The Space Frame Moultons
Tony Hadland
ISBN: 978-3-643-10357-4
Published by Lit Verlag
Originally published in 1994, this edition continues with the story of
the Moulton bicycle from when the new AM models were launched in 1983. The first
few chapters highlight the development work following the Raleigh purchase to
the launch of the new bicycle. The completely new space-frame design continues today. The two models the AM2 (Town)
and the AM7 (Country) models were built in the original
Moulton bicycle factory in Bradford On Avon. The AM and New Series range are now built in The Stables, where much development was conducted located opposite the office.
The range and development of the
bicycle has continued with further development and models and sales in Europe, Asia
and the USA. The new AM Moulton was designed and engineered for the enthusiast club cyclist who were seeking a 531 frame lightweight quality bicycle. The ATB was launched in 1988
with larger 20” tyres for 'off-road' riding which would be more difficult with the 17" wheels. To increase the number of bicycle sales with a lower priced Moulton, Alex Moulton then launched the APB built under
licence by WR Pashley who have been building bicycles now for nearly 100 years with
the traditional design of bicycles. Tony has included two chapters of his book on both the ATB and APB biycles that were designed to be a lower priced higher
volume bicycle. The lower price was able to be achieved by a simpler and cost effective hairpin construction of the space-frame. Today, the TSR bicycles and SST frames are built using this new design. Final assembly of the SST model is at Bradford On Avon alongside the AM and New Series models.
Included in the book are the record breaking
efforts in a fully faired modified AM7 that holds the record at 50.21 mph.
Dave Bogdan twice completed the RAAM ride in 1987 and 1988 on a modified AM7 prototype and this became the new production AM SPEED bicycle, still
available today. Audax rides, including the Paris Brest Paris, have been ridden
on various Moulton bicycles. Even longer journeys of around the world have been completed on the AM7 when Alan Holden completed his world tour.
Further
development of the bicycles was made with the launch of the GT model using stainless steel, a material that few frame builders are
using and discussed in Stainless Stunners. Notes on maintenance and gear tables
are included in the comprehensive appendix.
This book is also available in different sizes. The smaller book use a tiny 6pt size font