Moulton TSR 30 - Introducing my favourite bike.
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- Опубликовано: 6 янв 2025
- This is my 2014 Moulton TSR 30, made in the Cotswolds. I think its refreshing that in an age where nearly all bikes look the same, basically two triangles stuck together, now admittedly they may come with electronic gear shifting and disc brakes. But despite this a British company are quietly doing their own thing. Daring to be different and with brilliant results.
I first came across one whilst on the 100 mile ‘Ride of the falling rain’ on the Isle of Islay, I was having a uncomfortable time on my carbon bike on the roads over there whilst a fellow rider was having a lovely time. He kindly let me have a go on his bike and that was it! I had to have one and needless to say he couldn’t get back on his quick enough!
This is a brief introduction to my favourite bike and one that having bought it simply froze out my supposedly state of the art carbon fibre road bike. It had to go as I always ended up wheeling this out of the shed! Say hello to Moulton.
www.moultonbicy...
Music: Built to Last courtesy of Josh Woodward (www.Josh Woodward.com)
Just stumbled on this… I’ve had a Moulton AM14 since 1992 and wouldn’t sell it for anything. Even though the AMs have the smaller 17” wheels it’s fast, comfortable, rides like a dream. I’ve also got two F Frames (a very early ‘63 Standard and a ‘64 Deluxe. All of them make me smile when I ride them 😊
The smiles are what it’s all about Graham. Great for wellbeing and forgetting about any issues you might have.
I appreciate you stopping by and commenting.
I have ridden Moulton bicycles exclusively for many years now and as you can guess I love them. Today I have an SST and an XTB. You cover the main issues. I love the comfort, the handling and the way they feel so lively. When I set off on one of my Moulton’s it always feels enthusiastic about the ride ahead, it really is a remarkable thing.
I use my Moultons for touring and commuting. I very rarely separate them actually.
It is surprising sometimes the hostility you can experience from other cyclists when you try to explain that it isn’t a folding bike but rather an alternative design of bicycle intended for the same roles as a regular diamond framed bicycle.
I do think that anyone trying out the Moulton will take time to discover it fully as on first ride it seems very weird and that weirdness masks its qualities initially.
Descents on them are always amazing!
Hiya, thanks for watching I really appreciate it. You are absolutely right in everything you say. I’ve experienced that same hostility myself, once on a sportive ride and surprisingly once on an audax ride. I find the attitude is most common though amongst club riders for some reason. If you ride either a Moulton or a Brompton the double diamond brigade will always look at you weirdly. Another reason to love them perhaps?
I also like my TSR more than any other bike I have owned (and I have had a few), because it's so versatile, comfortable, stable and easy to transport when separated. Fast if you want it to be, a great load carrier with the racks if you need that, and good on gravel if you have a V-brake version and use wider tyres (up to at least 47mm). For tarmac the 28mm Schwalbe One tyres with extra lite inner tubes are an excellent match, at perhaps 65PSI front and 80PSI rear. Also try the Koolstop salmon BMX brake pads for better stopping with loads and in the rain.
The bobbing when working it hard was my only issue too so I recently invested in the stiffer dual-rate 'race spring' (about £25) and that cures it almost completely, perhaps with a slightly less cushy/floaty ride up front but also I think a better match to the rear suspension and a faster overall ride. Enjoy!
After switching to a ‘05 Civic si hatch, I think I ‘need’ this bike to fit inside it. Honestly, I still ride ( at 56 yrs old ) 20” BMX bikes, and this is so weird/cool !
Always an admirer of Moulton .
Thanks Andrew. I really appreciate you watching and taking the trouble to comment. Every time I ride the Moulton I come back with a big smile on my face.
The adjustable stem on these is quite rigid, however an easy, and significant weight saving once you decide your favourite angle.
So flexible also, maybe you want to go aero one day but not the next. 👍
Cheers Stu. I ride a Brompton C line 6 speed at present but have been thinking of getting a TSR 8. I prefer hub gears. After seeing this video and listening to your comments I shan't hesitate in buying one. 😇
I love my C Line 6 speed - much more transportable than the Moulton I completely adore it. 👍
@stushikesandrides
I gathered that from seeing your video where you explained you swapped your Moulton for a C line. Any regrets at all taking away the fact it folds really well. I was referring more to ride quality. Having ridden a Moulton MK3 and loved the suspension, riding the C line was a bit disappointing as even though it has a rear suspension block you feel every lump and bump in the road.
