Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Thorn General => Topic started by: ianshearin on February 14, 2013, 01:12:03 PM
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Well, I coudnt wait any longer, the constant researching and dreaming of my eventual tour and the waiting for the right financial time to order my bike....
In the end I decided to make some compromises now and get some miles in.
I had a chat with Dave Whittle from SJS and have ordered one of the few remaining Raven Tours in Rosso Red the 587S, I went with drops ( as it is an S ), Alfine gears and an Alfine Dyna hub.
I was going to hold out until the Summer and get a new machine with all the trimmings but decided that getting out now and doing some long day rides and testing all the camping/trekking gear was more important. Not to mention I just wanted to get on a road bike!
Now I have to wait :-\
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I bet you are glad Ian and looking forward to it. As you say the most improtant thing with a bike is getting out on it and enjoying it. The Tour is a good frame and the parts can be upgraded in the future while keeping the same fit and feel of the bike.
I have had a couple of alfine 8 bikes nd have found them to be exteremly quiet (silent clutch) and enjoyable to ride. The only downsides to it are the lower gear ratio and life expectancy but both should be plenty to keep you busy.
We will all look forward to your ride reports and your future adventures
Andy
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Thanks Andy,
I chatted with Dave about upgrading to a Rohloff at a later date, he says that is no problem and SJS can do it when I decide to do that.
God dam! The post man has been and no bike! ffs I ordered it more than 2 hours ago...!!
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I know how you feel Ian. It is like waiting for christmas when you were a kid.
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Thanks Andy,
I chatted with Dave about upgrading to a Rohloff at a later date, he says that is no problem and SJS can do it when I decide to do that.
God dam! The post man has been and no bike! ffs I ordered it more than 2 hours ago...!!
hah same her no patience.best of luck with the new bike Ian don't get caught up in this rohloff thing ok it's a great bit of kit but so to is shimano guarantee you wont find one issues with your set up and as the man said its all Dow n to the pilot. ;)Ian what else do you need to get for your tour.
anyway buddy well done dont forget the pic's ;) ;)
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Im a blank canvas Jags, I need everything, from a Tent to the bike to a spoon....
Now that the bike is on its way I can start to collect stuff, I will look at ebay, gumtree, local shops and mugging old ladies...
There is a strange change that has come over me in the last few Months since I decided on this trip. I have always had decent jobs that pay well and always been an early adopter of gadgets, often wasting silly amounts of money on buying the best.
All that has changed now as I try to wind down working and look to retiring at the age of 55 at the end of this Year, it means a much more frugal existence but I have found that actually I have embraced looking for bargains, even buying second hand stuff #shock horror# my family are very amused at the minute at my new found financial responsibility.... Im actually looking forward to the trip when I will have to live on a small daily budget.... Rght now I can hear my ex wife laughing her ass off....
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I am sure you will get the last laugh or probably more to the point once you have have all the benefits of a quieter life you will not not mind one way or the other.
Nothing wrong with searching out the bargains. I just picked up a set of unused Thron Expedition racks (front and back) for the eXp off ebay yesterday at half their new price. They were value for money at their full price so twice the bargain at that.
Andy
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Oh! This is wonderful news, Ian! We're all waiting along with you...is there an expected estimated time for delivery or tracking on the package?
I think you've taken a very sensible course of action that will allow for riding straight away, just as you'd hoped. Get fit on this bike and learn its quirks then finalize as you please with the Rohloff...or not. You'll be getting a lovely frame and all the maintenance-free benefits of an IGH right now.
Ah! Rosso Red and drops with an Alfine...y'know that'll require photos for the gallery!
Very happy news and very happy for you, Ian!
All the best,
Dan.
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Ian i know you probably want to collect all your own gear but if you get really stuck i can Lend you my mountain hardware spear2 gt tent (gave it the full title there) ;D great tent loads room and not heavy also i could let you have my front ortlieb panniers and front duo tubus rack .also my optimus petrol stove best stove on the planet .
only thing i want them back ;D and i cant afford postage.
but let me know what you think.
anto.
jags.
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Thats a very generous offer Jags, thank you. I think though that the worry of looking out for someone else's gear would bother me.
