Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Member's Gallery => Topic started by: John Saxby on May 07, 2014, 04:14:18 am
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With the arrival of a late and very cool spring, and after an incubation lasting through an old-time winter and then some, my New Raven has finally hatched!
A week ago I picked up my bike from Tall Tree Cycles, my excellent LBS in west-central Ottawa, and rode it home. I had deliberately left a few details to be added/finalized in my workshop—mounting my handlebar bag, the rear rack and tail light, and finding a suitable seat-bag for my toolkit; hooking up my headlight to the SON28 dynahub; wrapping the bars with tape and gel pads; und so weiter.
The bike and I were confined to barracks by a long list of domestic chores (the product of a month away in southern Africa and the UK) and several days of cold spring rains, which the tulips liked but I did not. So the Raven sat quietly in my basement workshop, patiently awaiting the arrival of Shiny Bits so beloved by its kind. Over several evenings I installed the headlamp using a linkage made from mounting hardware from another front rack; hooked up the wiring (having made the various in-line connections during the winter) and was delighted to see a bright beam when I spun the front wheel; mounted the rear rack & tail light, padded and wrapped the bars, and added a nice shiny VO brass bell.
Then, this past Saturday, the rain eased in late afternoon, so I took the bike on a short ride along the Ottawa River, just 10 minutes or so from our house. A chance for me to check the sizing and placement of bars and saddle, and to try out the Rohloff in gentle conditions, unloaded, and far from headwinds and 14% gradients.
First, a few photos from my non-expedition:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/czakdxf6x77mtpp/Westboro%20Beach%2C%20rt%20front%20qtr.JPG (https://www.dropbox.com/s/czakdxf6x77mtpp/Westboro%20Beach%2C%20rt%20front%20qtr.JPG)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/egxpqs7d3y7cnjc/Bars%20profile%20fm%20left%20rear%20qtr.JPG (https://www.dropbox.com/s/egxpqs7d3y7cnjc/Bars%20profile%20fm%20left%20rear%20qtr.JPG)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vhapk45wel2g051/Bars%2C%20shifter%2C%20bell%20closeup%20fr%20rt%20rear%20qtr.jpg (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vhapk45wel2g051/Bars%2C%20shifter%2C%20bell%20closeup%20fr%20rt%20rear%20qtr.jpg)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/egxpqs7d3y7cnjc/Bars%20profile%20fm%20left%20rear%20qtr.JPG (https://www.dropbox.com/s/egxpqs7d3y7cnjc/Bars%20profile%20fm%20left%20rear%20qtr.JPG)
Other people find other ways to enjoy the river:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ektl7bb4ry86enf/River%20surfer%20in%20standing%20waves%2C%20N%20to%20Qc%20shore.JPG (https://www.dropbox.com/s/ektl7bb4ry86enf/River%20surfer%20in%20standing%20waves%2C%20N%20to%20Qc%20shore.JPG)
Some riding impressions:
• I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how light the bike is – maybe a half-kilo more than my ti-framed Eclipse, with comparable equipment, around 31 – 32 lbs (our ancient scale is calibrated in lbs.)
• The sizing seems just right, especially the placement of the handlebars, which is where I’ve made the major change from past practice. The bars are VO’s Grand Cru rando bars, the widest available at 50 cms c-to-c across the ends of the flared drops. They’re just less than 46 cms (padded and taped) behind the hoods – that width in turn is slightly less than my shoulders, so—lo!—I don’t feel cramped at all. Combined with the lack of stuff on my bars, the feeling is one of spaciousness. In addition, the bars are now about 20-25 mm above my saddle, and with the saddle-to-stem-clamp distance unchanged, I sit slightly more upright, when my hands are in my default position on the outside of the upper curves, just aft of the hoods. That higher placement of the bars means that, when I’m on the drops, I’m also slightly more upright, but I can choose to bend further down if the headwinds require that. Otherwise, the drops are quite comfy to use as a secondary position, and I think I’ll use them more frequently than I have done on my Eclipse. With these changes in the height of the bars and their greater width, my knees are now inside my elbows and well below them too. And, when I’m on the hoods, I can bend my elbows more.
