Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Thorn General => Topic started by: Marcc72 on January 22, 2022, 08:04:28 pm
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It's taken a while, a few months shy of my 50th birthday, I gave in after years of finding reasons why not, obtained a Thorn Mercury. It's taken so long because of the riding I have been doing, mostly sportive style stuff on much lighter steel frames. I have to say that my 853 Genesis is now going up for sale. I love this heavier slow style of riding. I have after a few winter weeks clocked up 500km on my Mercury. That's even with the heavier front fork and rack. I have in this short space of time, let my times go. It was a hard concept to get my head around, but I have stopped recording on Strava, left it in the past. I now just want to enjoy my rides for the sake of cycling! My only regret was waiting so long. It's the most amazing ride I have ever experienced, and I have owned a few bikes. My Thomson seat post and stem which I have had on 3 different bikes really made this my ride from the get-go. Gave it that familiar feeling my muscles knew . It's my first experience of a Rohloff, I am very taken with it, it seems to punish you if not in the correct gear, it will need a few thousand kilometers to get totally use to it I am sure. They do get up to speed with ease thou! Anyway, I felt like I should post, say hello. If you see a Grey Mercury around the Salisbury Wiltshire area, be sure to say hi. Marc.
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Welcome! Lots of recent comment about the celebrated Mercury. Great to see some photos. Happy riding. 🚴
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Welcome Marc
Hope you get as much enjoyment out of Thorn ownership that I already have - great bikes with good after sales help and service in my experience
go well with you adventures
Russell
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All congratulations on the new bike, Marc! Looking forward to seeing photos of it in the gallery. Grey? My favorite bike color! ;)
I have stopped recording on Strava, left it in the past. I now just want to enjoy my rides for the sake of cycling!
One of the best things I ever did...and I rode longer and stronger as a result! Early in my cycling "career", I joined a mileage-logging club and soon found that drove my cycling -- to my detriment. Though I was logging high mileage, I was also riding when sick or tired or doing laps of known circuits just to improve my times or post the distances I felt I "should". I broke free, removed my odometer (pre-bike computer days) and just enjoyed riding whenever. It was very zenlike, gaining by letting go and highly recommended. Later, I added a bike computer and enjoyed it very much because it was no longer the prime motivator.
Rohloff shifting will soon become second nature, I'm sure. Enjoy every ride! :)
Best,
Dan.
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Your old bike, keep it for another year. You might find that for some things you want to use one bike and a different bike for other things. I regularly ride several derailleur bikes and one Rohloff bike. The bikes are all great, but for some things one is better than the others.
After a year you will know if you want to keep it or not. But you don't want to sell it if you might regret that later.
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Your old bike, keep it for another year. You might find that for some things you want to use one bike and a different bike for other things. I regularly ride several derailleur bikes and one Rohloff bike. The bikes are all great, but for some things one is better than the others.
Welcome, from the other end of the county. I bought my Mercury in mid-2020 and clocked up 7800 miles in 17 months. However, it's currently gathering dust as explained here http://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=14396.0 . As noted above, it's horses for courses and those miles demonstrated that, while the Mercury gives a very pleasant ride, it becomes a disadvantage when not needing to carry any significant baggage and others in the group are faster whether due to bike or fitness.
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Welcome to the club ;)
What spec and wheel size? This is likely to influence your impression as much as anything else. I've been a fan of the Rohloff since my first in 2003, but it doesn't make the bike, I never really gelled with the first one I had it in.
Was the Genesis an Equilibrium? Nice bike, I'd be inclined to agree with mickeg about keeping it for the contrast, though there may be reasons you can't.
On any day ride, I ride as fast on my Mercury as I have on any bike I've owned (Which has never been that speedy) and that includes some Sportive/Audax bling bikes, though never an out and out road bike. It's only on shorter rides, maybe up to 50 miles but more commonly 20, where I've been faster on other bikes, I do sometimes miss having one, though not often enough to do anything about it.
Give up Strava :o :o :o ;D
I like to record everything, just love the numbers, and a record of routes, Strava seems as good a place to do so as any. Though it's easy for it to become a master rather than a tool, I felt this was happening a few years ago and temporarily turned my account private, doing so broke the competitive element.
