Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Member's Gallery => Topic started by: bikerta on May 07, 2014, 10:38:20 pm
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Well at last I am now a fully fledged member of the Thorn Club. I picked up my new Sherpa this morning from SJS. I was very pleased with the excellent service from Steve, who dealt with me right from the very first visit, guiding me through all the options to the final fitting today. He was very patient, even when I still added little bits and pieces which he quickly fitted. Nothing was too much trouble. I had a good test ride on the bike, when final adjustments were made and then I was shown any basic maintenance required on the bike.
I was pleased to see that I can actually remove my wheel without having to let down the tyre or remove the brake pad as there is already enough clearance even with the 2.0 Marathon Duremes. It was however a very tight fit getting it into my Ford Ka, but we got there in the end. I would have ridden it the 40 miles or so home, but I had to get back to work.
I had another 10 mile ride tonight and I have to say I am over the moon with the bike. It is lighter than I expected, faster than I expected and so stable. This is the sort of bike that encourages you to ride with no hands!!! It was the best feeling coasting down the steep hills, without being thrown around. I was also very pleased with how she climbed the hills. Not that they were huge hills, but one hill was where I use the lowest gear with the older bikes I have been training with the last couple of weeks, and I never even came out of the middle ring on the Sherpa. I am pleased with how the tyres roll even though they are pretty chunky and I really like the handlebar set up. Whether this cures my neck and shoulder problems or not I am yet to find out as I have not had the chance of a long enough ride yet. I think the bars will certainly help though.
Some unpleasant weather heading our way tomorrow, but I hope to have a longer ride over the weekend, but I don't want to get the bike dirty just yet. Sad isn't it. Even more sad is that the bike is in my bedroom at the moment rather than the garage. :-[
I took a few pictures very quickly this afternoon before I had to dash back to work.
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p521/jackieyorke/ThornSherpa006_zpsee458a2e.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p521/jackieyorke/ThornSherpa001_zps69c57c78.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p521/jackieyorke/ThornSherpa002_zpsff775f68.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p521/jackieyorke/ThornSherpa003_zps884b8715.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p521/jackieyorke/ThornSherpa014_zpsca8d8172.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p521/jackieyorke/ThornSherpa004_zps3dfe7db3.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p521/jackieyorke/ThornSherpa012_zpsd034e515.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p521/jackieyorke/ThornSherpa008_zps85220cb1.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p521/jackieyorke/ThornSherpa013_zps68dba5f2.jpg)[/URL]
(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p521/jackieyorke/ThornSherpa010_zps6b7dbbb6.jpg)[/URL]
P.S. I know my garden needs weeding, but I don't have time for mundane things like that when I have a new bike to ride.
Jackie
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Nothing can really top a new bike - especially something as fun to ride as a Sherpa!
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Looks fantastic - you'll really enjoy it!
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Ah Jackie fair play to you thats a cracking bike for sure CLASS 8).
as i said before it took me a while to get used to my sherpa only because i was used to riding road bikes, but man i love the all day comfort on her, my brooks was like sitting on a comfy sofa ;D and the wide supreams just glided along,yeah truly a bike for all your cycling needs, end to end will be a breeze on that beauti.happy trails and keep her clean and be sure to proof that saddle leave it on overnight buff to a shine next morning rub it in with your hand best way to do it.
jags.
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Even more sad is that the bike is in my bedroom at the moment rather than the garage. :-[
Jackie
Congratulations - fabulous looking bike, enjoy some great rides now.
Bedrooms can be quite useful, I once built a sailing dinghy in my second bedroom.
Had to get the window altered to be removeable - otherwise the boat was housebound!
Julian.
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Congratulations - fabulous looking bike, enjoy some great rides now.
Bedrooms can be quite useful, I once built a sailing dinghy in my second bedroom.
Had to get the window altered to be removeable - otherwise the boat was housebound!
Julian.
;D ;D ;D nice one julian .
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Wow! Great looking bike, Jackie -- love the red! Enjoy exploring, safe journeys,
John
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Jackie!
I was gone for most of the afternoon, so didn't see your post until returned home. What a treat to see you've got your bike at last!
Annnnnnnnnnnnd...! What a bike it is! The red color just glows and it is a lovely build. All looks so eager and elegant and ready to fly -- as I now you will when riding it. This is joy pure and simple, dreams fulfilled, and I'm so happy for you!
