Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Member's Gallery => Topic started by: bobs on February 06, 2013, 01:43:03 PM
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Here is a photo of my new Sterling. Bought the frame and forks then transfered everything across from my Raven Tour.
Had to change to an EX box but it was easy following Rohloff videos.
Bob
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd29/bobsimpson1953/bike%20bits/Sterling008_zps38bf59ac.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd29/bobsimpson1953/bike%20bits/004-1.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd29/bobsimpson1953/bike%20bits/Sterling014_zpsd7c732fc.jpg)
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Great looking Sterling Bobs. Tempting me back to the SJS site! Did you choose not to have the sus' forks or was that how it came, so to speak.
There is something about the Sterling's rear triangle that makes it a very attractive bike too. Nice one!
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Thats a great looking Bike bob,
What was your reason for changing to the Sterling frame and what will be your main use for the new machine?
Nosey Ian...
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wow good stuff bob looks fantastic ;)
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Bob!
My, what an outstanding bicycle, and how nice to see a Sterling represented here in full road trim. An absolutely superb build, and you did a fine job of it, too -- Couldn't look finer!
Bob, have you found any operational difference since switching to the EX box? Any change or increase in friction?
I simply love the beautiful matte green with black...reminds me of the deep forest.
Congratulations on your new ride!
Best,
Dan.
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Nice build, ready for the rough roads! :)
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what is this xbox ??? ::)
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what is this xbox
External shifter box for the Rohloff hub, jags. It attaches to the outside of the hub on the left side there, below the dropout. The internal shifter arrives from above on Thorns that use it, via a stop bolted to the left-rear v-brake boss. Choice is partly determined by routing, and the external shift box is thought by some to have a bit more friction, but is easily removed by a thumbscrew. The internal version uses little quick releases on each shifter wire. Either setup works well, it is largely a matter of preference and what works best for the cable routing on a given frame.
Best,
Dan. (...that, or Bob is playing games we can't see :D )
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Thats a great looking Bike bob,
What was your reason for changing to the Sterling frame and what will be your main use for the new machine?
Nosey Ian...
The reason I changed was without sounding shallow because I could. I didn't need to and was happy with the Raven Tour but liked the look of the Sterling. Also it gives the option of a suspension fork. I enjoy building up bikes and changing them. The bike will be used for touring and cycle camping and a bit of off road. I found little difference in the shifting with the EX box, ( but get a better slection of games compared to the Nintendo ) ;D Jags. ;)
Bob
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That's a great looking bike! Super colour too, not ostentatiously aggressive. -- Andre Jute
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hah i'll say nothing :-[
super looking bike though Bob enjoy every pedal stroke .
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The reason I changed was without sounding shallow because I could. I didn't need to and was happy with the Raven Tour but liked the look of the Sterling. Also it gives the option of a suspension fork. I enjoy building up bikes and changing them.
Not a bit shallow, Bob. If we waited for Thorns to wear out, we'd be waiting a lifetime! Sometimes, change for change-sake is good; keeps cycling fresh and new and gives a fresh perspective and point of reference. I've added bikes to my stable not because there was anything wrong with the old ones, but 'cos there was something on each new one that appealed or looked as if it would make life a bit easier or better-accomplished (always successful to date). Annnnnd, I um, like building and changing (my) bikes, too -- just don't tell the friends who want me to build up their bikes for free! It is a bit like offering computer support...there's no such thing as "just this one time". :D
Really nice job on this one, Bob.
All the best,
Dan.
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Nice bike. May I ask about the pedals you use?
I need a pair for my new Raven Tour.
Thinking about Shimano MX30 or 80
Or Lambdas.
Anyone any thoughts on above types?
Matt
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They are just a cheap pair of wellgo's, but fancy a pair of Shimano Saints.
Bob
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Nice bike build, really well set up.
What is the difference between the Sterling and the Nomad frame? It looks almost the same design to me.
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Hi, I think the Sterling is a lighter frame with much less carrying capacity.
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Hi All!
Thorn's Sterling brochure is available as a downloadable .PDF here:
http://www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/Thorn_Sterling_hires.pdf
Page 7 tells what the bike "is" and "is not", agreeing with Bob's summary immediately above and adding some additional details.
I think it is very nice indeed, and Bob's build especially so!
Best,
Dan.
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Aha, that was a useful link to the Sterling Dan, thanks.
After reading that brochure it looks like its the Nomad for me and not the Sterling as I was slowly coming round to.
Ian
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Yes, the 15 kg max. payload is severely limiting if you are planning to do any real touring.
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Aye Padrone, also it says the weight of the rider is limiting as well, I am 100Kg so the max limit of 95Kg for the rider was too much to ignore.
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I dont think you will manage to mintain 100kg for long once you get touring!!!!!
