Raven Sport Tour - Ebay

[Andybg]

Spotted this on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thorn-Raven-Sport-Tour-Rohloff-Hub-/261112784464?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3ccb88e650

Looks like a nice spec and a good size for taller riders.

Andy

[Danneaux]

This bike has a spartan beauty that just looks oh-so-right to me...

'Probably good I'm not tall enough to ride it!

Best,

Dan.

[Swislon]

He says he's just bought a Thorn Mercury. This is something I am considering but for some reason I don't wish to part with my RST!!!!
I wish those who have a Mercury would post a review ot two, they do seem to be a bit thin on the ground.

[Danneaux]

Steve,

I really wish we could pad-out the Forum with more pics and owner reports on these other models...like the Mercury, and more Sherpas!

I've got my thinking cap on, but may put out a forml call to see if I can stir up some more interest in these areas.

Best,

Dan.

[Andybg]

I was thinking about this yesterday and I think a lot of people use their bikes for gnerel cycling / commuting and utility and dont feel that this is quite as exciting to report as those with the big tours.

I thought of a couple of interesting topics to start when I get the time:

What do you use your bike for? A percentage split of what you do with your bike

A rolling topic of what you did with your bike today.

Just an idea but I think it is worth tossing round the idea?

Andy

[Danneaux]

Just an idea but I think it is worth tossing round the idea?

Sure, Andy; I'd say go for it. If it appeals, it'll grow legs. If not, it'll sit fallow; nothing ventured, nothing gained.

While Thorn have a reputation as a touring specialist and many of its bikes have been around the world, daily use is no less satisfying or interesting, and likely what all bikes see the majority of the time.

I think riding a Thorn to the green-grocer's or to the dentist's office or around the park or commuting to work is just as interesting as riding in the Monaros, across the Atacama, or in the Great Basin. It is still use, and that's worthwhile no matter how one does it. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that being near home, one can more highly refine a bike to one's needs than when on the road (or off it!) far, far away from shops and resources.

C'mon, everyone! Let's see whatcha got, with some fresh posts to the Gallery section! Some nice poses in the driveway or on the front stoop are well worth a look-see!

Best,

Dan.

[Matt2matt2002]

Sure, Andy; I'd say go for it. If it appeals, it'll grow legs. If not, it'll sit fallow; nothing ventured, nothing gained.

While Thorn have a reputation as a touring specialist and many of its bikes have been around the world, daily use is no less satisfying or interesting, and likely what all bikes see the majority of the time.

I think riding a Thorn to the green-grocer's or to the dentist's office or around the park or commuting to work is just as interesting as riding in the Monaros, across the Atacama, or in the Great Basin. It is still use, and that's worthwhile no matter how one does it. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that being near home, one can more highly refine a bike to one's needs than when on the road (or off it!) far, far away from shops and resources.

C'mon, everyone! Let's see whatcha got, with some fresh posts to the Gallery section! Some nice poses in the driveway or on the front stoop are well worth a look-see!

Best,

Dan.

Not often I get to disagree with Dan but count me out on the trip to the dentist part of above!

[Danneaux]

Not often I get to disagree with Dan but count me out on the trip to the dentist part of above!

Perfectly understandable, Matt! I can't count on many for that trip!

All the best,

Dan. (...who drives 160 miles round-trip to his dentist, 'cos she's the first one who has really worked out. Bike there? Ehhh...no).

[ianshearin]

Hi all,
Sorry I havent posted for some time, I have been umming and ahhing for Months about my trip to South Africa next Year and trying to work as much as I can to put me in a Financial position to live on a bike for what will probably be a Year.
My expedition may be shortened to a ride from the UK to Africa, just getting the ferry over from Portugal to Africa just to say I rode to Africa..... Anyway on to my reason for this post.

The bike indicated here that is for sale on ebay is something I cannot get out of my head, it would be a great savings for me to be able to get a used one rather than buy new which is kinda expensive and would leave me a better budget for other gear.

Are there any pitfalls that I should be wary of when considering this bike?
I am 6ft so the size appears to be ok.

