The Moulton SST 22 Potenza mixes the quintessentially British Moulton with a little Italian flair in the form of Campagnolo. You can define the gearing to suit your personal preference with either a 'Sport' (29-108" range) or the 'Touring' (26-99" range) option providing a lower for easier climbing; both use Moulton's own custom rear hub and special 10-28 tooth rear sprocket marking one of the SST's specification upgrades over a Moulton TSR. Quality finishing components complete the build specification to produce a machine that makes a perfect entry into the world of Moulton Bicycles.
The SST Frame
The Moulton SST is essentially a development of the Moulton TSR frame so is 100% comparable in in ride but features a few key details that set it apart;
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Lighter weight rear triangle with round tapered chain stay and lighter small section 'upright tube'.
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Redesigned fork featuring a redesigned 'stirrup' block to reduce weight (and does much to improve the aesthetic of the SST fork over the TSR fork).
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New chain stay 'X' cross brace.
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Stainless steel front and rear dropouts.
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Hand brazed from a mix of Columbus and Reynolds 525 CroMo steel.
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Finished by Moulton Bicycles in Bradford-on-Avon.
Interestingly, the Alfine SST model is also the very first Moulton bicycle to feature a disc brake.
For many the draw of a Moulton that is finished by the factory is enough to justify the SST over the TSR (due to them crossing the threshold of the Bradford-on-Avon hallowed ground!) but in our opinion it makes much more sense to justify the SST on the basis of the frame details. The SST is a svelter looking bicycle than the TSR and although the weight saving isn't huge, the detailing is something that sets the SST apart. The skinnier chain stays and smoother front fork are more akin to Moulton models that sit higher in their range, while the stainless steel dropouts make an attractive detail with the practical benefit of no 'damaged paint' when placing a wheel into the bike.
The SST Suspension
An important aspect to the Moulton principle is the integration of suspension to the front and rear of the bicycle allowing the wheels to be smaller by isolating the rider from the vibration that could otherwise become uncomfortable on a small wheeled bike. The suspension itself is inherently quite simple at first glance which is the beauty of it, however it's the refinement that marks Dr Alex Moulton's engineering prowess.
At the front a two piece leading link fork can be tailored to rider weight and riding style by increasing or decreasing the preset compression on the spring using an external adjuster. Dampening can be customised to rider preference by the simple adjusting of the tightness of the leading link plates (connecting the bottoms of the fork legs).
The rear suspension is provided by means of a rubber 'Monosphere' that adeptly reacts to the smallest of undulations with simple subtlety. Although not manually adjustable, the Monosphere naturally ramps up the level of dampening through it's compression to provide a smooth linear feel to the suspension travel while riding providing that 'magic carpet' gliding sensation.
Our Verdict
Generally the Moulton SST is most likely to be compared to the TSR on which it is based rather than the more expensive AM and New Series which represent quite a significant jump in price. On this basis the decision is really whether the additional features of the SST are worth the extra, particularly as there is little to set the bikes apart in terms of the ride.
Personally we would say if you want a Moulton for practical reasons (to use as a purely functional commute bike for example) then the difference in price may be better spent on accessorising a TSR to suit how you plan to use it. If however this is more of an emotive proposition and you want a Moulton to love and cherish then we would say go for it. You'll appreciate the additional detailing to the frame and there are definitely fewer SST's around so the difference in price will have little relevance over the years of ownership and enjoyment.