Removing Rohloff rear wheel

[julk]

Dear all,
I am in the difficult position of choosing a replacement bike for my stolen Thorn Rohloff eXp.

My first (and only) Rohloff bike had the ex-box and taking the rear wheel off was so easy.

What is it like with the Rohloff which has the gear change cable outers terminating at the rear V-brake post - good points, bad points?
Julian.

[expr]

Good morning Julian,

I have found with the cables that terminate at the v-brake to be very effective from an installation/ strip down point. The two quick release bayonet connectors work very well to allow the back wheel to drop out with ease, once the v-brake has been released.

Using the non ex box type uses a smaller (.9MM) CABLE , not the standard so having a spare cable is a must.

It has been suggested although I,m not sure that the ex box type can 'feel' a little less in touch to the fingers with the gear change.

[lewis noble]

My Raven Tour has 'non-ex' box type, bayonet connectors near brake mounts.  Important to keep them clean and greased, and fiddly with cold fingers, but no real problems.  I guess a theif would just cut through the cables, though??

Lewis

[julk]

Thanks guys,
It sounds like there is nothing in it, so I will not worry about which the replacement bike has.

I will be using Pitlock skewers to stop a wheel being taken easily.
I will also be locking the frame to something solid, even if it is a street or two away and out of sight!
Julian.

[bobs]

I put pitlocks on my Raven Tour and they are great, stops you worrying about the wheels and makes locking the bike to something solid easier.

Bob

[geocycle]

I second the comments about the none Ex box.  It is really no hassle.  Pitlocks are also good and reassuring when the wheels (or rather hubs) are worth more than most folks bikes.  Just don't overtighten them as I managed to shear one off.

Which model are you going for?

[julk]

Geocycle,
I am in the horrible position of having a choice, any of which would be most acceptable.

Thorn still have 2 custom frames in the right size, neither fitted with S&S
• a bare eXp frame which could be painted and made up or cut and S&Sd before painting
this option is likely to exceed the insurance payout by a large margin, but would be an exact replacement
• an ex-display painted eXpr frame which could be made up, no S&S and max tyre size 1.75" with mudguards

There is also a Nomad Mk2 available as advertised, even more versatile as it is rear disk brake ready and can take a suspension fork.

My brain is working overtime trying to evaluate the permutations and what they mean for the cycling experience.

I need to be able to carry a camping load up to 25kgs or a shopping load upto 30kgs without the bike frame feeling soggy - rode the old bike with 24kgs shopping load yesterday and it reminded me why I went for a Thorn 4 years ago...
I ride mostly on roads, occasionally on some gravel/muddy tracks, rarely on forest trails. The surface even on roads is deteriorating and I find 2" tyres very comfortable to ride on ( I have reached an age in life where comfort is more important than speed)
S&S was/is nice to have, I am unlikely to fly abroad with a bike in the current financial climate - however it is cheapest to get it at the start and can be handy putting a bike into a smaller car. Needs EX box to go with S&S.
Both the custom frames are/can be painted with retro paint jobs, the Nomad with a single colour. After having my bike stolen I am wondering if stealth black is now the best option to avoid notice or is this a vain hope?
Julian.

[geocycle]

Hi Julian,
It is indeed a difficult decision.  If the S+S is essential then the like for like replacement (in black!) sounds a good option depsite the cost.  Ultimately it is probably the only way you'll feel fully recompensed.  However, if you fit a standard frame then the nomad mk2 would do just as well.  I am not clear why the expr frame would be an advantage to you.

If funds are tight then I suggest trying a raven tour which will do much of what you need but without the S+S.

I appreciate your dilemma. 

[expr]

Julian the paint job may be in vein although the more you can do to make it "blend in" I suppose is a plus, but it's never going to be easy after the fact to determine if a theft was pre-concieved so to speak or just on the off chance.

As you say s&s now is allmost a no brainer ! and should be done if you think you will need it, as for the frame choice a difficult one as you suggest. Both frames are going to be a fantastic bike, it's down to personal / financial choice.

Good luck with your choice..

[julk]

expr,
I see from a photo in another thread that you ride a Thorn expR bike. It looks splendid, what is it like to ride unladen and laden? How stable do you find it? Thorn brochure describes it as a 'tighter' frame and the frame angles look likely to make it about an inch shorter wheelbase than the equivalent size exp.

I am looking for a bike which will be stable and strong even under a heavy load and as you have read I am undecided which Thorn model to go for.
Julian.

[expr]

Julian, the frame of which I ride is as you say an expr but I had a slight modification done to it if you look closely at previous pics you can see two small braces added to the rear chain stays which further tightens up the frame under load, this modification was taken from the exxp which has no front load carrying capabilities due to the suspension forks and so I thought it prudent to have it done anyway but Andy b did suggest that it wasn't necessary, I only did it as like everything I do I over engineer it.Apart from that the bike is as close to standard as can be.

I have to be honest and say that riding this bike has been a dream both laden and unladen, and the handling is fantastic. The only part that I changed from original order is to take off the thorn comfort bars and fit wider ones. I have done other modifications to the bottom bracket eccentric screws etc for piece of mind but this does not affect ride. I ride quite a large frame infact I think it was the largest thorn did with a standard top tube.

I can only say that the expr is a fantastic bike, yes its a slightly tighter wheel base, the bike is extremely strong made from 853 Reynolds tubing it has Reynolds 725 stays and headtube, the main frame is double butted with 1/7/1 butting thickness 1 mm at ends and .7mm in the middle.

Regards

Dave. 

[julk]

Dave,
Thanks for the info, I am definitely tempted by the expr frame that is available.
Julian.

[expr]

Hi julian have you had any ideas on what bike you are going for at all.

Dave.

[julk]

Dave,
I went for the ex demo eXp R frame made up to my spec.
It is as near as I could quickly get to the old bike, but without S&S couplings.
There are some pictures here.
I have just fitted a Tubus Duo front rack.
I had forgotten how hard a new Brooks saddle feels at first.
Julian.

[Andre Jute]

Julian: Having to replace a loved bike is a mixed blessing, but that one looks like a thoroughbred. May you have much joy of it. -- Andre