I got a new Sherpa in July (well, technically, a new frame and Rav 853 forks, and swapped most other components over from my Ripio), and thought I would let people know how it was going. I’ve tried to post photos, as per Dan’s directions, but have not succeeded so far . . I’ll keep trying!
I have had a Ripio since summer 2013 – my previous bike (a Cube Acid – very nice bike) had been stolen, and I found it hard to find something I wanted at a price I could afford with the insurance money. The Ripio was a ‘downtime’ buildup from Thorn, as they were trying to move on their Ripio frames, which had not sold as well as they had hoped. It was available built up at a very good price, with good components, XT brakes, LS mech etc. I bought it, and rode it a lot – so much that it became clear that it was not the bike for me long term – too heavy (15kg + even after I had reduced weight as much as possible, new wheels etc) and harder work up hills than I had expected.
More and more of my riding became day rides on mostly good surfaces, occasional trails / towpaths – plus, and most important, urban riding on pretty bad potholed surfaces – in my view some of the hardest on a bike you can get.
The Ripio was stable and responsive, but I wanted something lighter and better for longer rides.
I should have bought a Sherpa or something at the outset, but tried to save money with the ‘end-of-line’ Ripio and ended up spending more that I needed to . . . . most of us have done that!
What made my mind up was the Menu C2 in the new Mega brochure. So, I bit the bullet and placed an order.
SJSC were v helpful, as always. They put 2 frames aside for me, but at a fitting session it became clear that 530S was the one for me – short in stature and shortish legs, and used to a more upright posture than many riders.
Dave Whittle built up the bike, using the kit from the Ripio. In summary –
Red 530S frame and Rav 853 forks.
DT Swiss wheels, 1.6 Supremes.
XT brakes and levers
XT cranks (165 mm) 22/32/44 I think chainrings, 9 speed 11 – 32.
Tubus Vega rack
Guards, with clearance for larger tyres
And how does it go?? Very well indeed. Light (12.4 kg ready to roll with rack, guards and fittings all in), better on hills – I suspect because it is lighter, and different geometry?? Very stable and responsive, and good on the potholed urban roads mentioned above. In reality, very few comfortable bikes are less than that weight.
Friends and others suggested I look at moving to 700 wheels (e.g. Club Tour), but I think the lightweight 26” build suits me better, quite apart from the cost factor of (yet another!) set of wheels or rims.
The only problem I have had is being saddle sore!! Mainly because I have ridden it more, which is a good sign. I am confident I can sort this out with minor posture changes and so on.
We cycled quite a bit in the Jura, Eastern France, in August - an area we know well, long hills, then the Veloscenie in N W France – Mont St Michel to Chartres. The bike was brilliant, only problems were heavy rain, wind, and the wet, ‘sticky’ surface of the gravel ex-railway trails.
So I am delighted. Gears work v well, no problems at all. I sometimes miss the superb hydr disc brakes of the Cube, but in reality, the Sherpa brakes work very well indeed, good in the wet (Kool Stop Dual Compound pads) and I like the simplicity etc of the rim brakes.
I can keep up with my wife now on hills! She is a keen rower, 10kg lighter than me, v strong legs – powers away at about 30 / minute. She has already knackered one BB bearing. On the Ripio, she left me standing. Now, pretty evenly matched.
The Ripio frame / Mt Tura forks?? In my garage . . . Maybe I will sell them, or build up into a commuting / leisure / childseat bike for my son, a powerful rider who needs a sturdy bike. There was nothing wrong with the Ripio at all – but my needs changed.
Future rides – St Malo to Nice next year?
I will do my best to get the photos up here.
Lewis - Sheffield