Have fun on the new bike, plenty of opinion on this forum, not all of it in agreement which is a healthy thing, please do continue to add yours and looking forward to the photos ;)
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Hey Marc, welcome! Enjoy your Mercury and getting-to-know the Rohloff. Wise choice, to go more slowly and to see and feel more. (Some of us have no choice but to go slowly...)
And especially, enjoy Salisbury and surrounds. We lived there ages ago for a couple of my childhood years, and I found it magical - the cathedral, Sarum, the 'henge. Have revisited a few times since, but never enough.
Safe journeys, John
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Welcome to the Mercury world, Marc.
Mike
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Your old bike, keep it for another year. You might find that for some things you want to use one bike and a different bike for other things. I regularly ride several derailleur bikes and one Rohloff bike. The bikes are all great, but for some things one is better than the others.
After a year you will know if you want to keep it or not. But you don't want to sell it if you might regret that later.
It's going, I made my mind up on that. I don't need or want it any longer! I find the Mercury has so many options and builds, it's really a multi-purpose cycle. I set it up with Specialized All Condition Armadillo Elite 700 X 32 Tyre. Plus my already owned Thomson seat post and stem I have had for years. Seat wise I am running a GILLES BERTHOUD Galibier (Titanium rails). These are all parts I had on the other Derailleur that I am selling. Once I obtain the lighter 853 forks, remove the racks for Audax, it will move even better. Touring, then I will kit it back up with racks, heavy front forks, 35mm Schwalbe Marathon Plus. I will be doing the King Alfreds way at some point in the summer, so on with 35mm Schwalbe G-One Allround, XLC Comp Link Suspension Seatpost. Audax, road touring, Gravel touring.
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Your old bike, keep it for another year. You might find that for some things you want to use one bike and a different bike for other things. I regularly ride several derailleur bikes and one Rohloff bike. The bikes are all great, but for some things one is better than the others.
Welcome, from the other end of the county. I bought my Mercury in mid-2020 and clocked up 7800 miles in 17 months. However, it's currently gathering dust as explained here http://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=14396.0 . As noted above, it's horses for courses and those miles demonstrated that, while the Mercury gives a very pleasant ride, it becomes a disadvantage when not needing to carry any significant baggage and others in the group are faster whether due to bike or fitness.
I have set it up to run fast at the moment. Yeah, I am already up to 704km in a few weeks. Its heavy, but the ride is great. It really has a floaty ride to it. I ride solo so don't have to worry about others. Sorry to hear you are not on your bike, hope you are again soon :-)
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If you anticipate this bike being a do-everything-bike that sometimes is unladen and sometimes is loaded down with camping gear, you might want to change your gearing depending on activity.
I have the Nomad Mk II and my Rohloff sprocket is 16T. For riding around near home unladen, I use a 44T chainring. But loaded touring, I want lower gearing for hauling heavy loads up steep hills so I remove four chain links and put a 36T chainring on the bike instead.
I also have a 40T chainring, but never found a need for it yet. But, might some day.
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My only regret was waiting so long. It's the most amazing ride I have ever experienced, and I have owned a few bikes.
Interesting comment, Marc. Helps me understand why I feel the same way, even though I've not owned all that many bikes.
I think it's especially interesting that you've reached this conclusion after owning what I imagine is an excellent 853 road frame with a light build (but help me out here - I am not familiar with the Genesis range).
And yes, the versatility is a big part of my appreciation too for this design. Like you I have the touring fork. I didn't think I'd need an 853 fork as well but I am starting to believe I will get one eventually if they get more built in my offset and grey.
As I get stronger (from doing more riding on this rewarding steed) , the idea of having a stripper version available for certain events becomes more appealing. One (far off) day I might even invest in a second Rohloff and wheelset. :D :D
Great to hear you are having so much fun on your Merc.
