Raven Tour size advice

[ians]

Hi

I have a Raven Sport Tour which I love.  However ....

18 months ago I had radical treatment for cancer and am now unable to ride much.  I can manage about 8mph on the flat but struggle up hills and into the wind.   I can't do more than 20 miles in a day.  I'm 64 and am not ready to hang up my bike clips yet.  So, like Bob Dylan in 1965, I've decided that this is the year I go electric.

I'm looking at front hub conversions and am considering getting a Raven Tour frame to use as the basis of a new bike.  My RST is a 586L and fits me perfectly - the RT 562L is 10mm shorter on the ETT and 17mm shorter on Standover.  The RT 587L is 5mm longer in the ETT and 10mm higher in Standover. I can cope with another 10mm standover and use flat bars.  

I've decided not to convert the RST.  I've read of someone who tried and the weight of the hub adversely affected the steering.  Besides which, I am going to have to manage with just one bike to do everything - a bit of on-road and a bit of canal paths, tracks etc.  It has to be comfortable and not mind the extra weight of the motor and battery.

I know this is probably a hard question - but I can't work out which RT size is going to be nearest to my RST.  Any advice or thoughts would be welcome.

thanks

ians

[SPARSONS]

Hi Ian,
I'd say get the same size frame, I did when swapping fron a sport tour to a tour. I didn't notice any difference in size; good luck with your continued cycling.
Best Wishes,
Steve

[ians]

Thanks Steve

I noticed I made an error (now corrected) - the RST is 586L (not 587L).  The RT 587L is the nearest size, so I guess that's the one to go for.

best

ians

[paulhipwood]

I converted my Raven Sports Tour to a front hub motor.

I swapped the carbon forks for a Thorn Twin plate fork.
Done about 400 miles so far without any problems.
I can now do the 26 mile commute every day.
Hills are flatter and the wind is now always on my back.

regards
paul

[Danneaux]

I converted my Raven Sports Tour to a front hub motor...Hills are flatter and the wind is now always on my back.

Well...yeah!

I think this is dandy if it keeps you on the bike and makes the commute possible where it wouldn't be otherwise. Surely, e-bikes are taking the Dutch market by storm. See: http://www.bike-eu.com/news/e-bikes-are-turning-dutch-market-upside-down-5784.html

E-bikes will be especially nice for the older people there who cannot ride as easily anymore. My only concern is if they become very popular here in the States, it won't do much to correct our obesity problem.  I did see a differently-abled man with a hub motor on his tricycle earlier today. We had a nice conversation, and he said he was so grateful for the hub motor, as it allowed him to get outside where he could appreciate the scenery and take part as a cyclist. We stopped and watched some spring lambs gamboling in a field, and I felt very happy for him. It really is amazing the positive difference that little motor made in his life.

I will admit wishing for one on a recent ride, where I had an average 5% upgrade for 54mi/87km, and it would have been nice today, when exceptionally gusty (gutsy!) headwinds slowed me to 11mph/18kph at times. Good on you; you've got a tailwind in your pocket, so to speak, available whenever you wish it.

Paul, it sounds like you put a lot of thought into yours and engineered it well with the fork change. May you enjoy many happy miles with it!

Best,

Dan.

[paulhipwood]

Dear Dan

I have still got my Moulton and a shiny Titanium bike.
You are right I can increase my mileage and not be totally knackered.

I try to use all of them but at the moment the fun of the Thorn conversion is too much.
I try to put in a normal effort but do not have my pulse going through the roof when I hit a hill.

Target is to do 4000 miles this year.
I think for us older people it can extend our milage and get the pleasure of nearly self propulsion.

Is it cheating? No more than glasses and hearing aids - or cars for that matter.
Is it fun? YES.

Regards
paul

[Danneaux]

Is it cheating? No more than glasses and hearing aids - or cars for that matter.
Is it fun? YES.

Absolutely, Paul!

Just be careful and remain watchful out there. I nearly got squished by a drunk driver yesterday, so hazards are still present.

A toast to you!

All best wishes,

Dan.

[ians]

I swapped the carbon forks for a Thorn Twin plate fork.

paul

Paul - an interesting idea - one I hadn't thought of.

I now have the Raven Tour Frame.  I decided to go with the RT as I'm probably going to have to manage with just one bike and the RT seems pretty much a do it all bike.  I've swapped all the parts over from the RST.  Treated myself to the new Rolhoff gear shift while I was at it.  Much easier to install the cables and more comfortable.  Not sure about the Mary bars - they worked just fine on the RST but don't feel quite right on the RT.

I'm waiting for the new front wheel/hub motor build.  Will post when it's all completed.

ians

[paulhipwood]

This is a link to my build.

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/11160-thorn-raven-now-converted-2.html