FAQ: Fold or S&S?

Do Moultons fold or have S&S couplings?

Answer: No, and No.

Moulton frames do come apart quickly, cleanly and easily. Even the simple models can be separated in seconds with practice. Moultoneers understand what Kahlil Gibran meant when he wrote that "love knows not its own depth until the hour of Separation."

I was reminded of old Gibran's assertion at a small wheel folding rally in Philadelphia a few years back. There was a riding-folding-running-reassembling-riding test (take it apart, if it did not fold) performed on current model bikes and a select batch of older models going back to the 1960s. Every name you could name was there. The winner was a 1960s-1970s Ross folder, second went to an elegantly dressed Brompton rider, third place was a Moulton New Series Stainless (I was the pilot). There were over twenty entries, as I recall, and it drew an enthusiastic crowd in downtown Philly; maybe a couple of hundred people (It was a long and busy sidewalk in the Old Town). The point I am trying to make is that an S&S coupled bike would have placed dead last times three in this competition. I hear the S&S comparison a lot -- it is misleading. I sell S&S coupled bikes and like them, by the way.

The separation feature of the Moultons is fantastic, but it is the least significant feature of the bike, because the ride, handling and easy & stable carrying of luggage is superb. As for folding, to paraphrase a US congresswoman, a bike that folds may capture our attention but will not achieve its mission.

New Series Movie: The Innovative Engineer—Alex Moulton

A video documentary interview for Bath University Engineering Department Training. Fascinating; really, Free Movie.

Download: [ GVP ] [ AVI / MP4 ]

I had this as a video but now it is in the public domain. It is better with a high-speed connection.

Please understand that this is a late 1990's film with older bikes featured, as they have changed a bit since then, but the movie is fascinating none the less. Please feel free to email or call with questions (calling is better as somethings are hard to explain without real-time interaction!).

The video is 20 minutes long and a high-speed connection is recommended for the optimal experience. Audio is okay with slow-speed but some might wish to go to Google Videos and download the whole movie for best playback.

Our Nickname: "Our Friend the Steel"

This is an early film of the design and development of the revolutionary Alex Moulton New Series bicycle. Although the bicycle has been updated considerably since it's introduction the design and engineering fundamentals are insist-rated here. Interview with Dr. Alex Moulton himself and lots of Moulton history and shots of his lovely home and grounds near Bath in England. North Road Bicycle proudly imports all forms of Moulton Bicycles for USA sales and distribution.

Best Quote: "Nobody Owns the Laws of Nature."

Best Observation: Alex's Ink-Method of idea incubation & illustration

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More Moulton Movies:

• The F-Frame Movie
• Go Go Tasu

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More on the New-Series:

• Jim Langley

Moulton's small-wheeler up for an Award

Hippyshopper says:

Still prevaricating about whether to ditch the bus for an about-town bicycle? Here's an incentive to help you off the fence: Alex Moulton's classic NS Speed Stainless bike (pictured) is up for a design award for its featherlight weight, gorgeous looks and ability to motor along despite having tiny wheels. Regardless of whether it wins, the nomination by James "cyclone vac" Dyson adds a lot of credibility to this ideal city commuter. It's up against the iPod, Millennium Dome and Jasper Morrison in the New Designers' awards.
You can vote here and find an Alex Moulton dealer here . [found via Treehugger]

Even non-hippies can vote for their (my) favorite bicycle in this British design competition. There is, naturally, only one bike—which makes things a bit one sided—but as Grant Peterson might say: "There is nothing wrong with that."

Besides, good touring bikes don't get much press. Vote early and often; no lines, no waiting, everybody counts.

Yours in Cycling,
Gilbert "They hate us for our small wheels" Anderson

North Road Bicycle Imports
P.O. Box 840
166 Courthouse Square
Yanceyville, NC 27379
USA
toll free: 800-321-5511
local: 919-828-8999
e-mail: cyclestore@aol.com