Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Member's Gallery => Topic started by: rualexander on January 24, 2011, 10:11:58 pm
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Got out yesterday on my Sherpa just converted to run with a Rohloff.
Very happy with the hub which I got second hand recently, quieter than expected for an almost new hub,
and the gear ratios are closer than I expected but still plenty of range from bottom to top.
Running a 39 tooth chainring and 16 tooth sprocket.
Only snag seems to be the external gear mech/box gets in the way of the mudguard stay and also
probably the rear rack which I've still to fit. The external box can't go below the chainstay
because of the long torque arm.
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Nice.
What does the left hand shifter do?
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Nice.
What does the left hand shifter do?
Well, it still works the front derailleur, I haven't had the time to take them off yet! But I may leave them on as I am still trying to decide whether to keep the Sherpa, or put it back to derailleurs and sell it and get a Raven Tour frame.
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oh I like the idea of a Rohloff Triple combination, that way I might bag the elusive 100 kph top speed on my local hill
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That looks a good conversion Rual. The main advantage of the raven frames is that you do away with the need for the chain tensioner. Having bent a couple of hangers and got fed up of cleaning jockey wheels this was a significant attraction for me. How do you find the changer on the bar end? Are the geometries of the sherpa and RT frames the same?
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That looks a good conversion Rual. The main advantage of the raven frames is that you do away with the need for the chain tensioner. Having bent a couple of hangers and got fed up of cleaning jockey wheels this was a significant attraction for me. How do you find the changer on the bar end? Are the geometries of the sherpa and RT frames the same?
Yes I know, it would be good avoid the possibility of a bent hanger, I've had that happen a couple of times on public transport years ago (and on one occasion in Australia I didn't notice and changed down gears and put my derailleur into my rear wheel breaking about eight spokes!).
It would also be good to do away with the long torque arm.
I like the shifter on the bar end, preferable in my opinion to the Thorn accessory bar method, but I am used to bar end shifters. The £40 for the Hubbub adapter is a bit steep though!
My Sherpa is a 610S so the nearest Raven would be the 612S but the geometries are a bit different in terms of seat tube angle, top tube length, and top tube slope. But probably near enough to get the same riding position with seat and stem adjustments.
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Hi Rual
Bike is looking good. Pleased to see the Rohloff parts worked out well. You didn't hang about fitting them!
Regards
Chris
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Looks good, Im waiting on my new black Sherpa arriving... so excited.... couldnt afford the rohloff, but now i can save again and convert next year as this bike looks good... nearly as good as mines will ::)
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Only snag seems to be the external gear mech/box gets in the way of the mudguard stay and also
probably the rear rack which I've still to fit. The external box can't go below the chainstay
because of the long torque arm.
I have found a way round this.
Further study of the Rohloff manual and looking at photos of other bikes with the long torque arm and external mech/box suggested that if I repositioned the torque arm from the inside of the axle plate to the outside I would then be able to rotate the 'ex box' further clockwise to a position where it would be less in the way.
I did this this afternoon and I think it has solved the problem. Still to fit the rack but it looks like there is now plenty of room for it.
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Got out yesterday on my Sherpa just converted to run with a Rohloff.
Very happy with the hub which I got second hand recently, quieter than expected for an almost new hub,
and the gear ratios are closer than I expected but still plenty of range from bottom to top.
Running a 39 tooth chainring and 16 tooth sprocket.
Only snag seems to be the external gear mech/box gets in the way of the mudguard stay and also
probably the rear rack which I've still to fit. The external box can't go below the chainstay
because of the long torque arm.
Nice cabling job. I'd rather mess with the chainstay than give up that good gearbox cable run. Maybe get an uncut chainstay and bend it to suit. EDIT: I see you've changed it already. But I'll let my remark stand: a straight cable run to the gearbox is worth a small problem elsewhere.
Looking at the drive side of your bike, I'm just wondering if you cannot give up the chain tensioner. After all, a Rohloff chain is supposed to be quite slack, so there will be adequate adjustment for wear. If you used a Hebie Chainglider, the chain would essentially last forever, so the tensioner could be surplus to requirements. I don't have enough miles on the chain on my Rohloff bike to have adjusted anything, but on my two Shimano Nexus bikes the bite of the hub retainer shows that the axle has throughout remained in the same place.
Anyone without the eccentric bottom bracket who has deleted the tensioner?
Andre Jute
Visit Jute on Bicycles at
http://www.audio-talk.co.uk/fiultra/BICYCLE%20%26%20CYCLING.html
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Just back on Sunday from a week on Mull with my Rohloff equipped Sherpa.
Very happy with the Rohloff so far, probably due my first oil change now.
Since the initial photos at the start of this thread, I've changed the bars and stem to FSA Vero compact drops and a Ritchey adjustable stem and I'm happier with my riding position and will probably stay with the Sherpa rather than changing to a Raven Tour frame, at least for this year anyway.
I did try a quick experiment with the chain and see if I could get away without the tensioner but it was either way too slack or not joining up, even with a half link, it might work though with a different chainring or sprocket size.
I don't mind the torque arm now, although I haven't had any punctures in bad weather, it's no hardship to unclip the torque arm anyway.
I got the rear rack on to fit clear of the external mech box no problem.
Photos from my week on Mull here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157626262271331/show/)
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excellent photo set going to Mull in June really inspired nowjavascript:void(0);
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Indeed, an inspiring photoset, and very brave of you IMO to go camping in March. How was the weather?
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Indeed, an inspiring photoset, and very brave of you IMO to go camping in March. How was the weather?
Thanks guys. The weather was fantastic, it was more like May than March, only rain was during the night on the first night, after that dry with light winds and mild temperatures, and the advantage at this time of year is no midgies!
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Stunning photos Rual - i could do with some of that action at the moment!
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Just back on Sunday from a week on Mull with my Rohloff equipped Sherpa.
Very happy with the Rohloff so far, probably due my first oil change now.