[Andybg]

Hi Ian

I have just sold a Raven Sport Tour. It was a great bike but did not suit my riding style. I prefer my Nomad which is slightly slower and heavier but the ride and the handling is much more relaxed plus I normaly use my bike for utility work so regularly has 30kg plus on it at a time.

A lot of people on here have them and rave about them which I feel the bike deserves. It is best suited to light loaded (up to 15kg or so) fast touring. If that is what you are planning I dont see you would go far wrong with it. If on the other hand you are looking at going heavy and slow I would look more to a basic Tour or a Nomad.

Hope this helps

Andy

[Swislon]

Hi Ian,

+1 to what Andy says.

I have an RST but it is not suited to heavy loaded touring in my opinion. Fast credit card touring yes.
For one thing I don't have clearance for big panniers on the back as I would clip them with my size 11 (UK) feet. The chain stays are shorter than the Raven and the Nomad.

Steve

[ianshearin]

Thanks guys, I was thinking about that after I had another read of the Thorn leaflets, I will be going slow and with a heavy load, camping as well as taking fishing gear with me.
Guess I will stick with my original plan of a Nomad.

Thanks for the response

[jags]

what about the sherpa.

[Andybg]

2nd for the Sherpa. In terms of bangs for your buck, I dont think there is anything that beats a second hand Sherpa. I think the Rohloff has to do some serious mileage before it starts to pay for itself. I have a mk1 Nomad (similar to the Sherpa) and from day rides to 30+kg of shopping it handles it all with style and finess.

There is one (Mk1 Nomad) for sale at the moment on CTC (the link is on the bikes for sale thread) that looks very nice. I am very tempted but I think I may have just about spent all my pennies for this year.

Cheers

Andy

[Danneaux]

Hi Ian!

Welcome back; delighted to hear you're still on-track for the Big Tour, however it happens.

Add my vote to jags' and Andy's for the Sherpa as fantastic value in a heavy-touring bike. Notice I said "heavy-touring" rather than "expedition touring". The Nomad Mk2 is Thorn's current "expedition" bike in terms of outright load capacity, and is biased more completely toward that task, making it less of an all-rounder and less comfortable for general (non-loaded) use. It really comes into its element with massive loads, however, which is what it was designed for.

Keep in mind, the Sherpa Mk3's weight capacity is less than the Mk2, so the gap between it and the Nomad Mk2 is greater than before.

For all "normal-to-heavy" touring, I think the Sherpa is just ideal, and it works at full efficiency right out of the box, replacement parts are standard and readily available pretty much anywhere, and it is a wonderful all-'rounder when not touring, particularly if equipped with light wheels. When I was selecting a bike for my purposes, I had a choice of offerings here where I live. Co-Motion are located in the same town, and Surly's Long Haul Trucker is a popular choice stateside. Instead, I chose the Sherpa Mk2, which had a better design for my needs and was better suited for my purposes. If you don't actually need or won't actually use the Nomad Mk2's massive cargo capacity (I do and will to both), the Sherpa is a wonderful choice. Price-on-entry is less, it can be configured any number of ways, and can always be sold-on at minimal loss if you tire of it afterwards. Used ones are an even greater bargain and the absolute cost is well below that of a used Rohloff Nomad. Many have toured the world very happily.

I found my Sherpa Mk2 had a more lively, resiliant frame than my Nomad Mk2 has. With lighter wheels, the Sherpa Mk2 would be better suited for non-touring, sport-riding, and general use. This is even more true for the Sherpa Mk3.

The Nomad Mk2 is like the Sherpa Mk2, but "more" and might well be "too much" bike for those looking for an all-'rounder or who will have only a single bike for all purposes. Certainly, the Nomad Mk2 has a thicker-walled, larger-diameter (at both ends, since it uses non-conical tubing), less-resiliant frame than the Sherpa Mk2 (there's an even bigger difference between the Nomad Mk2 and the Sherpa Mk3) and depends more on wide tires run at low pressure to provide a comfortable ride.

So. A compelling case for the Sherpa as prime choice for loaded touring and general use; moreso for a used one. As Andy said...

In terms of bangs for your buck, I dont think there is anything that beats a second hand Sherpa.

Please keep us updated as your plans develop, Ian.

All the best,

Dan.