To Thorn or not to Thorn...?

[jawj]

Howdy everybody,

I've got to that stage in my life where I'm looking for a bike that will see me through the rest of my days. I've had far more bikes than I can remember having and need to settle down with a couple of reliable contraptions. I use a Rohloff on my (non-Thorn...) mountain bike and tour/commute on a mountain bike set up with panniers, dynamo, SKS, etc.

I want a Rohloff-equipped tourer as I love my hub so I'm looking for a frame to drop the wheel into and head to the sunset... then swap it back to thre mountain bike muddle through the mud.

THE QUESTION:
Should I go on Dave Yates' framebuilding course and make my own... (!)
OR
Should I go for a lovely, high-quality Raven Tour frame...?

Any insights much appreciated!

[freddered]

I bought my Raven Tour as my 'Bike for Life'.

That was a year and 3500 miles ago and I've no reason to think it won't keep on going.  

I Audax on it, Cycle-camp on it and go for recreational ambles on it.

If I were riding off into the sunset, I'd use my Raven Tour(and plot a route via some pubs)

The idea of building my own frame appeals to me but I'd take up the 100 day Raven trial first.

[Swislon]

This is always the perennial question....
Which bike to go for.
I don't have the time, inclination or skill to make my own frame so I'd go for a Thorn. If its a touring bike you want then they have more experience in the UK than anyone with the Rohloff. No brainer really and with 100 days to ride it and ensure that it's just what you want.
On the other hand if the challenge of making your frame really appeals and you want something unique then I can see why its tempting but not for me.

[jawj]

Yes, it makes so much sense to go for a Thron with their 100 day deal and all, but I'm only after a frame (plus a multitude of piddly little 'bits'), which doesn't qualify for the guarentee...
Aaagh!

[Swislon]

If you get a Thorn frame and you don't like it , though I'd be surprised, I'm sure you'd be able to sell it on without much trouble.
"John28July" is always buying and selling on Ebay. Look in the For Sale section on this Forum, I believe he sold his Raven Tour not that long ago.

[stutho]

jawj

2 years ago I was seriously looking at a XACD titanium frame - manufactured to my own design to fit a Rohloff with an EBB.  Well in the end I went with Thorn.  Without a doubt the RST is the most comfortable frame I have ever ridden - it is also faster than most!  There is lots of discussion about the Rohloff Speedhub and how good it is – unfortunately there is far less discussion about Thorn frames, but take it from me they are QUALITY.  

The balance to this diatribe is that I would LOVE to ride a frame that I designed myself, it's the engineer in me.  I would also like to build my own car and possibly a light aircraft - I am not kidding.  The yearning to drive, ride, fly you own handiwork can be a powerful one (sad but true).  With my RST I had to satisfy my lusts with just doing the build-up and making the wheels.

Best of luck with you decision

Stutho

[jawj]

Wise words as ever from you guys!
Yes, indeed, I could sell it on! Genius. (Though I'm something of a bike horder so that probably won't happen...)
Totally see where you're coming from, Stu, but I've knocked together so many bikes in my few short years and built about 20 wheels, I feel it may not be enough to simply put bits on to a frame.
The frame I biuld may not be all that good, even with expert guidance, but the experience of making it would live forever.
THEN AGAIN, Thorn frames are really tasty!
Hmmmmm...
Good luck desgning your pedal-powered flying-car though ;-)

[ians]

quote:Originally posted by jawj

Wise words as ever from you guys!

The frame I biuld may not be all that good, even with expert guidance, but the experience of making it would live forever.
THEN AGAIN, Thorn frames are really tasty!

So - do you want to buy a new frame? or do you want to build a new frame?  

Or (to paraphrase Neil Postman) - what is the problem to which building your own frame is the solution?

[jawj]

Hi Ian,
The problem that is this dilemma is that here is no problem to which a self-built frame is the solution. Well, not really... I would like a frame with both disc and canti mounts (and can't really afford an eXXp), but the I guess the question really is:

Should I buy the Thorn & ride happily...?

OR

Spend a bit more cash, do the course, build my frame, ride happily and have the EXPERIENCE of building a frame?

I may have just answered my own question here, but...

What would you do?

[Fred A-M]

Being a non-techy RST owner, I'd go for the Thorn Frame.  I can second Stuart's opinion of the RST frame: it is superb.  Can you convince yourself that the risk is really worth it?  I'm a bit of risk-taker myself, but in this instance, for me at least, this risk would defy all logic given my first-hand knowledge of the outstanding quality of the certainty.

[jawj]

Oh stop, stop! You're making this too easy for me. Of course I should buy a Thron (why can't I type Thron {dammit} correctly???) though perhaps the RST is not for me as I want to carry all my camping gear and definitely want to hammer it off road with some suspension occasionally.

But building my own frame...

It's a fight to the death, ladies and gentlemen: heart Vs bank balance!

[jawj]

Ok, discussion over, thanks for your comments everyone but I've just seen the Nomad Raven frame. That's the ONE!

(giddy, I fall off my chair)

[ians]

quote:Originally posted by jawj

Ok, discussion over, thanks for your comments everyone but I've just seen the Nomad Raven frame. That's the ONE!

(giddy, I fall off my chair)

Doh - I was hoping you'd build one.  Anyone can buy one - that's easy (providing you have the cash).  But then I suppose going on a course and building one can't be cheap.

So here's another solution.  Buy the Thorn (you know you want to) and do the course and build a hack for the shopping.  You still get to play with bits of tube and a torch.  Or - make a poker - like we did in metalwork at school.

ian

ps - I've just bought an RST as a BIG birthday present and it is the BEST bike I've ever owned.  It is fantastic.  I'd keep in in the bedroom if i could (not withstanding complaints from my lovely lady).  On wet days I sit in the garage, with a coffee and just look at it.  Sad but true.

[jawj]

Ian, you've been great! It's not sad, sometimes just gazing at a lovely bike is as good as riding it. 'Course, then I get on it and we're away!
Two things: It's Rohloffed and it's raining - a match made in a muddy heaven. Get out there Ian!
AND: 'advising' me to do both is no advice at all, dammit! That's the ideal but my girlfriend may enquire as to why I've stopped paying rent and why the "guest" (bike) room is suddenly more populous...
Thanks for your help though ;-)

[ians]

quote:Originally posted by jawj

That's the ideal but my girlfriend may enquire as to why I've stopped paying rent and why the "guest" (bike) room is suddenly more populous...

problem solved - build it for her.  And if it turns out alright (ie. propels her forwards and weighs somewhat less than a Chieftan Tank) then build one for yourself at a later date.  Even B&Q sell lengths of mild steel at quite reasonable prices.