Since the initial photos at the start of this thread, I've changed the bars and stem to FSA Vero compact drops and a Ritchey adjustable stem and I'm happier with my riding position and will probably stay with the Sherpa rather than changing to a Raven Tour frame, at least for this year anyway.
I did try a quick experiment with the chain and see if I could get away without the tensioner but it was either way too slack or not joining up, even with a half link, it might work though with a different chainring or sprocket size.
I don't mind the torque arm now, although I haven't had any punctures in bad weather, it's no hardship to unclip the torque arm anyway.
I got the rear rack on to fit clear of the external mech box no problem.
Photos from my week on Mull here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157626262271331/show/)
Great photos...jealous.
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Just back on Sunday from a week on Mull with my Rohloff equipped Sherpa.
Photos from my week on Mull here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157626262271331/show/)
Wow. Thanks for sharing. I'm too old and attached to my comforts to go out on the Isles in the winter, but your photographs are so fine, it is almost as if I were in your party. Superb! -- Andre Jute
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Latest update on my Sherpa.
Over the last few months I've had a clunking/knocking noise (I could feel it through the pedals and hear it through the frame) which I was ignoring but after a two week tour to Wales and Normandy it became more noticeable and annoying so I decided to try and sort it out.
Initially changed bottom bracket but that wasn't it, so decided to try a new chainring and chain.
As I was doing this anyway I thought I'd try and see if I could get away without the chain tensioner. Having played around with various combinations on this magic gear calculator (http://www.eehouse.org/fixin/formfmu.php), I decided to try a 38 tooth chainring with my existing 16 tooth sprocket.
The chain was fairly tight when first fitted but not too tight and just on the limit of the 'T1-T2' recommended measurement, after the first 30 miles or so it slackened off a bit more and is now pretty good.
Subjective impression is that the bike certainly feels smoother without the tensioner.
And the clunking noise has gone so it was either coming from the chain/chainring or the tensioner!
Now I just have to see how long it is until the chain starts to get too slack and whether I can get away with taking out a full link and replacing it with a half link to achieve good tension again.
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Ru,
My compliments on the very high quality and execution of your Sherpa's Rohloff conversion -- one of the most outstanding I've seen, and just about "factory clean". You can be proud; it is a true beauty! I can't tell you how many times I've returned to look at it.
It has now been a bit over six months since your last post and with the riding you've added since then, I'm wondering how things worked out with managing your chain stretch, and if you have identified the definitive source of your drivetrain noise.
If the present chain-tensioning scheme doesn't prove out, may I suggest a look at this: http://philwood.com/products/bbpages/philcentric.php. Phil Wood have come up with a mini-eccentric that works with a standard BB shell. Accounts by fixed-gear riders indicate it works well though you might still need half-links to aid in taking up wear. It is similar in concept to the mini-eccentric used on the Mercury, but executed very differently. Phil's model requires a crank compatible with external-bearing bottom brackets.
Eagerly anticipating the next report on how everything is working for you and the Sherp'off and wondering if you're both planning another trip together when the weather improves. Looking forward to future installments and updates!
Best,
Dan.
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Thanks Dan.
Since the last update everything has been smooth running, I have probably covered about 1500 miles on the Sherpa including a 3 week tour in France (Cevennes and Haut Languedoc). Rohloff has been superb and chain tension has slackened off but not excessively yet, lack of tensioner is no problem. I never pinpointed the source of the noise but suspect it was something to do with the tensioner, maybe a chainline alignment issue. But all is smooth now!
I have a half link ready in my spares kit if the chain gets too slack and starts jumping off, when I will try removing a full link and fitting the half link to put some tension back into the chain.
I had my first go at wheelbuilding last summer and built a Shimano dynohub into my existing front rim, it has amazingly remained perfectly true for the past six months! I can charge AA batteries in my B&M Ixon IQ from the dynohub.
Over the winter months I have fitted studded tyres (Schwalbe Snow Stud on the rear, and Nokian Hakkapelitta 106 on the front) so the Sherpa only gets used when snow or ice threaten, on dry and clear days I am out on my Audax mk3.
Next thing I'm going to try is changing to V brakes, I have the Tektro drop bar levers ready and just need to get the actual brakes, I've always been happy with cantilevers but thought I'd give Vs a try.
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Couple more pics, couldn't get all of them in the same post.
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Thanks so much for the followup and updates; this is just what I was hoping for...
I had my first go at wheelbuilding last summer and built a Shimano dynohub into my existing front rim, it has amazingly remained perfectly true for the past six months!
:D Not amazing at all; you did a good job of it, and the proof is in the pudding! Nice job! Your charging setup is very elegant and straightforward, and a fine way to keep the AA cells charged.
I think you'll find the change to v-brakes worthwhile, for the most part. Like you, I'd always run cantilevers (still do on my other tourers and the tandem. Another bike has brazed-on mounts for the centerpulls a'la the old Herse and Singer bikes) and I am happy with them. That said, I am also happy with my first set of v-brakes, supplied with Sherpa. Setup is incredibly quick and easy compared even to my cantilevers. A tip: Depending on your model v-brake, you may have to select an outer hole among the three available to get adequate return-spring tension on the Sherpa. Easy enough. Using the Tektro drop bar levers (RL520 Aero V) or the interrupter levers (Tektro 740 V), I have nice, progressive braking that is easily modulated and plenty powerful using Kool-Stop salmon cartridge pads in the Shimano holders. Compared to my the Dia-Compe Aero Gran Compe levers I use with my other bikes, the Tektro dop-'bar levers do have a little plastic protrusion at the pivot my fingers keep finding. Not uncomfortable, just new, and the hoods on the Tektros are far roomier and more comfortable than on the Dia-Compes. They even include a nice little sliding quick-release pin that makes it easier to unhook the cable noodle from the v-brakes, and if you look closely, you'll see Tektro cranked the levers so they're easier to actuate with your fingers while on the hoods. I think you'll be happy with the change, and I look forward to hearing how you like them compared to a nicely setup pair of cantilevers.
