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Bridgestone Moulton released in UK
The F-frame is back...
Fitting in between the APB and the upmarket AM and New Series ranges, the Bridgestone is expected to cost around £1600 inc VAT in the UK. Separable and non-separable models will be available.
We're hoping to have one on test in Velo Vision before long - but for now, check out the preliminary reports at:
The Moulton Bicycle Club
Posted on 04 July 2003
Your comments ...| From: Seamus ([email protected]) on 04 July 2003 |
Hang on.
I've seen this piccie and these same words in Velovision (paper version) already. |
| From: S (etc) on 04 July 2003 |
| OK, similar words. |
| From: Peter Eland ([email protected]) on 04 July 2003 |
Yup, same pic as from the FietsRAI report.
Difference is that now there are bikes physically in the UK - so if you ring up the Moulton factory with a sufficiently well-endowed credit card you should be able to actually get your hands on one (assuming the whole container-load doesn't sell out too fast...) |
| From: John Shackford ([email protected]) on 04 July 2003 |
I am a Moulton enthusiast-but- at this ridiculous price-forget it. I can buy a real handbuilt made to measure bike with my spec equipment for this price. AM Moulton is having a(nother) laugh at our (GB public) expense!
Regards,
John.
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| From: Ralf Grosser ([email protected]) on 05 July 2003 |
I testrode the bike last weekend.
Not a bad bike.
Anton Naegerly of Swityerland had one along, and also the German Importer L and H.
Its sort of a retro design like the New Beatle.
It looks like a sixtys F-Frame Moulton, but has a much improved frame and an entirely new unified rear susspension.
The bikes are being asembled in Bradford useing Framekits that they import from Japan.
There are two typ of frame available, separateing and nonseperateing.
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| From: andy scaife ([email protected]) on 09 July 2003 |
I agree with John, the Moulton works need to wake up and take a reality pill. No longer will cyclists pay twice as much as something should cost just for the name. In the car world, the likes of Alvis, Lea Francis, and others learned that one long ago (even Morgan have taken a kicking over the price of their latest 'wooden wonder' lately).
The Bridgestone is a decent bike, but decent just doesn't hack it when faced with Airnimal and BikeFriday, and even their own APB (which after all was originally launched as an improvement on the f-frame). If you want an 'F-frame for the modern world, there are plenty of folks who would build you one on an original frame (just as I'm doing for myself)for a fraction of the price, and if you're brand-obsessed, at least you'll have a Moulton and not some Jap thing.
Rant over, carry on. |
| From: peter hitchins ([email protected]) on 10 July 2003 |
| Well not really Andy, since yours was probably built at the British motor Corporation plant at Kirby, on Merseyside, so in effect you have some old Austin. |
| From: Andy Scaife ([email protected]) on 10 July 2003 |
| What , Me? Ride a Kirby Moulton? With MY reputation? Of course it's a 1963 Bradford Deluxe, so there!Kirby's make fine cheap transport, but for a 'special' bike, the Bradfords do seem that bit more 'alive' on the road. They were better put together too, so if you need to take one apart then a Bradford's best. I did use a Nottingham Mini when I made my daughter's recumbent and that was nicely built, too. There's too much 'snobbery-over-quality'in the cycling world these days. Read Mike Burrows Bicycle Design book for a more realistic perspective. |
| From: Ralf Grosser ([email protected]) on 11 July 2003 |
As far as Moultons are concerned, well there are a lot of bikes out there, that have tried to copy Moulton.
I can name several who have basically copied and simplified Alex Moultons ideas, not even half understanding them.
Look at the Dahon for example, its nothing less but a copy of the F-Frame Moultons mainframe.
The Friday is a well made high quality bike, but does not have a suspension.
Others have tried copying the Moulton concept with High pressure tires and suspension, but instead of building better made bikes, have done so with cheaply made frames from Taiwan.
Non have so far matched the Moultons for handling and preformance.
Others may be cheaper, that’s fine, if that’s what you want, then go buy yourself an RSW 16.
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| From: Ralf Grosser ([email protected]) on 14 July 2003 |
Impressed is quite right.
There are some people who have the misconcepttion, that the Bridgestone is just an overpriced clone of the old F-Frame.
Well it is not. The rear susspension has been compeatly redesigned and is made of stronger and lighter modern material.
People who rode it also say that the Fork is more resposive then the old because its linked joint has les friction then the old F Frames serrated nylon bushings.
Seeong an old and a new F-Frame side by side you notice that the new is of much larger sections of tube as is also the rear Fork. |
| From: Peter Eland ([email protected]) on 14 July 2003 |
| A review of it has just appeared on moultoneers.net - proper link above. They were quite impressed it seems. |
| From: Bill Tucker ([email protected]) on 06 October 2003 |
| Too bad it doesn't come with a front and rear rack. |
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