103-517: Moulton is an English bicycle manufacturer based in Bradford-on-Avon , Wiltshire. The company was founded in 1962 by Alex Moulton (1920–2012) who had designed the " Hydrolastic " and rubber cone suspension systems for the BMC Mini motorcar. Moulton bicycles are noted for unconventional frame design, small wheels, and front and rear suspension. A misconception about Moultons is that they fold in
206-591: A unitary authority . The North and South wards each elect one member of Wiltshire Council. For Westminster elections, Bradford-on-Avon is part of the Melksham and Devizes constituency, which was created following a boundary review and first contested at the 2024 general election when it was won by Brian Mathew for the Liberal Democrats. From 2010 to 2024, the town was in the Chippenham constituency. The town has
309-454: A United Church ( Methodist and United Reformed Church ), a free nonconformist church, a community church, a Quaker (Society of Friends) meeting house and a Roman Catholic church. Holy Trinity Church is the original parish church , and stands near the town centre by the river. The Grade I listed building is Norman in origin, and it is possible that the chancel was built over the remains of an older church. Several chapels were added on
412-579: A chain drive. A two-passenger version was followed by Raleigh's first three-wheel car, the Safety Seven. It was a four-seat convertible with shaft drive and a maximum speed of 55 mph (89 km/h). A saloon version was planned, but Raleigh shut its motor department to concentrate on bicycles again. Chief designer T. L. Williams took the equipment and remaining parts and moved to Tamworth , where his company produced three-wheelers for 65 years. The leftover parts from Raleigh carried an "R", so Williams chose
515-842: A factory in Kent, Washington manufacturing two Raleigh lines, the bimetallic Technium road bike line, which used heat-treated aluminum main frame tubes, thermally bonded and heat-cured to internal steel lugs using a Boeing-developed proprietary epoxy – along with chromoly steel head tube and rear stays. Kent also manufactured the off-road chromoly steel Altimetric line (Tangent CX, Traverse CX, Tactic CX and Talon CX 1991–1992). The factory closed in 1994. All Raleigh Cycle Company of America parts and frames from 1995 on were then mass-produced in China and Taiwan and assembled in other plants. The high-end framesets offered for sale in Raleigh catalogues together with
618-548: A grade I listed building . It was originally a packhorse bridge , but widened in the 17th century by rebuilding the western side. On 2 July 1643 the town was the site of a skirmish in the English Civil War , when Royalists seized control of the bridge on their way to the Battle of Lansdowne . On the bridge stands a small building which was originally a chapel but was later used as a town lock-up . The weathervane on top takes
721-871: A link through to the Avon at Bath in the west, and the Thames at Reading in the east. Bradford-on-Avon civil parish elects a town council with twelve members: six for the North ward and six for the South ward. After the May 2021 elections, there were seven Liberal Democrat and five Ideal Bradford councillors. The town council provides an increasing range of services in the town, building on its historically mostly consultative and ceremonial role. These include provision of youth services, management of significant and growing areas of green space and town facilities, and management of several premises within
824-493: A matching name: Reliant . Raleigh also made mopeds in the late 1950s and 1960s as the bicycle market declined. The most popular of which was the RM6 Runabout. This model featured unsprung front forks and a cycle type calliper front brake which made it a very affordable mode of transport. Because of its success, production continued until February 1971; 17 months after Raleigh had stopped manufacturing all other mopeds. With
927-513: A more technically correct term covering all such bicycles. Mass-appeal versions such as the Standard and Deluxe were complemented by Speed versions used in competition. In August 2008, Alex Moulton announced the creation of a new company called Moulton Bicycle, in collaboration with British bicycle manufacturer Pashley Cycles which had manufactured certain Moulton designs under licence since 1992. In
1030-592: A new company, The Moulton Bicycle Company. Production of the Moulton TSR by Pashley in Stratford-on-Avon continues today. In 2022, Moulton acquired the original Moulton Bicycle Works in Bradford-on-Avon, with the intention to make all Moulton products there. From the start of 2023 the Moulton TSR is now made in Bradford-on-Avon. A newer model, stylistically and structurally similar to the original Moulton design,
1133-639: A range of high-pressure tyres in co-operation with Dunlop . Suspension for the front and rear was developed to give a comfortable ride with the smaller wheels. In this respect, the Moulton bicycle was ahead of its time, as bicycle suspension would not become common for another 30 years. The Moulton bicycle also featured a different frame from the traditional diamond design. It is often known as an F-frame or Lazy F due to its unusual structure. The F-frame had no top tube, as such, and could therefore be easily mounted by those with mobility limitations, whether imposed by physical infirmity or by type of clothing. When
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#17328591409861236-573: A rate increase in foreign bicycle tariffs caused a shift in imports in favour of bicycles from West Germany and the Netherlands . However, this proved only a temporary setback, and by 1964, Raleigh was again a major selling brand in the US bicycle market. In 1965, Raleigh introduced the RSW 16, its long-awaited competitor to the hugely successful Moulton Bicycle . The new Raleigh shared several important features with
