Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Thorn General => Topic started by: peterh on September 29, 2007, 03:30:23 PM
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Thorn Sterling info on STW with a picture?! I'm surprised it wasn't posted on here first?
See http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/read.php?f=2&i=3262178&t=3262178
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I have my Sterling frame on order and hopefully it should be delivered on Monday. I spoke to Andy Blance in the week and he explained that the details had not yet been posted on their site since the web designer/graphic designer they use was away.
It sounds like an incredibly versatile frame and at only £299 it seems unbelievably good value. I look forward to finding out next week!
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Blimey that is cheap compared to the cost of the Enduro frame I own :-) The extra tyre clearance has got to be a good thing. Not so sure about the cable routing via the down tube rather than along the top tube - liable to getting bashed? But I guess they have to put it there to allow panniers to be fitted with disks? It looks like it uses a seat post clamp? - rather than having an integrated clamp - I'd have preferred that on the Enduro. It definitely does look very versatile.
Still think they could have posted something on here earlier. I seem to remember they posted shots of the Enduro 6 months before you could buy it - I loved it so much I waited to buy one.
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Looks OK for the price but the decals are rubbish aren't they?
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Great, as per bl**dy usual. After nearly 3 years obsessive yearning, pining over the online brochure, a visit to Taunton (a cruelly apposite name for a place) to introduce my wife to the competitor for my affections and damned hard saving I got a Catalyst in February. At which the 'Catalyst mk. 2' is announced, at a saving of £200 based on the previously quoted frame price.
Besides the obvious great qualities of the Catalyst one of the most compelling reasons for buying a Thorn was that they were so well designed from the outset that new models were not released annually with minor tweaks and marginal performance enhancements intended to induce the need to upgrade.
The Sterling does sound very appealing, and I may well have gone for it had it been available so I'd like to try and assure myself that I did not spend rashly.
Why the cheaper frame price? The material is not stated, so I'm hoping that it isn't 853, which would explain some of the difference (the decals don't look like 853).
As stated longer chainstays may make the Sterling handle a little less sharply off road and the Catalyst is pretty sweet in that regard. I'm not the fastest on single track, so am not convinced that stacks up to justify the difference, you are paying more for less material on the Cat after all.
The great idea behind the Sterling is that over time it can be developed into a whole stable of bikes with costs spread and storage space minimised (no garage, see).
Change and innovation are inevitable and I can't expect a company to stagnate for my benefit but it is a tad disappointing, as is the realisation that at heart I'm as conservative as my old man. Shares in Northern Rock anyone?
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Well - I'm not too upset they're stopping making the Enduro (if you believe the rumours) because it makes my bike even more exclusive :-) But then again - I have had it for 4 years. I wouldn't be too unhappy if I were you - there must be a reason why the Sterling is cheaper and I would have thought the Catalyst is pretty flexible for the future. Also the name of your bike is cooler :-)
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I seem to remember another post saying what material it was. I don't think it was 853, more likely one of Thorns own spec.
Tempting to get one though and be able to move the rear wheel from my Nomad into a lighter, sportier frame for when I'm not carrying the camping gear.
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The material is Thorns own tubing - 858. I think this is the same as that used on the MK3 Audax. It doesn't seem particularly light - I would estimate just under 6lb for a large sized frame (including EBB and headset cups).
My frame arrived today. It looks good and I am looking forward to building it up. It does look similar to my Enduro frame but the down tube is a smaller diametre and the chainstays are considerably longer. If I manage to get it built up over the next few days I will post a picture (assuming I can work out how to post pics!).
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quote:
Originally posted by jp06
I will post a picture (assuming I can work out how to post pics!).
talk very very nicely to the forum administrator
ians
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To post a pic you first need to open am account with photobucket (http://"http://photobucket.com"). Then upload you photos to there and insert an "[img]"link to photobucket in your next post. There is more info in the FAQ (it's in the top right hand corner).
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so - where's this going to fit in Stu's chart?
ian
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Yep I got to work that out! - I am away for 10 days so I won't be updating the chart for a bit.
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Thanks for guidance on posting pics - I will attempt to do so in the Members Pics forum.