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Once I obtain the lighter 853 forks, remove the racks for Audax, it will move even better. Touring, then I will kit it back up with racks, heavy front forks, 35mm Schwalbe Marathon Plus. I will be doing the King Alfreds way at some point in the summer, so on with 35mm Schwalbe G-One Allround, XLC Comp Link Suspension Seatpost. Audax, road touring, Gravel touring.
I have both the ST and the 853 forks (I have two Mercurys :o) There is a difference, but I'm not sure it's significant enough to be changing back and forth. Better tyres will make more of a difference and you could get a lot of rubber bling for the price of an 853 fork, or invest it in going tubeless which apparently makes an even bigger difference (I have no experience). If I was going to swap forks for occasional fast riding, I'd be more inclined to choose carbon (Assuming your frame suits the common 44 -46 size) The only reason I didn't go carbon is I'm paranoid about damage in transit, I take my bike on the train a lot, I'd have no qualms about riding.
35mm Schwalbe Marathon Plus
IMO they're the best way to spoil any ride, I really don't get the idea of having a comfortable frame and putting stiff tyres on it. I used them when I had a commute where a puncture would mean missing a train and an hour wait for the next, but I'd never use them in any other circumstance. There's plenty of good alternatives with decent puncture protection.
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I have set it up to run fast at the moment. Yeah, I am already up to 704km in a few weeks. Its heavy, but the ride is great. It really has a floaty ride to it. I ride solo so don't have to worry about others. Sorry to hear you are not on your bike, hope you are again soon :-)
You mis-understood me. I'm not incapacitated because I had assembled another bike as explained in the thread I had linked to. However, I'm becoming a bit of a wimp and haven't been out on any bike since Saturday as I know that my hands will freeze up despite thick gloves.
There's plenty of good alternatives with decent puncture protection.
Plus the tubeless option which you mentioned. They might not be very puncture-proof but normal punctures will quickly seal and often won't get noticed. However, getting some tyres to seal tubeless on some rims can be a challenge in which case an alternative is a lightweight tyre with sealant in the inner tube.
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35mm Schwalbe Marathon Plus
IMO they're the best way to spoil any ride, I really don't get the idea of having a comfortable frame and putting stiff tyres on it. I used them when I had a commute where a puncture would mean missing a train and an hour wait for the next, but I'd never use them in any other circumstance. There's plenty of good alternatives with decent puncture protection.
Seconded, at least in the narrower sizes. The 700C x 28 I had on the old visitor bike were awful, almost like riding on solid tyres. I find the wide 26" x 2.0" size less horrible, but still sluggish compared to the other tyres I use (mainly Schwalbe Marathon Supreme and Dureme).
I have them on the rear wheels of my two visitor bikes at our island flat, where I don't want visitors tampering with the hub gear and Chainglider settings. I'd also consider using wide Marathon Plus if I ever had to ride regularly in an area with loads of broken glass or thorns.
The visitor bikes are (normally) only used for short distances, the island is 8 km x 3, so the performance hit doesn't matter much. But one visitor clocked up nearly 200 kms during a 10 day stay.
The main advantage of Schwalbe Marathon Plus is that they virtually eliminate punctures. To put that into perspective I don't think I have ever had a puncture with Duremes, and very few with Supremes.
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On a massive tour, it has to be 35mm Marathon plus for sure. Not sure I would want anything bigger, but lots do I guess! Better for carrying loads, better for being puncher-free. I don't want that hassle in the middle of France! At home unloaded using my Mercury for everything, I use the 32mm Specialized All Condition Armadillo Elite. Great puncher protection, plus they roll really well. I love the feeling of these tires. I have been using them for several years. I was shocked by just how nice they made any bike feel that they have been fitted. They are not cheap either, I have even used these on sportives in the past, I have had these up to 45k on a decent flat, 70km downhill. They roll just a little slower, but with 1 flat in 8 years, I keep using them. The Mercury runs amazing with these on.
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I don't want that hassle in the middle of France!
Your ride, your choice, but hassle? It's a chance for a ten min break off the bike, and that includes time for the banana*. Good pump and levers, plus a bit of practice and it shouldn't be regarded as a hassle, at least not on a tour.
