Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Member's Gallery => Topic started by: Paulson on March 03, 2010, 05:33:23 PM
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Well today was a momentous day - my bright red Audax Mk3 frameset arrived in a big box, in a similarly red post office van.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4403711115_3427f3e970_o.jpg)
The excitement of unpacking it was tempered of course by the greater imperative of not damaging the frame, nor slashing my hands with the knife. And this is what issued forth, if you will:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4058/4404476978_3338e51346_o.jpg)
So...where to start, after all this anticipation?? Well the first job was to get it up on the bike stand so I could work on it without damaging the lovely paint.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4403711327_4e1f3d7c44_o.jpg)
So, let's pause for a run through of my first impressions.
a) WOW! That colour!! The brightest, most in your face red I have ever seen!
b) The frame is light, and feels lovely. Quailty seems excellent; the paintwork and welding looks first rate.
c) The geometry appears sport on. It's similar in size to my road frame, but with the crucial comfort factor engineered in; the top tube is longer, so I shall be putting a couple more spacers on the head to bring the bars up a bit.
Then, I got to work, methodically I like to think, with bars, stem, brakes (Shimano A550's), tyres (Pasela 25c's), seat, and derailleur (rear - the front band-on tiagra mech has a bad that is oversized for a road bike, so a new band is needed). By lunchtime she was looking like this:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4404477946_30145d84cd_o.jpg)
And I have now got to do the external bearing BB (tomorrow), fit a chain, front mech, and trim the mudguard stays so they fit properly. I really cannot wait to get out on the road on this beauty, it feels full of potential!!
I'll update this post as I progress with the build. Off back to the garage now!!
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Wow - that is very very very red... :) Looking forward to seeing it completed.
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Wow - that is very very very red... :) Looking forward to seeing it completed.
I spent most of last night on it, doing cables, downtube cable stopsetc, which were pretty fiddly. Now got the front mech on, spacers on the headset to give a more relaxed position, and it's gone off to LBS for the BB to be fitted properly and have everything torqued off.
With a frame this special, I know my limits - and I don't have a torque wrench yet!!!
Pickup hopefully on Saturday, at which point I will post a few pictures....I'm trying to engineer a lift to the bike shop so I can ride it the 13 miles home!!
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Got a call from the LBS this afternoon advising me that the bike was ready - fully built and ready to ride. Unfortunately, I was working and failed to make it back in time to pick it up. So, first thing tomorrow morning, I shall be waiting outside said LBS to pick up the bike when they open. Pictures to follow!!
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Well, here she is in all her glory! I collected the bike from the LBS this morning and have just done some 'finishing off' tasks, such as bar tape and mudguard stay covers. I'm about to ride it for the first time, so will report on a more technical level later on. However - here are the first pictures:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/4410120109_2a8d5bc1c3_o.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4410120211_8b752ec11e_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/4410120109_2a8d5bc1c3_o.jpg)
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paulson that is one beautful looking bike fair play to you hope you have a blast riding it ;)
now you have me thinking,would that bike be capable of carrying say two loaded panniers on the back 15 pound in each ..i would imagine it would tip along much faster than my sherpa especally on hills.
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Jags, I've just been out for an inaugural 15 mile spin, still trying to get the words right to express the feeling!
Tour weight - it has front & rear rack mounts, and Thorn reckon LIGHT to MEDIUM touring, I think the max weight suggested is 10kg all round, not sure how it would handle then.
Yes, speed wise, although heavier than my Orbea Aqua roadie, I was getting 22-23mph up some lovely long gradients with the wind at my back!!!
I've removed the super DX tourist rack for 'normal' riding.
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Can't be bothered to re write it, so - full 'first ride' report and some more pics on my blog....
here: http://paulmor.wordpress.com/2010/03/06/first-impressions/ (http://paulmor.wordpress.com/2010/03/06/first-impressions/)
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Just curious but what's the story with the single red spoke on each wheel?
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The single red spoke is, I suspect, a roadie affectation, and is explained thus:
I purchased a set of wheels last year for my road bike - American Classic 'Victory' wheels. They're a lovely set with super light rims and very nice sealed hubs, and my thought when purchasing the Audax was simply to transfer them onto it - which is what I did, although I removed the horrible white and red flashes from the rims first.
The guy in the shop said it was a feature demanded by road riders, the red spoke is the one adjacent to the valve, although that sounds a bit daft to me - if you have trouble finding the valve on your wheel when brandishing a pump, you probably should not be allowed out unsupervised!
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Thanks Paulson, I guess maybe in a race or time trial situation knowing where the valve is at a glance might save a second or two.
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Hi Paul,
Well, your bike has turned out a real 'beauty'. I am sure it rides as good as it looks. 8)
Mike
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Hi Paul,
Well, your bike has turned out a real 'beauty'. I am sure it rides as good as it looks. 8)
Mike
Mike, thanks. Yes, the money spent on getting the tricky bits done by LBS was well spent - and without repeating my thoughts so far, it's everything I hoped it would be and much more!
More pics later on.
