Here is our story. Be interested in comments.
Annette’s Bike:
Thorn Raven Tour frame in Cobalt Blue Pearl metallic
Rohloff 14 speed gear hub
Rohloff 21T rear gear sprocket (steel)
Thorn 110mm 50T, front reversible ring
SRAM 3/32 Inch PC890 Chain
Shimano Deore M590 Black V Brake Set
BLACK Thorn Flat Track Bars
Ergon GP1-L Anatomic Grips - Large - Black
SJSC Ergo Control Bar End Grip - Black
Accessory Bar T
Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyre - 26 x 1.35 Inch
Thorn rear carrier
Stephen’s also has:
Black frame
Schmidt SON 28 Dynamo Front Hub
Tout Terrain The Plug II - Hub Dynamo Powered Charging Device
Thorn front carrier
We picked up our bikes from Thorn in early April 2012 after ordering them online. We spent a lot of time deciding on what we wanted without having much experience. We spent a few hours in SJS Cycles the home of Thorn putting bits on and adjusting; then rode off for three months and 3,200km . We had no problems, not even a flat tyre so didn’t use the bike pump. The only adjustment required was to the brake cables. On arriving home and checking out the bikes we ascertain that we need to change the brake pads soon and tighten the chains. Also the first Rohloff oil change is required after another 2,000 km. This should not be difficult as there is a specific kit and videos and instructions to show how it is done.
The first six weeks were very wet and cold. There was frost on the seats on the morning after our first night. We were moaning but the bikes were very comfortable and got on with the job. Very few sore bits on us. They spent most of the next three months in the rain but a rag with a bit of water made them look new again. The brakes were very powerful even when fully loaded, and the handling at 5 km/h or 45 km/h is all you could wish for. They were not the cheapest bikes so maybe you get what you pay for. Tell you in twenty years times as that is how long we expect them to last for. That could be after riding more than 200,000km.
Using the Rohloff 14 speed gear hub:
Overall we prefer the Rohloff over a derailleur but there are differences to be aware of. More of a difference in technique and personal riding preferences. If I ever wanted a very light road racing bike I would go for a derailleur system as a derailleur is lighter (about 200g to 250g) and if moving quickly it is slightly faster in the gear change. On the Rohloff you need to twist the gear changer through from 1 to 14. This is quick and easy to do, but with a derailleur you can skip gears. If you need to win road races above everything else in life, and are taking steroids, then go with a derailleur.
The Rohloff:
The number of gears is 14 and the range (low to high) is what is normal with derailleurs.
Mechanical efficiency is the same for Rohloff and derailleurs.
Gear range is 526%. Very similar to normal 27 speed Derailleurs.
Each gear increase is 13.6%.
Feels a bit like the old crash gearboxes with no synch. Need to have no weight on the pedals when changing gear.
Can change gear while standing still.
There is a noise in the lower gear range (1 to 7). It is not loud but you always hear it.
Annette’s Avanti Blade 3 ranges from 16.8 to 99.3. Stephen’s Avanti Blade ranges from 22 to 115. For the Thorns we both choose the 50 chainring/21t sprocket combination to achieve 17.3in to 90.8in. This can easily be changed to personal requirements.
By changing the front sprocket and rear chain ring you can choose a lower or higher range of gears. We choose very low and can still ride at 5 km/hour in gear 1. If not in boy-racer mode I change into gear 14 somewhere between 25 km/h and 30 km/h then run out of peddle just above 40 km/h.
I change gear when the pedals are in the top/bottom position. This is when you naturally have less weight on the pedals. I stop pedaling for a split second, change gear, then power on. When changing from 8 to 7 I stop for two split seconds. The better you can coordinate your feet and hands,the shorter the split second which is very short anyway.
Requires absolutely no maintenance except for an oil change every 5,000km (which some don’t bother with). May require the very first oil change earlier if noisy or not as smooth. Never need (and can’t) service or make adjustments.Obviously cables, sprocket and chain will need replacing like with a derailleur.
Sprocket can be reversed when worn.
Some have now done 150,000 km.
Very very few have ever given problems. The only problem I know off seems to happen in the first few hundred kilometers and once repaired doesn’t happen again.
Will not get damaged if bike is dropped or with transporting (especially in planes).
Chain will last much longer as no side twist.
Need to change through the whole range (1 to 14) when changing gear.
Wish the gear changer numbered 1 to 14 was in reverse direction. It is the opposite of a ‘motorcycle’ gear change.
Wish the gear changer grip was a bit more grippy. Only important when very wet and have full gloves on.
Like how the gear changer is always ‘there’. Don’t need to look down to find it. Derailleurs levers are also easy to find but Rohloff easier especially with full gloves on.
Frame Etc
Can ride all day and bike feels comfortable.
Never have to ‘shake hands’ for relief like on Blade.
Don’t often change position on the straight handle bars.
Occasionally relieve bum by standing on peddles, but not very often.
Brakes
Initially considered disc with hydraulics for performance reasons but with:
Maintenance being another learning curve.
Parts harder to get.
Possibility of disc damage with transportation etc.
Wheel strength and some other compromises (according to Thorn).
decided to go with Shimano Deore M590 v-brakes. They certainly had enough braking power when fully loaded and didn’t fade. Also had good enough feel and were easy to maintain. Pleased with the decision we made. Discs will obviously have better braking but braking is not an issue.
Schmidt SON 28 Dynamo Front Hub and Tout Terrain The Plug II
This drives the front light and a USB port for charging phones etc. Only charges if there is something to charge and I cannot feel any drag. It does keep everything charged. I was a bit concerned with how it would handle all the wet weather. There is a slight bit of rust inside the USB which should come off with some alcohol but have not done that yet.