The height of the bars relative to the saddle is evident here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kgy57d7154nn316/Bate%20Isl%20twds%20downtown%20-%202.JPG (https://www.dropbox.com/s/kgy57d7154nn316/Bate%20Isl%20twds%20downtown%20-%202.JPG)
• The Rohloff shifts nicely—cleanly, with a soft click, and easily, whether I turn the shifter “door-knob” style or with my wrist at 90 deg to the shifter and T-bar. The ratios seems as I expected – around town, with Ottawa’s combination of hills and flats, I expect I’ll use 8-9-10-11 most of the time. (I’m running a 38 x 17 chainring & sprocket.) Will see what the Gatineau Hills across the river require, when I make some time to go there—next weekend, perhaps? The Rohloff isn’t especially noisy—the freewheel clicks audibly in the upper range, but I’ve heard expensive trick plastic bikes with louder ones.
A summary of the specs, then. You’ll see that much of this is standard Thorn spec:
Frameset and forks: Thorn Raven 565S with ST1 forks, matte black, seat post & FSA headset; and short- and long-reach T-bars.
Saddle: My Brooks B 17 Premium dark brown, with copper rivets, now three years old & nicely broken it.
Rims: Velocity Cliffhanger 26”, 32h black, machined sidewalls, silver stainless spokes
Hubs: SON28 front, Rolhoff 500 OEM1 rear
Tires: Currently, Schwalbe Marathon 26 x 1.75 – to be replaced by 26 x 1.6 Supremes, on order & due this week.
Fenders: VO Zeppelin 650B x 52 mm fluted alloy. We couldn’t get the Honjo 650B items, nor any 26” alloy fenders in the 52 mm size. (I prefer alloy fenders to the chromoplastic items.) The Zeppelins provide a *lot* of coverage. Mudflaps are also VO items, dark brown. The one on the front has already been trimmed back, and I’ll cut it back some more to give a bit more ground clearance.
Handlebars: VO Grand Cru randonneur bars, 50 cms wide at drop ends; Cinelli cork gel tape, with Fizik gel pads beneath.
Stem: 100 mm, slight rise (deg to be checked.)
Brakes: Deore V-brakes, garden variety black, with Koolstop dual compound pads
Levers: Tektro RH520
BB: Shimano 118 mm square taper
Chainring: Surly stainless, 38 T 5-bolt pattern
Cranks and spider: Stronglight XD2 (from Spa Cycles), 170 mm arms, stainless bolts all round
Pedals: Keo Look road, the mid-range items, not the $170 ones…Mated to a pair of new Sidi Mega Genius shoes, suitably black-grey-silver, pricey but soooo comfortable.
Chain: XMC 8-99
Headlight: Trelock Duo 40
Tail light: Portland Design Works Radbot 1000 battery-powered.
Front Rack: Arkel low-rider (takes T-28 panniers, 14 ltrs each)
Handlebar bag/mounts: Arkel small (7.5 ltrs)
Rear rack: Topeak Tourist DX (takes T-42 panniers, 21 ltrs each)
Seat bag: Topeak Aero Wedge large
There are one or two items still to be added. I have a Hebie chainglider (hence the 38T Surly chainring) which I’ll fit before my Euro-trek in Denmark & Sweden in late summer—or earlier, if we have a wet summer here. My SON28 hub has piggyback lugs, so that I can power a Sinewave charger, and I have to figure out the best place to mount that—perhaps on the right-hand alloy mounting bracket for my Arkel h/bar bag. I’ll also check my headlamp beam & perhaps reposition the light a little higher—currently, the lowest part of the beam just touches the uppermost part of the brace between the two sides of my front rack. For security, I’ve upgraded my lock to an Abus folding item, and will ponder adding Atomic22 locking skewers for my precious hubs. (Happily, I’ve also just learned that my insurance company will upgrade my existing insurance for my bikes—part of our house insurance—to cover the replacement cost of my Raven for a little over $50/year.)