Paul
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Thanks for posting the pictures paulson
From time to time it's refreshing to see something different than the old boring matt black/green thorns. I hope hope it brings you as much happyness riding it as it seems to have given you in the build
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Just curious but what's the story with the single red spoke on each wheel?
What I've heard, but not confirmed is that on light roadie wheels the single off coloured spoke is heavier guage than the rest used to balance the tube's valve that's opposite it.
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Ok, some more progress. Today I fitted the black Brooks saddle, (the tan one has gone on ebay), a cateye TLD1100 light and carrier fixing (I had to wait a while before I could fix this, because I made the mistake of turning the light on to see whether it really was as bright as everyone says.....I went blind temporarily!!!), one more thing on order and that's a Thorn 55mm accessory bar to put the front light and computer on (it wont fit the o/s handlebars).
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4419068013_b8e1fa50a4_o.jpg)
The rear mech - Shimano 105:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4419833938_327c9c0a2e.jpg)
The front mech - Shimano Tiagra, running a 52:39 compact road chainset:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4419068245_0e9e9a056f_o.jpg)
The cockpit:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4419833794_f6bd7c5060_o.jpg)
The new saddle and the saddlebag with SQR mount
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4419068139_00b07263ed_o.jpg)
The rear carrier (Topeak Super Tourist DX) and the offending rear light, a Cateye TL1100D:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4419833662_22370fd738_o.jpg)
The accessory bar arrived, and is also now fitted:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4419941402_ecdc53d658_o.jpg)
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Today I've ridden the Thorn 30 miles - its first 'big' ride. However, It was in the pouring rain and because I was swathed in waterproofs, It felt more like I was riding a shopping bike as I boiled away.
I took to the country lanes around Stowmarket in Suffolk, territory which is generally flat and open countryside, with nice quiet roads. I couldn't resist this picture, I hope the irony is not lost on you.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2712/4426313195_84e86da658_o.jpg)
Lovely quiet roads today, albeit a little wet!
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4426313093_ab8a4c4e31_o.jpg)
It's got dirty and wet at last!
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4426312833_eb1294267a_o.jpg)
I pass this building a fair bit - Finningham Gospel Hall. As you can see from these pics, they have recently embarked on an advertising drive to make themselves more accessible and friendly to the local community!
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4427075540_d2c7851bcd_o.jpg)
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4427075602_0b3cbeaf15_o.jpg)
The Thorn from the front, note accessory bar now fitted.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4426313027_607347e4f2_o.jpg)
Hoping to get out again tomorrow n better weather!
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I managed a 40 miler yesterday in the balmy spring weather, making a foray into the fringes of Norfolk before retreating to safety again. The bike is starting to reveal its qualities; the comfort on a longer ride is superb, and the average speed I am making is not significantly inferior to the road bike I was riding previously. As I said before, the Audax is a fast bike when you want it to be.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4443404863_076fa2cb00_o.jpg)
I struck out through rolling countryside in North Suffolk, with a brisk westerly breeze making the first 2/3rd of the ride easy and a joy to experience after all the cold weather. The picture below is Knetishall, the furthest point on the ride.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4443405135_92bce03039_o.jpg)
Most of the ride is lovely quiet roads like this; you have to make three hazardous road crossings on this route, two of which are the A143 Bury st Edmunds - Diss road. Stopping in the village, I thought a nice Norfolk flint wall would make a good backdrop:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4444176332_6eb3b34f6e_o.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2732/4444176426_058643bf05_o.jpg)
And on the way back, having passed a few other cyclists (the count was two mudguarded audax bikes of unknown origin, one lovely blue Mercian and a couple riding Dawes touring bikes), I stopped off for a short break to decant an energy gel into my water bottle, and the Thorn took on an urban mood, posing in the manner of a 1980s punk band against a grafitti'd bus shelter:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4444176530_c1cf5e674e_o.jpg)
Now the milder weather seems to have arrived, I'll be continuing to push the frontiers of the mileage a bit; the Brooks is breaking in nicely too.
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A quick record of my fourth ride of last week - I make the week's riding about 120 miles in total, so the Audax is really getting broken in now the weather has got better. Saturday saw me going on a normal route, with changeable weather and a stiff south westerly at my back, making the journey north out of Suffolk easy and quick. The bike still keeps impressing me by slowly revealing its qualities - I am finding the comfort just makes me want to extend my rides! The grey skies looked a bit forboding as I set out:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2697/4448065684_8baacbd15a_o.jpg)
The following pic shows a bit of road that goes up towards the A143, fabulous and fast on a day when the wind is behind you:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4447290993_ba4eb576f6_o.jpg)
I continued north and towards the border with Norfolk, realising with an ever deepening sense of desperation that I should soon be forced to turn west and into the wind, which seemed to be gathering strength all the time. The spitting rain was becoming showery now as well. I decided to stop to put some waterproofs on and take a couple of pics of the Thorn:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4447291381_750646d5e0_o.jpg)
By now heading in a westerly direction, the wind was blowing diagonally left to right as I rode. Downhills were becoming as slow as the flat, but to stop myself boiling in the bag, I stopped again as the rain ceased. Note the sign which has been used for gun/stone practice.....
