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Transmission / Re: Thorn 110mm 5arm Reversible SINGLE ring 42T
« Last post by swayzak on Today at 08:04:31 AM »
Thanks

Ah, I thought 42T referred to number of teeth!

So I think this is the same model (will count number of teeth on current one)

I can't see the rear sproket (for Rohloff) listed on my original invoice - is there a likely replacement candidate for this as well?

I'm looking at changing the whole drive train as pretty worn now
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Transmission / Re: Thorn 110mm 5arm Reversible SINGLE ring 42T
« Last post by PH on Today at 12:40:16 AM »
Is it not this one?
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/chainrings/34-thorn-110mm-bcd-5-arm-reversible-single-chainring-332-inch-black/
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Transmission / Thorn 110mm 5arm Reversible SINGLE ring 42T
« Last post by swayzak on November 14, 2026, 09:05:20 PM »
Hello

This chain ring came with my Sterling (2010) but I can't seem to find an identical replacement from SJS

Is the 42T version still available?

Thanks
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Thorn General / Re: What do people think of titanium bike parts?
« Last post by in4 on November 14, 2026, 07:33:01 AM »
Thanks for spotting it Dan. We're all getting a little more savvy re AI content as time goes by; slop I believe its called.
Its the never-ending questions I notice first.

BTW This now makes you the forum's first Mogger, an award I'm sure you'll be deeply proud of, particularly when you are in the company of fellow Gen Z cyclists!
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Thorn General / Re: What do people think of titanium bike parts?
« Last post by Danneaux on November 14, 2026, 01:34:28 AM »
[Admin Message]

Hey all!

Unfortunately, the OP's replies to responses had all the hallmarks of an AI training effort, and a deep dig showed a masked IP location plus a personal website and LinkedIn account that spoke of leveraging AI agents for SEO and other purposes. The account has been banned; I don't like members' time wasted for making replies in good heart.

A lot of information was made available as responses to the original query, so I'll leave the topic intact as a resource for those who may have pondered the benefits of titanium versus other materials in cycling.

Best and thanks to all who responded to what seemed a legitimate query; I caught it as soon as I could verify in a late night of effort.

Dan.
Thorn Cycles Forum Admin.
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General Technical / Re: Drop Bars on a "Long" Frame?
« Last post by Binky on November 13, 2026, 12:13:55 PM »
Quote from: Andyb1 on November 09, 2026, 08:16:24 AM
Often MTB style bars can be cut shorter and I personally find that gives me a better, narrower, position for road use.   One thing to watch out for, a lot of modern MTB bars are for ‘oversized’ clamps.

As PH has said, there are lots of different shapes of handlebar.   The MTB ones I use are 1990s style, almost straight.  The straight bar position can be made to be very similar to using the top of drop bars and if short bar ends are used they can give a position very similar to being on the hoods.  On one bike I use Ergon GP2 grips which have a built in bar end, on another cheapo ebay ergonomic grips and shortened alloy MTB bar ends.

Ergon grips can be bought with a shorter RH grip to accommodate the rohloff shifter, but I guess on a Sherpa you have derailleurs?

Yes it has derailleurs. I have a few old MTB riser bars I could try, including some rather narrow cut Titec Hellbents which were my bar of choice many years ago. Not sure if they have enough flat space for Ergon grips, brake levers and shifters, I'd have to measure them. Your point about narrow straight bars and bar ends giving a similar position to hoods is a good one, I doubt I'd be down on the drops on this bike and the straight bar option would mean I don't have to play around with drop bar brifters, cable pull adaptors etc.
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Thorn General / Re: What do people think of titanium bike parts?
« Last post by WorldTourer on November 13, 2026, 12:05:39 PM »
Quote from: Korn on November 13, 2026, 02:51:02 AM
I don’t see many people touring with lots of luggage. I imagine for that kind of riding, a solid steel setup might feel more reassuring than chasing every gram with titanium.

Even for cyclists with lots of luggage, there is a reason to chase every gram on the bike itself if you can afford it: lifting the bike.

Heinz Stücke ultimately had to retire from his half-century of bicycle travel due to a back ruined from lifting his bike. When I ride routes with obstacles that the bike has to be lifted over, or when I arrive somewhere and find out my accommodation is up a flight of stairs, the weight of my steel-frame bike even without luggage is something I’m concerned with. Switching some parts out with lighter-weight but reliable alternatives has shaved a good kilo off it.
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Thorn General / Re: What do people think of titanium bike parts?
« Last post by Korn on November 13, 2026, 02:51:42 AM »
Quote from: mickeg on November 12, 2026, 06:16:33 PM
Quote from: martinf on November 12, 2026, 07:56:06 AM
...
... And I once saw a carbon-fibre racing bike literally shatter when the rider touched a moving car.
...

A friend of mine crashed a few times on his carbon bike.  Was nervous about it, had it inspected.  (The engineer doing the inspection used to work for Trek, knew what he was doing.)  He found a lot of cracks in the downtube, some of which converged in one spot, suggesting that an impact caused the damage. 

My friend did not want the frame back, the engineer cut off the dropouts with a hack saw before putting the frame in the dumpster to make sure that nobody retrieved the frame and built it up.

I have never owned anything with carbon fiber for bicycling, plan to stay that way. 

But, I really like my carbon fiber kayak paddle.

I can see where you’re coming from. Stainless steel and aluminium are both familiar and cost a lot less than titanium. Titanium can save a decent bit of weight, but I’d want to see some good long-term comparisons before spending that much. I’d be thinking about strength and load capacity too, a bit like the concern you mentioned with carbon, even though they’re very different materials.
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Thorn General / Re: What do people think of titanium bike parts?
« Last post by Korn on November 13, 2026, 02:51:02 AM »
Quote from: Andyb1 on November 11, 2026, 09:32:08 AM
You may get very different replies depending if people are thinking about fast day rides on an effectively empty bike or touring with all the variables of equipment that can cover.

That’s a good point. Most of the cyclists I see are out for a quick ride around town or in a big park, usually wearing pretty lightweight kit. I don’t see many people touring with lots of luggage. I imagine for that kind of riding, a solid steel setup might feel more reassuring than chasing every gram with titanium.
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Thorn General / Re: What do people think of titanium bike parts?
« Last post by Korn on November 13, 2026, 02:50:16 AM »
Quote from: martinf on November 11, 2026, 04:54:03 PM
My view - not really relevant for the large-wheel bikes I use for touring or utility rides.

But I do have a fair number of titanium parts on my "light" Brompton. The main idea here is to reduce the weight of the folded bike and make it easier to carry.

Titanium parts :
- Fork
- Rear triangle
- Handlebar
- Lower section of my telescopic seat post
- Mudguard stays
- Square taper bottom bracket axle
- Saddle rails (on a reasonably light synthetic saddle, not the minimalist type used by racers)

The fork is a bit more comfortable than the standard steel fork, as is the handlebar. The synthetic saddle is much less comfortable than the Brooks B17 or Flyer saddles that I use on most of my other bikes, but it is acceptable for the relatively short distances I ride when I use this Brompton.

These titanium parts save a bit more than 1 kg over the standard parts. I wouldn't bother about saving 1 kg on most of my bikes, it doesn't make a significant difference to me when riding.

But I really notice 1 kg less when carrying the folded Brompton.

Thanks for sharing your Brompton setup — that’s a really useful example. It sounds like the weight saving matters most when you’re carrying the folded bike, rather than while riding it. Would you choose titanium parts again for another bike, or was it more of an interesting one-off upgrade? Given the cost, I’m curious whether you feel they’re worth it for you.
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