Thorn Cycles Forum

Community => Member's Gallery => Topic started by: JenM on February 04, 2013, 06:52:48 PM

Title: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: JenM on February 04, 2013, 06:52:48 PM
Prompted by Danneaux, here is a photo of my new RST.  Seconds after this photo was taken a puff of wind blew the bike over....fortunately not into the water.

(http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd396/jcm56/P1010168_zps68611ecc.jpg)
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: Danneaux on February 04, 2013, 06:55:41 PM
Quote
Prompted by Danneaux...
...who is so glad you posted this! My! What a breathtakingly beautiful bike.

Good bike shots are hard to take, but this one has all the "right" elements, including a pretty but undistracting background and excellent lighting that shows all the niceties of a black bike (hard to do!).

So glad it didn't go for a swim. By the way, have you named it yet?

Best,

Dan. (...who thinks the honey-colored Brooks looks especially good)
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: jags on February 04, 2013, 07:13:27 PM
lovely photo great looking bike enjoy.

btw i always meant to ask why is the front brake caliber on backways on the raven :) :-\
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: in4 on February 04, 2013, 07:23:23 PM
What a fabulous photo. Your RST looks wonderful. I'm minded to recall Ted's conversation with Dougal re. perspective,  well paraphrase it a bit anyway: 'No Dougal, this is near, that is large' !
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: Danneaux on February 04, 2013, 07:23:48 PM
Quote
...why is the front brake caliber on backways on the raven
...And my Nomad!

I can't speak for Andy Blance, jags, but it likely allows the fork blades to serve as an integral brake booster. With canti-/v-brake posts on the front of the fork, braking forces (pads grabbing the rim) tend to bow the posts outward, causing squeal and judder. Putting them on the rear of the fork means braking forces tend to draw the posts inward...a bit like on rear brakes.

It seems to work for me, as my front brake is quiet as can be and braking is as smooth and powerful as anyone could ask for (I'm running plain Deore v-brakes with Kool-Stop Salmon pad-inserts and Tektro RL520 levers on drop handlebars. Two-finger braking from atop the brake hoods will result in "stoppies" on the unladen bike).

It also has the happy result of placing both adjusters on the same side of the bike (convenient) and give the front of the fork a nice, clean appearance (bonus points for aesthetics).

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: JenM on February 04, 2013, 08:10:38 PM
Glad you like the bike - so do I.

I don't have names for my bike, it is usually referred to as 'the bike'.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: Danneaux on February 04, 2013, 08:13:39 PM
Quote
...usually referred to as 'the bike'
Or perhaps "THE bike". Owning one like this, could there be any other?  ;D

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: Matt2matt2002 on February 04, 2013, 08:18:02 PM
Smashing looking bike.
May I ask about the saddle? Brooks?
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: JenM on February 04, 2013, 08:21:04 PM
Yes its a Brooks B17, although I have swapped it for another one for the time being.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: jags on February 04, 2013, 09:28:33 PM
just noticed a Thorn BLACK seatpost when did this happen.

(man i hate the cheap looking silver ones )
sorry thorn but black is always better.expect to get a few slaps for that comment.maybe i should keep my big mouth shut  ::)
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: Cambirder on February 05, 2013, 09:31:31 AM
Seem to remember it being an option when I ordered my near identical RST. I stuck with a plane seat stem but went with black Rolhoff and Son hub.

I also have a honey B17 saddle which not only looks good but has provided 8000 km of comfort with little breaking in.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: JWestland on February 05, 2013, 12:06:58 PM
Nice "beastie" as I call my bikes  ;D

The honey hue saddle is a nice touch, all black it would maybe be stealth overload ;)

How does it ride VS the XTC?
Handling etc?

(gearing obv different with the Rohloff)
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: JenM on February 05, 2013, 04:58:53 PM
Quote
How does it ride VS the XTC?
Handling etc?

The XTC is an excellent bike as is the RST.  Handling?.........can't say that one handles better than the other.  As you would expect with Thorn both bikes handle very solidly, especially when carrying luggage.

The RST seemed faster etc initially, but I think that this may have been down to the Pasela Tourguard tyres.  After a higher number of punctures than I would have like these have now been changed to Marathons.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: energyman on February 05, 2013, 04:59:35 PM
Does your front brake "L" cable pipe catch on the down tube when it turns hard left ?
Just wondering as mine does on my RST.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: sg37409 on February 05, 2013, 11:52:25 PM
I have an xtc 1998 and a 2010 rst. I think the xtc is a nicer ride. Both have the same tyres. I think the rst has larger diameter seatstays and chainstays. This contributes to a more unforgiving ride on the rst, but it's still very comfortable, just not quite as nice a ride.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: StuntPilot on February 06, 2013, 09:18:26 AM
JenM

Really lovely looking bike! I have secretly longed for the Matt Black finish on my Raven Tour! Looks great and the light shows it well.

Interesting about the brakes being behind the fork (and thanks for the explanation Dan). Wonder if I can move mine to the back of the forks
on my Raven Tour? Any one know?

Hope you stick at the B17 saddle! (Wondering why you swapped it out. Not getting along with it?).
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: ians on February 06, 2013, 09:49:03 AM


Interesting about the brakes being behind the fork (and thanks for the explanation Dan). Wonder if I can move mine to the back of the forks
on my Raven Tour? Any one know?



I assume a new pair of forks - the Nomad Mk 2 forks should do it.

ian
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: JenM on February 06, 2013, 12:33:40 PM
Quote
Does your front brake "L" cable pipe catch on the down tube when it turns hard left ?
Just wondering as mine does on my RST.

Had to check - doesn't seem to be a problem for me
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: JenM on February 06, 2013, 12:36:11 PM
Quote
Hope you stick at the B17 saddle! (Wondering why you swapped it out. Not getting along with it?)

Well I just find the Selle Italia Gel Flow more comfortable.  Maybe I'll give the B17 a second chance.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: JWestland on February 06, 2013, 01:16:38 PM
Selle Italia seems to be THE number one on the ladies lfgss forum too :)

Brooks depends if you have "brooks bum" apparently.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: Cambirder on February 06, 2013, 03:00:06 PM
The RST seemed faster etc initially, but I think that this may have been down to the Pasela Tourguard tyres.  After a higher number of punctures than I would have like these have now been changed to Marathons.

I think the TGs are more sprightly, and my experience with then has been very good. 1 puncture in 8000 km, and that was from a blackthorn in the thin sidewall on a track, absolutely no puncture issues on the road despite the poor state of many of the back roads I've covered. When they wear out I will replace them with another set of TGs although I will probably drop down a size to 1.5 from 1.75.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: JWestland on February 06, 2013, 03:15:16 PM
I got Pasela Pasela tourguards on the fixie, no bother so far in around 500 miles in Glassbin Belfast.

Normal Pasela seem less sturdy though at least that's what I read.
Title: Re: Thorn Raven Sport Tour in Essex
Post by: alfie1952 on March 14, 2014, 01:41:45 PM
Browsing the members gallery when I came upon this absolutely stunning RST. One like this would just do me fine.

Very nice Jenm.

Regards ,Alfie