I had the Nomad and really liked it, then sold it as I wanted the Raven. The Raven I found slightly different at first and thought the weight on the rear wheel slightly heavy as I use a light Audax type bike daily.
However I had minor adjustments handlebars etc changed. tried the Trekking bars and couldn't get on with them. Changed to Moustache bars so SJS fitted their new stem grip for drops for the gear changer and I have used it for a really hilly long tour with loaded panniers and found it so stable and comfortable and didn;t even notice the weight that i had thought originally. I think it was more to do with the unhappy positions of the trekking bars rather than the bike itself.
First i did find the hub noise slightly irritating, but this has settled down so I no longer notice the tick. Only time it is apparant now is the 7/8th gear change. I have done 600 miles on it and already it has bedded in as Thorn state, and it feels smoother to change and ride.
The gear change is no problem just ease up and it doesn't jump. first ride I did manage to find that nuatral gear which is more what i was doing. Since getting used to a different bike it has not happened again.
For touring and general cycling I found the gear range was superb for me. Low gears made climbing hills effortless whilst remaining seated.
Top gear I did find that after 24mph you may as well stop pedalling and enjoy the cruise. though this I guess is more to do with what gear range suits me and fit for purpose as I described when discussing the order. Top speed I managed to hit was 35mph with loaded panniers on mountain roads and there was not a wobble!
Only bug bear I have at the mo is the black numbering on the shifter although after 5 days I started being able to gauge my speed and where I was in the gear range.
There is a real bonus in changing at a standstill as well. i had always thought my road bike was my fav for commutes but used the Raven and found that I was enjoying riding that more.
My fav used to be the road bike, but after using the Raven for touring and givingit a go for a commute, i started wondering if I should sell off the road and just keep the Raven.
[
] go for the Raven - you or the wife will not be sorry.