eXp Range

[Templogin]

Can anyone tell me how long the eXp range were built/sold, and why they stopped making them?

Are there large differences between the eXp and the Raven?

Thanks

Andy

[julk]

Andy,
The exp and similar ranges were hand built fillet brazed frames made by Kevin Sayles who worked for Thorn as their master frame builder for a time.
Kevin was laid off in summer 2010 due to, I think, lack of demand for these frames. He went to work for Woodrup in Leeds.

The frames were made from a selected set of Reynolds 725/853 tubes to accommodate the many size variations on offer.

I had a rohloff exp but never a raven and think they would be aimed at the same usage, except the rohloff exp would have been capable of carrying a heavier load and came as standard with an ex box rohloff.
Julian.

[Templogin]

Thanks Julian, one of the things that piqued my interest was reading Why don't you fly?, by Christopher JA Smith.  In his equipment list he states that his bike is a Thorn eXp with derailleur gears.  I had assumed that they were all Rohloff, but I suppose this is a benefit of a custom frame, amongst others.

[Kuba]

There was a whole range of eXp's. It started with derailleur-geared eXp, and ultimately they offered three Rolloff versions if I remember correctly. There was the regular eXp, the eXpr (narrower clearances for skinnier tyres and fast touring), and the eXXp (with the option of suspension fork). If you search the forum, you should find Dan's post with archive brochures for all these models.

Even when they did offer custom builds, Thorn philosophy was that their off the peg frames are fine for the majority if not all cyclists. I seem to remember a brochure advising to always upgrade the spec, rather than splash out on custom build. Kevin's frames were super-nice (I got one!) but whether worth a grand extra... Probably not for the majority of Thorn's clients.

[Kuba]

Actually, all brochures are here, have a read: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=6975.0