Help spec a Nomad!

[AndrewClark]

I think I'm going to go slightly mad with the credit card, before I do something even madder like taking out a new mortgage....

I've been putting off buying a Raven Tour in case something better came along. Now SJS have launched the Nomad! Initially I wasn't too keen on the idea of S&S couplings, but judging how awkward it's getting to be taking a bike on public transport (not a car owner) and planes I'm starting to accept the idea.

Booked to go Manali Leh with Cass & Cara in August!

So, suggestions from owners of other Thorns most welcome!!

Basic Nomad in Black, I'd quite like the "Intense Yellow" they do on the tandem but it doesn't seem to be an option. Surely if we are spending this much on a bike we should have a choice!

Brakes - I currently use Magura rim brakes (HS66) These do everything right but would be a bugger to get spares for outside of Europe, they also don't split well. To use the S&S couplings I'd need to remove the rear brake entirely.  So, XTR upgrade worth it ?  Any suggested options i.e. Avid

Crankset - I'd like to go XT but the SJS offering is Octalink, good kit but it leaves me dependant on using the exact replacements. I'd rather stick with a square taper for ease of field replacement.  I've got XT cranks on the current bike and could swap these over. Are the Thorn cranks good stuff ?

Bars - currently on 46cm Modolo Morphe's. I never use the drops, preferring the hoods & flats. I like an upright position, bars level with saddle. I use the largest Ortlieb bar bag so must have room for this.  The Thorn spec form suggests you can't use comfort or riser bars with outside bar ends, but I've seen several pictures of Ravens set up like this. Which is the truth ?  Rough roads in the Himalaya so I want a comfy set up!  Are the Cane Creek Ergo's worth the money?

Saddle - Brooks B66! Will be moved from my present bike.

Forks - will probably get the Magura sus fork, but not straight away.

Rims - the big question. The Nomad comes with Rhynos as standard, these are tough but very heavy, I've also heard they wear fairly quickly.

I currently use Mavic F519's on XT hubs. I built these myself in 2002 and have used them for loaded road and rough stuff touring in Scotland, Iceland, Norway, France etc. Never had a problem with these and there is still plenty of metal left.

I suggested using the current Mavic XM719 but Adrian at SJS seemed to think they are a little lightweight. An option is their Tungsten Carbide rims (Rigida), Cass Gilbert says they are very good but eat ordinary pads in a week. Thorn recommend the Swisstop Blue at £15 a set, can't find any info re pads on the Rigida site.

Rigida Sputniks are cheap (£15 each) and reckoned a lighter equivalent to the Rhyno by Chris Juden at CTC but Thorn don't stock them.

Pedals - been using Time ATACS for years, may try their Z Freerides for the bigger platform.

Security - thinking Pitlock skewers on the wheels, saddle & headset. I've seen the thread saying they need to be kept well greased. Any other problems ?  Can they fill up with dirt making it hard for the "key" to engage ?

All advice welcome.

Andrew  []

[julk]

These comments may help you damage your credit card further..

XTR brakes are very good and with the S&S coupling the rear brake splits very easily and neatly between the brake arms leaving the cable cover full length with no gaps for dirt/water to penetrate - recommend this upgrade.

Comfort bars are great to ride with, the 20° ish sweep back is very easy on the back and shoulders. You will find that the straight section at the right end of the bars is just long enough for the brake lever, Rohloff shifter and shorter grip to fit in line and touching.
The only way to fit bar ends is to get a grip which incorporates them, such as the Ergon R2.

I am looking into getting a pair of Humpert Vario Comfort bars to try, these have the 20° sweep and same overall width. They have integral removable bar ends to allow the Rohloff shifter to be fitted, but no rise so a different stem may be necessary.
They are like straight bars with bar ends, but I can't find any straight bars with a 20° sweep.

Saddle - Brooks yes.

Pitlock skewers on the wheels - yes, well greased.
On the saddle - maybe, the nut is quite large and may not fit if the Nomad uses a recessed bolt head.
On the headset - no, I got one and found it no use. As you can't torque the bolt down to 10Nm without wrecking the headset bearings you can then undo it with pliers.

Enjoy your bike when it arrives.

[PH]

quote:Originally posted by AndrewClark

Booked to go Manali Leh with Cass & Cara in August!

You lucky man, I've looked at the website a few times, it looks like a wonderful trip and the few people I know who've been with Cass & Cara have nothing but praise for the way they run the tours.  One day...
 

quote:Brakes - I currently use Magura rim brakes (HS66) These do everything right but would be a bugger to get spares for outside of Europe, they also don't split well. To use the S&S couplings I'd need to remove the rear brake entirely. So, XTR upgrade worth it ? Any suggested options i.e. Avid

Why not go for Magura on the front and Vs on the back?  I often mix different brakes on the same bike, I’m expecting different things from them so it makes sense.
The best V's I've used are Avid Arch Rivals, like the XTRs they keep the pads parallel to the rims, though they do it in a completely different way. I've not tried XTRs to compare.
 

quote:Are the Thorn cranks good stuff ?

They do the job, I'm sure you could get better in some way, I don't think I'd notice the difference so have never considered upgrading.
 

quote:Rims - the big question. Rigida Sputniks are cheap (£15 each) and reckoned a lighter equivalent to the Rhyno by Chris Juden at CTC but Thorn don't stock them.

I used Sputniks on my pre Thorn commuter, never a problem.  My Raven came with CR18s, fine, but wore quite quickly.  My LBS convinced my the Mavic 717 was as good as it gets, I've been disappointed with the rim and build, won't be going back there.  For my next build I'm going back to the Sputniks.  
 

quote:Security - thinking Pitlock skewers on the wheels, saddle & headset. I've seen the thread saying they need to be kept well greased. Any other problems ? Can they fill up with dirt making it hard for the "key" to engage ?

It's probably me you've read who's had problems with them.  In fairness they probably weren't kept well greased, the manufacturer didn't offer that advice at the time, I've never heard of anyone else having any other problem with them. I'm tempted to give them another try, there's nothing else that offers a similar level of security.

Have fun choosing and a great trip to India.

[lardy]

I have XTR brakes on my RST. Really rate them and would recommend them.

I also have Pitlock fitted on the wheels, headset and seatpost. On the wheels and headset they're great. I actually removed them from my seatpost as I could not tighten it enough, the seatpost kept slipping down.

Hope that's of some help

[AndrewClark]

Thanks for the advice.  I think I'll spec the disk option Rohloff hub & an XT disk compatible front hub. No intention of using disks at the moment but it's future proofing.

The Ergon grips with bar ends look the way to go, some people have said that the womens model is a better fit for average sized hands. Anyone found this to be the case ?

[pdamm]

I’ve coaxed a pair of mens GP1 Ergon grips onto a set of anatomic “butterfly” bars.  I like the result – fits my hands well.  I also put the Rohloff shifter on the left so my right hand could deal with the front break and the left with the gear change rather than having the two most important controls on the one hand.

Peter Damm