I think comparing the Sterling to the Nomad is very similar to comparing the Ripio to the Sherpa. I have thought though you could probably realisticaly increase that load by 10-15kg using the mt tura fork on both
Andy
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The Sterling with 10 kg up front and 15 kg is all I think i need. This keeps below the weight restrictions with the likes of Easyjet. Last 3 trips managed to keep it below 20 kg with camping gear. The more capacity you have the more your likely to use it. Its amazing what you don't need.
The Sterling is no longer made and the Nomad has taken over its role.
Bob
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The Nomad is indeed the way to go, I was still eyeing up that Sterling that was up for sale last Month by Dave Whittle, havent seen any indication it has been sold.
With Suss forks and some addons the Nomad is gonna cost me 3k, thats a lot of dosh for a bike in my world.. :o
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The Sterling is no longer made and the Nomad has taken over its role.
Perhaps the Nomad "X" is the Sterling's spiritual successor?
Remarkably light weights for your touring kit, Bob; well done! You're absolutely correct; if you have the capacity you will fill it, and very little gear is actually needed, as I am finding out with my SOL Kit for casual/unexpected camping: Bivy tent/footprint, lightweight down bag good to freezing, pad, meths stove and fuel, two nesting alu cups with lid, and a telescoping spoon. -- done! Just add some dehydrated soups, some dried meat, and several energy bars, and I'm set for back-to-back 300km days and local exploration at the midpoint. All fits in my rack-top pack and on my rear rack. Rain gear, tights, longsleeve wool jersey, wind jacket, and a hat fold nicely into the HB bag so I'm set for 3-seasons camping use at reasonable elevations, the Nomad still providing go-anywhere access on logging roads and such.
That said, I sure seem to find myself carrying more on longer trips (my chair, for example!)
The Nomad Mk2 is a heavier bike with a higher weight capacity, but can always be ridden lightly laden, as can any bike. We're fortunate Thorn provide so many choices!
[EDIT: With Suss forks and some addons the Nomad is gonna cost me 3k, thats a lot of dosh for a bike in my world.
In DanneauxWorld, too! There is also the used market with aftermarket mods like the forks added After for some overall savings, or SJSC discounts on returned/demo/overstock bikes. When making purchases, I try to balance object/item/component/bike cost against trip cost. Less spent on one means more for the other.
A last note...rider weight is a factor in a given bike's overall payload capacity, so if one tends more toward Clydesdale than ectomorph, a frame with greater load capacity can be a real boon.]
All the best,
Dan.
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Bobs, I wish you every success with your touring but my experience is that the Sterling is suitable for only the lightest of loads. I bought one, save reason as you, medium frame and with that monster mt-tura front fork which seems even stiffer than a Nomad one.
First tour with it, all-up camping load including the bags themselves, under 19kg, about 6 of which on the front. Plus water in the frame bottles but no bar bag. I'm about 80 kg. And I got shimmy! Not really bad like Danneaux' but enough to be very annoying.
Next tour I reverted to my RST, much better, and my son who came with me rode the Sterling with even less weight, in fact nothing on the front at all. Different tyres. He got shimmy too.
So, jus' sayin', be prepared to really cut your load to the bone. Have a good loaded test ride first.
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Will do a few runs before my next big trip in may. Never had a problem fully loaded with either a Sherpa or Raven Tour even at some silly speeds downhill. I see the capacity for the RST on the rear is 17 kg so there is not much difference really.
Bob.
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Aye Dan, I am keeping a sharp eye on any bargains that materialise.
I still have some Months before I need to get the bike, problem is, each day gets me more and more excited and eager to start putting the gear together.
My Brooks B17 is almost run in now and waiting for its new home ;)
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Some photos off a recent trip Aviemore to Granton on Spey and back.
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd29/bobsimpson1953/004_zps19b7a84f.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd29/bobsimpson1953/005_zps7b664d36.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd29/bobsimpson1953/011_zpsc575db82.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd29/bobsimpson1953/014_zps6d71a56c.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd29/bobsimpson1953/013_zps227db345.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd29/bobsimpson1953/008-1_zpsf45f3a77.jpg)
(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd29/bobsimpson1953/018_zpsef3f0842.jpg)
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Wow fantastic photos bob all that sunshine. so how's the bike your certainly putting it through the mill on that track did it preform well ;)
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Hi Jags
It performed very well just like an old school rigid mountain bike.
Bob
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Ohhh, Bob; those are just fabulous photos of the new bike "out in the wild". So nice you had good weather for he ride, and the heather reminds me of the many field I saw of it (heide) in The Netherlands.
My, what a lovely bike (pair of them, really); very good of you to share with us!
Best,
Dan.
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What a wonderful series of shots. The Sterling looks quite at home in its environs; heft to the hills, as I believe is said in parts of the UK. There is something very appealing about the Sterling's shade of green too. Perhaps its the contextual backdrop I don't know but regardless I think it is in its element around Aviemore at this time of year. If you ride quiet it won't be too long before you get to see Capercaillie and I think there is a Lekking spot not too far away for Black Grouse.