Author: Tony Hadland, foreword by Alex Moulton
ISBN: 0 9507431 6 X
Publisher: Tony Hadland (December 1994)
Format: 229mm x 152mm hardback, bound in cloth with gold lettering with a colour-printed glossy dust jacket. 350 pages, 180 monochrome illustrations, printed on quality matt art paper.
Bookshop price: £19.95 (suggested for UK)
Stockists: Alex Moulton Bicycles, Moulton Preservation, The Pinkerton Press, The Veteran-Cycle Club.

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Launched in 1962, Alex Moulton's original small-wheeled dual suspension bicycle became an icon of its time. In Tony Hadland's oft-quoted phrase, it was "a mini-bike to go with mini-skirts and mini-cars, all part of the 'Swinging 60s'".

But despite becoming very fashionable, the Moulton's stylishness derived almost entirely from its engineering functionality - a classic case of form following function. Indeed, Raleigh's market researchers had concluded that there was no viable market for the machine. Paradoxically, it was the 'unmarketable' Moulton that arrested the near terminal post-war decline in UK bicycle sales, to the long-term benefit of the entire cycle industry!

Although Raleigh ceased production of the Moulton in 1974, its inventor continued refining his concept. In 1983 he launched a markedly more sophisticated interpretation, with a unique light but extremely rigid spaceframe of ultra-thin tubes, and an improved suspension system. Compared with the conventional diamond frame bicycle this offered the following advantages:

• frame separability for easy stowage and transport,
• greater comfort,
• superior luggage carrying capacity,
• greater adjustability.

The controversial new machine proved to be responsive and fast. Fitted in the USA with a full fairing, it twice broke the world Human Powered Vehicle record for the flying 200 metres in the conventional riding position, and still holds the record. Creditable performance have also been achieved in criterium, Audax, triathlon and super marathon races - including twice in the world's toughest single stage race, the Race Across America (RAAM).

In production for some 16 years, a substantial proportion of the spaceframe Moultons have been exported, especially to North America, Germany, Switzerland and Sweden. One of the biggest overseas markets is Japan, where the design's advanced engineering and ingenuity are particularly appreciated.

Now, after much research and with unprecedented access to Moulton company archives, Tony Hadland has produced the definitive account of the second generation Moultons. Coverage includes:

• Alex Moulton, his engineering background and why he set out to design a better bicycle,
• Raleigh's involvement with the early Moultons, including surprising information not hitherto released,
• the design inheritance of the Raleigh-built Moulton MkIII,
• details of the Reynolds 531 AM range,
• the prestigious aerospace stainless steel range,
• the AM-ATB, probably the world's first production dual-suspension mountain bike,
• the more affordable Pashley-built 20" wheel APB range,
• worldwide reaction of the cycling press and other reviewers for and against the various machines,
• touring in the UK, Asia, Australasia, North America and Africa,
• extensive coverage of speed achievements in North America, Europe and the UK,
• Moulton-specific maintenance instructions.

The Spaceframe Moultons is an independent production, neither sponsored nor commissioned by Alex Moulton, who has nonetheless kindly written the foreword. The book is indexed and, for the benefit of researchers, a uniquely comprehensive list of published sources is provided.

Some additional notes and a list of corrections are available.

Dust Jackets
Dust jackets may be obtained from Alex Moulton Bicycles mail@alexmoulton.co.uk