Moulton wheel size
 

Hi all,

I'm currently bidding on a 60's Moulton on eBay and I want to know if I can use Velocity 16" 36h rims to replace the original 17" 28h rims? Is there enough adjustment for the brake calliper to allow this smaller size? The reason being, I want to use a 36 hole SA 8 spd hub or can I spoke the hub into the 28h original rim?

I can only find two Moultons on Ebay and neither has 17" rims. Except for a few racing bikes, '60s Moultons didn't have 17" rims. Be sure the 16" rims you buy are 349, not 305.

BTW if the Moulton you are bidding on is Item 200165465786 I wouldn't go very high. When a bike has sat out in the elements so long that the crankarms are completely chrome free, there may not be many salvageable parts, and the frame is most likely toast.

What not ask the man himself?

Because Dave Moulton and Alex Moulton are two unrelated British bicycle builders.

I was in a ride recently with a woman who had successfully fit 349 Velocity rims on her 1960s era Moulton. It was a mean machine. You will be safer with 355 rims (Alex DV15 or DA16). I recently built 349 Velocity Rims for my Birdy and feel that the 355 Alex rims were higher quality and just 30gms heavier. They are made with both 24 hole and 36 hole drillings--perfect for your front and back.

Also, my Velocity Rims won't fully true at the seam and took a lot of rainy rides to season. Still, they aren't half bad.

You can get either Alex rim from Black Dog Bicycles http://blackdogbicycles.com/birdyfoldingtravelbike.html

The tire selection is not quite as broad in 355, but you can get a Stelvio and a folding Marathon Racer in this size. If you are a Marathon Racer fan, you are out of luck for 349s.

The relative difference in diameter is:

355 = 7mm smaller than 369
349 = 10mm smaller than 369

Yeah, I realized that after I posted it... Minor error, at least no one died this time.

Most of the 1960s Moulton were fitted with 349 rims originally, only a very few used 369.

Can you tell me what her drive train was...internal hub or derailluer?

I don't recall. However, there is no reason why you can't go with either one. Here, again, 355s and 369s will be better. For internal hubs, you don't need to bend the spokes quite as much. For derailleur set ups, the cage isn't quite as close to the ground. Of course, the latter is determined to a greater extent by your tire size than your rim size.

This is going to be an amazing bike. Make sure that the frame is not rusted on the insides and it will be a speed demon that rides like a dream.

You don't happen to be Moulton Steve from Times Up!?

I haven't won it yet!!
But if I do, it will be modded like the Wasp....sorry to all the purists, but I like a mix of old and new. The classic look for it's uniqueness and the modern comps for their availability etc.
I'm hoping that rust will not be a problem as it's from a fairly dry climate in Oz, the pics seem ok. Fortunately I have a couple of guys nearby who are Moulton devotees so any advice for a rebuild is only a short visit away, and no, I'm not Moulton Steve from Times Up.....but if I'm not careful I'll become Moulton Steve from Central Vic :eek:

Hi stevegor,

If the Moulton is on Australian ebay the rake on the forks looks suspect. Looks to me as if the forks are bent backwards as the axle is in line with the front tube. Could be an optical illusion. I am in West Aust, not bidding!! I have restored two of these. Might be worth checking other photos of these if you can't inspect it.

Edd

http://i7.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/be/60/32c9_1.JPG

I think maybe the fork is turned just a few degrees to the left making the curve of the fork seem a little off kilter with what you'd expect to see. I think unless the bike had been in a crash it'd be unlikely for that amount of bending to occur. Just my 2¢. Good luck in the auction if you do bid!

I also saw the fork angle. Another Moulton (which I didn't win) also showed exactly the same thing. That particular one I inspected and found no evidence of actual bending. It seems to be an illusion.

As Maxwell Smart used to say...." Missed it,..... by that much "
It went for too much...damn it.

Ah well, I'd better stick to the original plan and go all out on a resto on my wife's R20....rats.

Bummer. I didn't bid as promised.

You Sir, are a gentleman and a man of his word...a rarity in these dark days

Many thanks :)