Advice on moulton?

SamB76 said:

I hope somebody can give me some advice here on what seems to be a more unusual bike-tolerant
forum. I just bought a 16" wheel moulton mark3. Can I fit 17" wheels without modification? Also
can I spread the rear forks to admit a standard hub without cracking them? Thanks, Sam

Stoopid Question, but why do you want to? Main thing you'll achieve, I'd think, would be making it
far, far, far more difficult to source quality tyres...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

SamB76 said:

I hope somebody can give me some advice here on what seems to be a more unusual bike-tolerant
forum. I just bought a 16" wheel moulton mark3. Can I fit 17" wheels without modification?

I think the Moulton "16" is ISO 349, in which case the "17" rim has a 10 mm greater radius. The
tyres are likely to be close enough in sidewall height that they won't make a lot of difference, so
the crucial things are:

a. clearances to frame / fork / mudguards, and
b. whether the brake blocks can be adjusted that much.

If there's enough room for a, but not b, new brakes might solve the problem. Get out your tape
measure... Tyre choices are much better for 369 Moultons these days, as Conti are doing the Safari
(looks like the old Wolber but has the construction of a GP) and Bridgestone do one which is
sturdier though not as quick. Plus my Sinister Agents say that Schwalbe are to introduce a 369
Stelvio in the spring.

Quoted message said:

Also can I spread the rear forks to admit a standard hub without cracking them?

Dunno about this.

--

Dave Larrington - legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uklegslarry.beerdrinkers.co.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================
Editor - British Human Power Club Newsletter
bhpc.org.ukbhpc.org.ukOpen ↗
===========================================================

Quoted message said:

I hope somebody can give me some advice here on what seems to be a more unusual bike-
tolerant forum.

Are we a bike-tolerant forum that's full of more unusual types of people, then? 'Cos being a cycling
forum, it isn't unusual that we are bike-tolerant.

Does this mean to say that when I don my celeste tutu and wield a paving slab, I'm unusual?? ;-)

Cheers, helen s

--This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame &
fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o**l.c**$*$om$$

SamB76 said:

I just bought a 16" wheel moulton mark3.

Quoted message said:

Can I fit 17" wheels without modification?

There were two models of Mk3 front fork. The early model had fat, round-section blades (in common
with the later Series 2 bikes) and measured 3 3/4" (95mm) across the dropouts, while the later
model had oval blades and measured only 3 1/2" (89mm). Either can be carefully spread to the 100mm
width of a modern hub, and you'll need to enlarge the dropouts very slightly with a file to take a
modern 9mm axle - unless you intend to keep the old hub. In terms of blade length, a 17" AM rim and
tyre will fit, and the brake reach will be about on the limit for a 57mm-reach calliper. Mudguard
clearance is minimal using the Wolber or Bridgestone 17" tyres, so you may want to consider filing
the crown very slighty if using mudguards. A Series 1 fork will also fit the Mk3 frame, and has the
same essential dimensions as the Series 2 save for its slimmer (and therefore easier to spread)
fork blades.

At the rear you've plenty of room, but fitting a brake will be an issue if the bike has the original
Sturmey drum and you opt to replace the hub. If you leave the 'seatstay' bridge where it is, you'll
need to reinforce it and use a longer-reach brake than at the front - or re-position it downward
towards the rim.

Whether or not the conversion is desirable is a common point of debate among Moultoneers. The
popularity of the 16" format means that tyres and rims are more widely available at better prices.
My stolen Mk3 used 17" wheels because I happened to find a pair at a very good price, but I'm not
sure what my next Mk3 will use.

Quoted message said:

Also can I spread the rear forks to admit a standard hub without cracking them?

When you say 'a standard hub' ... ? The Mk3 used a 4 1/2" (114mm) rear end, which was a standard of
sorts for Sturmey 3- and 5-speed hubs. I've seen Mk3 rear triangles spread as wide as 135mm, but
it's a bigger job than I'd be happy to advise on. The stay bridges will need to be removed and re-
brazed at very least. A Sturmey S5/2 or Sprinter 5 makes a happy match with the Mk3 if you want to
increase the gear range.

I'm no longer a regular here, and I don't know if other Moultoneers are about, but your best source
of further information is the Moulton list at Yahoo Groups:

groups.yahoo.commoultonbicycleOpen ↗

There's also a searchable archive of the old Moulton list at:

topica.comreadOpen ↗

Enjoy your Mk3. With the right upgrades they make wonderful city bikes - agile and comfortable,
with great carrying capacity. Mine was stolen about a year ago in Paris. If you happen to see it
around ...

photos.yahoo.comdetailOpen ↗

James Thomson

On 30 Jan 2004 16:26:39 GMT someone who may be
[email hidden] (dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers) wrote
this:-

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I hope somebody can give me some advice here on what seems to be a more unusual bike-
tolerant forum.

Are we a bike-tolerant forum that's full of more unusual types of people, then? 'Cos being a
cycling forum, it isn't unusual that we are bike-tolerant.

Tolerance of unusual bikes is what is being suggested I think.

foldsoc.co.ukfoldsoc.co.ukOpen ↗ might have some useful pages and/or links.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

"dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I hope somebody can give me some advice here on what seems to be a more unusual bike-
tolerant forum.

Are we a bike-tolerant forum that's full of more unusual types of people,

then?

Quoted message said:

'Cos being a cycling forum, it isn't unusual that we are bike-tolerant.

Does this mean to say that when I don my celeste tutu and wield a paving

slab,

Quoted message said:

I'm unusual?? ;-)

..... but is that a "bib tutu" ????

Rob Tall Bloke

Quoted message said:

Cheers, helen s

--This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame &
fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o**l.c**$*$om$$

RG said:

Rob Tall Bloke

What have I ever done to you? Why do you want to rob me?

Tony

Thanks for all your advice - I've got a much better idea of what's involved now - I'm really happy to read that there are other moulton enthusiasts on this forum.

Just to clear something up - I meant unusual bikes, not people! Although I don't consider my bikes unusual, I'm constantly reminded of what other people think!

Just one last question - does anyone know a source for those deep section 17" HED wheels all the Japanese moultons seem to have?

"SamB76" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Thanks for all your advice - I've got a much better idea of what's involved now - I'm really happy
to read that there are other moulton enthusiasts on this forum.

Just to clear something up - I meant unusual bikes, not people! Although I don't consider my bikes
unusual, I'm constantly reminded of what other people think!

Just one last question - does anyone know a source for those deep section 17" HED wheels all the
Japanese moultons seem to have?

If you really want to get into Moultons, I suggest you join

groups.yahoo.commoultonbicycleOpen ↗

where a question like this will likely produce a torrent of replies!