Thorn Cycles Forum

Community => Thorn General => Topic started by: jomouk on October 31, 2018, 11:08:48 AM

Title: Shirley is 15!
Post by: jomouk on October 31, 2018, 11:08:48 AM

Or, to put it another way, it is 15 years since I bought my Thorn Nomad.  In that time we have has some fabulous adventures.  Here she is, ready to do what she does best, about to set off on the River Rhine route.

Over the years, I have had an increasing obsession with making her entirely black.  As components have needed replacing (or occasionally, even when they didn't!), I have sought out black versions.  One thing I have learnt is that often the black is only a finish, which may not be so durable.  But my latest nerdy mission involves mudguard stays - I have seen some suppliers advertising mudguard stays as being black, but it turns out that only the fittings are black, the metal rods being stainless steel or whatever.  Any suggestions/recommendations?ππ

Title: Re: Shirley is 15!
Post by: Danneaux on October 31, 2018, 11:03:29 PM

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...my latest nerdy mission involves mudguard stays - I have seen some suppliers advertising mudguard stays as being black, but it turns out that only the fittings are black, the metal rods being stainless steel or whatever.  Any suggestions/recommendations?

Yes! I share your interest in all-black Nomads. ;) I used black heat-shrink tubing to cover my Nomad Mk2's fender stays six years ago and it has proven to durable and to remain black over that time even with extensive weather exposure.

Photo below shows how the slip-covered fender stays look on the bike.

Best,

Dan.

Title: Re: Shirley is 15!
Post by: jomouk on November 01, 2018, 07:25:39 PM

Thanks Dan.  Nice to know I am not the only one! Although I am extreme - I have replaced bolts with black ones where possible; I contacted Busch & Muller to get a black bracket for the front lamp. 

Heat-shrink has been suggested to me before, for something else, but I have never got around to trying it.  Is it Easy to use? I guess it is available in different sizes/gauges - what did you use for your 'fender' stays?

John

PS - nice looking bike!    Looks a little younger than mine. :-)

Title: Re: Shirley is 15!
Post by: jags on November 01, 2018, 08:33:51 PM

my audax is mostly black  except for bartape and  custom wheels.
yeah black is  8) 8) 8)

Title: Re: Shirley is 15!
Post by: Danneaux on November 01, 2018, 10:08:35 PM

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Is it Easy to use?

<nods> I found it so.

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I guess it is available in different sizes/gauges - what did you use for your 'fender' stays?

3/16in or 5mm slid on nicely and shrank down without issue while holding fast. I allowed for some longitudinal shrinkage as well; check on a sample first, as heat shrink tubing sourced from different makers can vary in how much it takes up. I use an electric heat gun to get even shrinkage.

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PS - nice looking bike!    Looks a little younger than mine.

Thank you. It is a 2012 Nomad Mark2.

Best,

Dan.

Title: Re: Shirley is 15!
Post by: jomouk on November 02, 2018, 04:23:30 PM

Thanks Dan - I will give it a try and report back!