Thorn Cycles Forum

Community => Thorn General => Topic started by: ourclarioncall on June 28, 2021, 01:32:40 PM

Title: Nomad in the flesh
Post by: ourclarioncall on June 28, 2021, 01:32:40 PM
Just back from a holiday in Ayrshire Scotland

Was at a holiday park and looked out the car window to see a group of bike tourers . On closer inspection I was sure on read on a black Sherpa. I got very excited and planned to hunt them down later on to say hello

I eventually did, and they were a lovely bunch to talk too. It turned out I was wrong , it was actually a Nomad not a Sherpa , but a very old one. I think , if I remember correctly, he said he bought it 17 years ago. Could that be right ?

I guess it must be a mark 1 of sorts ? Maybe there were a few variations of the nomad before the nomad mk2?

Anyway, it was pretty cool as that’s the first time I’ve seen one in real life. Well, funnily enough, I did actually get to have a proper look, as I had my 2 year old in my arms , and it was laying on the ground next to his tent . So I e kind of seen it but not seen it, never mind had a ride on one.

Still got my hopes up to get myself a Thorn and this year, just waiting for a cheque in the mail and then to find the right one , new or used
Title: Re: Nomad in the flesh
Post by: mickeg on June 28, 2021, 02:12:33 PM
The Nomad originally was a derailleur bike.  Then the Nomad Mk I was a Rohloff version.  They made minor changes to the frame to make the Mk II.  And now major changes for Mk III.

I do not know when Thorn quit making frames in the UK but I think that when they started having frames made in Asia is when the Nomad became a non-derailleur bike.

At times you may see reference to Raven Nomad, the word Raven represents the Rohloff logo.

If you go to this website where there are a lot of photos of bikes on bike tours, do a word search for Thorn and you can see quite a few of the older ones.  Website has not been updated for a long time, very little newer stuff on the site.
https://www.pbase.com/canyonlands/fullyloaded
Title: Re: Nomad in the flesh
Post by: ourclarioncall on June 28, 2021, 03:19:23 PM
Hey Mickeg

Yes, I never mention , it was derailleur, not rohloff.
Title: Re: Nomad in the flesh
Post by: brummie on June 28, 2021, 09:35:53 PM
I think the original Nomad goes back to around late 90's.
Title: Re: Nomad in the flesh
Post by: macspud on June 28, 2021, 09:36:56 PM


At times you may see reference to Raven Nomad, the word Raven represents the Rohloff logo.