Moulton "Mongrel"

The "Mongrel" is made out of two Moulton APBs.

The main frame of the "Mongrel" started out as a Moulton Automatic which I'd used for a few years as my commuting bicycle. That Moulton Automatic was an example of a short-lived model built by Pashley, not to be confused with the classic F-framed Moulton of the same name. The Moulton Automatic was an APB equipped with four speed Shimano Auto D hub gearing but this hub gear died a while back. It was an excellent hub gear until its demise. Also with my discovery of the brilliant Scottoiler chain lubrication system I've gone off using hub gears as a derailleur with the Scottoiler represents, I feel, less maintenance than a hub gear and conventionally lubricated chain. So, I wanted my next commuting bike to be derailleur geared with Scottoiler.

The hub geared Moulton Automatic had no derailleur hanger on the drop-out, but I also had in my garage the remains of another Moulton APB which unfortunately had suffered terminal frame damage in an "accident" (car brought me off bike on purpose) in October 2003. That Moulton APB had a rear triangle with a derailleur hanger so being a suspension bike I could swap the rear triangle over.

As my commuting bike the hub geared Moulton Automatic had been used relentlessly through all weathers with minimal maintenance and unfortunately the quill stem had bonded itself to the steerer tube with corrosion. Despite trying everything I had to use a hacksaw to remove the top of the quill stem then remove the forks and replace them with those I had from the crash damaged APB. However at least this means that the forks at the front and the rear triangle of the new "Moulton Mongrel" are matching colours. In fact I rather like the two tone colour scheme. As my commuting bike it will most likely get so dirty after a while that you wouldn't notice. All the various bits and pieces that make up the bicycle's drive-train and equipment come from stuff lying around in the garage.

On the seat post is the tow bar for my trailer. This I use for getting stuff from local DIY stores and taking large amounts of refuse to the local tip. It's quite a big trailer made in Holland. When I ride with the trailer the total length of the vehicle seems very great indeed. I never go very far with it.

The "Mongrel" has only one chain-wheel at the front. This is absolutely fine for me and indeed I think fine for 99% of situations. I like the simplicity of it. At present the chain-wheel is a bit small giving rather low overall gearing. I'm going to get a larger front chain-wheel when the mood takes me. On my R18 I have two chain-wheels at the front but I could get by with just the one I suspect.

Apart from buying the Scottoiler the other great thing I've discovered and bought is the excellent pair of Cane Creek bar ends. They are really nice to use, they are just in the right place for my hands. The problem I've always had with regular bar ends is that they are too far forward and too high up for use. If the handlebars are in the right position then I find it difficult to see how normal bar ends could be in a good place. I find my hands are on the Cane Creek bar ends most of the time I ride this bike. They are pretty expensive however compared with regular bar ends, but very well worth it. Fairly soon I'm going to shorten these flat handlebars a bit as they are too long at present.

The Moulton Mongrel's first significant task, transporting an Apple Studio Display no less on its rack to the local post office. I had put this monitor up for sale on eBay. It arrived in good condition. I did ride very carefully with it. Moultons are fabulous for transporting large objects because the rear rack is very wide and low.

For me it's a joy having a bicycle so suited to my style of commuting as this is by far the bike I ride the most. As it is a bitsa it is not very valuable but it is just as good functionally as my touring Moulton APB, the R18, albeit kitted out for the purpose of commuting.

I think it's true that the sense of ownership is very great when you have had a hand in the creation of a bike. Even when it is just putting various bits together like I have done. I find I do enjoy riding it even more because of that feeling of having made it. As I use my commuting bike so much I do care a lot about it. I like going to the local Thai takeaway on it and picking up something lovely when I can't be bothered to cook. These sort of simple experiences are as much a part of the joys of cycling as going on great tours and suchlike.

Moulton Mongrel

Moulton Mongrel

Cane Creek bar ends

Beast of burden