Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Thorn General => Topic started by: Geoff Crowther on October 09, 2014, 07:33:50 PM
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Hi all
Just joined here.
Yesterday I made the long trek down from Derbyshire to Bridgwater to spec and order my Thorn Sherpa.
Steve was extremely helpful and I'm now looking forward to the beginning of next month when it should be ready to collect.
Just got to decide whether to buy one of these:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/busch-and-muller-lumotec-iq2-luxos-u-senso-headlight-for-hub-dynamos-prod31108/#bottomsection
Exciting times!
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Hi Geoff,
Glad it was a successful trip for you down to SJS. I also had Steve when I went to look at a Sherpa and he was very patient whilst I was trying to make all the choices. Hopefully the time will go quickly for you, at least its not too long and you will soon be out on a great bike.
I am beginning to think I should have gone for a lamp system like that too, but I am just running one of the cateye EL 530 I think it is and for my commute it is fine. I would not be riding very much in the dark anyway apart from this 2 mile ride home and it is all through town so its just to be seen rather than to see.
So what spec is the Sherpa as I am sure we would all like to know?
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Hi bikerta
Thanks for the reply. I copied the photo of your bike on LEJOG (from CycleChat) so I could drool over it :D 'Hope you don't mind.
Spec? Well, let's see if I can remember:
RED!!
Flat track bars to be cut to 60cm
GP5 grips and bar end thingys (technical term)
Rapid fire shifters
Grizzly wheels
Mondiale tyres (I do want to get on rough stuff)
XT brake upgrade
Front and rear racks
3 profile cages
SON 28 dyno hub
Velo saddle
Cateye 10 LED lamp fitted to rear carrier
Topeak mountain morph mini fitted to frame
EVERTHING in black; 'cept the frame, which is ..... :
RED!!
Soooo exciting.
I've also today ordered a click stand with carrier and am close to deciding to have one o' those fancy lighty things, primarily cos I want the charging facility.
Now ... where for the first trip, given autumn's well and truly here. (Stop being a wimp Geoff!)
For the future? Trans Pennine Trail? Pennine Bridleway? Outer Hebrides (definite). Who knows? My mind's a big, messy muddle of excitement and ideas just now.
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Oh, forgot Ultra Wide range gearing ;D
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Hi Geoff well done super bike the sherpa built like a tank all day comfort.
i would certainly go with the dynamo system worth every penny and also good battery light thats the way i had my sherpa set up worked fantastic.
one thing though if your not going to be using front panniers think about getting a carbon front fork,as the steering is a tad heavy with the steel fork,
well i'm coming from a road bike background i like things light up front,horses for courses as the man said.
either way its a cracking bike and excellent company to deal with .
oh yeah supream marathn tyres ;)
god cycling Geoff enjoy and stay safe.
Jags.
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Welcome, Geoff!
What a wonderful bike you have "baking in the oven" -- can't wait to see photos of it in the gallery when done.
A Dream Build, for sure!
Best,
Dan.
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Jags - thanks. Front rack included in spec. I have a four pannier system I use and like.
On the verge of ordering that fancy B&M light with USB charging.
Danneaux - Cheers! Photos will appear, be assured. Hopefully of that lovely bicycle in action.
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Sounds great! I will think of it as a compliment that you have copied a picture of my Sherpa. :)
It is a fab feeling knowing that wherever you decide to go in the future, your bike will handle pretty much whatever you throw at it. I found with my Dawes that when on canal paths etc, I was always nervous of punctures or a wheel not handling the rough stuff even though there was no reason for it, but on the Sherpa the bike is so comfortable off road even fully loaded, that I just had a big grin on my face all the time. On road I admit I was always overtaken by road cyclists, but I was in no hurry and I wanted to enjoy the sights rather than head down and power through the miles.
A charger of some sort would have been very useful on my JOGLE as I came close a couple of times to not having any battery left on my phone. Everything else I bought ran on normal AA batteries. (lights, GPS )
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Cheers Jackie. At some point in the future it'd be nice to know your LEJOG route since that's one of my many ideas bubbling away.
As for speed, I'm a big fan of Ted Simon (I note you're a motorbiker too) and often refer to his maxim. " ... far, not fast".
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Oops just noticed it was JOGLE for you. Still interested though.
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Looking forward to some photos of your new pride and joy Geoff. The longest wait is just after you receive the call to say it's ready ;D, if your having it delivered. The Sherpa is a fine bike as many on here will testify. Had mine for just over a week and having withdrawal symptoms as I have not had chance to ride it this week. My 5 year old granddaughter is also disappointed as it is too big and not pink :o
Andy
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on the Sherpa the bike is so comfortable off road even fully loaded, that I just had a big grin on my face all the time. On road I admit I was always overtaken by road cyclists, but I was in no hurry and I wanted to enjoy the sights rather than head down and power through the miles.
