Oh, what a Dream Build, Pete! Absolutely fantastic with some top kit. I've had such good luck with Phil bottom brackets...one of mine has >35,000mi/56,000km on it and is still smooth and tight.
Please keep us posted as this comes together, so we can follow along. If you have trouble posting photos, PM me and I can help.
All the best,
Dan.
ah peter stck some more pic's up i'm drooling at the mouth thinking about all this gear your using. ;D ;)
Well, Pete...this is just a fantastically beautiful build you're doing!
Very, very impressive and a gorgeous result. Every detail done so nicely; you can surely feel proud! Can't wait to see the completed result, but it sure looks good now! My! Thanks so much for sharing it with us; looking forward to more!
By any chance, can you tell us what size frame you chose, and your height? I'm thinking that for others contemplating an order, knowing what size yours is can only help in knowing what to expect.
And, of course, a final question -- have you named him/her/it yet?
So glad to hear you're recovered enough to start planning the next Africa trip -- good on ya! This new bike is the first step on the way...
Best,
Dan.
Pete
That looks like a fantastic build, ultimate in comfort and utility for any kind of roads or trails you might encounter.
IMHO Tonka Yellow is the only choice for a Nomad, it looks fantastic and is simply superior to black.
In terms of naming, should I ever get a Nomad she would be called "Old Yeller" ;D
Friends have said to me Old Yello!Hellyer Yeller ??
But i'm thinking about name it after a mountain pass? That I have been over.
Time to go for 1st test ride!Wonderful, Pete!
Well here are some more Photo's of My new Nomad, Before today's ride!
I keep thinking I want a black one...Then a see the yellow...
The um, yellow one has black lettering. You get both. Choice done. :D
Best,
Dan.
Hi Pete!
It is surely a treat to see a Nomad set-up in proper MTB-touring guise. So many are oriented more toward traditional trekking and Adventure touring with rigid forks and such. This one clearly shows its MTB DNA: Full-sus fork with lockout, the big knobbly tires, Crud Catcher and floating mudguards, and now the test-ride pics! Those fork-mounted mudguards and the Jones 'bars surely look the business -- ready to join Ewan and Charley on the next Long Way Down; bet you'd give their GS motorbikes a run for the money.
You surely built some nice-looking wheels, and I especially like the black Phil hub up front. Looking at your blog, I see you had considered Tout Terrain's The Plug 2 and PAT for your charging needs. How will you handle that now...perhaps a large buffer battery?
And...some proper NZ patches on the bags. Full-approval all-'round, Pete! It looks Africa-ready this very minute. Will the next tour also be with Tour d'Afrique/TdA), or are you going it solo and self-supported? The last go-'round surely looked fabulous, but there's going to be a better ending this time! Rooting for you.
Best,
Dan.
You're just teasing me now with these pics :'(
Hi Pete!
I really like your choice of names for a variety of reasons --
= Truly, a life-changing (life saving!) experience.
= Commemorates an adventurous time.
= Makes lemonade from lemons. a wonderful *healthy* adventure this time thanks to the help of others last time.
= That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger (and this is a good reminder).
= Reminds you of your time in Africa...and a nice touchstone for your return, now recovered.
Yes! I think "Amref" sounds great for all those reasons! Besides, it has an exotic tone to it wholly consistent with an adventure bike like the Nomad. Wonderful choice!
All the best,
Dan.
Oh...wow. Wow!
Amref just keeps getting better and better, Pete, and the number plate pretty much adds icing to the cake. I keep telling you...give Charley and Ewan a run for their money on the next Long Way Down.
Stunning, especially in its "natural habitat".
To paraphrase Oliver Twist, "Please, Sir, we want more"!
Best,
Dan.
I will be changing to the Thorn Forks from time to time!
fantastic pic's Pete what a country to ride and your nomad is sure at home in that terrain magic.
couple questions what's the stoty with the number up front did i miss that and what saddle bag are you using, it look like the kind og bag i'm after .
anyway keep the pic's coming there class. ;)
Hi Pete
may I ask if that is a Brooks Champion flyer you have there? if so does it work for you for vibes and bumps? In many ways it looks like a nicer solution than a suspension seat post (cheaper, simpler, less moving parts etc).
Thanks in anticipation
Ian
Hicustom bags huh guess it's who you know what ::) Pete the reason i asked i bought the carradice bag support to use to support the camper bag which works great when the bag is full but not so good when only carrying a light load, the bag is to wide and it flops on either side of rack (not so good) your bag look spot on. ;)
Well in New Zealand you have to have a Number Plate on your car, etc, and on your Bicycle :P
Ha Ha
I have been until today running my "Mountain Bike Club" race number as people I come across ask where I'm from? so that is why.
