Author Topic: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury  (Read 7742 times)

DaveHughes

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« on: May 31, 2016, 11:05:04 am »
After many weeks lurking as I learnt from your collective wisdom, I finally ordered and am now the proud owner of a Thorn Mercury.  So thank you for all your advice (not that you knew you were providing it) and here's a picture of my steed.

Cheers

Dave

geocycle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1318
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2016, 11:52:56 am »
Welcome Dave, what an entrance top the forum!  Great build and colour scheme.
 

JimK

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1652
    • Interdependent Science
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2016, 12:10:52 pm »
Looks like grand fun! Tell us some stories about where you go with it!

in4

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1716
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2016, 12:12:08 pm »
Welcome Dave and also to your fine winged messenger. Those red hubs really set the bike off.

DaveHughes

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2016, 02:00:08 pm »
Thanks - yet again I have a bike where the limiting factor is not the bike....  Lets hope I am more 'Mercury' and less 'Mr Magoo'

 ;D

John Saxby

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2002
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2016, 02:43:25 pm »
Very nice, Dave, and welcome.  The red accents, hubs and light, set off the black very well.  Look forward to ride reports and more photos -- enjoy!

Danneaux

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8232
  • reisen statt rasen
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2016, 02:45:06 pm »
Welcome, Dave!

I myself lurked for many years before officially joining the Thorn Forum. Welcome!

You've a lovely new machine, and I look forward to seeing photos of it in action.

Best,

Dan.

Tiberius

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 159
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2016, 06:29:19 pm »
Welcome aboard Dave !!

lovely looking bike there, and I'm not just saying it.

I have attached a couple of pics' of My Surly Troll............

They do say that 'Great minds think alike'...... 8)

Matt2matt2002

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1894
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2016, 06:48:21 pm »
Great snap, Dave. Thanks.
Looks a nippy beast.
Do I spy a blue ' Speedo'? What do you use?
Rear disc and normal up front.
Is this the norm now or did you specify them?
Going to keep it clean or add a rear rack?
Did you collect it or have it posted?

Ah, the joys of other folks bikes!😀
Never drink and drive. You may hit a bump  and spill your drink

DaveHughes

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2016, 08:36:20 am »
Welcome aboard Dave !!

lovely looking bike there, and I'm not just saying it.

I have attached a couple of pics' of My Surly Troll............

They do say that 'Great minds think alike'...... 8)

Indeed - what a fine colour scheme sir!

Dave

DaveHughes

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2016, 08:43:34 am »
Great snap, Dave. Thanks.
Looks a nippy beast.
Do I spy a blue ' Speedo'? What do you use?
Rear disc and normal up front.
Is this the norm now or did you specify them?
Going to keep it clean or add a rear rack?
Did you collect it or have it posted?

Ah, the joys of other folks bikes!😀

The beast is nippy, the beast's rider has some work to do....

The blue is actually the release mechanism for my Quadlock mount for my iPhone ( http://www.quadlockcase.co.uk/products/out-front-mount ) as I use that as my bike computer (powered via buffer battery which sits in the top tube bag from the hub)

In terms of the brakes, they were recommended and makes a lot of sense to me - I like the combination.  I didn't want to go with two disc brakes as slightly harder to fix on the road but one gives good stopping power in crappy conditions (assuming you throw your weight back!)

I went down to SJS a couple of times as I was lucky enough to only be working about 30 minutes away.  Once to spec it up and get it sized right and then once to collect it.  Overall a very good experience.

DaveHughes

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2016, 08:48:17 am »
Great snap, Dave. Thanks.
Looks a nippy beast.
Do I spy a blue ' Speedo'? What do you use?
Rear disc and normal up front.
Is this the norm now or did you specify them?
Going to keep it clean or add a rear rack?
Did you collect it or have it posted?

Ah, the joys of other folks bikes!😀

I forgot - as for a rack, I am uncertain.  I do a bit of long distance walking and wild camping and over the years I have stripped my camping gear to a fairly light load.  I haven't tried but I should be able to cope with a decent saddle bag and possibly a bar bag for everything.

DaveHughes

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 14
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #12 on: June 06, 2016, 10:26:45 am »
And in fit of enthusiasm (and in advance of some hilly cycling), managed to change my chain ring, shorten the chain and work out how to get the tension right using the eccentric.  Given that my normal bike fettling results in a pile of bits and a realisation that I am missing a key tool, I am in shock.  Time for a lie down methinks

Dave

Mike Ayling

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 283
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2016, 10:15:05 am »
Great snap, Dave. Thanks.
Looks a nippy beast.
Do I spy a blue ' Speedo'? What do you use?
Rear disc and normal up front.
Is this the norm now or did you specify them?
Going to keep it clean or add a rear rack?
Did you collect it or have it posted?

Ah, the joys of other folks bikes!😀

The beast is nippy, the beast's rider has some work to do....

The blue is actually the release mechanism for my Quadlock mount for my iPhone ( http://www.quadlockcase.co.uk/products/out-front-mount ) as I use that as my bike computer (powered via buffer battery which sits in the top tube bag from the hub)

In terms of the brakes, they were recommended and makes a lot of sense to me - I like the combination.  I didn't want to go with two disc brakes as slightly harder to fix on the road but one gives good stopping power in crappy conditions (assuming you throw your weight back!)

I went down to SJS a couple of times as I was lucky enough to only be working about 30 minutes away.  Once to spec it up and get it sized right and then once to collect it.  Overall a very good experience.

I also have a Mercury.

I would have been quite happy with V brakes fore and aft but Thorn only offer the rear disc or a caliper which is only siutable for tyres up to 28mm. I am running 32mm so I am stuck with the rear Avid BB7.

Otherwise its a great bike.

Mike


ian.mccolm

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 6
Re: Time to stop lurking - my new Thorn Mercury
« Reply #14 on: June 24, 2016, 12:40:46 am »
Stunning bike!  I've got a Nomad but have been thinking of getting a Mercury too.... Same build style as your own...   How much does it weigh, if you don't mind me asking...  Just so I can compare it to my Nomad.

Thanks,

Ian