1339-408: A rubber ball instead of a block, and a rear triangle replacing the swingarm of the earlier designs. In 1974, production of the innovative cycles stopped. Some of the early Moulton bicycles are today considered to be collectors' items. In the early 1980s, Alex Moulton bought back the rights to the Moulton design from Raleigh, and brought out a design along broadly similar lines to the original. Aimed at
1442-591: A secondary school, St Laurence School , founded in 1980 as a result of the merger of Fitzmaurice Grammar School and Trinity Secondary Modern school . There are two primary schools: in the north of the town is Christ Church CofE ( VC ) Primary School, established as a National school in 1848 and on its present site since 1956, and in the south is Fitzmaurice Primary School, opened in 1928 as Bradford on Avon Council Junior Mixed and Infants' School. Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC West and ITV West Country . Television signals are received from
1545-654: A separate Dutch group Accell for £62m (US$ 100m), whose portfolio included the Lapierre and Ghost bicycle brands. Raleigh had a long association with cycle sport. Most notable is the TI–Raleigh team of the 1970s and 1980s. In 1980 Joop Zoetemelk won the Tour de France on a Raleigh during which time Admiral Sports produced the jersey. In the mid-1980s the Raleigh team was co-sponsored by Panasonic . In 1984, riding Raleigh-badged bicycles, Team USA scored several impressive victories at
1648-594: A temporary burial site for King Edward the Martyr . It was rediscovered by the Anglican priest, antiquarian and author William Jones in 1856, having been used for secular purposes (apparently becoming a house, a school and part of a factory). It is suggested that some of the building, containing the blind arcades at a higher level, may belong to a later period while a leaflet available at the church in February 2012 seems to prefer
1751-704: A wealthy mill-owner, in about 1610. It was bought by Stephen Moulton in 1848, and is now managed by the Alex Moulton Charitable Trust. In 1998 the Wiltshire Music Centre was opened in Bradford-on-Avon, on the grounds of St Laurence School . In 2000, the Millennium sculpture nicknamed "Millie" was unveiled. On 8 October 2003, Bradford-on-Avon was granted Fairtrade Town status. The Saxon church dedicated to Saint Laurence may have been founded by Saint Aldhelm around 705, and could have been
1854-447: A well-preserved mosaic on the playing fields of St Laurence School . The centre of the town grew up around the ford across the river Avon, hence the origin of the town's name ("Broad-Ford"). This was supplemented in Norman times by the stone bridge that still stands today. The Norman side is upstream, and has pointed arches; the newer side has curved arches. The Town Bridge and Chapel is
1957-421: A year. In 1981, the former Carlton factory at Worksop closed after a vote was held. The original decision to continue at Worksop was reversed but the management decided to go with the original decision, and by the autumn production was moved to a Lightweights facility at Nottingham. However, all bicycles made there afterward still carried the W for Worksop frame number designation until early 1990. In 1982, rights to
2060-488: Is also confirmed by Nottinghamshire Archives. In recent years, the Raleigh company has cited 1887 as a foundation date but, whilst this pre-dates Bowden's involvement, the Raleigh brand name was created by Woodhead and Angois and the enterprise can, as demonstrated above, be traced back to 1885. The company established by Bowden in December 1888 was still privately owned with unlimited public liability. In January 1889, it became
2163-464: Is entirely a Victorian construction. The Catholic church , dedicated to St. Thomas More , occupies a Grade II listed building, dating from 1854, that used to be the town hall. There is also a Buddhist monastery in the town, under the auspices of the Aukana Trust; it comprises a monastic building each for men and for women, and a meditation hall. There are also workshops, gardens and a library, and
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#17328591409862266-489: Is in the town centre. The town is an increasingly popular location for films, television adaptations and more; it has played host to Wolf Hall , Creation (a 2009 film about the life of Darwin), Robin of Sherwood and a 1972 film adaptation of The Canterbury Tales . In 2016, The White Princess TV series was filmed in the area. Bradford-on-Avon is on the A363 Trowbridge to Bath road, which runs through
2369-776: Is now a division of the Dutch corporation Accell . In 2006, the Raleigh Chopper was named in the list of British design icons in the Great British Design Quest organised by the BBC and the Design Museum . The history of Raleigh bicycles started in 1885, when Richard Morriss Woodhead from Sherwood Forest , and Paul Eugene Louis Angois, a French citizen, set up a small bicycle workshop in Raleigh Street, Nottingham , England. In
2472-477: Is one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world. After being acquired by Frank Bowden in December 1888, it became The Raleigh Cycle Company, which was registered as a limited liability company in January 1889. By 1913, it was the largest bicycle manufacturing company in the world. From 1921 to 1935, Raleigh also produced motorcycles and three-wheel cars, leading to the formation of Reliant Motors . Raleigh bicycle
2575-441: Is partly set in Raleigh's Nottingham factory, Sillitoe himself being an ex-employee of the firm. Several scenes for the 1960 film adaptation starring Albert Finney were filmed on location at the factory itself. In the 1985 movie American Flyers , David Sommers played by David Marshall Grant, is seen riding through St. Louis, Missouri, on a Raleigh bicycle from that same era. Later in the film, specialized bicycles are used for