I keep a puncture log (Note spelling ;) ) across all bikes and about 70% urban riding, I've averaged one every 4,600 miles, I'm not compromising the ride quality to extend that, though as I said, your choice. Tyres are far better now than they were a couple of decades ago, on club rides it used to be common for at least one, now it's a rarity, the puncture trophy used to have several contenders in double figures, now you're in with a chance with more than two.
* Best bit of puncture advice I ever received - On a long ride, eat before fixing, not only will that make sure your thinking isn't impaired by low sugar, it might also be the last time your hands are clean for a while.
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* Best bit of puncture advice I ever received - On a long ride, eat before fixing, not only will that make sure your thinking isn't impaired by low sugar, it might also be the last time your hands are clean for a while.
That reminds me of the occasion when I changed the inner tube but put the one with the hole back on the wheel. :-[ I only realised that when I got home. For the rest of the ride I was thinking there was a thorn in the tyre that I hadn't found which had punctured the replacement tube so I just stopped every few miles to add more air.
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I carry some disposable medical type gloves with my spare tube.
I average one puncture a year. I would rather not use a tire that slows me down that much to prevent only one puncture. Thus, I do not use the Marathon Plus tires. That said, some people live where there is much more stuff out there that can cause punctures.
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Marathon Supremes for me, two different sizes for two different bikes.
Have had only one puncture on tour since 2014 -- a cut sidewall on a forest road en route to Ystad in SE Sweden. Fixed that over lunch in a nearby farmer's barn -- but once inside, it started pouring with rain almost immediately, so no time lost. And--this from the Silver Linings Dep't--I learned that I could fix a cut sidewall with a then-new plasticky $20 bill, plus some Sugru.
When I got home, I found that Filzer makes a heavier-duty patch for sidewall cuts. So, I bought one of those, and that has ensured no more sidewall cuts in the years since. ;)
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In USA a lot of post office shipping envelops are made from pretty tough Tyvek. I cut pieces from envelopes and have a piece or two with each of my spare tubes, thinking that if I need one I will have a spare tube out at that time too. Used envelopes are free, so the cost to do that is only my time. Have not used one yet, but still carry them.
John, you were is Sweden and you used a Canadian $20? That does not show very much respect for the local currency or the local economy.
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John, you were in Sweden and you used a Canadian $20? That does not show very much respect for the local currency or the local economy.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, George. I looked in my wallet, and there was this green plasticky thing...
But in Ystad, I did buy a Conti 26 x 1.75 to see me back to Berlin (as it did.) And, I stayed in a spiffy hotel, The Continental, just off the main square. Not usually my style, but the weather was wet'n'windy, and the cost was modest for a two-night stay. And, it turned out that the dining room--so the desk staff informed me--was used by Henning Mankell as a lunchtime setting for Kurt Wallander.
A large part of my reason for visiting Ystad was to pay a personal homage to Mankell, who set his Wallander stories in Ystad & surrounds. I'm a huge fan of his work, and he was suffering at the time from the cancer that eventually killed him. The nice people at the town bookshop were chuffed to meet yet another literary pilgrim -- people came from all over the world just to see their small town, they said. Then, they asked me about the star Swedish defenceman for the Ottawa Senators, Erik Karlsson, and the Sens' captain, Daniel Alfredsson.
So it all balanced out in the end. Wouldn't have been half as interesting, I'm guessing, if Osi the Raven had been shod with Marathon Plus tires (perish the thought.)
Cheers, J.
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John, you were in Sweden and you used a Canadian $20? That does not show very much respect for the local currency or the local economy.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, George. I looked in my wallet, and there was this green plasticky thing...
...
About a decade ago I did the Glacier Waterton loop with Adventure Cycling. The guide had a Bike Friday and he pulled a trailer that was the travel case for the bike. Trailer had two wheels, I do not recall if they were 16 inch or 12. But he kept having flats on the trailer, one tire was so worn that the tread was gone in one spot. He was using $1 bills (USD) for a tire boot, I kept telling him that a $10 would last longer and that was why he kept having flats. He did not believe me, so he kept using $1s and kept having flats.