::) My saddle Bag is one of my custom bag's made for me by a good friend, off my Africa bike after this years "Tour d'Afrique" I worked out the design and he made them up. I'm thing to have a new custom bag made up (I'm working on the design) to fit down the back of the seat tube :) for my tool's and maybe one tube.
Pete.....
;)
That's a Carradice Junior. It is a nice size, not huge but still you can get a lot in there. The sides and bottom are not stiff.Thanks for that jim ,wonder would it be a hassle to stiffen bottom and sides of that bag, i think it cost £55 so don't want to but another lame duck ::)
Pete your a dark horse adventure cyclist bag designer first class buddy really well done love that saddle bag , does it open up at the back fully or is their a lid on it cant quiet make out how it opens up.but it certainly looks class.
cheers
jags.
Hi Pete,
What do you think of those Jones H bars?
I was thinking of some for my mountain bike for what we call Rough stuff riding.
They seem to give several different hand positions even stretched out if needed?
Cheers Steve
oops hope your OK Pete, were you taking that hairpin at top speed 8).
well Pete 4 kph is obviously to fast for ya. ;D ;D
only joking buddy when our great hero Sean Kelly fell in the tour de france and broke his collar bone he was only doing 5mph so you gotta be thinking all the time when cycling ;)
say Pete have you made any videos on your adventures love to see that country of yours.
I got my Free Garmin TOPO OZ & NZ data card for My new Garmin GPSMAP 62s at last it's great...And Free! Free is always good! That's a great GPS you got, Pete, and will do you in good stead. Very popular with geocachers due to its accuracy and ease of use -- both sterling qualities for Adventure touring, especially when one is fatigued or conditions are poor. Good on ya!
...(can find my way home)Yay! That means we'll be hearing more about your adventures...
And Free! Free is always good! That's a great GPS you got, Pete, and will do you in good stead. Very popular with geocachers due to its accuracy and ease of use -- both sterling qualities for Adventure touring, especially when one is fatigued or conditions are poor. Good on ya!Yay! That means we'll be hearing more about your adventures...
So looking forward to Africa for you, Pete!
All the best,
Dan.
Ohh, Pete...it didn't show up. Take a look at embedding image tags (Method 2) here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4313.0 and I think it'll pop right up as you wish.
'Always nice to see pics of that lovely yellow Nomad in your scenic locale!
All the best,
Dan. (...Can't wait to see it! Sun, warming...sounds really good right now with flooding expected in my area this weekend)
Life will go OnYes, disappointing, I know, but you've bigger things ahead in your future, so a bit of a wait now or even a rescheduling for a much later date is probably better in the long run.
Tom and I are still rolling along. its Love...Good, better than best, Pete. I was wondering how you two were getting along. Any recent mini-tours? Some more trail riding?
Interesting front mudguard set up in your second pic Pete. Any chance of a close up shot??
Looks absolutely tailor-made for the purpose, Pete. Please, can you also tell us about the rear mudguard as well?
Thanks!
Best,
Dan. (...whose opinions about mud are closely guarded)
What's that with the candy bar squares on the saddle frame, Pete? Does it really stay in place till eaten or am I missing something?
I hope this help's, Why not a STD Fender?
Because there is too little room to fit under my V-Brake cross cable with 2.3" Mountain Bike Tyre.
Interesting ??? I had no huge difficulty with the 2.3" Schwalbe Marathon Mondials, using a 55mm SKS Chromoplastic mudguuard. Just adjusted the stay-mounts out a bit from the setting for the 1.75" tyres, and shortened the spacers on the rear wheel.
Nice pix Pete.
The way you parked your bike in the railings at Huka Falls reminded me of that Billy Connolly joke where the guy kills his wife, buries her in the back garden but left her bum sticking out of the ground.
Somewhere to park his bike.
:D
Hi Tom
Just wondering how you are getting on with the Nomad, especially in relation to running both a suspension fork and the solid fork. Have you come to a favorite yet or is it a case of the right fork for the right job?
My first foray into mountain biking in the mid 80's was without suspension so know it is do-able. Just wondering how you have found the comparison
Cheers
Andy
My! What fabulous scenery and country, Pete. Like Il Padrone Pete, I'd be interested to hear how suitable those tracks are for loaded touring with conventional tourers and such. From what I can see in the photos, they look pretty viable -- I'll be right over! ;)
Best,
Dan.
looks only fantastic but a long way to go for a bike ride. ;D
Pete,
Loved the atlas. Would have been better if the United Counties of Texas was shown. ;D
I guess your now known as being from up upper? I had not thought about it before, but being always from down under is kind of like having your last name start with a Z. :-\
Tom
Who loves the looks of your Tom. Especially the front guards you had with the sus forks.