2678-409: Is suggested early in the film when Bacon dismounts while in motion and a distinct clicking sound is heard until the bike stops moving. A 1984/5 Raleigh Grand Prix is used for the opening chase sequence, and a 1984 or '85 Super Course makes a brief appearance in the opening credits. In 2019, Raleigh 's electric bikes featured in episode 4 of the 2019 season of The Apprentice. A much expanded version of
2781-510: Is the large Grade II* listed tithe barn , known as the Saxon Tithe Barn, 180 feet long and 30 feet wide, which was constructed in the 14th century and is now part of Barton Farm Country Park . The barn was used for collecting taxes, in the form of goods, to fund the church. There are several notable buildings in and around the town centre. Many of the old textile factories have been converted into modern flats and apartments; however, few of
2884-472: The Avon Green Belt , completely surrounds Bradford-on-Avon. It helps to maintain the setting and preserve the character of the town by maintaining separation from nearby settlements such as Trowbridge, Winsley , and Westwood . The earliest evidence of habitation is fragments of Roman settlements above the town. In particular, archaeological digs have revealed the remains of a large Roman villa with
2987-536: The Bowden cable but there is no evidence to support this myth. Sir Frank Bowden died in 1921 and his son Sir Harold Bowden, 2nd Baronet took over as chairman and chief executive, guiding the company through the next 17 years of expansion. In 1931 their new headquarters in the Howitt Building on Lenton Boulevard was complete. This building was designed by Thomas Cecil Howitt and won a RIBA Bronze Medal. In 2018
3090-523: The Jurassic limestone known as Bath stone , from which the older buildings are constructed. The River Avon (the Bristol Avon) runs through the town. The larger town of Trowbridge is nearby to the southeast. The town includes the suburbs of Bearfield and Woolley ; the parish includes the hamlets of Widbrook and Woolley Green . The Western Wiltshire Green Belt , which forms the eastern extent of
3193-466: The Mendip and the local relay transmitters. Local radio stations are BBC Radio Wiltshire on 104.3 FM, Heart West on 102.2, Greatest Hits Radio South West on 107.7 FM and West Wilts Radio, a community based radio station that broadcast online. The Wiltshire Times is the local newspaper that serves the town. Bradford-on-Avon has a non-League football club, Bradford Town F.C. , who play at
Moulton Bicycle - Misplaced Pages Continue
3296-634: The Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The company also supplied bicycles to the French Système U team in the late 1980s where Laurent Fignon lost the 1989 Tour de France to Greg LeMond by 8 seconds. The company's special products division made race frames, including those used by the Raleigh professional team of the 1970s. Presently Raleigh as a company owns the Diamondback Bike brand as well. During
3399-615: The Raleigh RSW 16 . The drop in sales from the increased competition brought the company into financial difficulties and in August 1967, it was taken over by Raleigh . Raleigh then produced both the RSW and the Moulton side by side. Raleigh produced the Major, Major Deluxe and the Mark III (previous Moultons were known as Series 1 and Series 2). The main differences were a re-designed rear suspension using
3502-514: The Raleigh USA name were purchased by the Huffy Corporation after decades of being the US distributor of Raleigh bikes from England. Under the terms of the agreement, Raleigh of England licensed Huffy to design and distribute Raleigh bicycles in the US, and Huffy was given instant access to a nationwide network of bike shops. The renamed Raleigh Cycle Company of America sold their bikes in
3605-569: The Swinging Sixties and were sold around the world by the thousands, briefly, Moulton was one of the largest bicycle manufacturers in Britain. The architecture and design critic Peter Reyner Banham , known for often controversial views on technology and industrialisation, was a keen advocate and user of the original Moulton. Eleanor Bron 's 1978 book Life and Other Punctures celebrates travels around France on an original Moulton. In bicycle culture,
3708-544: The University of Nottingham and Sturmey-Archer and saddle manufacturer Brooks to a small company called Lenark. Lenark promised to build a new factory in Calverton but failed to pay the first instalment and the company entered liquidation. It was reported that the reason for selling the business, after extracting the cash for the factory site, was to have Lenark declare it insolvent so that neither Derby nor Lenark would have to pay
3811-546: The Wessex Main Line and Heart of Wessex Line routes. The line opened in the mid-19th century and was built by the original Great Western Railway . The main station building by Brunel is Grade II listed. Running parallel to the railway through the town is the Kennet and Avon Canal . The use of this canal declined as the railways grew but it was restored to full working order during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The canal provides
3914-487: The 1980s Raleigh also supported British professional teams, including Raleigh Banana and Raleigh Weinmann . Raleigh's most notable riders were Paul Sherwin , Malcolm Elliott , Mark Bell , Paul Watson , Jon Clay and Jeff Williams . It also sponsored a mountain bike team in the early 1990s that also raced in road events. In 2009 it was announced that the company would be creating a new Continental -level cycling team called Team Raleigh . The Team were co-sponsored by