Some of his flats were in Canada. Good thing he did not try that with Canadian money, the $1 (CAD) coins would not work very well in his tires.
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Loonies & toonies indeed...And we won't even get into crypto-currency NFT's.
But what'll we do when the cashless society finally arrives? Start saving green plasticky things against the day? ;)
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…We’ll all be heading towards a Shanghai-type dystopia if ever that comes about. Astride my Nomad I shall be heading in the opposite direction. 😊 Bike chain not block chain
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On a massive tour, it has to be 35mm Marathon plus for sure. Not sure I would want anything bigger, but lots do I guess! Better for carrying loads, better for being puncher-free. I don't want that hassle in the middle of France! At home unloaded using my Mercury for everything, I use the 32mm Specialized All Condition Armadillo Elite. Great puncher protection, plus they roll really well. I love the feeling of these tires. I have been using them for several years. I was shocked by just how nice they made any bike feel that they have been fitted. They are not cheap either, I have even used these on sportives in the past, I have had these up to 45k on a decent flat, 70km downhill. They roll just a little slower, but with 1 flat in 8 years, I keep using them. The Mercury runs amazing with these on.
Welcome to the club Marc!. I too spoiled myself for my 50th albeit with a non-Thorn Rohloff hubbed bike. I wasn't aware of Thorn as a brand, only discovering this forum later.
Contrary to popular folklore, wider tyres have been proven to have less rolling resistance than skinnier tyres. And not only that, they add some additional comfort in absorbing bumps and potholes much better, so that longer tours are more of a pleasure than a pain... literally!
I personally swear by Marathon Plus tyres. Most of my family bikes have them. Admittedly, slightly more sluggish than same size Big Apples, but hardly noticeable in the real world of being out and about on a bike. Any bike I ride tops 100kg+ with me on it. The heavier the load, the greater the risk of puncture. Lighter riders can probably afford to cut corners on how puncture resistant their tyres are. There is an optimum tyre for everyone, and this depends heavily on your riding habits, your total weight and the features that are important to you. As a heavier set cycle commuter hitting 160-200km a week and on a tight schedule, I don't want to be late to work because of scrimping on puncture resistance and getting a flat. Add in a few potholes and kerbs on my commuting route, wider tyres help absorb those unavoidable impacts. But that is me- and my circumstances.
There is an interesting comparison of Marathon "Green Guard" https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/specials/schwalbe-marathon-32-37-40-47 (https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/specials/schwalbe-marathon-32-37-40-47) of resistance across a range of widths of the same model. While it is not automatically comparable to other models in the range, it does show tendencies that go against the skinny is better mindset.
The website does allow you to compare other brands and models of tested tyres against each other to help you make your own decision finding the ultimate tyre for you. Rolling resistance is just one factor you need to consider. Comfort, reliability, handling... you need to juggle what is important for you before investing in a decent set of tyres which will hopefully give you many thousand kilometers of cycling pleasure.
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Thanks for all the replies. I find the best thing about a forum like this is the experience people have. I have now ridden 2500km on my Mercury. It's not a great deal, but it's a good start to the year. My findings are this. The Marathon plus 35mm for some reason seem to run better. They feel more solid, handle the bike better. It's a heavy bike, so I guess that's the reason behind that. This bike was never made with Audax in mind, at least not in its present build. It's not really quick enough. The Rohloff will push up to speed, but it's hard to keep it up at 30km. It also loses speed really fast. Someone needs to inform Thorn that the range of gears is not the same as performance. It's an Ox to get up large climbs at any kind of speed. But it does grind away nice and slow. I have gotten up a 20 percent hill ok.
Loaded this bike comes alive. It rides better loaded rather than not. I have carried 45k a few times. It carries it like there is nothing there. Makes easy light work of it. It's a great bike for carrying loads. It's why I bought the things tbh. It is still a great ride unloaded, but loaded I am delighted with it!
This bike seems to love the bad weather. I have ridden all through Jan and Feb without issue. It feels solid and safe.
I now know what an EBB is. I changed the tires, the chain went back on loose. After a little research, plus a rather awful ride with a loose chain, I was able to tighten the chain.
