Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Thorn General => Topic started by: Danneaux on May 12, 2025, 05:28:08 PM
-
See attached photo for announcement, info culled from Thorn's Instagram page...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJjIJSdsC65/
A kickstand plate included? Well...! ;D
Best, Dan.
-
Second photo with ordering information...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DJjIJSdsC65/
Best, Dan.
-
Backstory...
https://www.instagram.com/thorncycles/p/DFXXmBWMfZG/
Best, Dan.
-
One more pic...
https://www.instagram.com/thorncycles/p/DFvKSprsgwe/
Best, Dan.
-
Thanks Dan, looks a very flexible machine. Will follow its release with interest.
-
Following with interest, though I've no intention (Or funds) to be looking for another bike. Be interesting to see how much of the tube manipulation has carried over and how much difference any that hasn't makes. I've speculated in the past that some of it looked to be on the indulgent side, but it rides so nice I don't really care.
I note Thorn have updated their website. this isn't on there yet, but the Audax and Club Tour models are absent. Looks like they're pruning back to two solo frames, then using the build options to widen the range. I've always considered my Mercury to be quite a niche machine, be interesting to see if the new model widens that, and if anything is lost in doing so. At one time the range of Thorn bikes was a bit overwhelming, I seem to recall 7 or 8 solo models on offer at the same time, with very little difference between some of them. Is two going too far the other way? A great business move if not, time will tell.
-
Does this mean Thorn will start implementing kickstand compatability across all its models?
The kickstand adapter on my Nomad MK3 puts the kickstand foot behind my 26 inch rear wheel, meaning I can't rear wheel it around with the kickstand in the "up" position.
Interested to see what the kickstand plate looks like
-
I just looked at it again, that chain looks way too tight.
Looks like the rear wheel is laced one cross.
ISO mount for the disc brake.
-
I just looked at it again, that chain looks way too tight.
Not sure it is, or that you could judge from a photo. Just looked at a couple of my photos and chain looks as straight as that when new, and I certainly wouldn't run it taught.
Looks like the rear wheel is laced one cross.
1x and heads out, they've been building 700c wheels that way for a while now, mine from 2017 is like that. I was a bit dubious at first, but from a buyers perspective they're offering better warranty than the manufacturer! If there was an issue with it, they'd have discovered so by now.
-
...
Looks like the rear wheel is laced one cross.
1x and heads out, they've been building 700c wheels that way for a while now, mine from 2017 is like that. I was a bit dubious at first, but from a buyers perspective they're offering better warranty than the manufacturer! If there was an issue with it, they'd have discovered so by now.
I built my wheel in 2013, at that time Rohloff specs were clear about two cross for 26 inch wheels. But that was before the flange reinforcing rings were available.
-
How much is there to test? The sidestand?
Thorn frame geometry is well proven.
The equipment looks well proven.
Good to get a few miles under the wheels but it does not look a radical departure from previous models.
-
How much is there to test?
Probably not much, they'll have put their experience into getting it right first time, but there could always be something that detracts from that X factor. Or some unintended consequence of a minor change, or conflict of components not evident till building it up, or just an error in communication between designer and builder.
I've only designed one frame, a one off, I didn't notice on the final drawing that the measurement to the chainstay bridge was to the center not the edge, that reduced tyre clearance by 8mm. Probably not the sort of error the experienced folks at Thorn would make, but wouldn't you want to be sure before ordering a container full of them?
-
I built my wheel in 2013, at that time Rohloff specs were clear about two cross for 26 inch wheels.
I don't think the advice from Rohloff has changed, Thorn seem to be unique in building this way, apparently with Rohloff's approval. As it's Thorn offering the better warranty, I'd have been happy going along with whatever they did.
I did ask why on here at the time and Dave Whittle, the then workshop manager, explained that 1x puts the spoke entering the rim at the same angle as 3x with a standard hub. No answer to why all heads out though.
-
There is a bit more on the Thorn 40 on this blog post on the Thorn website:
https://thorncycles.co.uk/blog/thorn-mercury-40 (https://thorncycles.co.uk/blog/thorn-mercury-40)
-
There is a bit more on the Thorn 40 on this blog post on the Thorn website:
https://thorncycles.co.uk/blog/thorn-mercury-40 (https://thorncycles.co.uk/blog/thorn-mercury-40)
Nice bit of sales speak, though if the model, in one of it's guises, is to replace the Audax, it's a bit remiss not to include that. OTOH Sportive is mentioned twice. Much as I love my Mercury, it's at the hefty end of Audax, I'd be shocked if anyone considered it a Sportive model, in any build.
-
I may have misunderstood but the flyer mentions a stainless steel EBB. Does that mean that the two securing bolts will still be used? I wondered if stainless steel might be too tough for that and another solution will feature? TIA
-
I may have misunderstood but the flyer mentions a stainless steel EBB. Does that mean that the two securing bolts will still be used? I wondered if stainless steel might be too tough for that and another solution will feature? TIA
The EBB shell, that's a part of the frame, is already stainless steel on the Nomad and the Mercury, probably also on older models but I'm not sure. It's a clamp style EBB system, you may be more familiar with the set screw system and maybe confusing the shell with the insert (The removable bit) if in doubt, have a look at the current Thorn brochures.
-
Thanks, I thought that was the case.
