RAVEN NOMAD S&S

[JC]

Hello all. I'm considering buying a Raven Nomad S&S, and since I won't be able to test ride I'm especially interested in the comments of those who own such a bike. I live in Australia and plan to use the bike for a mix of light and heavy touring. The S&S couplings appeal because they will allow me to carry the dissembled bike onto a train or perhaps even a plane at the end of a tour. Andy says they are undetectable in use. Is that your experience too? All comments appreciated. JC.

[julk]

JC,
I have an S&S coupled Rohloff eXp which is quite similar in frame shape to the Raven Nomad. My experience is that riding it unladen or with 30kgs load is a pleasure. The S&S couplings make no noticeable difference to the ride and are reckoned to be slightly stronger than the sections of frame which they replace!

The frame/bike splits in two very quickly for transport in the back of a car. Full dismantling into a case would take longer.

The Raven Nomad frame is very versatile, being set up capable of taking suspension front forks and a rear disc brake if you plan on heavy off-road touring.

Enjoy your new bike when you get it.

[William]

 Make sure you keep the couplings tight. Always carry the wrench and use the proper grease.

I haven't used mine for touring yet, but overall I'm quite happy with it.

I ordered mine with the thorn comfort bars, which I didn't like. I switched to trekking bars and that has made a huge difference, although just adding bar-ends to the comfort bars might have been enough, but handlebars are personal preference.

[one arm bandit]

I've got one. Rides very stable even under load. It's heavy though but then you would expect that for such a tough bike. S&S couplings are good and useful. As for suspension forks I quote Andy B's email to me:

The Nomad is not designed for suspension forks...you could fit some but the
bike's agility will be compromised.

when I queried this he replied

The fork on the Nomad is about 400mm long from spindle to crown seat...the
shortest 80mm travel MTB fork measures 450mm (the very expensive Fox RLC)
the more economical Magura Odur 85mm measures 463mm.
Lets assume 20mm sag...with you on board, the Odur would change the head
angle by 2.25 degrees, even if the fork offset could be altered to suit
(another 8mm rake should do it) such a change would give weird handling
(front wheel flop...good handling, up to the point where the front wheel
suddenly reaches a point where it really wants to fall in to the turn)
However the susspension forks have 8mm less offset than the ideal offset
(which is supplied with the bike) so the bikes really don't want to
turn...then they suddenly do...not nice.
Also the BB height will be raised by about 60% of the difference in fork
length.

Which I think is disappointing given that the Nomad appears to be sold with suspension forks as an option. I would consider buying a set if they worked.

[JC]

Make sure you keep the couplings tight. Always carry the wrench and use the proper grease.

I haven't used mine for touring yet, but overall I'm quite happy with it.

I ordered mine with the thorn comfort bars, which I didn't like. I switched to trekking bars and that has made a huge difference, although just adding bar-ends to the comfort bars might have been enough, but handlebars are personal preference.

Thanks for the advice, William. I had planned to fit trekking bars because they offer much greater variety in hand and riding position than the comfort bars. I'm surprised that Thorn doesn't offer the trekking bars as an option.
JC

[JC]

I've got one. Rides very stable even under load. It's heavy though but then you would expect that for such a tough bike. S&S couplings are good and useful. As for suspension forks I quote Andy B's email to me:

The Nomad is not designed for suspension forks...you could fit some but the
bike's agility will be compromised.

when I queried this he replied

The fork on the Nomad is about 400mm long from spindle to crown seat...the
shortest 80mm travel MTB fork measures 450mm (the very expensive Fox RLC)
the more economical Magura Odur 85mm measures 463mm.
Lets assume 20mm sag...with you on board, the Odur would change the head
angle by 2.25 degrees, even if the fork offset could be altered to suit
(another 8mm rake should do it) such a change would give weird handling
(front wheel flop...good handling, up to the point where the front wheel
suddenly reaches a point where it really wants to fall in to the turn)
However the susspension forks have 8mm less offset than the ideal offset
(which is supplied with the bike) so the bikes really don't want to
turn...then they suddenly do...not nice.
Also the BB height will be raised by about 60% of the difference in fork
length.