The Front hub connection (sin wave) is not that great. I will replace it with something stronger. It broke on my first ride out.
It is a sod to clean, but worth the effort.
Marc
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Well Marc you've probably put on as much distance in a month as I have in six months, so you must be enjoying the bike. I'm surprised by your experience of the performance though. That differs greatly from mine, but then I'm sure you ride much harder than I do.
Bear in mind that mine rides on 650bx50mm Schwalbe G-One Speeds, which are widely accepted to be a fast gravel tyre.
The proposition that the bike "loses speed really fast" doesn't match my experience. Of course, if you have chosen a much more upright posture than on your previous ride, this may be so due to added air drag. It is hard to imagine what else could generate such a phenomenon, apart from a dragging brake or slow tyres.
Same with the Rohloff struggling to sustain high cruising speeds. The efficiencies relative to derailleurs are well tested and documented. Your perception will be real, so the question could be what is at the root of it. If it's the Rohloff, it could just be the bigger gaps between gears than you might get on a derailleur equipped road bike. Or it could be tyres and ride posture.
I'm impressed that you liked the bike so much with 45kg on board. That's nearly double Thorn's recommended maximum (for sweet handling). What a versatile ride!
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I was running Armadillo Elite 30mm. They do run very smoothly. But due to the weight of the bike "and me," I had a flat every month. They're my go-to choice Audax tire. They are not suited to the Mercury in its present state. Rohloff doesn't tend to roll as nice in a free wheel situation. I feel that there is more drag due to the weight, build and design. This bike could be used in an Audax, but I would need to rebuild the front end, forks, wheel, remove the rack, then remove the rear rack. There are carbon forks that will slot right in, disk wheels that are far lighter. I would even want to replace the Thorn Crank. It is a heavy well built touring crankset, which is great for touring. A Middleburn crank would run a lot lighter. Even then it would be a little heavy to run at an average of about 23km over 400km. Could I be arsed to do this every time I wanna use it for a different purpose, "NOPE"! Yep, it seems to like carrying the weight. The design and build of the bike then make complete sense to me. It starts to feel correct. The only thing i will now change is the front fork. I feel the bike will improve with front and rear disk brakes. I find the front rim brake a little lacking I think Thorn offers the 853 forks which can run a disk set up. The TRP Spyke cable brake is very decent.
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I'm impressed by the miles you have clocked up during the winter months. I've noted elsewhere that I've created my own bike that's more suited than the Mercury for the very light (supported) touring which is the upper limit of my ambitions. I've never felt the Rohloff hub to be draggy and am happy to live with any extra drag there might be because I like the advantages that the Rohloff offers. Perhaps the seals on your hub aren't properly bedded in? You might also want to change your gearing to reflect your different uses with higher gearing when not carrying any load. Changing the chainring and/or sprocket is easy.
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Glad you're enjoying the new bike, though I share some of your opinions, other's have me scratching my head:
I now know what an EBB is. I changed the tires, the chain went back on loose.
This one has me completely puzzled. you changed the tyres and the chain went slack? I can't see how that happened!
As for the bad run of punctures, just how much heavier is the new bike! It's hard to see how an extra couple of kg's are responsible, maybe if you were already on the limit of race tyres, but those Armadillos look pretty tough (I haven't used them) Of course if you load it up with twice the maximum recommended, it's also a good idea to increase the pressure to match, but you probably knew that.
I notice from your first post that you stopped recording on Strava, maybe it's time to do so again. The impressions of speed, drag, momentum, don't always match the reality. I've had a few excellent Audax/Sportive bikes that felt so much quicker, but the numbers showed the difference was nothing like as great as the impression. The hub does sometimes feel draggy, but these things are measurable and the difference is minimal. Likewise uphill, yes I've had bikes that seem to fly up the hills in comparison, but again, for me, the reality is there's little difference. It's possible that as the speed increases the gap widens, I wouldn't know, but it's the numbers that will show that rather than the impressions. The claimed independent Rohloff testing showed the efficiency increased at higher input, indeed they were criticised for using these figures, rather than the more average riders input.