@paulrichmond9720 No regrets no, i have ridden similar distances on both bikes and I’m probably slower on the Brompton but other than that I think with a titanium seat post the comfort is similar. Both are great bikes you pay your money etc. can’t go wrong with either of them.
What this shows is how vibration from the road is isolated from the neck and head. After years riding moultons, I tried a steel 700c bike. It felt like my head was going to fall off and the neck was working hard.
I completely agree. When I still rode a 700c bike, particularly on long audax rides, I used to suffer terrible neck pain as the ride progressed. Nothing I tried fixed this until I discovered Moulton. Thanks for your comments and for watching the video.
Beautiful bike. Beautiful video. Thank you!
Glad you liked it!
Great looking bike, and I just love the Elite bottle cage!
Steel is real 👍🏻
Thank you for your comments Nat, much appreciated. I wonder how many carbon bike owners have never been fortunate enough to experience the comfort of a steel ride. They don’t know what they are missing.
@@stushikesandrides Totally true 😁
Hello there,
wonderful bike and very well suited for touring !
How tall are you please ? I ask because that's rare getting video someone riding a moulton and I am wondering in my case if it could fit my size (i am 6'4'') thank you
What an amazing bike. It looks totally different to anything else. Great video. 👍
Thanks Dan - it makes me smile every time.
Awesome colour you have! Such a classy, gentlemanly shade of blue. I modded my TSR with full ultegra, and it is one of the stiffest, fastest and sturdiest bikes I've had. On a side note, brilliant choice of music too - "some things are built to last".
Thanks so much Augustine I appreciate your kind comments and for watching the short film. I fully agree with your thoughts and bet your Ultegra equippedTSR is really something. I am really pleased you noticed the ‘built to last’ music choice. 🙌👍
That's a lovely bike. I see an Audax sticker, have you done any? I imagine it would be great being comfortable .
Eagle eye cobwobbler! Sounds like a band. Yes very comfortable for long days in the saddle at least compared to the alloy and even carbon bikes I had before.
@@stushikesandrides I do like things a bit different so I'm drawn to these. I remember seeing a mountain bike version in the late 80's at a bike race.
nice video Stu.
Thank you very much. I really appreciate that, I’m very much on the learning curve with the filming and RUclips concept but enjoying it too. Just subscribing to your channel - I’d definitely enjoy one of those NYC group rides
I understand it isn't a folding bike but how easy is it to separate the two halves on a semi-regular basis, say couple times a month during riding season in order to put into a car or train? And will the design hold itself up to this constant removal? In other words, are there any weak points or wear spots?
Extremely easy - it only takes a few moments to do so. Not as quick as folding a Brompton but not significantly longer. I used to split it to transport to audax events.
Easier to take in the car more awkward on a train.
Do u still have the Moulton?
I see u ride Bromptons also 👍
No I don't Simon, in fact I swapped the TSR for the Brompton I'm currently riding and made a video about why I did that. Julian, it's new owner is very pleased with it - in fact, we are both happy with the transaction.
Thanks, cannot see that video, can u send link sometime 👍
Brompton 6 speed - an 'in motion' review
ruclips.net/video/xo9GWXsTNDE/видео.html The reasons behind the swap are discussed about 5 minutes in.
Beautiful ❤️
Thanks for watching and the kind comment Matthew.
Hi Stu, why are you selling your Moulton?
Hi Julian, nice to hear from you. I’m looking to reduce the fleet and I’m being terribly strict with myself to reduce anything that something else does! If that makes any sense whatsoever!
So, my plan, despite how much I adore to ride the Moulton is for it to go and also my B75 for both to be replaced by a new six speed Brompton. That would leave me with one mtb and one touring bike. I don’t envisage audax rides over 200k much so the Brompton would cope with that plus things that no other bike can do as well - public transport and ride back type trips.
@@stushikesandrides I recently bought a Brompton and kind of wish I had a Moulton; maybe there is a deal to be done! Unboxong of it here: ruclips.net/video/SIgFi2_Ez_E/видео.html
Hi Stu, email me on jrhutchings@btinternet.com
Should get on the Facebook groups Stu, The Moulton Bicycle in particular, i am on my 6th Moulton but mine have all been F frames so i run The Moulton F Frame Group on Facebook and the Moulton buy sell group.