Which I think is disappointing given that the Nomad appears to be sold with suspension forks as an option. I would consider buying a set if they worked.

That is disappointing, OAB, because the potential for a suspension fork was a real incentive to go for the Nomad. Here in Australia dirt roads, and some rough dirt roads, are part of touring if you want to avoid the main routes. Perhaps Dave has had a rethink on Nomad suspension. Hopefully he might clarify the suitability of the suspension forks recommended for the Nomad.
Thanks, OAB, for your response.
JC

[William]

I have the suspension fork on mine and nobody warned me off it.
I honestly admit I hadn't noticed anything strange about it maybe I am just inattentive.

Then again, I haven't ridden it loaded yet.

Maybe i should swap forks and see if I notice anything.

[one arm bandit]

I have the suspension fork on mine and nobody warned me off it.
I honestly admit I hadn't noticed anything strange about it maybe I am just inattentive.

Then again, I haven't ridden it loaded yet.

Maybe i should swap forks and see if I notice anything.

Excellent! Can you do a comparison and post it here?

[stutho]

There is some conflicting info here!!!

One Arm Bandit - are you referring to the Raven Nomad or the older 'original' Nomad?  According to the sales literature the Raven Nomad has a fork lenth of 450mm NOT 400mm.  The sales literature also specifically mentions using Odur suspension forks.  

I have a pair of Magura Odur (85mm) which I fit occasionally (to a RT) when the off-road bug grips me.  I am NOT a mounting biker but the Odur do seam (to my limited experience) to be a very good buy.

[one arm bandit]

There is some conflicting info here!!!

One Arm Bandit - are you referring to the Raven Nomad or the older 'original' Nomad?  According to the sales literature the Raven Nomad has a fork lenth of 450mm NOT 400mm.  The sales literature also specifically mentions using Odur suspension forks.  

I have a pair of Magura Odur (85mm) which I fit occasionally (to a RT) when the off-road bug grips me.  I am NOT a mounting biker but the Odur do seam (to my limited experience) to be a very good buy.

You're right, it is confusing! I've got the Raven Nomad w/ S&S couplings, ie the later model with rohloff hub and that's what I thought Andy B was talking about. Since the sales leaflet specifically mentions the Odur forks I was surprised to hear that Andy B did not recommend them. He may have been referring to the original Nomad. I'll ask him.

[one arm bandit]

I checked with Andy B and what I've posted above does apply to the Raven Nomad with S & S couplings.

[JC]

I checked with Andy B and what I've posted above does apply to the Raven Nomad with S & S couplings.

That is certainly inconsistent with the recommendation in the Nomad literature. Maybe Andy B has reconsidered after riding a Nomad with the suspension fork, maybe he disagreed with the pamphlet's recommendation of a suspension fork from the outset. I'm hoping he'll use this forum to clarify.

[vik]

Any chance someone at Thorn can confirm or deny the advisability of using a suspension fork on the Raven Nomad S&S?

I can't see any reference in the Nomad S&S brochure to a suspension fork option - except the photos of a bike with suspension fork on the last page.

[JC]

Any chance someone at Thorn can confirm or deny the advisability of using a suspension fork on the Raven Nomad S&S?

I can't see any reference in the Nomad S&S brochure to a suspension fork option - except the photos of a bike with suspension fork on the last page.

I see that the recommendation of a suspension fork for the Raven Nomad S&S has been removed since this subject was raised here.

[vik]

Had a Nomad S&S question and thought I'd throw it in this thread....the rack brazeons are over sized at 6mm.  Will that preclude the use of standard racks like the Tubus Cargo?  I"ve only seen photos of the Nomad S&S with the Thorn rear rack.