4017-567: The 1980s, together with Raleigh branded models such as the popular Raleigh Arena. However, the majority of Raleigh branded models were built in the main plant at Nottingham. Sun branded bicycles were made in the Carlton factory at Worksop, England. As a vertically integrated manufacturer in the mid-1960s, TI–Raleigh owned Brooks (one of the oldest saddle makers in the world), Sturmey-Archer (pioneer of 3-speed hubs), and Reynolds (maker of 531 tubing ). Carlton, which had been unable to make inroads in
4120-498: The 1981 Raleigh Bomber had the original Raleigh 26 TPI threading despite the earlier Grifter model and Chopper (1974 on) having already reverted to 24 TPI. The Raleigh Chopper was designed by Nottingham native Alan Oakley , though this has been disputed by Cambridge designer Tom Karen . The Chopper was patented in the UK in 1967 and patented in the US in 1968. The bike was the "must have" item and signifier of "coolness" for many children at
4223-636: The American market, except the top-of-the range Team Professional (made in Ilkeston) and Prestige road bikes (made in Nottingham), were produced in the Far East. Meanwhile, in the home market, Raleigh had broken into the new UK BMX market with their Burner range, which was very successful. In 1987, the leading German bicycle manufacturer Derby Cycle bought Raleigh from Ti and Raleigh USA from Huffy. In 1988, Derby opened
Moulton Bicycle - Misplaced Pages Continue
4326-641: The British Cycle Corporation with Raleigh to form TI–Raleigh, which now had 75% of the UK market. TI–Raleigh then acquired Carlton Cycles in Worksop , England that same year, at the time one of the largest semi-custom lightweight makers in the UK. TI Raleigh gave total control of its cycle division to Raleigh and soon set about marketing many of the acquired names as budget ranges, though with Raleigh frames. The old Lines Bros. factory at Handsworth, acquired in 1971, produced non Raleigh branded product well into
4429-618: The Industrial Revolution , the wool weaving industry moved from cottages to purpose-built woollen mills adjacent to the river, where they used water and steam to power the looms. Around thirty such mills were built in Bradford-on-Avon alone, and these prospered further until the English woollen industry shifted its centre of power to Yorkshire in the late 19th century. The last local mill closed in 1905. Many have since stood empty and some became derelict. A notable feature of Bradford-on-Avon
4532-520: The Moulton Bicycle Company listed several models at prices ranging from £950 to £15,500. Bradford-on-Avon Bradford-on-Avon (sometimes Bradford on Avon or Bradford upon Avon ) is a town and civil parish in west Wiltshire , England, near the border with Somerset , which had a population of 10,405 at the 2021 census. The town's canal, historic buildings, shops, pubs and restaurants make it popular with tourists. The history of
4635-470: The Moulton, including small wheels, an open frame and built-in luggage carrying capacity. However, the RSW lacked the Moulton's suspension, which compensated for the bumpy ride that comes with small wheels. Instead, Raleigh fitted the RSW with balloon tyres , which effectively smoothed the ride but at the cost of increased rolling resistance. Nevertheless, the RSW was pleasant to ride, and Raleigh's extensive retail network ensured its success. The success of
4738-461: The RSW took sales away from the Moulton and put that maker into financial difficulties. Raleigh then bought out Moulton and produced both bikes until 1974. Raleigh also produced a sister model to the RSW, the 'Twenty' , which was more successful and which remained in production well into the 1980s. While bicycle production had steadily risen through the mid-1950s, the British market began to decline with
4841-575: The Raleighette, a belt-driven three-wheel motorcycle with the driver in the back and a wicker seat for the passenger between the two front wheels. Financial losses meant production lasted only until 1908. In 1930, the company acquired the rights to the Ivy Karryall, a motor tricycle fitted with a cabin for cargo and a hood for the driver. Raleigh's version was called the Light Delivery Van and had
4944-569: The Sports and Social Club on Trowbridge Road. In addition to a bowls & croquet club, tennis courts and a swimming pool, there is also the Bradford-on-Avon Rowing Club, catering for rowing and canoeing from their base opposite Barton Farm country park. Bradford on Avon rugby club, whose first team played in Dorset & Wilts 1 North in 2019–20, have their ground at Winsley , just west of
5047-483: The UK with 280 assembly and factory staff made redundant, and bicycles were to come "from Vietnam and other centres of 'low-cost, high-quality' production." with final assembly taking place in Cloppenburg , Germany. In 2012, Derby agreed to be acquired by Pon Holdings , a Dutch company, as part of their new bicycle group. and buyout terms were agreed in 2012. In April 2012, Raleigh UK, Canada and USA were acquired by
5150-465: The US. In the rest of the world, origin varied. The majority of territories received bikes from Raleigh in England, but other markets such as South Africa and India for example, had their own independently owned "Raleigh" companies like with Huffy in the US. At that time, production of some U.S. Raleigh models were shifted to Japan, with Bridgestone manufacturing most of these bikes. By 1984, all Raleighs for
5253-530: The USA market after a failed rebranding deal with Huffy , found success in the late 1960s by recasting itself as "Raleigh-Carlton", a Raleigh-logo'd bike with some Carlton badging, and using the US dealer network to import and distribute bikes. One consequence of the vertically integrated approach was that Raleigh did not adopt ISO threading standards and dimensions until the 1980s for some of its range (premium models were standardised earlier). The bottom bracket shell of
