Thursday, 23 December 2010

Moulton TSR

Almost a year ago, after a hearty curry in Brick Lane, I cycled my Moulton APB west to Kilburn but promptly fell off the back. Tipsy but not that pissed, I remounted and immediately embarrassed myself again. Assuming it was just a loose saddle I dug out my Allen keys but it then became apparent the normally vertical seat-post section of the frame was crushed like a toilet roll where it meets the rubber ball suspension mount - and takes the force of the sub-frame. Surprising that it should buckle as it's made from world renowned Reynolds 531 steel. Maybe not surprising as I'm 6' 2" and 15 stone - but even so.The Pashley made APB frame has now been superseded by the TSR (named after the 60s supersonic jet) and upgraded with Reynolds 525 tubing. Crucially the sub-frame now meets the seat-post in-line with the top-rails. My original bike was built as a one-off special with a sneaky Sachs 2-speed kick-back gear. The new bike uses a Sturmey Archer copy of this system. BPThis is a new frame with my old running gear.Mrs P on her 8-speed + creature comforts APB Moulton

7 comments:

  1. Never been a great fan of the small wheeled bike, but that looks 'Neat O magneto, neat' especially in American racing orange, International tractors stock color, available at most farms in the USA

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  2. Nick
    it's actually Mercury Dispatch orange (the London motorcycle courier company) as they had some 8-speed APBs in the 90s
    BP

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  3. Well it's still a neat bike and the TSR frame looks a better design

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  4. I don't know these bikes, but I like the clean simplicity of your orange one. Interesting suspension too... nice!

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  5. Never mind the bikes, let's respectfully admire Mrs P. What a picture of health and summer fun.

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  6. Mick, if you're only wearing your vest during any admiration then it's gone beyond respectful. Back in your box, dirty boy. G

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  7. Did your old APB glow in the dark ? I have an orange APB that was originally built for a London dispatch firm. its was fitted with 8sp deore kit . Now being converted to with a bafang mid drive. bit worried about the break as I am an 17 and a half stone FB. Was it rusty?
    John

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