Yeah that is my experience with my Nomad. My 80 mile ride last weekend included some rail trail and some rough back roads, many that I'd never seen before. Knowing that the Nomad is up to anything, that helps keep me relaxed and happy, and the bike is so comfortable... that's a long ride for me so I was certainly tired, but no aches and pains.
With a couple hours of night time riding, I got to fiddle with the angle of my headlight, too. I think I have it good now!
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Hi Geoff,
I just want to pile on with my best wishes for your embarking on a new bike adventure. I'm sure you won't be disappointed, and the after-sales experience with Thorn and SJS is nothing if not reassuring.
I also want to second your choice of lights for your SON. I have been using the Luxos U for over a year, and find it superb. Just be sure the mounting is done properly for a robust and problem-free experience.
Also remember that many devices will require a cache battery (USB-werk, Power Monkey or the like) to charge adequately from the SON. This is because they can't regulate the variability of the charge coming from the hub as you change speeds, etc. and will tend to shut down at each cycle. I have these issues with both my iPhone and Garmin Edge 800. By inserting a battery between the dynamo and the device, you maintain a steady charge.
I also highly recommend a dynamo rear light. I mounted the Toplight LineTec with BrakeTec, designed to work alongside the Luxos. There is plenty of discussion on this forum on these subjects, as I'm sure you have discovered.
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Sam any chance you can post pic's of that dynamo set up from the hub to the charger ,i'm a geek i need to see a set up sorry ::) but i know your god with a cmera.
cheers,
anto,
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Thanks Sam.
I note your comments re charging but is your lamp the model with USB charging, cos that's the one I'm considering? This would avoid the need for an extra interface (like the e werk). Thorn tell me it's been available for only a few months hence their lack of experience or feedback.
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The buffer battery in the luxos u is relatively small and if you are slogging up a hill or have a large load on so are going slow it can be depleted fairly quickly. This means that whatever you are charging will stop charging. This can be particularly problematic with mobile phones because the first thing they tend to do is turn the screen on to tell you they are not charging. This can end up wasting more battery power than you are generating. A slightly bigger online buffer battery can help stop that from happening.
The luxos u is great, I got one when they first came out and have 0 problems. If you are price concious rose bikes do them cheaper but you will not then get the excellent install job that thorn are bound to do for you.
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Sam any chance you can post pic's of that dynamo set up from the hub to the charger ,i'm a geek i need to see a set up sorry ::) but i know your god with a cmera.
cheers,
anto,
Sorry Anto, I'm currently travelling O/S and away from my bike and my photos. I'll be back in early November and plan to update Atilla's gallery.
I will second what gover_1 said about the Luxos U battery, and also point out that these devices can only be sustainably charged if the lights are switched off, freeing up the current from the hub. I like to leave my lights on during the day when cycling around town, so I want a battery that will cover that off. It's not so critical on a tour out in the countryside, but it's then that you're in the saddle for longer periods. I also have multiple devices.
I bought a PowerMonkey Extreme, and am playing with mounting options at the moment, both for the battery and for the solar panel. My hope is that I can keep both an iPhone and GPS going for 8+ hours by starting out with a fully charged PM. I may be kidding myself... :-[
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Whatever dynamo light you go for you won't regret it. I don't ride a huge amount in the dark but just not having to think about if you've got your lights/batteries charged means you can have an extra pint and still see on the way home ;)
I had the older version of yours on my Raven an I have a Schmidt on my Nomad and they both do a fantastic job.
Happy travels on your new bike :)
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just not having to think about if you've got your lights/batteries charged
Exactly. My theory is that dynamos are more valuable the less you use them. If you ride every night, you'll have a regular routine to keep charged batteries at hand. If you just get caught in the dark on the rare unexpected occasion, a dynamo is your friend!
I have a few flashlights about that are dynamo powered: one has a crank, the other you shake. They don't get used much, but they are always ready!
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I bought a PowerMonkey Extreme, and am playing with mounting options at the moment, both for the battery and for the solar panel. My hope is that I can keep both an iPhone and GPS going for 8+ hours by starting out with a fully charged PM. I may be kidding myself... :-[
I use the PM Extreme and carry an 2nd battery pack - Anker 2nd Gen 12000 one on charge / one in use. Not had any issues running my Galaxy Tab with GPS on, and keeps the phone charged as well.