New bike - suggestions for colours?

[neil_p]

Hi all,

I'm not a Thorn owner (yet!) but have spent the last 3 months pondering over models and specs.  I've come to a decision and as soon as I've chosen a paintjob I'll be placing an order.

I really want to be happy with the paintjob as I want the bike to last forever.  So, please could people send me photos, links, emails, whatever, with photos of cool paintjobs on Thorn bikes.  If there could also be a description of the colour (i.e. the names of the colours being used) that would be great.

At the moment I'm taken with the starburst finish in the Cyclosportif catalogue (red-gold-yellow I think).

Thanks

Neil

[stutho]

Hi Neil - welcome to the list.  

Famous axiom "you don’t get something for nothing".  There is an unfortunate truth with regards to paint.  The hardest wearing is a powder-coated finish.  The problem is that a power-coat means that you can’t use any of the 'fancy' paint affects - like the fade used in the starburst finish.  

Thorn (I believe) now try to promote a powder finish on there touring bikes - as they should in my opinion.  All their standard colours are pleasant - however each rider will prefer there own.

For the bikes that are less likely to get scratched up by a baggage handler there are even more eye pleasing finishes in fades and metallic.

My personal experience is that I have a Raven Sport Tour in 'True Blue', kind of like your starburst but in metallic blue.  It is beautiful - however it also scratched and chips easily, especially around the cable stays.  My bike is little over a year old (4000 miles).  When clean it still looks new, however I think that it will probably need a re-spray in 3 to 4 year’s time.

PS You didn't mention which bike you are thinking of buying!

[neil_p]

I'm going for the *gulp* EXP... since making that decision I've had many dreams of my trembling hand reaching into the wallet for the Maestro card!

I was going for the Raven Tour, but at some point would like to do offroad touring (Chile perhaps) so thought I'd go the whole hog.

Cheers for the advice.

[Pallium]

John28july,
The cable guides on the Thorn Ravens are steel and will rust.The insides of all 15 cable guides on my year old Raven Tour are rusting to a greater or lesser extent.The cable guides on the EXP range are made of stainless steel.I don't think that it matters too much though as the guides are underneath the top tube and pretty much hidden from view and doesn't mar what is a great bike.Hope this helps.
Regards Pallium.

[freddered]

A Rohloff EXP or a Derailleur EXP ?

If the Rohloff EXP then what are you hoping to gain by getting that instead of Raven Tour? £1600 difference in price !!!!  That's more than the ocst of another fully equipped Raven Tour.

If the Derailleur then why?  Rohloff will be maintenance free.

[Dave Whittle Thorn Workshop]

Get a powdercoat, or get a wet finish based on humbrol or some car paint colour as you will need to get touch up.

[neil_p]

A Rohloff EXP.  It is alot more than the Raven Tour you're right, and yes it is hard to justify the extra cost.  However the quality of the frame is much better than the Raven.  Also it will carry huge amounts of weight better than the Raven. Basically I've inheritted some money, and as a tribute to my late relative want to get a bike that I'll never want to replace (which will mean 40+ years usage from it!).  By the way, I costed out Raven and EXP with identical spec and the difference was about £1200 - not quite so bad as £1600.

[geocycle]

neilp6777 well I'm sure we're all green with envy!  That's a great way to remember someone.  Look forward to seeing the pictures.  Oh and don't ask me about colours, I like black (or dark green, bordering on black....!).

[julk]

I second geocycles comments.
If you want the maximum potential to carry huge amounts of weight on the bike, don't forget to specify 6mm carrier bosses.

[neil_p]

What do people think about the starburst finish (see Cyclosportif for example) on an EXP?  I can't decide if it will look naff or damn sexy.  Please be honest - if I make the wrong decision, I'll end up with other Thorn riders attacking me in the street with discarded derailers and chain rings!

I could have a play around in photoshop I guess, and merge the cyclosportif pic with the EXP pic.

[julk]

Neil,

Choice of paint colour(s) and design for your bike are a very personal thing.

Compared to the cyclosportif, you are looking at an expedition capable bike so have to consider the effect of adding mudguards, mudflaps, lights, bottle cages & bottles, clunkier tyres, racks, pump, and possibly coloured panniers to get the final picture.

I personally think the red/yellow/gold starburst scheme would look great with predominately black components/accessories - but I preferred a plainer colour scheme for my own bike.

Whatever you choose the bike will look outstanding once you get it.

[simonsydney]

Neil, I have a green RST, and as I use it as a commuter, daily ride, credit card tourer, shopping cart, etc. I like to keep it subtle. Bright frame colours on a bike (for me) shout lycra and shaved legs, and catch thieves eyes more at the bike rack.
As Julk says, it's a very personal choice. When you are riding it, you won't see much of the colour anyway.  Will scratches from using the bike show up more if the bike is loudly coloured ?

cheers,
Simon

[neil_p]

A bright paintjob would attract thieves and would show up scratches, which is why my logical brain says go for a plain colour.  However the other half of me thinks I should make a real statement.  Boy, I wish the EXP only came in 4 colours like the Raven!

Also, I was all set for the "full retro" finish in black/dark green when my my girlfriend said "I'm not sure if I like that whole two-tone thing, but it's your bike".  Damnit! Women have this amazing ability to dash a man's dreams in the blink of an eye!  Back to the drawing board...

[stutho]

MY opinion: I really like the look of the starburst on the Cyclosportif.  It look 'right' on a fast racing bike however I am not sure it will look right (to my eyes) on a touring bike.  If I were to buy an EXP I would be choose the full retro option.  

At the end of the day other peoples options don't matter it what YOU want that matters don’t let me (or others) dissuade you.  

[Fallowman]

I'd go for the Full Retro myself, too. Mind you, that's because I just did: my brand new Raven Tour is standing in pride of place in the kitchen as I write, resplendent in Racing Green and black. (I'll have to move it out of the kitchen at some point, but at the moment it's in honeymoon period.)

What might be of more interest is that I went for the dark green in the teeth of my girlfriend's opposition. Having seen it, though, she's been converted (at least, she says she has), I think because it just looks so right in green. Purposeful bike, purposeful colour.

Although if you do decide to go for the green, I should say that I disclaim any responsibility for what might happen.