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#17328591409865356-517: The adjoining road, Russell Street. By 1888, the company was making about three cycles a week and employed around half a dozen men. It was one of 15 bicycle manufacturers based in Nottingham at that time. Frank Bowden , a recent convert to cycling who on medical advice had toured extensively on a tricycle , first saw a Raleigh bicycle in a shop window in Queen Victoria Street, London , about
5459-431: The autumn of the latter year, happening to pass through Nottingham, and with the idea of, if possible, getting a still more up-to-date machine, I called upon Messrs. Woodhead and Angois, the originators and makers of the Raleigh … It is clear from Frank Bowden's own account that, although he bought a Raleigh 'Safety' in 1887, he did not visit the Raleigh workshop until autumn 1888. That visit led to Bowden replacing Ellis as
5562-519: The bike at a time). The Chopper remained in production until 1982, when the rising popularity of the BMX bicycle caused sales to drop off. Raleigh revisited the chopper design in recent times, with great success although the new version has had some changes to conform to modern safety laws. Gone is the top tube shifter and long integrated seat, but the look and feel of the bike remain. In 1979, production of Raleigh 531 butted-tube bicycles reached 10,000 units
5665-467: The building was Grade II listed . There was a resurgence in domestic and export demand for pedal bicycles and by February 1932 Raleigh had acquired all the Humber Limited trade marks. Manufacture was transferred to Raleigh's Nottingham works. Raleigh-made Humbers differed from Raleighs only in chainwheels , fork crowns and some brakework. During World War II , the Raleigh factory in Nottingham
5768-413: The buildings are still used today in their original roles. One of the few is The Swan , a public house and hotel set in the centre of town; the building is 17th century and retains many original features, in particular the stone flag floors. Records show that there has been a public house on the same site since the 1500s. The Hall , on the eastern edge of the town, is a Jacobean mansion built for John Hall,
5871-449: The business, Bowden financed the renting of this property and installation of new machinery. Under Bowden's guidance, Raleigh expanded rapidly. By 1891, the company occupied not only Clarke's factory but also Woodroffe's Factory and Russell Street Mills. In November 1892, Raleigh signed a tenancy agreement for rooms in Butler's factory on the other side of Russell Street. Shortly after this,
5974-471: The church, high in the wall above a small chancel arch, are the carved figures of two flying angels , the right-hand figure reportedly "intended to be clothed in transparent drapery ... the legs from the knee downward are depicted as showing through the transparent robe" which is referred to as a "quaint fancy". In addition to the Saxon church, the town has two Church of England churches, two Baptist chapels,
6077-421: The company also occupied Forest Road Mill. (Forest Road junctions with Russell Street at the opposite end from Raleigh Street.) Bowden created a business which, by 1913, was the biggest bicycle manufacturing company in the world, occupying seven and a half acres in purpose-built premises completed in 1897 at Faraday Road, Lenton, Nottingham . It subsequently became very much bigger. Many say that Bowden invented
6180-427: The design was released in 1962, it was one of the first major innovations in bicycle design since the " safety bicycle " in the 1880s and made an immediate impact. The 1962 version (aka "bicycle of the future") was the first production Moulton bicycle with suspension and the racing version was televised the same year, ridden by road race champion and Moulton employee John Ronald Tovey. As Moulton bicycles became an icon of
6283-452: The early 18th century and commented: "They told me at Bradford that it was no extra-ordinary thing to have clothiers in that country worth, from ten thousand, to forty thousand pounds a man [equivalent to £1.3M to £5.3M in 2007] , and many of the great families, who now pass for gentry in those counties, have been originally raised from, and built up by this truly noble manufacture." With improving mechanisation in textile manufacture during
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#17328591409866386-456: The elegant buildings look down upon the town from a hill. The monastery practises the Theravadin tradition of Buddhism, and offers opportunities for both full-time residential and part-time practise and study. Bradford-on-Avon was the site of an early factory for rubber products, established at Kingston Mill by Stephen Moulton in 1848 and later named George Spencer, Moulton and Co. The company
6489-567: The factory burned down. Models produced there latterly were the Chopper and Triumph 20. The head badges changed in the late 1960s, possibly after the passing of the Trade Descriptions Act in the UK. Dublin-made machines no longer had "Nottingham England" on the Heron or Triumph head badge, the panel being left blank instead. In 1899, Raleigh started to build motorcycles and in 1903, introduced
6592-428: The firm was founded in 1888, which was when Bowden, as he himself confirmed, first bought into the enterprise. Thus, Raleigh's 30th anniversary was celebrated in 1918. The 1888 foundation date is confirmed by Bowden's great-grandson, Gregory Houston Bowden, who states that Frank Bowden "began to negotiate with Woodhead and Angois and in December 1888 founded 'The Raleigh Cycle Company'." The December 1888 foundation date
