Thanks for the kind words, Tom; much appreciated!
Do you have an opinion of the pros and cons I listed in the above post?
As for the pros and cons of choosing to purchase a used Rohloff and swap vs. new...
For *me* it comes down to the warranty, which can be crucial if repairs are needed. No, it doesn't prevent a problem or being stranded with a broken hub, but it surely does help in terms of service if needed. Still, the hubs are so robust and have such a good reputation, the number with problems is surely smaller than the whole sold, just as Andre opined.
Hmm.
If 't'were me and I were in your position, I would, in this order...
• Avoid the odd used standalone Rohoff no matter the price.
• Prefer a new good-priced Rohloff as Ian (Triaesthete) suggested, though the price would translate to <gasp!> USD$1,157.59.
• Buy a Rohloff bike at a good price (figuring shipping and possible customs fees into the cost) and do a swap and sell-on, not complaining if the hub went bad and I had to pay for repairs out-of-pocket. The price for this third option (buy, swap, sell-on) would have to be substantially less than the price of a hub alone for it to be worthwhile, given the hassle involved. Don't forget: eBay will take 9% in commission and there are other fees that will eat into your profit on a sold-on frame. And, as Andre pointed out, be sure to look for a Rohloff hub (in bike or standalone) that has the Thorn-compatible OEM torque-reaction arm already attached so you won't also be out the cost to convert it.
Living here in America, I think the most cost-effective approach would be a really nice used complete Thorn bike off eBay.co.uk...but the sellers who ship to the US are rare.
Lacking that, the next most cost-effective approach is to buy a new Thorn frame and build it up as best you can as parts become available for a good price. Most attractive if you can do the job yourself and save on labor costs.
I believe the absolute best approach --
cost aside -- is to buy the bike complete from SHS Cycles/Thorn and so get the complete assembled bike and their lifetime warranty on frame, fork, and their very special overlaid Rohloff warranty which allows for a wheel exchange if you're truly stranded while on-tour (
http://www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/ThornLivingWithARohloff.pdf , pg 12).
The problem for overseas buyers is the staggering cost for incidentals: Shipping, then customs/import fees and duties and the unfavorable exchange rate. I know when I ordered Sherpa in 2011, those costs were upwards of USD$850 and shipping costs worldwide for any product have only increased since. These ancillary costs tip the scales in favor of a frame alone from Thorn/SJS Cycles and then building up from parts, as many of our Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian members have done for similar reasons. Lower purchase price, lower shipping, and lower customs fees. This is particularly true for buyers in Thailand, where a 215% import duty is levied on complete bicycles brought to their country. Visit a popular online site there, and you'll see many of our bikes on their "wish list" gallery:
http://www.thaimtb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=264&t=321753No matter which route you go, I'd suggest using a credit card that does not charge currency conversion fees, which ran USD$33-$42 when I checked in 2011. A quick call to the customer-service department number on the back of the card will tell you quickly what you can expect, or the CSD can steer you toward another card with no conversion fees.
I can see big problems if I came home and told the wife I was thinking of laying down $3000.00 US for a bike (she is a non biker).
'Can't help you there except to suggest a helmet and camping gear at the ready when delivering the news. Or...you can quote the figures in £ rather than $ -- the numbers will look about 60% smaller.
...At least till the bills arrive.
All the best,
Dan.
