Cycling UK Forum: Thorn Audax Mk3 555S frame+forks £115 incl P+P

[macspud]

Cycling UK Forum: Thorn Audax Mk3 555S frame+forks £115 incl P+P

https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=119005&sid=d98056accc58702366fae5507dd5bf43

Not mine.

[jags]

very nice great price.

[Danneaux]

What a beauty! 

Best,

Dan.

[Donerol]

Mmmm....I'm quite tempted by this. My Mk3 is size 525 and I've always disliked the stack of spacers I have on the steerer to get the bars level with the saddle - I'm 5'6" and the distance from the top of the seat tube to the bottom of the saddle rails is just over 7" (180mm). I could swap all the bits over and then flog my 525 frame for about the same price with luck.

It's interesting that the seller mentions surface rust on the steerer. I found the same problem - the metal was completely untreated, no kind of coating or paint at all, so that the first wet ride  the rust was running down the forks from the bottom of the headset.  I've treated it and smothered it in Waxoyl which is keeping it under control but I don't know what Thorn were thinking of  .

I'll need to have a think.

[David Simpson]

It's interesting that the seller mentions surface rust on the steerer. I found the same problem - the metal was completely untreated, no kind of coating or paint at all, so that the first wet ride  the rust was running down the forks from the bottom of the headset.  I've treated it and smothered it in Waxoyl which is keeping it under control but I don't know what Thorn were thinking of  .

Andy Blance briefly talks about surface rust on the steerer on page 7 of the Thorn Mega Brochure (Issue 8.02, Autumn 2017). See the blue sidebar on the left side of the page.
     http://www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/thorn_mega_brochure.pdf

Here is what he says:

It’s not possible to paint the forks’ steerer tubes
(the headset couldn’t be fitted due to the
increased thickness). Steerer tube walls are
thick enough for surface rust to only ever be an
issue in extreme circumstances - such as
prolonged exposure to salt water.

You may apply thick grease to the steerer if
you wish. BUT NOTE that extra care must
then be taken, to ensure that the handlebar
stem can be tightened sufficiently. A
serious incident could occur, as a result of
the stem not being sufficiently tight.

- DaveS

p.s. If you need any "encouragement" from us to buy the frame, let us know. That's what we are here for. It's a fantastic colour for a bike (said the owner of a Nomad of the same colour).

[Danneaux]

If you need any "encouragement" from us to buy the frame, let us know. That's what we are here for.

So.very.true.

We're ace enablers er, "encouragers". Yeah, that's it! That's us! 

All the best,

Dan., CBI (Certified Bad Influence)

[macspud]

Best to contact the seller for some up to date photos, the ones linked to in the listing are of the bike when purchased.

[Danneaux]

Best to contact the seller for some up to date photos, the ones linked to in the listing are of the bike when purchased.

Good point, Mac', as the Flickr date stamp on photos in this link is November 2013.

11 additional photos of the bike can be seen in the seller's Flickr photostream still looking fresh nearly a year later in September 2014 starting here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/7532343@N06/15182257225/

Dunno how it looks three years later still (i.e. "now"), but may be very good still.

Best,

Dan.

[macspud]

Yes Dan, I think there is a good chance that it's still in very good shape. There is certainly an interesting collection of cycles in that photo stream. 

[Donerol]

I've just messaged the seller asking for up-to-date photos.

[Donerol]

Recently posted on CTC forum:

I disassembled the bike today and am dismayed at the amount of rust inside. It's not structural but for a bike which is 4 years old, been garaged and done around 1200 miles I am quite appalled. I'm going to speak to Thorn about it. The frame is meant to have a lifetime warranty for the first owner. I'm wondering if the inside never got the rust inhibitor its supposed to have. I'm sure it's safe but I'm not happy selling it in that condition so I'm withdrawing the sale for now.

https://forum.cyclinguk.org/viewtopic.php?p=1190346#p1190346

It sounds as if I'd better check my own frame.

 

Andy Blance briefly talks about surface rust on the steerer on page 7 of the Thorn Mega Brochure (Issue 8.02, Autumn 2017). See the blue sidebar on the left side of the page.
     http://www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/thorn_mega_brochure.pdf

It’s not possible to paint the forks’ steerer tubes
(the headset couldn’t be fitted due to the
increased thickness). Steerer tube walls are
thick enough for surface rust to only ever be an
issue in extreme circumstances - such as
prolonged exposure to salt water.

My Raven Tour steerer has some kind of surface coat and isn't rusty. My husband's Genesis Croix de Fer has been used for daily commuting all year round for the past 7 years in the rainy west of Scotland and the steerer isn't rusted at all. You'd think that frame designers and/or manufacturers would allow for a thin surface treatment, given that the design of the modern aheadset with spacers is guaranteed to let in water.

[macspud]

That is a shame. It would be interesting to see photos of what he has found. 

[Danneaux]

So impressed by the honorable character of the seller!

Best,

Dan.