6695-441: The first of a series of limited liability companies with Raleigh in its name. It had a nominal capital of £20,000, half of which was provided by Frank Bowden. Paul Angois was appointed director responsible for product design, Richard Woodhead was made director responsible for factory management, and Frank Bowden became chairman and managing director. Some shares were made available to small investors and local businessmen, but take-up
6798-493: The form of a gudgeon (an early Christian symbol), hence the local saying "under the fish and over the water". (The gilded fish is a perch; Bradford gudgeon is a local term.) The river provided power for the wool mills that gave the town its wealth. The town has 17th-century buildings dating from the most successful period of the local textile industry. The best examples of weavers' cottages are on Newtown, Middle Rank and Tory Terraces. Daniel Defoe visited Bradford-on-Avon in
6901-554: The former brand names New Hudson and Sunbeam. Raleigh also already owned the Robin Hood brand, and Three Spires with Triumph (cycles) also at their disposal. BSA had itself acquired Triumph Cycle Co. Ltd. only five years previously. TI added the Sun bicycle company to their stable in 1958, and with two "super groups" now controlling a large portion of the market, it was perhaps inevitable that in 1960, Tube Investments acquired Raleigh and merged
7004-438: The frames built for Team riders were produced in Ilkeston by the Special Bicycle Development Unit (SBDU) from 1974 onward under the guidance of Gerald O'Donovan; production was moved to the Lightweight Facility in Nottingham, albeit on a much reduced workforce, on closure of the Ilkeston factory in 1986. Raleigh Canada had a factory in Waterloo, Quebec from 1972 to 2013. Derby Cycle acquired Diamondback Bicycles in 1999. In
7107-416: The global shipping and logistics firm GAC in 2012 and were known as Team Raleigh-GAC. The season was notable for Team Raleigh's first victory in the Tour Series Round 6 and a succession of Premier Calendar wins, which resulted in team rider Graham Briggs finishing the season at the top of British Cycling 's UK Elite Men's standings. Raleigh once again became the sole headline sponsor of the team in 2013 and
7210-435: The high end of the market, this AM series (which remains in production) has a space frame allowing high rigidity and low weight when compared to traditional steel frames. In 1998, the New Series Moulton was introduced. This, similar to the AM, incorporates a Flexitor front suspension, and a rear suspension based on the unified rear triangle principle. The New Series includes the Pylon and Double Pylon high-performance models: in
7313-429: The hugely successful Twenty range of shopper bikes, the Chopper and even the 1976 Grifter, all had a Raleigh exclusive 76mm wide bottom bracket shell. Headsets and bottom brackets use Raleigh exclusive 26 threads per inch (TPI) threading (until 1974 when some models reverted to the standard 24 TPI.) There were even models that had a mixture of both, with the fork thread being different to the bottom bracket thread. Indeed,
7416-575: The increasing affordability and popularity of the motor car. For much of the postwar era, British bicycle manufacturers had largely competed with each other in both the home and export markets, but 1956 saw the formation of the British Cycle Corporation by the Tube Investments Group which already owned Phillips, Hercules, Armstrong, and Norman . In 1957, Raleigh bought the BSA Cycles Ltd., BSA's bicycle division, which gave them exclusive use of
7519-519: The late 1950s, disillusioned with the design of the classic bicycle, Alex Moulton set about creating a new design. He thought the classic diamond frame was inconvenient to mount, difficult to adjust for size and not suitable for both sexes, and that 'Ladies' open frame bicycles without the top tube of the diamond frame were structurally compromised for ease of use. He believed that classic bicycles (especially with small frames and smaller wheels known as 'shopper' bicycles) were uncomfortable to ride without
7622-499: The latter all large diameter tubes have been eliminated, resulting in a pure space frame design and low weight. To bring the new design to a larger market, a cheaper variant of the AM bicycle design, the APB (All-Purpose Bicycle), was produced under licence by Pashley Cycles from 1992 to 2005. To reduce costs, Pashley use off-the-shelf components as far as possible instead of the custom components of
7725-450: The manner of more recent designs by manufacturers such as Brompton , Bickerton or Dahon . This is not true, though the Moulton design paved the way for such designs and various Moultons over the years have been made in separable versions allowing relatively easy dismantling for transportation or storage. Thus although Moultons are often included in the folding bicycle category along with small-wheel folders, small-wheel bicycles would be
7828-533: The north side, and the wall in between was later opened up so that the chapels now form the north aisle. A squint, or hagioscope , near the altar is claimed to be England's longest. The tower and spire was built around 1480, replacing an older one, and the south wall was largely rebuilt in the 19th century. The church has a ring of eight bells , with the tenor (heaviest bell) weighing 29 long cwt 2 qr 26 lb (3,330 lb or 1,510 kg). The other Anglican church, Christ Church ,
7931-469: The old heavy English utility roadster or the American " balloon-tire " cruiser bikes. In 1946, Raleigh and other English bicycle manufacturers accounted for 95% of the bicycles imported into the United States. Raleigh's sports roadster , or British racer bicycles were exported around the world, including the United States. The company continued to increase imports to the United States until 1955, when