A lot of people have taken a part in getting this bike built and on the road. My thanks to so many contributors to the Thorn Forum – your advice, good humour and common courtesy—well, not so common these days—have been invaluable. I learned about lurking problems I had never even imagined; and solutions to them as well! SJSC staff members welcomed me when I visited in March 2013, and handled my partial order (frameset and forks) very well, even though I’m sure they’d have much rather sold me a complete bike. I received good service as well from online suppliers in the UK and Europe: Starbike in Germany; XXCycle in France; Spa Cycles in Yorkshire. The guys at Tall Tree Cycles in Ottawa were helpful and welcoming as always. And they offered a nice observation about the finished product: “Quite a special, quirky bike. If you didn’t know what you were looking at, you wouldn’t give it a second look. If you did know what it was, you’d be really impressed.” Then, there is the collector of ex-comp big English singles near Hamilton, who bought my rebuilt mid-50’s AJS scrambler last year, for the price of a Raven. Marcia, my wife, bless her remains remarkably tolerant of my obsession with two-wheelers.
Oh yes, the name of da boid: Not so straightforward as one might think. Something to do with travelling, voyaging, etc.—channelling St Christopher, patron saint of travellers? (Or St Jude, ditto of lost causes?) (Or no saints at all, thank you very much, secular as I am.) Stan Rogers’ songs are full of wonderful images and and the poetry of everyday speech, but don’t lend themselves so well to one-word titles for bikes: “To find the hand of Franklin/reaching for the Beaufort Sea”; or “It’s at Portage and Main/You’ll see them again/On their way to the hills of Alberta.” Much the same is true of Ian Tyson’s “Summer Wages”. So, after some rummaging around in my stock of allusions, illusions & metaphors, with helpful feedback from Dan, I settled on “Osibisa”, the name of the Ghanaian/UK band whose song “Woyaya” was an anthem at a formative time in my life (in Southern Africa, some 30 years ago): “Now the road may be rocky and steep/But we will get there/Heaven knows how we will get there/We know we will!” Dan pointed out that “Osibisa” can be neatly shortened to “Osi”. (And a Brazilian might call it “Osinho”.) So, Osi it is. (And I can still sing my songs by Stan when riding, “Tracing one warm line/In a land so wide and savage...” or Ian Tyson’s, “Through those grey fogbound streets, where the cedars stand watching…”)
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John!
This was truly worth waiting for, though how you managed to be so patient without having a stroke from the stress of waiting is well beyond me! ;D
I wanted to read all the text twice and see the photos thrice before commenting and can say: Magnificent!
Osi is looking fine, fine and I so enjoy seeing the execution of your ideas in action. The result came out really well, and I think this will indeed prove to be *the* touring bike you've been seeking. Yes, the Eclipse served well and faithfully and will continue nicely in its new role as go-fast day rider and light tourer, but this one is ready for anything! Can't wait to hear how it does on the hills for you and how it compares to last year's run there on the other bike.
Really liking the fenders and handlebars, John, and the black-and-silver looks really nice -- especially with the rims you chose.
John, if the present headlight mount doesn't work out, would it be possible to mount it to the hoop of the lowrider, allowing a lower handlebar bag by flipping the T-bar and no cast shadow? The present setup looks very nice, so just a thought if it proves problematic.
So enjoying all the details and the generous photos as well. Very nice results you're getting from the new Panasonic, John; all compliments your way.
Oh, this is going to be good "down the road" and I'm hoping we'll see more of Osi in the gallery. Seymour says "hello" as well and also wishes you many happy journeys together.
All the best,
Dan.
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So great to see another Thorn in the "neighborhood", John! It looks/sounds like it came together very nicely.
I've got 38-16 gearing on my bike. I just might switch to 38-17 one of these days. I certainly use the full range as it is. But a step down at the bottom would be quite welcome on a few of the hills around here!
Yeah if you get the itch to wander a bit afar, the Catskills are beautiful! I would surely be delighted to show you some of the local roads!