Your Sherp'off still looks wonderful, even (maybe "especially") decorated in a little mud and dirt. It is a real working bike, and extra-beautiful for that alone. Yours is a conversion I might someday consider myself if the Rohloff bug hits, though I think I'd make it a hybrid, with a pair of chainrings in a half-step setup, since I'd like to split the Rohloff's usual 14 evenly-spaced steps. Thanks again for posting this originally and for the welcome updates with photos.
All best wishes,
Dan.
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I finally got around to converting to V brakes.
Snapped up a set of these (http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cannondale-v-brakes-black-prod25336/) Cannondale branded V brakes from SJSC and fitted them along with the Tektro levers I've had waiting in a box for about six months.
I am happy with the brakes, they do indeed have quite a lot more power than the cantilevers, and the design of the Tektro levers is good with the quick release button to allow easy noodle release for wheel removal, and the Cannondale brakes themselves seem good quality.
A couple of weeks ago I had a week touring the Isle of Mull again and for the second year running had superb warm sunny weather at the end of March!
Photo slideshow here : http://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157629817442735/show/
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A superb collection of photos! I love your shots of the tent and the stars and moon behind in that ideal wild camping spot. Makes me want to take off now across the country to Mull! The weather has been pretty good for April so far in Scotland (in between the sun we have had only a few snow and hail showers in the Borders). I think you will be pretty happy with your Rohloff - mine too was second hand and is running well.
Good conversion and many more happy miles!!
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Rual,
These are truly stunning photos, and you've done a tremendous job taking and presenting them. What country! How well-portrayed!
A truly fabulous trip.
I'll be returning many times to appreciate them anew.
Well done! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
All the best,
Dan.
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How did i miss this thread first time round, those photos are pure Magic never seen the like brilliant.
and the bike conversion i didn't know you could use a rohloff on the sherpa great job for sure.
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Latest update to this thread about my Sherpa.
All is going well. It's now over a year since I got rid of the chain tensioner and although the chain is now pretty slack, it is still working fine, I need to have a look to see if it is slack enough to remove a link and insert a half link. Probably covered about 3000 miles since ditching the tensioner.
Had three weeks touring in Ireland (Antrim, Donegal and Leitrim) in June, mixed weather but good all the same, photos can be seen here http://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157630498700480/show/
Axa Nano Plus light with USB port kept phone charged from dynohub no problem.
Put a set of Schwalbe Kojak 26x2.0 tyres on before holiday and they were excellent, fast rolling, no punctures, recommended.
I may be tempted to replace my Sherpa frame with a Raven Tour frame when the new mk3 Raven becomes available as there will now be a large frame size with the same top tube length as my Sherpa.
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Rual!
My goodness, those are fantastic photos. I thought your previous trip galleries were something, but you've simply outdone yourself with these. Especially nice are the coastal scenes with the boats and lighthouses, and you've really captured the flavor of touring with your self-taken shots.
Well done, and a real treat to see!
So very nice to hear the Sherp'off continues to excel. You set it up beautifully, so it had every chance for success, but to find it continuing to perform over time, well, the proof is in the pudding. Nicest, cleanest Rohloff conversion I've seen. Yes...if the new Mk3 Raven frame will be a good fit, by all means go for it! I'd love to hear how it works for you, and looking forward to a first-person evaluation wrt how it compares to the Sherp'off.
The Kojak report is of real value to me...I've spent most of my touring life on slicks (even and especially off-road...desert playa wipes off a smooth surface far better than treaded), and found the only real obstacle was on wet, long, green grass. I can even spin-out the slick rear tandem tire riding *with* a stoker on wet grass. The slicks work great on every other surface, and how often does one ride on wet green grass?
Rual, that Axa Nano w/USB report is gold! So looking forward to future installments, but it sounds like a real winner as far as charging goes. How was the beam for night riding? Is the plastic part(s) of the housing holding up well?
Thanks again for a corker of an update...goin' back for more of those photos!
All the best,
Dan.
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Since the last update on my Sherpa everything's been going well.
Had a 12 day trip to Murcia region of Spain in October, photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157631976574521/show/
Took the Schwalbe Kojaks off a few months ago after suffering my first ever fall on a wet corner, hit the deck pretty hard and slid along the (luckily quiet) road, no significant injuries thankfully, but pretty painful at the time. I don't know if there was anything greasy on the road but I suspect it was the Kojaks not being quite grippy enough when leaned into a wet corner. So I have replaced them with Schwalbe Supreme 26 x 2.0 folders.
Currently have the winter studded tyres still on though as winter is dragging on.
The Axa Nano Plus headlight continues to perform well, and did the job on my trip to Spain. First night I arrived in Spain at 22:30 and cycled a few km to the campsite in the dark with the light on, then for the rest of the trip it kept my phone charged. And when I flew home I arrived back in Scotland at 23:30 and cycled home for 4 hours through the night!
In recent weeks the chain has finally become so slack that it was jumping off the sprocket now and again on bumpy roads, so I tried taking a link out and fitting a half link, but it was just too tight after that. So, I took the half link out and the full link back in and bought a Gusset Batchelor (http://www.gussetbikes.com/products-information.php?id=CHGUSSFK) chain tensioner to take up the slack until the chain wears a bit more and I can do the half link thing.
I still have the Rohloff tensioner in the cupboard but preferred the design of the Gusset Batchelor for this purpose.
I would have had to lengthen the chain with unworn links for the Rohloff tensioner.
Some photos taken today of the tensioner and another snowy ride:
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Looks like the lorry needed some chains itself! On your Rohloff Sherpa, no problem passing through and on your way.
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Rual,
I still marvel at the fine job you did on converting the Sherpa; a really well-engineered effort; you can be very proud.
On seeing the Bachelor chain tensioner, a question: I see you chose to use the roller to tension from above, rather than from below. Coming from below might have given more chain wrap, but would leave the roller more exposed. Can you tell me a bit more about why you chose to set it up from above? I've seen people go either way, each with its own dis/advantages, and am just curious. It looks nice and solid, very well thought-out like the rest of your setup.
Wonderful photos and trip report; a really nice presentation, as always. Especially loved the evening shots and the superb ones of the moon. Thanks for sharing!