You're out of luck looking for a lightweight steel disc fork, there's no 853 option, seeing how easily 853 crumples in an accident I'm not surprised. The weight difference between your fork and an 853, is less than the difference between your change of front tyre.
I've described the Mercury elsewhere as a midpoint between an Audax and touring bike, I Audax on mine, but then I tour my way around Audax. It's a shame IMO the attitude it's a race has become so prevalent, there's always been a wide range of riders, but that has become narrower as the popularity increases. Fine for those riders of course, they can ride however they like within the reg's, but it has changed the sport with more organisers catering for that group to the detriment of the 'tourers'. A decade ago, steel touring bikes made up a huge proportion of the average field, now they're very much the minority, I blame the relaxing of the mudguard rule! It's made me a lot more selective in ride choice, though there's still more on the calendar than I'll ever get to do. maybe I'll see you on one, though it'll probably only be at the start!
EDIT - And where's the photos? Are you riding so far and fast that you don't have time for a pic or two?
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I now know what an EBB is. I changed the tires, the chain went back on loose. The reason for this was that I had no clue how to tighten the chain back up. I followed the instructions, but nowhere did I read or take in what a EBB was. I have never owned a bike with an Eccentric Bottom Bracket before. I did not understand what it was, that it was even there. So that's something I learned about the bike, what that tool was that came with the bike, how to use it! I have pushed to what I can do over a 100 KM on the Mercury. I am at the 5-hour mark which took a lot of effort. So about 20km an hour on average. I like to go a little faster to allow a longer break. Plus controls and whatnot. A 200km Audax yeah for sure, but a 600km, no chance. I decided to respect an 853 frame I have here which will give me the times I want. Yeah, i will post some photos soon.
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Here is the Ox as it's been nicknamed!
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My other observation is that you will most likely find that the bike feels faster once winter is out of the way.
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I was running Armadillo Elite 30mm. They do run very smoothly. But due to the weight of the bike "and me," I had a flat every month. They're my go-to choice Audax tire. They are not suited to the Mercury in its present state. Rohloff doesn't tend to roll as nice in a free wheel situation. I feel that there is more drag due to the weight, build and design. This bike could be used in an Audax, but I would need to rebuild the front end, forks, wheel, remove the rack, then remove the rear rack. There are carbon forks that will slot right in, disk wheels that are far lighter. I would even want to replace the Thorn Crank. It is a heavy well built touring crankset, which is great for touring. A Middleburn crank would run a lot lighter. Even then it would be a little heavy to run at an average of about 23km over 400km. Could I be arsed to do this every time I wanna use it for a different purpose, "NOPE"! Yep, it seems to like carrying the weight. The design and build of the bike then make complete sense to me. It starts to feel correct. The only thing i will now change is the front fork. I feel the bike will improve with front and rear disk brakes. I find the front rim brake a little lacking I think Thorn offers the 853 forks which can run a disk set up. The TRP Spyke cable brake is very decent.
Hi Marc
If you want a disc brake on the front you will need a heavier, stronger fork and the disc caliper etc weighs a lot more than your current V brake. IMNSHO you are under rating the V brake. Our Thorn Twin Raven tandem has V brakes fore and aft and I have never had a problem stopping with a crew weight of 125kg plus about 20kg in the panniers.
YMMV
Mike
Another happy Mercury owner.
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I now know what an EBB is. I changed the tires, the chain went back on loose.
I'm still a little puzzled by this, there's no need to touch any adjustments to take the wheel in and out, so the chain should be the same tension after as before. Oh well, hopefully you've got the hang of it now.
Looks good in the photos ;)
If you decide to go for a third party fork,, be aware that Thorn design the short top tube sizes (For drop bars) to have a fork with a 50mm offset rather than the more common 43-45mm. The extra 5mm will slow the steering down, by how much and if it bothers you are subjective, but it might be a good idea to try one before buying anything fancy.
I've done a few Audax on my Mercury, the only time I sometimes feel it'd be nice to have a faster bike is on summer 100's, but I don't do enough of those to warrant having one.