Sterling v Nomad and paint quality and rust?

[j22jbl]

Hi

I have a visit in the next few days to Thorn, and will look at the Stirling and Nomad.

For a real blast, summer evenings after work for example, I have a road bike. What I am after is a bike for weekends with the family on forest tracks, canal tow paths etc, and for cycle touring. Initially, the tours will be B&Bs & YHA, but would like to be able to cycle camp in the future.

I am swayed towards front suspension, and have ruled out the Ravan and Raven Sports tour. Is that an error? The Sterling seems a good bet with front suspension, and a reasonable load capacity. I dont do serious off road, but feel comforatble with suspension on the tracks. For a bit more money  I could have the Nomad, but would that be overkill? I can only go as fast as the slowest memeber of the family, so speed is not important. However, I dont particuarly want to ride a brick!

Saw a couple of threads where the Raven had been noted for some rust spots. That would be a terrible find. I have owned many bikes and have never had a rust problem. This will be my most expensive bike purchase and I do not expect to find rust. Could that have been a faulty batch? IS rust a problem on some models and not others?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.


John

PS I would go for the STerling in Trekking spec with some 1.75 or 2.0 Hurricane tyres or similar
 

[julk]

John,
Enjoy your visit to Thorn and make sure to put these questions to them.
Try as many models as you have time for and see if that makes your decision easier.
You may find your intended luggage load is the major deciding factor - will you be lugging stuff for the family or will it be shared out?

I have had no problems at all with the paintwork on my Thorn bike, but I keep it in a dry garage when not in use.
Julian

[geocycle]

My raven tour has been either outside being ridden, in an open bike shed, or in a damp leaky shed for 3.5 years.  There's no significant rust on the frame.  Some of the bolt heads on the stem have rusted, there's a bit on the part of the rohloff that slots into the dropout and the tubus rack is very disapointing from the rust perspective.

 From the uses you list I would have thought the nomad was overkill (but is a great expedition bike).  I find my RT does all that you list and more including roughstuff.  The sterling should be better if you really want mtb capability and suspension although I've never ridden one. 

[Steve J]

Hi. I think you'd be happy with any of the Thorn bikes whatever you choose.You only need the Nomad if you will be carrying heavy gear and on the road every day for months on end, in which case it's a good bet. Quality is consistent across the range. For versatility (MTB cross country AND touring), you can't really beat the Sterling. i got mine with the expedition rack and it is very stable coming down big hills when fully loaded ( which in my case means tent, clothes, camera gear and food ) Unloaded it's light and nimble enough to have fun on MTB trails.You want the fork anytime you go off road, it makes a real difference, trust me. and the Magura ones that Thorn fit are super quality It's one comfortable bike to ride and in my opinion the geometry with the steeply sloping top tube makes it easier to get on and off the saddle especially when heavily loaded.
After riding in rain just wipe the frame down with a dry cloth or towel. After that
 use a detail polish by Finish Line which comes in a spray can. again wipe the frame with this ( it coats the surface ) and it'll keep the bike in good shape. Just takes a few minutes and you're done.
Downsides to the Sterling? er...I'm struggling to think of anything...ok. It's VERY expensive and you have to be able to live with black or dark green.But it's a great bike that can do a little bit of everything and the Rohloff hub system is reliable and smooth in operation.
Best of luck with your shopping!

Steve J

[stutho]

Just to muddy the water for you a bit more...

I own a RT which has seen a lot of use mainly on road but also a significant amount of off road.  It is the 'L' (long) version of the frame meaning that I can use it together with a set of Magura forks (85mm).  The bike is normally set up with a pair of Thorn Double crown forks (which are superb by the way) but when the bug grips me I switch to Magura Odur forks  and go off road. 

Off road  it is a very reassuring bike especially when at speed BUT it does have a weakness.  The RT has a low bottom bracket and on more technical  bits it is very possible to ground a peddle.  This sounds worse than it is - If you are aware of the possibility it tends not to happen!     

I also own a RST but (as this is the short version of the frame ) it won't accept the shockers.

If you think that you are going to be spending the large percentage of time on Road and 'family style' off-road then I would CERTAINLY consider the RT with standard forks,  which can then be  can be upgraded by the Magura forks at a later date.

Given you criteria I would not consider the RST. (Although personally I prefer it!)   
   

[stutho]

you may also want to look at some of the comment on this thread

http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=1208.0