Best,
Dan.
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Thanks Dan,
I put the Gusset Batchelor on in 'push down' mode rather than 'push up' mode because that seemed to obtain the best tension, although to be honest I did the job in a bit of a rush to get ready for today's ride, so will maybe look at 'push up' mode again sometime.
I did read somewhere in a review that 'push up' mode was hard to get reasonable tension before coming into contact with the chainstay, but looking at mine I don't think there would be enough adjustment to swing it that far around. I guess it depends on the particular frame, dropouts, and the derailleur hanger.
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I guess it depends on the particular frame, dropouts, and the derailleur hanger.
Thanks, Rual! I figured it must come down to something like that. Many things that are aimed at a "universal" fit seem to require individual fitting.
Nice, nice job that looks simply grand.
Best,
Dan.
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Hi,
Interesting. Nice to see a Sherpa with a Rohloff.
I'm probably going to be to going down the line of a Sherpa frame over a Raven. A Rohloff would be nice but the cost is just too far. So good to see I can convert in time if I change my mind or cost reduces?
I did notice your Trangia bottle on the frame. You might be interested in this option. http://www.flickr.com/photos/reallyusefulbicyclejourneys/7448840976/
As my frame doesn't have bottom lugs I've used another make of straps, which work fine. But this would fit straight onto the Sherpa frame. http://www.bikebuddy.co.uk/
Nigel
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welcome nigel i just had a sneak look at your photos on flickerfantastic.
wow you have a great set up and you sure like cooking on the trangia.
nice bike as well ;)
so obviously you tour a lot how long are your tours and are you self supported for the whole tour. ;)
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Hi jags,
Thank you for the welcome. Yes, my first posting on the forum.
I'v only being touring for the last few years. Started round Bodmin Moor, then after another bike rebuild part II http://nigelsbicyclejourneys.com/the-bike/rebuild-part-ii/ I then took on Dartmoor Moor. Recently returning from New Zealand and Tasmania.
Yes, all self supported and will wild camp as much as is feasible!! NZ and Tas being the longest at 6 months but will next keep it down to 4 to 5 months as I did start to feel I needed to be OFF the bike for a bit.
Hope to be off either round the UK next year or Europe. Fancy seeing how much wild camping I can get in in the UK?
Next though building up the Sherpa when I get it and working on improving some of my kit. All fun :)
Nigel
http://nigelsbicyclejourneys.com/
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Cheers Nigel yeah great bike the sherpa i love mine took me a while to get used to it coming from lightweight road bikes i thought i bough a tank it's certainly built like one , but yeah a super touring bike even without rohloff ;) meant to ask you is all your touring SOLO,i know it's the way to go but i need company on a tour but there lies the major problem finding he right company ;)
to be honest after my last too disasterious tours i'm in a mind to sell the lot i dont think this touring lark is for me.i like nothing better than day rides on my sherpa or lovely raleigh even thinking of taking up audax rides next year but thats in the hands of the gods at the moment. ;D ;Dorry nigal i'm rambling again i'll pop over and take a look at your link thanks a million for sharing.
cheers
jags.
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just had a look wow beauti build well done why would you want a sherpa riding that beauti.
surprized about the xt hubs though it's what i have never had a problem with them.
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Yes, the new XT hubs are notorious for failing on loaded touring bikes. It's the size of bearings and an aluminium axle. Not so with the LX. Steel is Real!
Would only tour solo. Being able to do what, when and how as I like, is the only way! Interested how you could have a disastrous tour?
The frame was my old Orange P7. It handle very well but had a few failings. One being a bit too much flex in the headset and an eyelet for the rack (not the Tubus rack) failing. Eventually briefly fixing with zip-ties. http://www.flickr.com/photos/reallyusefulbicyclejourneys/8383822335/ then in time finding a welding machine to stick it back on http://www.flickr.com/photos/reallyusefulbicyclejourneys/8441608997/
This post shows my craftsmanship!, and I also met a guy on a Thorn Nomad while I was working at a backpackers in NZ.
Nigel
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sure hope my XT hubs hold up can't afford new wheel build.
if you check out my ride report on WWW.FELLCLUB.ORG.UK france trip i cant say much on my ireland tour i would end up in court for libal ;D ;D
btw i'm from ireland and living here .
that stabliser you have does it really work i seen them before, have you a link where to buy..
jags.
btw there loads of photos of my sherpa here on the forum dan will sus them out for you if you like.
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Regarding the newer XT hubs, it is my understanding that only the rear hubs (M770 and later) have seen problems, not the front. Part of the problem apparently is smaller bearings and part is a change in the pawl design in the freehub.
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no problems with mine so far m770 still as smooth as butter.
ok off out on me raleigh for a couple hours. ;D
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Hi Nigel; welcome to the thorn Cycling Forum!
Nice to have you aboard. I first caught your blog last year. Wonderful adventures you've had.
I think you'll be pleased if you go the Sherpa (Mk3) route -- or the (new) Raven for that matter, as both frames are now the same except for drivetrain. They're a nice all-'round design that will see you well whether exploring for the day or 'round the world. For truly heavy loads, the Nomad Mk3 is the Thorn of choice, but not quite as lively unladen. Hard to think of a more versatile frame on the market than the Sherpa/Raven twins. It's unlikely you'll have a braze-on problem and that third bottle cage mount will come in handy. Best of all, the frame is built for a 1-1/8 headset and will likely feel stiffer up front.
Yes, Rual has done a wonderful job of his Rohloff conversion and I surely admire how professionally it is executed. Always nice to have options.
Best,
Dan. (...who's pondering a thread-split down the road)
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from Nigel's photos Arrowtown i think i just died and gone to heaven what a beautifull place.
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Yes I believe the bearings been the problem. Front hub fine but then does not take as much weight as the rear.
Thank you Dannaeux for the welcome. Is it really so easy to add a Rohloff to a Sherpa? Must read more into chain tension/slack?
The luggage weight of the Sherpa is plenty for my touring. And now working on kit to get weight down even more. Generally with everything on bike, bike, food, water, fuel, kit had been looking at 57 kg's total.