-
I spoke with a guy outside SJS last week. He had just ordered a Nomad. He wanted to do what sounded like lightweight short tours. I could not understand why he had ordered a Nomad over this, but the customer is always right.
It looks good - but I can not see how the frame splits for a belt?
Shame no 26” wheel option - in medium and smaller frames 700 wheels always seem too large and I am not sure how universal 650 is.
-
He had just ordered a Nomad. He wanted to do what sounded like lightweight short tours. I could not understand why he had ordered a Nomad over this, but the customer is always right.
How much of a weight and maneuverability difference can there be? From the description of the Mercury 40, it sounds like a fairly beefy frame. Inversely, the Nomad Mk3 feels like a somewhat lighter and snappier bike than the tank that was the Nomad Mk2. My impression is that a rider who gets either one is going to find a similar feel and reliability.
-
I spoke with a guy outside SJS last week. He had just ordered a Nomad. He wanted to do what sounded like lightweight short tours. I could not understand why he had ordered a Nomad over this, but the customer is always right.
This isn't available yet, I don't know when expected, so the choice from current stock would have been Nomad or Mercury if they have one in the size. Depending on the build, load and rider, I might have gone either way. The brochure for a 700c Nomad says "The Nomad Mk3 AB 700c Special actually weighs less than a Mercury 700c set up to carry the same payload." The load in question being 24kg, so a Nomad with 853 fork is lighter than a Mercury with a touring fork and front rack. Weight isn't everything of course, they ride quite differently, but similar enough that I changed my Nomad to 650B to lessen the overlap.
I can not see how the frame splits for a belt?
The split on the Nomad is above the dropout on the RH seat stay, I assume the stay just pulls apart enough to slip the belt through, I haven't undone mine, I don't have a belt. It looks like this fitting:
https://metal-guru.com/products/belt-drive-seat-stay-splitter-19mm
-
Ah yes PH, in the photo that fitting is on that RH stay just above rear disc level and painted over. I was expecting something more obvious.
The Thorn bible seems to suggest that the Mercury MKIII is more suited for lightweight touring than the Nomad while the Nomad is better for heavy loaded tours……..if the Nomad does everything well then why is the Mercury made?
Good point that the Mercury 40 is not yet available!
-
The Thorn bible seems to suggest that the Mercury MKIII is more suited for lightweight touring than the Nomad while the Nomad is better for heavy loaded tours……..if the Nomad does everything well then why is the Mercury made?
There's the physics (aerodynamics, rolling resistance, weight, power) which says if you keep them constant the outcome will be the same, and if you change any of them the outcome could be calculated, it would be foolish to argue any different.
Then there's the subjective stuff, I'm happy to give my opinion, I'm not at all bothered if someone has a different one! I can do everything on my Nomad, even in it's different build, that I can on my Mercury, it's a very versatile bike. My Mercury is far less versatile, I consider it to be, as it was first marketed, a Sports Tourer. It handles sharper, it makes a twisty decent that would be dull on the Nomad exciting. It feels more responsive, which in turn encourages more spirited riding. But loaded up, even within Thorn's limits, it feels flexy and less stable. Even without luggage it doesn't feel as sure footed on bad surfaces. it's more engaging to ride, which can be exactly what you want, or what you're trying to avoid. Both are comfortable in different ways, the Mercury makes average tarmac feel silky smooth, the Nomad less so but irons out larger imperfections. I feel more detached from the Nomad, sat on rather than in, which may be due to less BB drop. I'm close to the Mercury rider weight limit and riding the largest size, I'd be surprised if a smaller lighter rider didn't have a different experience, the physics are different, how much effect that has on the subjective stuff is an unknown.
The Mercury is my favorite bike to ride, yet the Nomad is my most ridden bike (That was the same way round when I had an Audax and a Raven). I'm glad I have both, but if I could only have one it would have to be the Nomad.
-
Sort of like a sports car vs family saloon?
Both have 4 wheels and can carry gear but the sports car feels……sporty (even if it has the same engine as the family saloon).
-
Sort of like a sports car vs family saloon?
Yes, it's basically like anything in life, the better something is at one speciality, the less versatile it's likely to be. That's not a bad thing, the saying "Jack of all trades, master of none" is sometimes taken to be derogatory, yet that all-rounder Jack is often just what's needed.
-
The 40 is now in stock, two colours, the classic grey, plus a fetching orange. I wanted an orange bike when the colour was everywhere about a decade ago, are Thorn late to the party, or about to start a new trend? The advertising is now clear it's replacing the Audax, Mercury and Club Tour, plus their offering as a Gravel bike, that's a very wide remit for any frame, time will tell if it's too wide.
The frame price for the 40, is £100 less than for the Nomad (899 V's 999 on the SJS website) that's a reversal from the previous Mercury, and I was a bit surprised, I thought they'd be about the same.
https://thorncycles.co.uk/thorn-mercury-40
-
No 26” wheel option though 😥
-
No 26” wheel option though 😥
Were you expecting there to be? None of the models it's replacing were available 26".
Could be argued there's a market for a lighter 26" wheeled bike, I'm not sure there is, but this was never going to be it.
-
On small / medium sized frames 26 inch wheels do give worthwhile clearance benefits - but it sounds like 700C / 650b on all frame sizes.
Quite narrow tyre sizes as well - possibly due to the carbon fork - so difficult to see it as a gravel bike with 700C 32mm / 650b 38mm tyres.