Moulton spec questions.

[GavinC]

I've just had a look back through the Moulton Yahoo group and opinion seems to be that to fit a 60t front ring, you'll need to fabricate a spacer between the front mech and braze on, or file the braze on mounting slot and possibly modify the front mech as well.

I suppose you could buy the special Moulton 10-28 cassette and associated hubset to get a gear range of 22-107 - a snip at £555 from Fudges it's 11 speed though, so you'd need new shifters and rear mech too...

Seriously though, if you really need a higher top gear than 98" on a TSR30, I would say that the most straightforward way to get it is via a Capreo rear cassette. With that, you could use a standard 53/42/30 road triple chainset and get a range of 21-108.

BTW my TSR30 is an older model which came with 56/42/30 chainrings and 11-23, so I have to make do with a paltry 94" top gear...

[Mick F]

Just looking at the TSR30 spec:
http://www.moultonbicycles.co.uk/models/TSR30.html
They have the gear range as 25" to 98"

The chainset is stated as 58/48/34 and the cassette 11-25.
Wheels are described as 20"

Somehow, I get 58/11 x 20 to equal 105"
Bottom gear 34/25 x 20 equals 27"
What am I doing wrong here? or are their spec's wrong?

[GavinC]

Just looking at the TSR30 spec:
http://www.moultonbicycles.co.uk/models/TSR30.html
They have the gear range as 25" to 98"

The chainset is stated as 58/48/34 and the cassette 11-25.
Wheels are described as 20"

Somehow, I get 58/11 x 20 to equal 105"
Bottom gear 34/25 x 20 equals 27"
What am I doing wrong here? or are their spec's wrong?

You're not doing anything wrong Mick but as with all things to do with bike wheel size, nothing is as straightforward as it seems. The discrepancy is because the 20 inch ETRO 406 wheels used on the Moulton are actually closer to 18 inches in size.

[rfryer]

I get 18.5" shod with Continental SportContact 28mm at 110psi.

[Mick F]

You're not doing anything wrong Mick but as with all things to do with bike wheel size, nothing is as straightforward as it seems. The discrepancy is because the 20 inch ETRO 406 wheels used on the Moulton are actually closer to 18 inches in size.

Ok.
That explains it.

BTW, the gearing isn't high enough for me, no wonder the OP wants advice.

[rfryer]

Yep, I found the gearing a bit low at first - it's my only bike where it's not unusual to find myself in top gear(*).

However, I can spin along at a little over 30mph on gentle descents, which is fine for leisure riding. I wouldn't want to use it in a fast group ride, though, as I'd likely get dropped on fast sections.

It's worth pointing out that, due to the suspension, the Moulton is generally considered to favour a spinny pedalling style, especially when climbing. For that reason, I wouldn't choose to increase the top end gearing at the expense of the lower gears. But I wouldn't mind sampling the wider range of the TSR27!

(*) except for my fixed gear bike. But, maybe that's bottom gear...?

[Mick F]

A good range for me, is 25"or so at the bottom and 115" (or slightly more) at the top. Stick as many in between as I can afford.

TSR27 is 20" to 106 so it's still not right for me, though I wouldn't turn my nose up at 20" because you never know when you might need it. 106" is boring on long descents as I'd have to freewheel.

My Mercian is 26.5" to 117"

[rfryer]

The nice thing about te 27 is that you can "fix" the gearing to match your requirements simply by replacing the chainring. Not so simple with a full triple which is already pushing the limits of the derailleur capacity!

[fossala]

If I went the moulton route (don't know, haven't even tested one yet). I'm going to go the capreo route. With 54-42-30 I would get 110-21 gear inches. That would be easily enough for me.

[rfryer]

From what I can see, the Capreo rear derailleur only has sufficient capacity for the rear cassette, so you'll need to find a 9-speed derailleur, with 41 tooth capacity. Just make sure that the cage isn't dragging along the road with those small wheels!

[fossala]

From what I can see, the Capreo rear derailleur only has sufficient capacity for the rear cassette, so you'll need to find a 9-speed derailleur, with 41 tooth capacity. Just make sure that the cage isn't dragging along the road with those small wheels!

The gs 10 speed shimano derailleurs should work, they have 39t capacity. It's a bit out but not enough that it should cause problems

[fossala]

Thought I'd give you guys an update. I bought one, now just have to wait for it to arrive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171307337411? ... 1497.l2648

[BE1]

Thought I'd give you guys an update. I bought one, now just have to wait for it to arrive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171307337411? ... 1497.l2648

Congratulations

There is a bit of a TSR glut on ebay at the moment. I was tempted by your one but as I am outside the UK it was a bit complicated.

I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

[fossala]

Thought I'd give you guys an update. I bought one, now just have to wait for it to arrive.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171307337411? ... 1497.l2648

Congratulations

There is a bit of a TSR glut on ebay at the moment. I was tempted by your one but as I am outside the UK it was a bit complicated.

I hope you enjoy it for many years to come.

Yeah, the guy said collection only but I sent him an email and asked if I arranged a courier could he box it. He complied.

It's done less than 50 miles, the then emigrated.

[GavinC]

Nice one

That's the same version as mine with the Centaur/Chorus kit as opposed to Veloce bits that the latest TSR30s have. Enjoy!