Arrowtown very pleasant. But had signs everywhere saying 'no freedom camping'. Humbug.... so I cycled out of town along the river and found a spot. Along with sandflies!
Nigel
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........ Is it really so easy to add a Rohloff to a Sherpa? Must read more into chain tension/slack?
Yes it really is very easy, especially if you do use a chain tensioner. The Rohloff tensioner is expensive unless you get it with the hub version you buy, but you can use other types of tensioner no problem, i.e. Surly, Shimano Alfine, or any of the cheaper brands.
I wanted to get away from the tensioner and this is all described earlier in this thread.
The other way to go about it, if you use an external bearing chainset system is with the Trickstuff Exzentriker which turns the bottom bracket bearing into a form of eccentric bottom bracket.
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..........if you use an external bearing chainset system is with the Trickstuff Exzentriker which turns the bottom bracket bearing into a form of eccentric bottom bracket.
Now where talking. Checked their website out. Nice bit of Guzzi kit! Expensive but worth it I think.
One day if I decide to go that route, if I justify the Rohloff? In the meantime expect to keep to what I know 'works and how' on a Sherpa in due course.
Many Thanks.
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Nigel,
Phil Wood also make an eccentric OBB called the PhilCentric: http://www.philwood.com/products/bbpages/philcentric.php
Instructions here: http://www.philwood.com/philpdfs/philcentric.pdf
Nice to see ever greater options.
Best,
Dan.
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Dan,
Do you know what happened to Forward Components?
They made one of these eccentric external bearings too but their website seems to have gone.
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Hi Rual!
Canadian maker Forward Components appears to have fallen on hard times. They first ceased production of their eccentric bottom bracket/bearing assembly in 2009, then posted a notice on their blog in 2010 forwarding interested buyers to their new site, http://www.forwardcycle.com/ It now comes up blank, and the registration with Tucows is due to expire 25Mar2014. Their blog is still up with the last post in 2010: http://forwardcomponents.blogspot.com/
A 2011 snapshot of the EBB On their ForwardCycle.com website is here: http://web.archive.org/web/20110208072101/http://forwardcycle.com/
More here: http://web.archive.org/web/20110216070406/http://www.forwardcycle.com/products.html
The company was located in located in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, and are no longer listed in the telephone business directory there. The last active capture of their site I've found dates from 26Apr2011.
A review of their EBB appeared here: http://forums.mtbr.com/singlespeed/review-forward-components-ebb-conventional-bb-shells-490528.html
There are a number of EBB options coming available for the still-evolving BB30 standard, but that won't help those of us with Thorn's standard-diameter BB shells.
It seems Phil has filled FC's niche in the marketplace, though installation and adjustment look a bit fiddly and there isn't a whole lot of adjustment. However, the Mercury's EBB doesn't have as much adjustment possible as, say, a Raven or Nomad, but it gets the job done, so the Phil still looks to be an alternative to tensioners. Rual, where you had things so very close with no tensioner at all, an EBB-in-standard-shell conversion might be just the thing if you wished to abandon the tensioner. I am now running a Phil OBB/EBB on my Nomad, hoping the lifespan will be good; based on my stellar experience with past Phil BBs of conventional design, I'm optimistic.
All the best,
Dan. (...who is spending part of today chasing car parts by bicycle and the rest of it installing them)
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Thanks Dan. Very nice :)
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Turned my sprocket and chainring and put a new chain on so now back to running without a tensioner with a nice tight-ish chain.
Just back last weekend from two weeks touring, one week on the Isle of Mull and one week in the Scottish Borders, photos here http://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157635761518755/show/with/9873847765/
Couple of drawing type effect photos of Sherpa in the wild and a couple of bothies we stayed in :
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super cool 8)
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Oh! What a treat as always -- Rual-Tour pics!
I've always enjoyed your tour accounts and go back time and again to see the photos; thanks so much for posting the link.
Such gorgeous country, well-captured by you.
You must be incredibly quick to set the self-timed shots in the bothies, then achieve a natural posture when the shutter clicks. I wish I could do that!
The bike is looking fantastic as usual and continues to be one of my most-admired.
All the best,
Dan.
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Winter is approaching and the studded tyres will have to go on soon, but had a glorious day out on sunday in Perthshire, there was some ice in the puddles at the side of the road, although the road surfaces themselves were clear.
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Wow, Rual!
What absolutely fantastic photos from you, as always. What a corking-good day as well, with blue skies and lovely colors. My favorite is the second-from-last...I keep going back for one more look.
The gallery is always special to me for the "window on the world" it provides for us no matter where we live. 'Always a treat to see where others ride and the places special to them. The bike looks terrific also!
Thanks so much for sharing these with us.
All the best,
Dan.
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Rual, just too brilliant as always. You really should work for the Scottish Tourist Board or the weather office, or both...
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Fantastic photos Rual, just caught up with the Mull and Borders ones too. ;D
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I've just been down memory lane too. Brilliant shots of Mull; a very special place indeed. I tried to stay at the Kinloch hotel once after my Vango was battered into submission. The owner took one look at my bedraggled mate and me and said 'sorry we are full'. Undaunted we pushed on to Tobermory and stayed at Mad Morag's and had a great time.
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Super photographs, Rual!
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Not sure if this is on topic, but
Took our church cycle club out for our last fun ride of the season on Sunday.
Weather sunny but cold. You can see the local geese have decided to wing it.
On the way back we stopped off at the local swings for the youngsters to have 5 minutes off the bikes as the sun was nearing the horizon.
Julian.
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I've just been down memory lane too. Brilliant shots of Mull; a very special place indeed. I tried to stay at the Kinloch hotel once after my Vango was battered into submission. The owner took one look at my bedraggled mate and me and said 'sorry we are full'. Undaunted we pushed on to Tobermory and stayed at Mad Morag's and had a great time.