Hi All,Looks great, wish it had been there when I lived in the South Island for four years from 1998. The bridge crossings look fun, and the shot of the bungy jump at the Kawerau brought back memories..
Here is part of the New NZ Trail Network ;D Yes its mouth wetting 8)
https://vimeo.com/61750786 (https://vimeo.com/61750786)
I'm planning to cycle about the South Island later this year (which this trail is one I'm planning to ride)
Pete . .
:-*
Looks great, wish it had been there when I lived in the South Island for four years from 1998. The bridge crossings look fun, and the shot of the bungy jump at the Kawerau brought back memories..
Must go and have a look for a map of these new trails.
The only thing that I have not got is a good set of Cook Pots?...Any idea's?Hi Pete!
I ordered a few [Click-Stands]Did you choose different colors so they are keyed to each configuration/use, or go with all the same so you can choose by length? In either case, Tom Nostrant will be delighted!
You all have too wait, Because I do...Aww, no! :( We want it now...just like you do! ;D
I'm looking to come up with a better park brake then the band that come's with a Click StandPete, I have just the thing for you: http://www.bikebrake.com/
So if your in NZ come along and see meThanks for the invitation, Pete -- I'd enjoy taking a ride with you! ;D Same to you if you ever make it up this way.
they seem to do One Thing Only.Nuh-uh! The company's ad copy says they make a dandy money clip. ;) Hmm. Dunno if I'd want to try that or not, but it would be a way to store a spare BikeBrake among my touring credit cards, bills, etc in my wallet in my handlebar bag.
Oh! I spy, with my little eye...something clamped to the front loop of your Jones bar...something besides the bell. Whazzit? ???
All the best,
Dan.
Strange and wonderful things!
Nice sky!!
J.
Wellllll, free men are free to choose theirpoisontransport... Reckon that "Tom" wd do just fine on that track, Pete, and you could look at the skies while you ride, without (re-)endangering your ribs. And you prob wouldn't have to bother with shinpads either! Glad you're better, though -- at a certain age, healing takes a bit longer.
J.
why. ::)
Jeezo! :o
What a beast!
May I ask what kind of chain you use?
x2 together?
Matt
Hey guys! ;D
An ever-so-gentle reminder Thorn have kindly and generously provided this space for us as a mutual resource with company support, so the focus is primarily on Thorns and their related uses and employment; in payment, we should be thoughtful to keep things generally Thorn-centered brandwise except where they might overlap in content (i.e. Rohloff gearing, general touring, etc.) else it become yet another General Bike Forum.
This is a lovely bike and an outstandingly attractive build, Pete, of which you can be proud. Ideally suited to purpose, you've got a corker of a ride for your new business; all best luck in the new venture.
All the best,
Dan.
Pete,
That Middleburn chainring with your name/logo is really something, and an awfully good theft deterrent. I had much the same thought when I engraved the quill handlebar stems or cranks on some of my other bikes for personalization and theft deterrence. Things like stems and chainrings are essential components, cannot be immediately removed (it takes a bit of work, and must be replaced for the bike to function), and would require a thief to put in a bit of effort to disguise their ill-gotten gains.
Besides, it looks really nice.
Best,
Dan.
I dearly wish Thorn had something like this among their offerings...biplate fork crown, .9/.6/.9 tubing, Rohloff or derailleur gearing, and experience building tandems that might well carry over.
Best,
Dan.
As an aside, I am trying out a B17 Select on my RST and a Brooks Team Professional on my audax bike because standard B17s are just too soft these days.<nods> I've found this myself, and long for the days when the Standards were "harder" than they are now. I have a B.17 Champion Special I got some years ago, and it has remained nice and stiff with the slightly domed shape I prefer...apparently due to the thicker cut of leather used by Brooks when making it. It is a nice darkened honey color with chrome rails, but unfortunately not ideal in appearance for transfer to the Nomad.
So...the Big Questions: What happens to your Brooks collection? And will you take these new "fitting lessons" and apply them to your other bikes as well?
Best,
Dan.
I can't help wondering how a saddle that is too wide would cause a problem ???
That's one looking mean machine be sure to clean it after a hard days riding. 8)
what a country what a bike both stunning.
O' No I have not cleaned Tom in weeks! I hope Dan does not note this? (I maybe black listed!)Oh, not a chance of blacklisting, Pete! Tom's a handsome fellow, the moreso for a little honest dirt-of-use upon him; 'never looked finer in my view.
Theres a man happy at his work how often does that happen.
jags.
am alive, life is getting better and better...Do not wait until it's too late... Live..
What is wrong with 26 inch tires for bikepacking? Or is it the weight of the Nomad?
A frame bag can fit nicely in the Nomad too.
Odd looking fork.