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4447291893_b3a02e7382_o.jpg)
The scenery has a bleakness about it at this time of year.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4448065338_db4c85e297_o.jpg)
So, after 2 and 3/4 hours in the saddle (and doesn't a new Brooks make its err..presence felt!!), and 41 windy miles under my belt, I returned home, having thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Incidentally, about 5 miles from home, I stopped at a busy junction next to a couple of roadies and enjoyed their looks of consternation as they saw the Thorn, luggaged up. But as we set off from our short stop, I made a point of pacing them until they turned off.
Looking forward particularly to the clocks changing in less than a week!
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ah great stuff really enjoyed the pic's can i ask you to give me the low down on your carradice bag the black one attached to rear rack,im thinking of getting one i have the camper but it's a bit big for day rides
cheers
jags..
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ah great stuff really enjoyed the pic's can i ask you to give me the low down on your carradice bag the black one attached to rear rack,im thinking of getting one i have the camper but it's a bit big for day rides
cheers
jags..
Sure - at risk of sounding like the Imelda Marcos of cycle luggage, it's a Super C rackbag, http://www.carradice.co.uk/products/type/superc-rackpack (http://www.carradice.co.uk/products/type/superc-rackpack)
I bought it because it's big enough to put waterproofs in, which is ideal for this time of year, but it can double up as a light touring bag as the top is 'stuffable' - i.e. you can pack it oversize and still get it closed.
The super C range is not as trendy as the other carradice stuff, it seems to be more of the serious and old fashioned range, but the quality as you would expect is first rate. It also has sensible plastic click fixings instead of the great looking but somewhat impractical leather straps, meaning that even with gloved hands you can open and close it.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2732/4444176426_058643bf05_o.jpg)
You can also pick it up using the top handle, and it comes with a neat strap for your shoulder as well.
I bought mine from SJSC, who seem to offer a price as good as anybody's.
Incidentally, you probably notice the ever changing luggage on the bike!!!! I had a Junior bag in the garage which I bought a while back for another bike. Then there's the Barley:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4419068139_00b07263ed_o.jpg)
I bought the green Barley because it had pockets for stuffing things like tubes, gels, etc which made access a little easier, and I have fitted the sqr bracket so I can easily put the Barley on for summer riding when I don't need to carry so much kit; so the rackbag is really my winter bag with which I hope to do a spot of CC touring with my RST riding, wheel destroying buddy, Crudson at some point.
The front bar bag - pure self indulgence! But to be fair, also very useful for carrying stuff that's easily accessible.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4456938374_264507dc26_o.jpg)
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Note the sign which has been used for gun/stone practice.....
Sure they weren't just aiming at you Paulson?
Probably mistook you for the postman on that thing....
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Sure they weren't just aiming at you Paulson?
Probably mistook you for the postman on that thing....
I have thought a number of times recently that the general colour scheme is in line with a post bike. And yes, the shots were aimed at me, I find that whenever I ride through a village, children come out and hurl eggs and old fruit at me. But then, their parents won't get their letters!
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I decided a long time ago to hide my red Sherpa from the postie, just in case he takes a shine to it.
But to be fair, apart from the frame and wheels, he has carried and delivered most of the parts for my bike.
Mike
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thank's paulson for the review on the rackbag look's like the perfect bag for me.
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A few weeks on, and there have been a couple of changes to the bike. Yesterday I took a couple of pictures on my 70 mile sojourn through the cold and driving rain of East Suffolk and Norfolk.
First, the wheels are now 36 spoke Deore LX hubs coupled to Rigida Snyper rims from Spa cycles. I have put 28mm Conti Gatorskins on them for increased comfort.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/4523892274_b9938362a8_o.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/4573460239_785c6ed2be_o.jpg)
Secondly, as you can see from the pics, the rack is currently off as I really didn't need to be carrying that much weight - it will be useful for touring but for the moment it's the small bag (carradice barley) ot the big one in the picture (carradice sqr tour).
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4573461283_a638c6d643_o.jpg)
Above is the bike resting with me in Debenham after about 17 miles riding into a cold headwind and persistent rain. Lovely.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4574097490_ef0d6153a6_o.jpg)
Above, lunch break by the side of the road in a pretty bleak part of Norfolk, with wet fields behind. At least the rain had stopped by this time.
The bike is vastly improved by the new wheels and tyres, and also by the increasingly broken in Brooks saddle.
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Paulson,
You have a great bike there. The Brooks saddle will take some breaking in, but once it is, you have a 'family seat' for life.
I can't say I rave about the colour. It reminds me too much of a "Pusser's Red Devil"! (Sit-up-and-beg, Service bikes in the RN!) But the colour is your choice and that's what matters.
I really like the Carradice 'Honey' Saddle-bag, and I am awaiting delivery of mine.
My B17 is already broken in, being a 1965 model.
Oh for the flat countryside you have though.
Happy Rides and safe going
John :)
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John, thanks for the comments. I have recently sold the bike to a friend and he is enjoying it immensely - my 'new' steed is a Raven Sport Tour pictured elsewhere on the forum.