The Kinloch Hotel is up for sale just now if you want to make it more cyclist friendly and have some spare cash sitting around,
http://www.bellingram.co.uk/properties/show/632
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Got a nice day for a ride at last, been weeks of wind and rain here, so took the camera out and got a few good shots of the area around Biggar in central Scotland.
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And some more,
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Stunning photos, as always, Rual, and a true pleasure to see and see again. Thanks so much for posting these "windows on your world".
And...! I am so impressed! You have seen the Biggar/Better Santa! Beats the model we have all-hollow. :D
All the best,
Dan.
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where did they find that name QHQ from ;D
pic's are class Rual but looks COLD ::)
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Wasn't particularly cold today jags, a lot of water on the roads though, run off from the fields, and some flooding in the valley.
Yeah, Quothquan is a particularly strange placename, not many places with one Q in them in Scotland, never mind two!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quothquan
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Cold here Rual lots of frosty mornings good excuse for me not to cycle. :'(
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Nice pics indeed. A lot of nice roads down that neck of the woods.
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Biggar in central Scotland
Great photos as always, Rual! And as for Biggar in central Scotland--well, who knew?? Shoulda known, I guess: in Canada, there are many many Scottish placenames, and Biggar, Saskatchewan, is well-known for its sign on the town limits:
"New York is big, but
This is Biggar, Saskatchewan"
Fairs beggars the imagination, eh? And a punny new year to youse all.
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Nothing new to report on the Sherpa just now, but just back from two weeks cycle tour of west highlands and western isles, starting and finishing in Ullapool.
Fantastic trip, only one wet day, spent the grand total of £22 on accommodation (camping) as nearly all wild camping, and about £100 on food etc, £60 on diesel getting to and from Ullapool, £23 on the wonderful Calmac ferries, so two weeks great holiday for the price of around £200, bargain!
Photos now on Flickr, slideshow here https://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157644580920860/show/with/14329210441/
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magic no other word for it 8) 8)
jags.
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Fantastic photos!!! :)
What was you're trip route?
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Mesmerising.
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Fantastic photos!!! :)
What was you're trip route?
Ullapool - Poolewe - Gairloch - Kinlochewe - Coulin Pass - Kyle of Lochalsh - Uig - Lochmaddy - west coast of North Uist - Berneray - Leverburgh - Luskentyre - Tarbert - Great Bernera - Carloway - Stornoway - Ullapool
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Superb photos, Rual, and a wonderful trip. I have done some of that route, but not (yet) any of the Outer Hebrides.
Lewis
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Amazing photos. I now don't want to head South on my JOGLE trip, I think I will just stay in Scotland. Everything will be so bland after travelling through countryside like that. How easy is it to find wild camping spots? Did you usually have to travel a fair bit off the roads to get to them? Something I would like to do, but I guess it's easier on the Western Isles than on the mainland.
Also is that the Honey Stove you are using. Have seen these before and they really appeal. Looks like the larger version though. They just seem so versatile to me as long as you can find dry wood.
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How fabulous is that!!!!!...and I do like that little frame you have for containing a proper fire. No camp is complete without one. I'm just back from my evening ride and looking at your photos have just put a few extra miles back in my legs! Brilliant :)
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Thanks folks.
Bikerta,
Wild camping spots are pretty easy to find north and south of the central belt and especially so on the islands. You are allowed to camp pretty much anywhere in Scotland as long as its not someone's garden or on crops, just use common sense and camp responsibly. You can camp near the road if necessary but its nicer to get at least a couple of hundred metres or so away if its a busier road. Fields are fine but check there's no big hairy animals around to cause trouble, sheep are ok.
Honey Stove is a great piece of kit, I got the Hive extension kit to make it bigger mainly for use as a campfire (I never liked having an open campfire because of the ground scarring they cause, but the Honey stove has a small footprint and causes minimal scarring and can be set up on a flat rock or on a beach easily enough), its pretty effective for keeping the midgies away too. I have cooked on it as well though and it works well as long as you have sufficient wood for it. This trip I also burned peat on it and even some coal!
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Brilliant photos as always, Rual, and what a trip you guys had! Not overcrowded, is it? Some of those scenes beside the water were as empty of people as a back-country lake in Canada. Especially liked the photos of the crofter's cottage, reminder of a society past. Jackie, see if you can borrow Rual's camera when you go to Scotland--it generates remarkably sunny skies! (Liked the mists, too, Rual -- fitted my stereotypes of brooding mysterious landscapes.)
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With a view to a forthcoming three week holiday touring in the south of France, I gave the Sherpa a check over this morning and discovered that the rear Andra rim has worn through to the safety groove on one side!
This surprised me as the rim can't have any more than 6000 miles on it in the three and a half years I've had it, compared to the front Sputnik rim which is seven years old and has about 15,000 miles on it and looks like still has a fair few miles yet in it..
I guess the rear rim gets more gunk and grit on it to wear it away.
As can be seen from the photos, the drive side of the rim has much more wear than the non drive side.
So, I have three weeks to get a new rim built onto the Rohloff and have to decide what to go for.
The simple option is another Andra and do a straight rim swap, hoping that the spokes and nipples will all be ok for that.
But then I have to decide between regular surface and CSS surface, I suppose CSS will be best given how quickly the regular one wore down.
Opinions?
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Rual,
If you have the time and inclination, I'd love to see a photo of a straightedge perpendicular to the rim sidewall, both in the area of the hole and on either side.
It's neither here nor there -- the rim needs to be replaced now -- but I wonder if the primary cause might have been an internal void in the extrusion. It can happen sometimes and has to me once. It only really became evident when I later sectioned the rim with a chop saw.
If it were due entirely to wear alone, then the braking surface should appear concave against a straightedge.
All the best,
Dan.
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Hi Dan,
Yes both sides are concave but the drive side is noticeably more so.
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I'd recommend the CSS rims. Mine have done 15,000 so far and are just starting to look worn. The Swiss stop blue blocks did 12000 miles! Some folk have experienced reduced braking in heavy rain but I've never had a problem.
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Ah! Very helpful Rual, and answers all questions. That rim is just worn out!
Many thanks; curiosity salved. ;)
All the best,
Dan.
