I thought they were specific to belt drives/and or could only be used in horizontal dropouts that are open at the rear. Looking at the different types I can see that they can also be used for forward facing dropouts, in that they are offset. I need to get myself a pair.

Its great you learn something new every day :D

Regards

Jerry