It just *couldn't* look any nicer! ;D
I'm so hoping the weather will cooperate so you can get some more riding in by this weekend, at least. No worries about the garden or the bedroom. My own lawn went unmowed for a week after Sherpa arrived and he lived in my bedroom as well and eventually graduated to the fireplace hearth, now occupied by Seymour the Nomad. It felt disloyal to even consider stabling them in the garage! :D
May many happy journeys pass beneath your wheels, and all best wishes on your own big tour, soon to come.
Dan.
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Lovely bike, Jackie - good luck with it.
A very similar setup to my Ripio - thumbies, steerer tube left pretty long (people often comment on it but it suits me!), and, as you say, the feeling that the bike will look after you.
Lewis
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Fabulous bike. Are they Thorn straight bars and ergon, er gp5s?!
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Jackie,
Well done on the new purchase, and I heartily agree with not wanting to ride it in the wet. My Nomad is now 4 months and 4000km old and I still won't ride it in the rain if I can at all help it! (I have a couple of times when I just couldn't avoid it) but made sure I cleaned it very carefully on my return.
Got my first puncture today while riding down a fast-ish wet descent, and took 30 minutes to get going again!
These days if it is raining I leave the bike inside (in my spare bedroom!) and go for a bush walk instead. I only have one bike in my spare bedroom, but 25 years ago I had seven would you believe! Although... I do believe there could be room in my spare room for a faster bike (faster than the Nomad) for quicker day rides.
Tony
NZ
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all my bikes down through the years lived in my hallway nice and warm and dry.outside yeah right not on your nelly. ;)
jackie is gone quiet either shes at work dreaming of a good spin on the new machine or she rang in sick and is out having fun with a big wide grin on her face.
jags. ;)
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Hi, Jackie.
Well worth the wait , it looks stunning. Totally delighted for you. Happy trails.
Best Wishes, Alfie.
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I bet now you have got it the price does not quite seem as important.
It looks spiffing and I am sure it will be a great companion for years to come. I think most people who try one are surprised how quick and light the sherpa is with 2" tyres compared to preconseptions.
Best of luck and many happy miles together
Andy
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Hi Jackie
Congratulations on your new Sherpa. Your joy is clear to see.
I just wondered, how often do you waken during the night to have a sneak peek at it?
Happy cycling.
Jim
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...how often do you waken during the night to have a sneak peek at it?
I did/do that! Went out the livingroom to see if it was still there by the fireplace and to pet it occasionally so it wouldn't feel lonely before the morning ride. :D Seymour the Nomad gets similar treatment, still.
Best,
Dan.
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Lovely! Glad you like it!
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Thanks for all the great comments. Have gone quiet on the site as I have been working long hours which is really annoying, so no riding today. Can't wait until the weekend.
Did stare at the bike for ages before going off to sleep last night.
The bars are the Thorn Flat Tracker, which have a 5 degree pull back I think, so not completely straight and yes you are right they are the Ergon GP5s. The bars have been cut to 580mm and they feel just about right for the width. I just feel so much more confident on the bike than I did on the Dawes and definitely easier to control with the straight bars. I have got a bike computer to fit, so I can keep track of the mileage and also a Carradice Barley bag for short day trips.
I then need to look out for some front panniers. I have the yellow Ortlieb classic rear panniers and handlebar bag, so will probably get the same for the front. I also need a front light as I could not afford to go for a Son Hub set up. The money aspect is a huge commitment, but as you say it does feel less important now I have the bike.
I know that if I look after the frame, then the bike could be a friend for many, many years.
Jackie
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its a cracker best of luck with it.as for lights i have the cateye HDL540 great light very wide bright bean much better that dynamo ,but yeah its rechargable no big deal, try rose bikes or bike discount for best price also cateye tail light is fantastic if get the links to both i'l post them up.
happy trails.
jags.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv4E07Rn55Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzYmSGCEoGk
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the bike could be a friend for many, many years
Jackie, there's a review of five years with a Sherpa on crazyguy which confirms your sense of things to come: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/reviews/board/message/?o=1&thread_id=565525&page=1&nested=0&v=14
'Mongst other things, Graham says he wishes he'd had a red bike! (Of course, now he has, tho' not a Sherpa.) Reckon your Sherpa, like my Raven, will take you pretty much anywhere you choose to go.
Cheers,
John
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Happy cycling! ;D
FYI I picked up a used Shimano dynohub on Alex rims for £20 on e-bay. Yes, cheap rims, yes a Shimano has more drag but with 36 spoke wheels you can't really go wrong. Has helped me happily through the very dark greenway routes to see my wee man.
You do pay a weight/drag penalty, if your routes aren't too long Light and Motion lights are excellent and have a sidelight to be more visible to cars.