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CSS no question. Simplest, lowest maintenance/cleanest/least adjustment fuss braking system I've had. Probably cost effective too given the extraordinarily low wear rate of rim and pads even when regularly bathed in wet grinding paste off road.
They stop as well.
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Brake blocks for CSS rim, Swisstop Blue or Kool Stop?
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I'm using the Swisstop blue. Not that I ever check my rims for wear!
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One of my brake-and-rim saving techniques is that I wear a loose-fitting shirt. On big descents I just sit up a bit and between shirt and posture I make a pretty good wind brake.
Today I rode down Yerry Hill Road in Woodstock for the first time. I have ridden up it a few times but today I decided to go the other way. Looks like about a 19% grade at the steepest. My wind brake wasn't enough and up around 40 mph I resorted to those Swisstop pads!
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Swiss tops work well.The one thing they sometimes do is lag in the wet because the leading edge profile doesn't scrape water of the rim. I've happily adapted to this even though I live up in the pennines and ride in a lot of wet weather. Julk of this parish recommended koolstop as better in this respect IIRC and I bought some for stock, but because the blues work so well I haven't felt the urge to swap them before the others wear out.
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Ordered the CSS Andra and Kool Stop pads today.
Hopefully get the wheel built up next week.
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Had a great three weeks in the south of France (Pyrenees Catalanes), https://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157648835560011/show/with/15378064689/
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France is so very belle. Thanks for sharing.
How do you find the CSS rims btw?
Ian
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CSS rim seems good so far, no significant squealing noise with the Koolstop pads, haven't been able to assess them in wet weather yet as there wasn't any rain (apart from one day when we weren't cycling anyway).
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Brilliant fotos from your trip, Rual -- made me want to revisit the Pyrenees. Those climbs looked demanding, for sure, but the hill villages and the views offer serious compensation. The French side seems more settled & cultivated than the Spanish, and as one would expect, more forested on the northern slopes. Liked the deux chevaux and the sleepy cats!
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Had a great three weeks in the south of France (Pyrenees Catalanes), https://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157648835560011/show/with/15378064689/
Fascinating slide show, Rual. Thank you so much for sharing.
603m elevation! That's a mini-Alp already!
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The pictures are great! I feel like packing my bags and heading of now!!
Three weeks and no rain to speak of, roads apparently without any traffic, even pedestrians few and far between, simply stunning scenery and the most attractive villages ever! Perfect!!
Nich (jealous, me?? Just a bit!)
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Nothing much new to report on the Sherpa itself, but we had a good week on the Isle of mull again at the end of May, photos https://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157654226783229/show
Five nights wild camping, fantastic.
Weather a bit mixed this time.
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Great photos as always, Rual, of some splendid land-, sea-, & sky-scapes. We spent a little time on Mull in 2008, but not nearly enough, nor on the backroads and tracks you followed. Especially liked the colour of the gorse against the rocks, and the rainbow nicely aligned with the silhouette of the mountainside. My cherished stereotypes were relieved to see that it's not always sunny in Scotland.
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Lovely photos, Rual, of such beautiful countryside. I always find the misty mysteries of hills more meaningful than bright, flattening sunshine.
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What a great set of Mull photos. Coincidentally I was musing over a flat for sale in Tobermory. http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/37163287?search_identifier=fa28445743135b7ef10d151e7aa8d172#azqqPessIIS3idhi.97
Needs a lot of work but for proximity to the joys of Mull well, hmmm, I wonder. On a slightly different note: I noticed that you both were well wrapped up for your Mull tour. Did you choose a particular pair of trousers to use? I use a Paramo Quioto top but am thinking of the matching trousers to wear over my padded shorts if the wind is a bit nippy in the trossachs!
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...if the wind is a bit nippy in the trossachs!
Heh-heh!
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What a great set of Mull photos. Coincidentally I was musing over a flat for sale in Tobermory. http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/37163287?search_identifier=fa28445743135b7ef10d151e7aa8d172#azqqPessIIS3idhi.97
Needs a lot of work but for proximity to the joys of Mull well, hmmm, I wonder. On a slightly different note: I noticed that you both were well wrapped up for your Mull tour. Did you choose a particular pair of trousers to use? I use a Paramo Quioto top but am thinking of the matching trousers to wear over my padded shorts if the wind is a bit nippy in the trossachs!
We were still wearing our winter cycling longs, in the last week in May.
Mine are Ground Effect 'Daddy Long Legs' an earlier version of http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/products/daddy-long-legs-merino-cycling-tights?variant=1615101635
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Great photos Rual! I think I spotted one car on the road. I hope that's all you saw in a week! :)
These photos really made me want to go and experience the place, and your camps look very snug. What tent are you using? It looks a strong one.
The place looks pretty devoid of trees, so I was glad to see the Honey Stove get a workout! Did you have trouble finding firewood? There's nothing like a wood fire to warm up a cold camp.
Thanks for sharing.
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There were a lot more cars on the roads than the last few times I've been to Mull, last week of May is an english school holiday week unfortunately, previous trips have been in september and march which are much quieter.
The tent is a Hilleberg Stalon, unfortunately no longer in their model line up as its a great tent and I'd have liked to replace it with the same when it eventually wears out, it's 18 years old now and had a new groundsheet, elastics and zip sliders eight years ago.
We only managed to get the Honey Stove (extended Hive version) fired up on one night due to the weather, some rain but very windy most nights so not nice enough for sitting out. Finding wood wasn't a problem, just had to grab it when I saw some and carry it under the flap of my saddlebag.
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Recently returned from another three week's touring in France.
This year we flew to Lyon and cycled south via the Vercors and the Diois, then decided to head for Mont Ventoux, and from there across to the Ardeche Gorge, and finally three days up the Rhone Valley on the Via Rhona cycle route and back to Lyon airport.
Another great trip.
The Sherpa developed a pretty unpleasant grinding creaking noise from the drivetrain under heavy load in low gears, hopefully its just needing a new chain and sprocket rather than a Rohloff issue.