8034-545: The original Moultons: for example, specially manufactured 17 by 1 1 ⁄ 4 inch (ISO 369) wheels, tyres, and inner tubes were replaced by the more common 20-inch ETRTO 406 size. In 2005, the Pashley-Moulton design was updated to create the TSR series: high-performance, lighter versions of the Pashley-Moulton replacing the APB. In 2008 the TSR became the Moulton TSR when Alex Moulton Bicycles and Pashley Cycles combined to form
8137-399: The partnership and provided much-needed financial investment. Like Woodhead and Angois, Ellis's background was in the lace industry. He was a lace gasser, a service provider involved in the bleaching and treating of lace, with premises in nearby Clare Street and Glasshouse Street. Thanks to Ellis, the bicycle works had now expanded round the corner from Raleigh Street into former lace works on
8240-544: The partnership's principal investor, though Bowden did not become the outright owner of the firm. He concluded that the company had a profitable future if it promoted its innovative features, increased its output, cut its overhead costs and tailored its products to the individual tastes and preferences of its customers. He bought out William Ellis's share in the firm and was allotted 5,000 £1 shares, while Woodhead and Angois between them held another 5,000 shares. In Frank Bowden's own lifetime, Raleigh publicity material stated that
8343-415: The period 950–1050 for the whole building. The elaborate ornamentation of the exterior consists of pilaster-strips, a broad frieze of two plain string-courses between which is a blind arcade of round-headed arches whose short vertical pilasters have trapezoidal capitals and bases, while on the eastern gable and the corners adjacent there is a series of mouldings as vertical triple semicylinders. Inside
8446-636: The race scenes in Colorado and training. In the 1986 bike messenger film Quicksilver a variety of Raleigh USA bicycles are used. 1984–85 road bikes are used throughout by notable players in the movie. Kevin Bacon's bicycle is a singlespeed '84 Raleigh Competition. While no differentiation is made in the film, at least three different configurations are seen on Bacon's bike during the movie: fixed-gear , singlespeed, and outfitted with 0-degree trick forks during various scenes in Bacon's apartment. A possible freewheel
8549-470: The redundancy costs. Sturmey-Archer's assets were acquired by SunRace of Taiwan who relocated the factory to Taiwan and sales to the Netherlands. Sister company Brooks was sold to Selle Royal of Italy. In 2001, following continuing financial problems at Derby Cycle, there was a management buy-out of all the remaining Raleigh companies led by Alan Finden-Crofts. By 2003, assembly of bicycles had ended in
8652-523: The retired. The town has one mid-sized supermarket on the Elms Cross industrial estate, a short walk from the canal lock, and five convenience stores . Local consumers founded Bradford-on-Avon Co-operative Society in 1861, which, in the 1960s, united with other consumer co-operatives in the district to merge with a national business. A mini outdoor shopping centre of independent shops, Weavers Walk, which describes itself as an "ethical trading centre",
8755-554: The rider of a Moulton bicycle is often referred to as being a "Moultoneer" (a play on the word "Mountaineer"). The following home-market models were produced between 1962 and 1967 in the Moulton factory at Bradford-on-Avon and in the BMC car factory at Kirkby, Liverpool: Continental and Automatic M0, Standard M1, Deluxe M2, Safari M3, Speed M4, Stowaway M5 and the Speedsix M6. A further low volume, high specification 'S' range of Moulton bicycles
8858-416: The same year, Raleigh ceased volume production of frames in the UK and its frame-making equipment were sold by auction. In 2000, Derby Cycle controlled Raleigh USA, Raleigh UK, Raleigh Canada, and Raleigh Ireland. In the latter three markets, Raleigh was the number-one manufacturer of bicycles. Derby Cycle began a series of divestitures, because of financial pressure and sold Sturmey-Archer's factory site to
8961-509: The spring of that year, they started advertising in the local press. The Nottinghamshire Guardian of 15 May 1885 printed what was possibly the first Woodhead and Angois classified advertisement. Nearly two years later, the 11 April 1887 issue of the Nottingham Post contained a display advertisement for the Raleigh 'Safety' model under the new banner 'Woodhead, Angois, and Ellis. Russell Street Cycle Works.' William Ellis had recently joined
9064-520: The surge in scooter ownership in the UK, Raleigh built a small Italian scooter, the Bianchi Orsetto 80, under licence, sold as the Raleigh Roma, with production continuing until 1964. After World War II , Raleigh became known for its lightweight sports roadster bicycles, often using Sturmey-Archer three and five-speed transmissions. These cycles were considerably lighter and quicker than either
9167-515: The team re-paid the investment with high-profile wins in the Tour de Normandie , Tour of the Reservoir and Tour Series Rounds 1 and 2. Raleigh decided to withdraw from supporting a road team at the end of the 2017 season The Raleigh archives, including the Sturmey-Archer papers, are at Nottinghamshire Record Office. Saturday Night and Sunday Morning , the 1958 debut novel by Alan Sillitoe ,
9270-554: The time that William Ellis's investment in the cycle workshop was beginning to take effect. Bowden described how this led to him visiting the Raleigh works: In the early part of 1887, while looking for a good specimen of the then new safety bicycle, I came across a Raleigh in London. Its patent changeable gear and other special features struck me as superior to all the others I had seen, and I purchased one upon which I toured extensively through France, Italy and England during 1887 and 1888. In
