Thorn Raven Sport Tour 561L

[macspud]

Thorn RST 651L
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/277244958171
Not mine.
Only 14 hours left on the listing. Looks nice but collection in person only. Might be a last minute flurry, but going for a steal at the moment 

[Andyb1]

So often the problem is that the bike is too far away and the seller does not want to pack it and send it, which I can understand.

[in4]

£720 sold! Bargain.

[PH]

Just watched that sell, even put in a cheeky bid, it jumped a bit at the end but not by as much as I expected.  Andy's point about collection is noted, but an easy place to get to for at least half the population, £50 would cover it. If that's the going rate, it's a good time to be buying and a very bad one for selling!  Is this bikes in general, or have these type of rim braked, 26" wheel tourers fallen so far from fashion few people want them?

[in4]

Just for the Rohloff hub it is a good buy.
Discs, belts and bike packing are increasingly popular. It’s an ever changing/evolving market. Sometimes it’s down to practicalities, particularly when you’re in some place like Altnahara where even the clans and sheep have left it’s bleakness!

[Andyb1]

The bike is a 2006 model so almost 20 years old…..by how much would a 20 year old car have depreciated?

Even in 2006 these bikes had a dated look and today there are only a small number of riders who want steel frames / V brakes and 26 inch wheels.   For not a lot more it is possible to buy something lighter, brand new and shiny, with disc brakes and a warranty and that is what most riders want.

A couple of friends now in their late 60s who had similar Thorns sold them to buy ebikes.  They are now on their second set of ebikes (they seem to last about 3 years / 6000 miles….) but they would not go back to their Thorns.  They see their ebikes as easier to ride and better over rough ground with the motors compensating for the increased weight.

Like it or not, secondhand prices for bikes like ours will in the short term at least remain low for what they can offer.   A bargain for anyone wanting to ride around the world on a budget.  Longer term, who knows - will they gain the status of motorcycling's Brough Superiors or Vincents in future years?

[macspud]

So often the problem is that the bike is too far away and the seller does not want to pack it and send it, which I can understand.

Yes, often the seller won't package and send a bike. That can keep the interest low to non-existent. Often if you explain your difficulties in collecting and offer to arrange a courier pick-up that can change their mind. If not they may have no problem dropping the bike off at a local bike shop for packaging and postage. If the price is right it can still be possible to acquire a bargain and also keep everyone happy.

[DIAGMONKEY]

Having bought a bike, and sold another recently, I think it is definitely a buyers market at the moment. Loads of good used bikes of all types for sale.

I think there is little doubt that demand for 26 inch rim braked bikes has dropped off, they do still offer some advantages if you are into heavily loaded touring in remote areas. But if I was doing that, I would probably go for a Nomad with the increased weight capacity and tyre clearance.

I suspect that despite the nice frame, from a well respected manufacturer, most of the value is still in the Rohloff hub.

Bearing in mind the age of the bike, condition, wheel size, brake type etc my view is, that it's probably a realistic price for what it is. The buyer got a better quality bike than they would have done if buying new bike retail, and the seller probably got at about a third of the new value back after 19 years of use. I see that as a win, win situation.