Moulton Bicycle facts for kids
Moulton Bicycle Company logo
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| Private | |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1958 in Bradford on Avon, England |
| Founder | Alex Moulton |
| Headquarters | |
| Products | Bicycles and cycling accessories |
Moulton is a company from England that makes bicycles. It was started in 1962 by Alex Moulton. He was an engineer who also designed parts for the Mini car. Moulton bikes are special because they have a unique frame, small wheels, and suspension.
Many people think Moulton bikes fold up like some other bikes. This is not usually true for all models. However, some Moulton bikes can be taken apart easily. This makes them simpler to carry or store. Because of their small wheels, Moultons are often called "small-wheel bicycles."
In 2008, Alex Moulton started a new company called Moulton Bicycle. He worked with another British bike maker, Pashley Cycles. Pashley had been making some Moulton designs since 1992.
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The Story of Moulton Bicycles
In the late 1950s, Alex Moulton wanted to create a new kind of bicycle. He thought traditional bikes were hard to get on and off. He also felt they were not easy to adjust for different riders. Ladies' bikes, without a top bar, were not as strong.
Moulton also believed that bikes with large wheels were slow to store. They did not fit well with how people traveled in cities. He thought small wheels with high-pressure tires would be faster. They would also be easier to accelerate.
He worked with Dunlop to create special high-pressure tires. He also added suspension to the front and back of the bike. This made the ride comfortable, even with small wheels. Moulton bikes were ahead of their time with suspension. Most bikes did not have it for another 30 years.
The Moulton bike also had a different frame design. It is sometimes called an "F-frame." This frame made it easy for anyone to get on the bike.
How Moulton Bikes Changed Things
When the Moulton bike came out in 1962, it was a big deal. It was one of the first new bike designs in a long time. The 1962 version was called the "bicycle of the future." A racing version was even shown on TV that year.
Moulton bikes became very popular in the 1960s. They were sold all over the world. For a short time, Moulton was one of the biggest bike makers in Britain. People who ride Moulton bikes are sometimes called "Moultoneers."
Early Moulton Models
Many different models were made between 1962 and 1967. These included the Standard, Deluxe, and Speed models. Some special, high-quality "S" range bikes were also made. After Raleigh took over, the models changed to the Major and Mark III.
When Raleigh Took Over
The success of Moulton bikes led other companies to make small-wheeled bikes. One of these was the Raleigh RSW 16. More competition meant fewer sales for Moulton. In 1967, Raleigh bought the company.
Raleigh made both their own RSW and Moulton bikes. They changed the Moulton design a bit. For example, the rear suspension used a rubber ball instead of a block. In 1974, they stopped making the innovative Moulton bikes. Today, some early Moulton bikes are valuable collector's items.
Moulton Bikes Return
In the early 1980s, Alex Moulton bought back the rights to his bike design. He then created a new series of bikes called the AM series. These bikes were high-end and had a special "space frame." This frame made them very strong and light. The AM series is still made today.
In 1998, the New Series Moulton was introduced. It also had special suspension. The New Series includes very light, high-performance models like the Pylon.
Pashley-Moulton Bikes
To make the new design available to more people, a cheaper version was made. This was the APB (All-Purpose Bicycle). Pashley Cycles made these bikes from 1992 to 2005. They used common parts to keep costs down.
In 2005, the Pashley-Moulton design was updated. This led to the TSR series, which were lighter and performed better. In 2008, the TSR bikes became Moulton TSRs. This happened when Alex Moulton Bicycles and Pashley Cycles formed a new company. Pashley still makes the Moulton TSR bikes. Since 2023, the Moulton TSR is made in Bradford-on-Avon, England.
Bridgestone Moulton Bikes
Another model, similar to the original Moulton, was made by Bridgestone. These Bridgestone Moulton bikes were built in Japan. They were modern bikes with advanced designs.
Moulton Bicycle Company Today
As of 2025, the Moulton Bicycle Company offers several models. Prices range from about £2,100 for TSR models. The most expensive model, the New Series Double Pylon, costs around £21,950.
See also
- List of bicycle brands and manufacturing companies
- Me and My Moulton