9373-510: The time. The Chopper was first available for sale in June 1969 in North America. It went on sale in the UK in 1970 and sold well, and was a key factor in reviving the company's fortunes. The Chopper featured a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer gear hub, shifted using a top-tube mounted gear lever reminiscent of the early Harley-Davidson suicide shifter – one of its "cool" features. Other differences were
9476-657: The town can be traced back to Roman origins. It has several buildings dating from the 17th century, when the town grew due to the thriving English woollen textile industry. The town lies partly in the Avon Valley , and partly on the hill that marks the Vale's western edge, 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Bath , in the hilly area between the Mendip Hills , Salisbury Plain and the Cotswold Hills . The local area around Bath provides
9579-494: The town from south to north, and crossed over by the B3109 linking Bradford-on-Avon with Melksham and Frome . All other road routes are minor, affording access to local settlements. Bradford-on-Avon is about 15 miles from junction 18 of the M4 motorway at Bath and the same distance from junction 17 at Chippenham . Bradford-on-Avon railway station is served by Great Western Railway on
9682-490: The town. Wiltshire Music Centre is a purpose-built, 300-seat concert hall within the grounds of St Laurence School that attracts internationally renowned musicians. Bradford-on-Avon is twinned with: Raleigh Bicycle Company#Raleigh RSW The Raleigh Bicycle Company is a British bicycle manufacturer based in Nottingham , England and founded by Woodhead and Angois in 1885. Using Raleigh as their brand name, it
9785-473: The town. Members of the council elect one of their number as the town's mayor, for a one-year term. The town council declared a climate emergency in March 2019 and has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Statutory local government functions – including schools, roads, social services, emergency planning, leisure services, development control, and waste disposal – are carried out by Wiltshire Council ,
9888-505: The unusual frame, long padded seat with backrest, sprung suspension at the back, high-rise handlebars, and differently sized front (16") and rear (20") wheels. Tyres were wider than usual for the time, with a chunky tread on the rear wheel, featuring red highlights on the sidewall. The price was from approximately £32 for a standard Chopper to £55 for the deluxe. Two smaller versions, the Chipper and Tomahawk , also sold well. The Mk 2 Chopper
9991-470: The use of wide, low-pressure tyres which increased rolling resistance . He also thought large wheels made a bicycle slow and cumbersome to store, and did not easily fit emerging societal commuting patterns in the developed world, which often combined more than one form of transport. Moulton considered that small wheels with high-pressure tyres would result in less rolling resistance, less inertia and hence greater acceleration . He then went on to develop
10094-472: Was acquired by Avon Rubber , a large manufacturer of rubber products for the automotive and other industries, and production continued until 1993. Today, the town is the headquarters of the Alex Moulton bicycle company and has several other small-scale manufacturing enterprises. The town's main business is shopping, tourism and day-to-day servicing of a population largely made up of families, commuters and
10197-475: Was an improved version from 1972. It had the option of five-speed derailleur gears in the United States, but all UK bikes had the 3 speed hub, with the exception of a model introduced in 1973 and only available in a bizarre shade of pink. This model was discontinued in 1976. The Mk 2 had a shorter seat and the frame modified to move the rear of the seat forward, this helped prevent the bike tipping up . The shorter seat also made it harder to ride '2 up' (2 people on
10300-541: Was manufactured by Bridgestone . Known as the Bridgestone Moulton, it was built in Japan and those sold in the UK were assembled in England at the Moulton factory. Like the original Moulton, the AM, and the APB before it, it was available in separable and rigid performance versions. Though similar in appearance to the original design, it was a contemporary performance bicycle with advanced design and components. As of 2015,
10403-460: Was minimal, and Bowden ended up buying most of the public shares. He subsequently supplied virtually all the capital needed to expand the firm. When Frank Bowden got involved with the enterprise, the works comprised three small workshops and a greenhouse. As Woodhead, Angois and Ellis, the firm had expanded round the corner from Raleigh Street into Russell Street, where also stood Clarke's five-storey former lace factory. To enable further expansion of
10506-470: Was produced separately at another small workshop in Bradford-on-Avon and consisted of the Deluxe MS2, Safari MS3, Stowaway MS5 and the top-of-the-range 'S' Speed. After the Raleigh take-over in 1967, the models were just the Major and Major Deluxe, which in turn were dropped with the introduction of the Mark III in 1970. The success of the Moulton spurred competitors to produce their own small wheelers, such as
10609-433: Was used for the production of fuzes . Bicycle production was reduced to approximately 5% of its peacetime capacity. In 1939, Raleigh opened a bicycle factory at 6 Hanover Quay, Dublin, Ireland and commenced bicycle production there. The Raleigh (Ireland) business expanded and moved to 8–11 Hanover Quay, Dublin in 1943. The plant produced complete bicycles and Sturmey-Archer hubs, and remained in production until 1976, when
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