Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Thorn General => Topic started by: sherpalad on February 18, 2012, 07:39:49 PM
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Has any one got any feedback on the Mercury. I can't find any reviews on Google. Grateful for any user tales/impressions
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Hi, Sherpalad!
Like you, I've come up empty on finding any reviews at this time. However, if you go to http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=1973.0 , you'll find a photo and review by one of our Forum members, posted 15 Jan 2009. I'm thinking if "postmanpat" is still available, he should have formed some long-term use impressions by this time. It might be worth sending a PM to him if he doesn't happen to see this topic. He's only posted once three years ago, so there is a good chance he's no longer on the forum.
His impressions at that time:Early last year I took delivery of my custom Thorn Mercury.
It took a while to build and it was a reasonable amount of money, but I have to say it was one of the best purchases I have ever made.
I use the bike almost every day for commuting through London, come rain sleet or shine and it never fails to put a smile on my face. The geometry fits me perfectly, the bike turns like lighting, is quick, light and responsive and the Rohloff hub is perfect for mashing gears in London traffic as well as being almost maintenance free. I love it to bits. About the only thing I'd consider changing is the steel Tubus fly rack - I do fancy one of the titanium ones - could be the icing on the cake!
So many products promise more than they ever deliver - it's great to have something that feels like it was money so well spent.
It's not much, but I hope this helps. The photo shows a lovely looking bike.
Best,
Dan.
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Say there, Sherpalad, I can do a little better for you. There are entire threads on the Forum speculating about the Mercury, but only one other than mentioned above includes an owner's impressions. That one is by Grimian (Ian, last active in 2008); see "New Thorn Mercury": http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=776.0
Grimian's photo gallery/slideshow devoted to his Mercury is here: http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/I.jsp?c=5la4tr9x.7fnwe8ut&x=0&y=-e999j3
The thread introducing the Mercury with comment by Andrew (former administrator) and Robin Thorn is titled "Project Mercury" (2005):
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=494.0
A Mercury show bike appears here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82436511@N00/6206673869/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82436511@N00/6206671817/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82436511@N00/6206671445/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82436511@N00/6207188236/in/photostream/
A link to a photo of a Thorn Mercury belonging to Giles Bowes appears on Thorn's Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1675464343753&set=o.45930218277&type=1&ref=nf
Another on Thorn's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150344000643278&set=a.437669558277.229198.45930218277&type=1&ref=nf
You can view Thorn/SJSC's information sheet on the Mercury's mini-eccentric here: http://www.sjscycles.com/supersize/27009.jpg
Thorn's Mercury brochure appears in PDF form here: http://www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/ThornMercuryHiRes.pdf
Best,
Dan.
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I can't help with a review, I'm afraid, but I visited Thorn a week or so ago with a friend who was itching to spend some money ... he placed an order at the end of the visit (his second) for a Mercury.
I had ample opportunity to look at the Mercury in the showroom (sadly no riding opportunity 'though), with particular reference to my own 4 year-old Raven Tour, along with the other Raven Tours in the showroom.
The Mercury was noticeably lighter than the RTs, and seemed better balanced (unladen, of course) ... although this may be down to different luggage racks. There were design features of the Mercury that improved on my RT: I liked the "split-ring" style eccentric bottom-bracket, and the use of the external box Rohlhoff variant (we were looking at rear-disc-brake Mercury) led to better cable routing for the gears (via the down-tube rather than under the cross bar as on my RT).
However, the Mercury ended up approx. £1K more than my RT, so I'd certainly expect some degree of improvement for that amount of money!
Anyway, my chum's Mercury should be delivered in a few week's time, so further comparison -- if not a mini review -- may be forthcoming then!
Simon.
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What pumps do people put on a Mercury? Maybe some of the Audax bikes are similar? The recommendation was a pump put onto the water bottle bosses which works fine but seems to limit me to a range of smaller pumps.
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Any news or feedback? I'm afraid the Mercury has caught my eye...
Anyway, my chum's Mercury should be delivered in a few week's time, so further comparison -- if not a mini review -- may be forthcoming then!