Thanks for that and also for looking at the video. Much appreciated. Could you send me a link to your group?
I’ve just got my first new Moulton - an SST with campag 11 x 2 gearing. It’s as amazing as all above comments state.
My other Moultons are old - 1993 APB which is great on the forest trails - outcompeted my Genesis ‘gravel bike’ years ago as it’s so nimble - and my favourite bike of all - 1968 Moulton Major refurbished and with a dinner plate chain ring. It must have done thousands of miles before I had it and thousands more the last 13 years with me and is still a joy to ride.
They are simply stunning objects aren’t they, what colour did you go for in your SST?
@@stushikesandridesI went for red - though took a good look at Airforce Blue loving it - so nimble, fast and comfortable
@@davidparry1982 I’d have gone for red, I love airforce blue but I also think it’s an extra charge so maybe not worth it.
yes I was going to say that you appear to be bobbing before you said it yourself. I think that the suspension system causes that. That is obviously lost energy making the bike less efficient than a standard bike without suspension but tyres on a standard bike offer enough suspension anyway, because of the light weight of a racing bike and rider and without the bobbing. You get bobbing on a mountain bike with suspension as well, all wasted energy and a less than smooth and efficient pedal stroke and all that scaffolding in round tubing causing masses of drag. Much prefer my cannondale system six aero bike. It's like comparing a Ferrari to a Morris 1000. Quaint and nostalgic though, in a retro sort of way.
Thanks for watching and commenting. I love your analogy of the Ferrari & the Moggy Thou. Absolutely brilliant 🤩
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Now sold to Julian Hutchings !!!!!!
Well, almost we swapped as I decided I was only allowing myself to keep one road bike. I reluctantly decided it had to be a Brompton. It’s still the best bike I’ve ever had.
These old bikes look interesting. But when it comes to small bikes..Nothing beats. The Tern verge X range. Especially the X20 and the greatest of them all. The Tern Verge X11. Most people in the west are seduced by names like Brompton and Moulton. But they have been surpassed by Tern in the last 10 years.
If I have to choose between a £15000 space frame Moulton. Or a £2500 Tern Verge X11. I will take the X11 Everytime. If money is no object then sure you can buy all these overpriced pieces from yesteryear. But if you want a modern affordable masterpiece. Thats as fast as they come. Handles the road even off road like a boss.Climbs like a boss and is a work of art to look at. The X11 is one bike to rule them ALL. I Have owned one for 7 years. And its as good as the day I bought it.
I’d have to agree, I’ve never owned one (yet), but rode one for a short time on an Audax ride and loved it. Especially when climbing! I’m thinking of doing a more leisurely Lands End to John O’Groats ride for my 70th (health etc willing) and might be able to justify getting one for that.
Trust me for hills they are amazing. I needed a great hill climber that was foldable. My friend had the X11 before me. And there was this hill where I live that used to kill me on my heavy cheap folder. A Carrera intercity.
My legs would be done and I would be huffing and puffing by the time I reached the top. He told me to try it on the X11. And sure it still wasn't easy. But far easier than the other folder. From that moment I fell in love with it. And bought one for myself. I dont have a car. So investing in a high end bike was worth it for me. And over the years it's saved me over £20,000 in travel expenses. And I've been thousands of miles on it.
@@fender1000100 That’s really good to know - damn it you’ve started something now!
Yeah ideally I would like to own A TSR 30 too. Much more desirable to me than a Brompton. If I ever get a 2nd bike that's more desirable to me than a Brompton. Looks so different and when people think of a British bike all that comes to their Mind is Bromptons. I steered clear because alot of people think they are the be all and end all of small wheel bikes.
When you look deeper and see other bikes like Terns, Moultons and Birdys. You realize there's better small wheeled bikes out there.
I went to Bradford on Avon last week and test rode 3 Moultons. Now all I have to do is find someone who wants to buy a kidney.
Wow I’ve never been to Moulton HQ I bet that was a great experience. What did you ride and what did you think?
I was looking at one leant up outside a little cafe near me recently, I knew it was a posh model as it was a raw stainless steel finish and looked very bling. It wasn’t secured in anyway! I spoke to the three cyclists inside and discovered he’d paid 18k for it. Unbelievable how prices have gone since the pandemic.
Or for the double pylon both kidneys...
Dumbest thing besides buying a brompton is buying a moulton
Dumb and dumber😂😂😂