Photo slideshow here https://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157659525562720/show?rb=1
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That's a wonderful holiday and a superb set of photographs. Thanks for sharing!
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Wow! Splendid photos, Rual--some fabulous landscapes and buildings. Especially liked the roads and lanes free of traffic -- did you wait 'til there were no cars, or were there no cars?
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Absolutely fantastic photos of your tour, Rual, to the same exceptional high standard as your past work. I've run the slideshow through three times now with real enjoyment.
By any chance, do you have a GPS track of your trip available, or a route you might be willing to share? It would be terrific for setting some of the photos in context.
Please let us know how you fare on resolving the noise/grinding issue with your Sherp'off''s drivetrain.
All the best,
Dan.
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Great trip rual, thanks for sharing. Like Dan it would be nice to see a map of your route. I love southern France having lived there at one point.hope you resolve the grinding noise and it is just a chain, sprocket issue. Have you had the wheel out? If so a tight QR can produce those noises.
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What an inspirational slideshow of some great cycling. I'm resisting the forensic urge here but..those bakeries (boulangerie) are so 'stop me and try some'. Going up some of those hills would have the heart rate monitor going into overdrive, surely justifying another cake at the top! Thanks for sharing.
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STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHS, thanks for sharing.
Regards Alfie.
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Thanks folks, I didn't record a gps track during the trip, but have plotted a rough one on the pc today and saved it as a gpx file which is attached here.
The mileage from the gpx track is lower than the actual trip mileage which was almost exactly 500 miles.
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Many thanks for your kind efforts on the route-plot, Rual.
Very much appreciated.
All the best,
Dan.
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Please let us know how you fare on resolving the noise/grinding issue with your Sherp'off''s drivetrain.
I fitted a new sprocket, chainring, and chain last week, and everything is running smooth and quiet again so all good.
Went for a 37x17 combination this time instead of the old 38x16, used an online 'magic gear' calculator to check that the combo would still work ok without using a chain tensioner, its slightly slacker when new than the previous combo so will maybe get a chainwear gauge to keep an eye on it and replace the chain before too much wear occurs to help the sprocket and chainring last.
New chainring is a TA Specialites 37t aluminium one, wasn't much choice in 37 teeth.
So I have a slightly lower gearing range which is fine by me, actually used top gear a few times this week!
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Thanks for the update Rual!
Looking forward to hearing how the "odd-odd" chainring-cog combination works out for you. Idworx, for example, champions the odd-odd mix as promoting extended drivetrain life through better distribution of wear. They offer 104BCD stainless tool-steel chainrings in 35, 39, and 43 teeth but none in 37.
A few suggestions on chainrings for you and others seeking 37T in a variety of BCDs:
• Blackspire makes a Mono Veloce 104BCD in 37. e.thirteen (E13) also offer and 37 in 104BCD, which won't help you, but might be useful to others who are running 4-arm Shimano Deore cranks on OBBs.
• Warhawk ( http://www.warhawkindustries.com/chainrings/5-bolt-110mm-bcd-chainring.html ) make 104BCD and 110BCD chainrings in 37t in 7075 T-6 aluminum, 316 stainless, and 6Al-4v titanium in standard-tooth configurations. Even-numbered 'rings are also available in narrow-wide, which allows drive engagement on both inner and outer chain links. Irrelevant to Rohloff use, narrow-wide chainrings also aid chain retention without the need for a front guide or derailleur when used with 1x drivetrains. They work especially well with clutch-type rear derailleurs that maintain even chain tension by eliminating rear mech bounce on rough terrain.
• Sinz BMX chainrings are sometimes available in 110BCD 37t versions made from forged aluminum, which has then been milled. Best chance for off sizes is in silver, as color-anodized versions tend to favor even sizes.
• Praxisworks and Chop Saw (via BMX supplier PorkChopUSA) each make a 104BCDx37t 'ring.
• American cycling manufacturer Ted Durant's RONA manufacturing (Heron bicycles) in Milwaukee, WI produced chainrings under the Willow label (Triplizer, Willow). Chainrings are available in 110BCDx37t. These may also have been marketed by QBP as Engagement chainrings and by Salsa. None seem to be currently supplied any longer, but a quick search shows many available as NOS at bargain prices. David Banzer at Treetop Cycles bought a huge lot from Ted, and some of those are still available from Treetop Cycles: http://treetop.bigcartel.com/ Specifically: http://treetop.bigcartel.com/product/willow-chainring-110-bcd-34t-39t-options
Hopefully helpful,
Dan.
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Sherpa goes Bikepacking (sort of)
http://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=8665.msg85416#msg85416
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Sherpa goes island hopping.
Just back at the weekend from two weeks touring in the Hebrides, first week glorious sunny weather, second week mixed with a couple of wet days.
Probably covered more miles by ferry than on the bike, only cycled about 200 miles, but they were quality miles!
Started in Oban, then up through Mull, across to Ardnamurchan, up to Mallaig, out to Rum for couple of days, back to Mallaig, then out to South Uist, over to Barra via Eriskay, then down to Tiree, and finally back to Oban.
The highlight was the Isle of Rum, first time out there, only about ten miles or so of track for cycling but fantastic scenery and wild camping.
The Sherpa handled everything with ease.
New second hand Hilleberg Stalon tent (to replace my 18 year old one which has started disintegrating due to UV damage), got lucky on ebay a few weeks ago with an as-new red Stalon coming up just at the right time and got it for £200, bit of a bargain, would have preferred green again but they are no longer made and very rarely for sale. Red looks good in the photos though.
Photo slideshow of trip here https://www.flickr.com/photos/rualexander/sets/72157668520594811/show
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Another great slideshow Rual! I'm heading up to Arran, Islay, Jura then across the great Glen to Inverness in July so that's really whetted my appetite.
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Brilliant photos of magnificent landscapes, Rual. Rich colours, and I see that as usual the weather gods capitulated and slunk away in despair when you ventured forth on your Sherpa. Who knows?-- maybe I too can visit the Isles of the Blest & find sunshine & happiness there ...