Simon.
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Not much to report here, I bought a Mercury and got delivery in mid-February. I wanted a quick, low maintenance commuting bike. That's what I got, I'm happy.
It is a quick, robust, flat handlebar bike. The disc brakes and transmission make it nice for the stop-start-accelerate-STOP of city cycling. The amber sidewalled Panaracer tyres and black frame make it look a lot more traditional than it can ride.
I got Hope disc brakes, mudguards, a SON dynamo. I've had 2 small niggles; losing a mudguard bolt (which Thorn replaced free) and having the Rohloff gearbox cable connector come off. Re-attaching was a matter of finger tightening a bolt, and is something you would do anytime you put the back wheel back on. Novelty to me, but trivial once you have fixed a puncture.
I got ergo bar ends, they are overkill for my commuting. I prefer to have my hands near the brakes and usually cycle with the right hand touching the Rohloff shifter. It is nice to use the wider positions, it just doesn't happen very often, and the Ergos are used less often again.
Not sure there is much to add, got back on my 20 speed road bike the other day and was shocked at how much effort I had to put into getting into the right gear for different pieces of road. It may not be complex, but stop-start commuting really plays to the Rohloff.
Update Feb 2013, 1 year on.
Very happy with the bike. Very pleasant commuting for a year. It weighs in at a kilo or so heavier than my road bike but even with 700x28 tyres rolls at a good average speed. Starts & stops are well behaved and prompt, road handling is secure and fluid. After a couple of months winter's commuting the SON dynamo & Schmidt lamp combination have been a good experience. Mudguards can be a weak point, no complaints or rattles here.
Overall a positive long-term report.
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I bought a Mercury in March 2011 after destroying two other steel framed commuters. I wasn't sure at first but it gets better with every mile and having now covered several thousand miles on it I'm really impressed with it. Sure it's heavy as audax machines go but I love the ride and how little maintenance is required. Generally a clean and chain tension every few weeks is all that is needed. Proper day to day transport.
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Hi Gutsi, and welcome to the Forum!
Delighted to hear about your positive Mercury experience; any chance of favoring us with some photos in the Gallery? I wrote up a little tutorial on how to post photos here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4313.0 They can be linked from a website or attached directly as uploads from your computer or phone.
These sorts of long-term in-use reports are really helpful for those contemplating a purchase, and to see if a given bike will meet their needs. The Mercury sounds like just the ticket for fast commuting!
Best,
Dan.
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I've had my Mercury for 5 months, bought mainly for winter commuting of about 75 miles a week and some casual weekend rides, it's a pleasure to ride, very sure footed and comfortable and certainly inspires confidence as most of my journeys are on wet country lanes.
(http://s1311.beta.photobucket.com/user/T1PAU/media/photo2_zpsdff60c66.jpg.html)
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http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4671.0
I got my new Mercury in june last year. Very pleased with the bike. It's equipped for touring. commuting every day. Had a great trip in Sweden and Norway last summer (1100 km).
Lava
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out of interest, what sort of weight is a mercury, and how does it compare to an Audax?
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http://s1311.beta.photobucket.com/user/T1PAU/media/photo2_zpsdff60c66.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
Weight as in image is just 13 Kilos
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So about the same as the lotus 7 in the background - lol
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http://s1311.beta.photobucket.com/user/T1PAU/media/photo2_zpsdff60c66.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
Weight as in image is just 13 Kilos
wow that is one super looking bike not big into cars but yeah its nice. 8)
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Finally got provoked into getting the bathroom scales down, & can report my Mercury comes in at 13.5kg. Hmmm, it rides faster.
Differences between mine and the photo are; I have SON dynamo & Schmidt lamp, bottle cage, Lezyne frame pump, front disc, Panaracer 700x28. My saddle bag is about same size, Ergo grips, rear lamp & saddle (Spec Toupe) are all the same or v similar. Other major diff is the paint on the Audi A6 is less pristine and we don't have any floor surface that clean. I'm going to do a Sherlock on T1PAU's domestic sit.!
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wheres the photo i really need to see a photo. ;D