Raven Tour vs. Nomad S&S

[vik]

I'm thinking of getting a Thorn Rohloff touring bike and am trying to decide between the Raven Tour and Nomad S&S.  I don't see myself using the S&S couplers much as I'd rather pay the $$$ for the bike fees when flying than totally disassemble the bike.  I can see they would be useful for transport and storage, but not something I'd invest in assuming all other things being equal between the two models.

I like the following items on the Nomad better than the Raven Tour:

- Rohloff cable routing of the Nomad [I'll be using a Rohloff with the EX gear box]
- the matte green powder coat
- v-brake studs behind fork

I like the price better on the Raven Tour - I'll be buying a frame/fork only.

The decision boils down to how heavy duty each frame/fork is...the Thorn brochures suggest the frames are similar in terms of tubing used.  Is a Nomad essentially a S&S coupled Raven Tour or has the Nomad been "beefed up" in some respects to be more heavy duty?  If the later what elements of the frame are stronger on the Nomad?

If the Nomad is a considerably stronger frame that would be enough reason to pay the extra $$$ for it.  If they are quite similar I'd probably just get the Raven Tour and use the money I saved to put some nice bits on it.

cheers,

Vik

[julk]

The nomad looks to have reinforcement between the stays at the rear dropout. This is to take the extra forces rear disk brakes add.
The description states that the down tube and rear stays are oversized, the rack bosses are larger at 6mm, the bottom bracket shell is wider at 73mm.
The S&S joints are stronger than the tubes they join.

I think this points to the Nomad being a bit heavier and stronger than the Tour.

Enjoy whichever you buy.

[vik]

Amazingly I found a local cyclist with a Nomad S&S that I can have a look at.  That's about the equivalent of wining the lottery given how many Thorns I've seen in Canada.  Not sure what size he is riding, but the very least I can look the bike over carefully.

The description of the Raven Tour uses the same language when talking about the main tubes being oversized/the same gauge. That's what got me thinking they may be a lot more similar than I had thought initially.

[julk]

Thats fantastic, finding a Raven Nomad S&S in the flesh for a good lookover.

Looking for differences in the brochures, the Raven Tour has a 27.2 seatpin, the Raven Nomad has a 29.8 seatpin, so the Nomad definitely has a larger section seat tube. There are 5 sizes of Nomad available, the Tour has a lot more sizes.

I would recommend an e-mail to Thorn to get all the differences from the designers.

[PH]

Have you seen this review?
It should answer some of your questions.

[vik]

Have you seen this review?
It should answer some of your questions.

Thanks - that was quite helpful in defining how the bikes are different. 

[pastafarian]

Hi Vik,

I was faced with the same decision as you. I ended up going for the raven tour frame (hasn't arrived yet so I can't comment on the bike itself). The Nomad is a beautiful bike as well, but for me it was a matter of being on a student's budget and wanting versatility. As I can't see myself ploughing the Himalayas anytime soon, the high price of either frame (relative to most ordinary bikes) should not just pay off once a year or so when I load it up with camping gear. My touring plans and dreams revolve mostly around the off road riding though, as I suspect yours do too. Have a look through Freddered's gallery where he comments on the rt's versatility (he uses it for audaxes): http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=1282.0

Some of the most extreme adventurers go touring on steel mountain bikes, and I would expect the RT frame to supersede those as it is purposely built. Might as well spend the money on better wheels, because unlike the frame they usually don't come with a lifetime guarantee. I am having mine built by hand, so I expect them to last a long time.

Still, if you will be going on heavily loaded tours or even what might be called expeditions, then you might need "a specialist machine", as that review refers to the Nomad. I think it all comes down to your needs. If you got the time, money and ambition to go on a world tour or something similar, then why not, coughing up money for the gear seems to be the easiest part... And I agree, the green powder coat on the Nomad is stunning   :-*

Good luck!

[vik]

Thanks for all the feedback and especially to Bill S...a local rider who actually let me try out his Nomad S&S - fortuitously in the size I was considering.

I ordered a Nomad S&S frame/fork this weekend and will setup it up as my heavy duty expedition touring bike and use my Surly LHT [700c] as my fast touring bike for good roads and lighter loads.

I'll be blessed with some excellent bike choices but then again I don't have a couch, TV or "normal" furniture so I feel okay blowing my expendable income on cool bikes...

[William]

No worries vik.

Cool to see your collection of offbeat bikes, it's more interesting than my collection.

Bill

[Lukanga]

I'd like to re-open this discussion as I am currently considering between the Tour and the Nomad as a bike that will take me through Africa, but also allow enjoyable day and weekend rides.

The Nomad is sturdier built with an even longer chainstay than the Tour. But most of all, it seems heavier. Has anyone found a reference as to the weight difference between Tour and Nomad (fork and frame)? I'd be interested, especially for the large frame sizes.

And are there any tall riders out there? I am 6'5" and wonder whether anyone this tall might have advice for me. The Tour seems to have a larger frame than the Nomad.

Also, I'd be interested to hear from people in Holland owning either one of the two bikes.

Cheerio,
Lukanga