RST or RT?

[ians]

Hi

I'd appreciate some advice please. Bit of background.  I'm recovering from cancer and haven't ridden for 18 months - with another 6 to go before I can again.  I'm going to treat myself to a 'decent' bike as a reward/incentive.  I'm also coming up to 60 and this may well be the last bike I buy, so I have to get it right.  I'm looking at a Sport Tour or a Tour.

At the moment I want a general purpose bike - day rides/shopping - then who knows I may get to do some light credit card touring (but that's not a priority right now).  It needs to be comfortable and not too heavy (not as strong/fit as i was).  I like the idea of rolhoff - more time riding, less time cleaning.

On paper the sport tour seems the way to go, but i'm put off by the backwards fitting front brake.  Now this may seem silly, but I've got the stage where things have to look right as well as function properly.  And all the Raven Tours (inc Sport Tours) i've seen posted seem to have loads of spacers - again this is putting me off slightly.  I'm 6'3" - am I likely to get  a size that won't require all those spacers?

The most comfortable bike I ever had was a 1986 Muddy Fox Courier (23" frame) - too big for off-road, but with slicks I could ride it all day (and did).  I toured extensively on it and I'd like something that approaches that in terms of comfort.  Too much to ask?

Any help would be most appreciated.  

thanks

ian

[stutho]

Hi Ian,

From what you have said I think either the Raven Tour (RT) or the Raven Sport Tour(RST) would suit you well.  Both are excellent bikes.  I get the feeling that that you will get two set of opinions, those with a RST will say that you should go with the sport because it is light and quick.  While those with the RT will say stick with a Tour because it is more robust and versatile.  

If you have no plans to carry a heavy load (>14kg) on a regular basis then I would say go with the RST. NB I've got a RST[]

I believe you can spec either bike with a '531 Twin Plate fork' which has the brakes on the front (and a dyno boss on the back)  The forks are a little more robust than the standard ones.  Phone SJSC about it - they are very helpful.  As for spacers well yes I think that you will end up with them.  Personally I real like the look of the RST and the RT but I will admit that it is not the 'Classic' bike shape.

[goosander]

Hi ians,

For what you describe the Sport Tour would be ideal (I have one that I use for similar purposes), however the Tour may be more akin to your old Muddy Fox as it has more off road capability and can also take short travel suspension forks - you could argue it isn't that different to an old school MTB except that it is also designed to carry heavy loads as well.  

I can understand you wanting a bike that looks right especially when spending such a large amount of money.  Personally I quite like having the brakes mounted on the rear of the forks as it gives neater cable routing, the spacers are another matter though.

I agree the spacers do look a bit odd, but I think they are somewhat inevitable on larger framed bikes with compact geometry and 26" wheels unless the frame has an unusually long head tube or you are prepared to accept a very aggressive riding position.  The number of spacers required will be very much determined by your choice of bars, stem and riding position.

Much as though I like my RST and find 26" wheels to be very sensible, 700C bikes do tend to look more elegant in the larger frame sizes.

[Swislon]

Hi Ian,
I have a Sport Tour and so far find it very comfortable. I bought it as a Jack of all trades, long day rides including off road bits, shopping, pootling about & possible credit card tours in future. I haven't had it long but I think it will do all those things well. As will the Tour I'm sure. I thought the Sport Tour would be more "sporty" (relative term for a Raven) and the Tour more designed towards heavy touring which I doubt I'll do and if I do I'll take a trailer. I'm 6 11/2", inside leg 34" and have a 561L with straight bars. Yes there is a lot of spacers and I'd rather not have them. The owner of a Lbs told me they wouldn't look so bad and blend in, if they were black in stead of the silver they came in. So when my 100 days is up I'll change them to black. The bike and the Rohloff are too good for me to let the spacers put me off.
If I were you I'd get one and give it a go as you have 100 days to decide.[]

[ians]

thanks folks.  Looks like it might be the RST (and black spacers).

ian

[Swislon]

Hi Ian,
If you get a Raven, please post your experiences and photos. If you live near Harrogate you're welcome to have a go on mine before you order. Good luck with your decision.

[geocycle]

Few people have both to give a balanced view.  There is a fair amount of overlap in their capabilities and both bikes will do what you want.  Personally, I wanted to commute, tour, be able to load the bike with shopping, onroad and offroad etc etc and at £200 cheaper the tour fitted the bill. I didn't want a club bike or anything very sporty so the weight difference wasn't an issue.  I don't mind the spacers at all but on my bike I could save at least one if I'd asked for the stem to slope up not down -there may be a reason that I am unaware of.

BTW does anyone have accurate weight figures for a similarly equipped and sized RST and RT?

Whichever you choose you'll get a great bike!

[goosander]

I think the difference in weight between RT and RST is less than one pound for similarly equipped bikes.

If it helps, my RST weighed in at 26 lbs on my digital bathroom scales including pedals and mudguards but no racks, though given the accuracy of the scales it could just as easily be 27 lbs.  Realistically I think the lightest you could get a RST would be about 26 lbs, with 26.5 to 27 lbs being typical for a bike without luggage.

[stutho]

There are some other differences than just the weight between the RT and RST.  The chain stay length is shorter in the RST, making it accelerate and climb better, but not so good at carrying panniers.  There are also other differences in geometry such as bb height and tyre clearance.  Then there are the tubes the Sport uses 853 & 725, which is 'allegedly' more springy and hence more comfortable than Thorns own 969 tube-set (it also more expensive).  

I haven’t made the comparison between the bikes myself.  I have only EVER ridden my Sport.  I can tell you that I don’t believe either of these bikes are better - they are both excellent allrounders except with a different emphasis in each case.

I have said on this list previously that probably a more important discussion than the RT / RST question, is the short or long frame style - but that another can of worms.  (Sounds like the long frame style for you)

I am VERY fond of the RST, however if I bought a bike tomorrow for the wife then I would order a RT with flat bars (my RST has drops).  Not because I believe that the RT is better but because it is different and I could borrow it!

The only wrong choice is not to buy a new Raven!

[Swislon]

Stutho makes some good comments and comparisons. I thought fitting panniers on my RST might be an issue with heel clearance. However I was delighted to find it hasn't been. I use SPDs, size 11/46 feet, Blackburn mountain carrier and Altura panniers & get on fine though I haven't filled them to overflowing yet.
Talking of the wife I am seriously considering an RST for her as a surprise (I'd like an Enduro but as she is a lot smaller than me I'd never fit it!!)[]

[lewisnoble]

One of the problems with decisions of this sort is that you forever wonder if you made the right choice!!  I bought a Raven Tour in July, and am delighted with it; the robust construction was quite a plus for me as I hope / intend it to be the last major bike purchase.  It carries loads (e.g.off licence shopping!) without noticing them, and I am happy with it.  But I still wonder about the Catalyst - and as for the exp R . . . . .

Best wishes for continued recovery and convalescence into 2007.

Lewis

[ians]

Thanks for your best wishes Lewis.  

It's hard to believe that just 18 months ago Mrs S and I were riding round France on our bikes.  I've really missed it.  

I have bowel cancer, liver cancer and an ileostomy.  It happened very quickly - only symptoms were the squits for a couple of weeks.  Luckily my GP was on the ball and got me a hospital appointment within 2 weeks.  So if any of you get the symptoms ... go and get them checked out.  

I assume I'm going to be OK (have read Lance A's book on this and it's fired me up), which is why I'm after a new bike.

cheers

ian