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here is somebody that worked out a way to mount a headlight to a lowrider loop:
http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=61224#p521189 (http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=61224#p521189)
seems like there ought to be a standard solution to such a common problem, but???
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it's listed under brackets for rear lights but hey at least it is available:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hebie-arc-j82s-sl-universal-rack-fitting-light-bracket-prod553/?geoc=us (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/hebie-arc-j82s-sl-universal-rack-fitting-light-bracket-prod553/?geoc=us)
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What a beautiful looking bike, John. Congratulations!
I too have noticed the same thing as the people at your bike shop said: these quality bikes don't look "special" to the untrained eye. When I showed my Nomad to some work colleagues who are also cyclists, they commented on how "normal" the bike looked. Actually, I prefer that look. I don't want my bike to draw attention -- said the man with the bright yellow bike :)
You have a great place to ride. My wife's brother's family lives about 30 minutes south of you (Kemptville area), and we were there last summer. I remember walking along the river there while the 5 kids (not all ours) ride their bikes.
About installing the Chainglider: I had some problems installing mine on the Nomad. It rubbed against the seat stay which caused two problems. First, the rubbing actually rubbed off a bit of paint on the frame. Second, it pushed on the chain from the right side (looking forwards), which made some noise. I fixed the problem by cutting some of the Chainglider away to clear the frame. The plastic is easy to trim with a sharp knife. I still need to trim a bit more away, but I am very pleased with it overall. It is about as noisy as a chain winding through a derailleur's wheels, and there is a bit of friction. I can feel the friction when I move the pedals with my hands, but not when I am riding. I rode all winter (2000+ km) with the Chainglider, and when I took it off for the first time to inspect the chain about a month ago, I was surprised to see that the chain was still clean and silvery. It looked new. I had done nothing all winter, except drip a bit of oil through the oil hole in the Chainglider a couple of times. I think you will be very pleased with the Chainglider, provided that you get it adjusted to minimize the noise and friction. It takes a bit of fiddling, but it is worth it.
- Dave
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That's an extremely tasty bike, John. I'm fascinated by the way your handlebars are creeping up a bit, and widening your ergonomic choices. Your back will be grateful.
Your choice of black above and silver below is ever so sophisticated. You're right, your bare handlebars make for an impression of spaciousness and even lightness. That will be one fast bike!
Your patience is an example to all of us. Well worth it.
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Thanks, Dan, Andre, Jim and David, for your kind words and helpful advice (with which I'm now familiar, but never take for granted!)
1) On mounting the headlight on the top tube: Thanks, Dan and Jim, for your suggestions & references. The idea had crossed my mind, not least because the current BQ has a piece by Jan Heine with a light in just such a position. I do have another mounting bracket from my OMM front rack which has a slot for allowing vertical adjustment of the headlight position, with the lowest point where my light now sits with its fixed linkage. I'll check out the beam tonight in my basement workshop, to see what's required.
2) On the Hebie fitment: David, I thought of your winter riding in Van, for sure! Here in Ontario as you probably know, we have to deal more with occasional rain & thus occasional muddy/gritty gravel roads. Your suggestions about trimming the plastic are very useful -- thanks for that heads-up. Your experience with the protection the Hebie offers to the chain fits with Andre's -- he also rides in a wet and hence green place.
3) Now I just have to find a bit more time to ride my new boike! Am finishing up my last piece of paid work as we speak, so from the end of June onwards I should have more time & space available. This summer will be very full with family, as our son, daughter-in-law and wee granddaughter are visiting in July for a month :-) But, I really do want to visit my friends in the Madawaska Highlands NW of Ottawa this summer. Early August, perhaps.