If I get mugged with my own stuff I can hold my hands up and say take it... If its your tent I would have to use my black belt in origami to ward off the muggers.... ;)
Ah the estimated delivery Dan, Im afraid its a 3/4 Week wait..... :'(
Im researching cameras at the moment, but I have an iphone and a cheapy Samsung which will suffice to take some pics, the camera (and other gadgets) will be last on my list as they are the items most likely to change before the trip.
Just looked out the window.. still not here.......
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Congratulations on your new bike, Ian. I still have a couple of bikes with Shimano hub gears and they're smooth and silent, very agreeable, as has been well said above. Also the Shimano dynohub, which in my opinion is far better allrounder than the SON, which for three times the prices effectively at most speeds gives you less light on the road.
However, I've found that the weak point of the previous Nexus Premium setup (possibly fixed in the Alfine) is that the cog wears pretty fast, so if you're touring in distant places, take a spare or spares and appropriate tools. Mine were gone at about 2000m inside enclosed chain cases... I hope SJS fitted the bike with one of their own cranksets and chainring, because you don't want the Nexus-level one-unit crankset either -- it's soft, very fast wearing, gone at about the same 2000m even inside a chain case; I was not impressed. I concluded that Nexus falls a long way below Deore on the Shimano quality scale. There is also an Alfine crankset which may have a better chainring, as I see it fitted to quite a few expensive European bikes.
Andre Jute
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Almost finished ;D
(http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f45/16vsport/20130226_152510_zps7b0beed5.jpg)
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Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, myyyyyyyyyyyyy!
Ian...this pic from Dave is the Next Best Thing to having that lovely bike right there with you!
Goodness! What a beauty it is, too!
All the best,
Dan.
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Ooooooo an early present....
Thanks for that Dave ;D
Im checking B&B at the minute in the lake district for a test run, ride up, hot bath and some wine, cycle back next day.....
Cant wait........
Good day for the bike today, pedals arrived by post followed by a knock on the door with my cateye computer....
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that is one sweet looking bike, but i'm baffled sti shifters rhloff hub :o
whats the story there .
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Its an alfine hub so can be mated to an alfine sti shifter.
Andy
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Its an Alfine Hub Jags....
Try to keep up ;)
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yeah sorry buddy wasn't thinking your going to enjoy that bike ian very best of luck with it any short tours planned before the epic tour.
:-[
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Planning on day trips to the Lake District with an overnight stay and back again the next day.
Cant stay away too long from my main passion of Golf..... :o
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golf i was a pretty good golfer up until 10 years ago ,lost the rag one day on the course never hit a ball since. ;D ;D some cracking courses around my area ;)
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It's a date Jags, if I come to Ireland I will be knocking on your door to take me for a round... Throwing Golf Clubs optional..
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no bother, ;) my brother is a pretty good golfer off 4 or 8 of a handycap plays a lot of golf i will caddy for you. ;)
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That is a lovely bike!
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Thank you Jan, you are now on my Xmas card list.......
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huh what about me :'(
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Your on a list Jags...... Its just not a xmas one...... ;)
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;D ;D glad to hear it.
when are you getting the new baby.
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No date yet, Im guessing soon................
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ah they must have it finished by now we my son and myself can put a bike together to perfection in 2 hours ;D ;D tell them to get there finger out. ;)
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Its all done and gone through QC so sales should be in touch soon ;D
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Exciting news!!!!!
Its just like reality TV here but the prizes are better - lol
Andy
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whoo hoo great news for our ian ;D ;D
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Woohoo...
Just had a call from Lisa, bike paid for and ready for dispatch...
I have delayed delivery until Monday as I cant be at home tomorrow to sign for it...
Now to find myself a nice B&B in the Lakes for next Week, no point in a mamby Pamby short run, time to turn these legs to concrete and show that Brooks Saddle whose Boss.........
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Dont forget to take the camera Ian best of luck hope the weather is kind. 8)
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Wow fantastic! I still remember the delivery truck pulling up in front of our house! It was late night before I had the thing put together so my first ride was in the dark but with a good light.... what a blast! Enjoy your ride... the Lakes!
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Thanks guys, will of course report back with some photos.....
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Jags,
Re the STI, its a Versa shifter driving an Alfine Hub, rather than something trick and a Rohloff Hub.
Regards,
Steve
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Jags,
Re the STI, its a Versa shifter driving an Alfine Hub, rather than something trick and a Rohloff Hub.
Regards,
Steve
;) got ya cheers 8)