Jim, I'd be delighted to visit the Catskills -- I remember the area fondly, and as I think I mentioned, we have friends who live across the river near Ossining. (Also cyclists--we're going to spend a few days together in late June in Prince Edward County, on the NE shore of Lake Ontario.) Might even be able to find some time in late fall, before the snow comes -- I think I could persuade Marcia to visit NYC for a few days without too much difficulty, and I'll just put Osi on the back of the station wagon. :-)
4) On higher bars: Andre, you've made this case well in the time that I've been reading the Forum. Certainly my default position, on the hoods, now feels more comfortable all round, although it's some way from an Amsterdam-style posture. What was a pleasant surprise, was how much more accessible were the drops: on the Eclipse, I do use the drops, especially when there's a headwind, but it is an exceptional position. On my initial excursion with the Raven, I was surprised to find that the drops fell readily to hand.
5) On having bikes that only the cognoscenti recognize: Aye, Normal And "Unexceptional" is good! I haven't put the bright yellow "Rohloff" sticker on my chainstay for that very reason. Maybe the Chainglider will make Osi look like a heavy Amsterdam bike, to be scorned by thieves dazzled by tricky-shiny-plastic bikes.
More to come in the weeks ahead. Dan, I know you have *much* more to come in the weeks ahead! Safe journeys all, J.
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hang on just gonna take yet another look i'll be back ;)
yip ten out of ten pure class, thats how a bike should look i really like it.
your sure gonna have some fun on that beauti for sure.
if ever i win the lottery i will buy a rohloff raven for touring sure i might as well dream here as in bed.
enjoy every pedal stroke John your healt to ride it.
jags.
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Hi John,
Well you made us wait for the unveiling, but what a beauty . Black and silver is always a winning combination.
Regards Alfie
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Thanks, Anto and Alfie, for your kind words. Beyond the fotos, I'd be very happy to (re)introduce Osi to his roots in UK and Ireland before too long, and--who knows?--maybe we could connect when I do.
With our daughter, I spent a few days in the West Country in the week of Apr 21 - 24, visiting my aunt in Weston-super-Mare, as well as Glastonbury & surrounds, checking out the roads and traffic as I did so. Some positive/encouraging impressions, some slightly terrifying. (Meg--27 and a very capable young woman--said, "OMG, dad, I'm so glad you're driving.") The road surfaces are often in good condition, for sure -- a Canajan can only look & admire -- but there's *not* a lot of space for cyclists and motor vehicles. I expect ACT will have advice on roads to take, roads to avoid.
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mine is always an open house especally when the wife's away ;)
jags
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You would certainly be made welcome in "AULD REEKIE", John.
Regards Alfie.
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I've been in a work/ eat/ sleep cycle for the last while, so this is the first time I've had a chance to see the pics on a screen bigger than an iPhone.
What a wonderful bike you have put together. I wish you many happy journeys with it. You certainly will have a chance to use all the gears depending on which side of the river you ride!
If your travels ever take you to my neck of the woods, do let me know. It will be interesting to compare how the bikes ride with different forks and tires, and perhaps even meet with Dave to compare a Raven and Nomad. We would likely have the three most valuable bikes at the coffee shop, yet no one would likely pay them notice. And that's a good thing in my mind.
Ron
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Thanks, Ron. I do have a plan (of sorts) to visit BC/Alberta/Cascadia with Osi in the next while. We have an old friend here who was born in the Okanagan, and spends her summers in the old farmhouse just E of Vernon. I visited there last summer on my E-to-W-to-E-again on my airhead. The "plan" (speculation, really, but one has to start somewhere, no?) is to put self & Raven on the train to Jasper, then to do a triangular ride down into Washington/Oregon, ending up in Van. I'd probably stop for a while in the Okanagan & meet up with my wife, as we did last summer. If this does happen, for sure I'll let you & David know, and as Matt's friend in the Shetlands said, the three of us can compare hub noises. The onlookers can wonder why these weird guys are making such as fuss about heavy-looking fixies :-)
We are only now getting warmer weather, the buds just opening on the trees. I managed a short run up into the Gatineau the other day, just 90 minutes up to Pink's Lake & back -- bike ran like a charm, and as you might expect, no-one took any notice at all.
Cheers,
J.
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Alfie and Anto, thanks for your kind offers. My mother's family is Scots-Irish (family name is Burns), so any trek I do with Osi will include some time on the auld sod, for sure.