Dan picked up most of the non-standard mods and accessories. Those that haven't been mentioned:
- the cranks are 150 mm.
- extra long bottle cage on the seat tube, I added a neoprene ring to make the top catch on this more secure.
- little engraved name/address plate on the lower bolt of the down tube bottle cage. This used to be mandatory in France, not sure if it still is but I fit one anyway.
- cadence sensor for the bike computer (hidden by the pedal).
- bracket for backup battery lamp on handlebar.
- latex inner tubes, but you can't see those!
Dan's solution for longer brake hoods is a shorter handlebar. I'm trying a shorter stem, so the front of the hoods should be in about the same position as my 1977 bike. The tops will be closer, but I don't believe that matters as I ride mostly on the hoods. I'll find out on my test rides.
With the narrow Surly stainless-steel chainring and 3/32" chain and sprocket, the chainglider seems slightly more free-running when first fitted than the one on my 5-speed, but not dramatically so. Thorn don't like chaingliders, but I reckon it is easy to take off if I do decide I don't like it. The Rohloff-specific one has a larger opening than standard at the hub side, so it won't damage the Rohloff hub shell like early versions were reported to do.
Matt2matt2002 wondered about a bar bag. I'm not fond of these, though I do sometimes fit one on my rackless 700C lightweight when the saddlebag isn't quite enough.
With a touring bike I try and keep everything in the 4 pannier bags, any overflow gets strapped on top of the rear rack. Stuff I need to take with me for short stops off the bike goes in a minimalist 15/20 litre rucksack I generally stow inside the top of the starboard rear pannier. The rucksack is also useful for walking round town or shopping after parking the bike on trips when I don't camp and stay in hotels/hostels.
As my home-made panniers are too old and scruffy for a nice new bike, and the front ones aren't designed for low rider, I also bought new Ortleib Bikepacker and Sportpacker bags, 40 litre and 30 litre capacity respectively. I won't be trying these on the first few rides.
Jags wondered how the wiring is done - its just coaxial cable run along the frame and mudguard stays, held on with zip ties. Not too untidy looking as black cable, black zip ties and black paint.
>being a bit critical now
>need to level that brooks saddle,
My photo makes it look worse than it is, it is very slightly off level, but the nearest I can get with the Thorn seat post.
>dropkick that front reflector over the nearist ditch.
Can't do that, front reflectors are mandatory here. A Cyo 40 with integrated reflector looks neater (I have this on my 5-speed commuter), but for the Thorn I prefer the Cyo 60, as the bike will probably get some nocturnal use on rural roads.
>i really hate the thorn seat post sorry lads but it does look cheap and completly the wrong colour for any
>thorn bike.nice carbon setpost
Nothing a bit of black paint won't cure. The drawback for me is the rather coarse saddle tilt adjustment. If I need to set the saddle dead level I may swap it out later for a plain seatpost with Brompton Pentaclip to get finer tuning.
Other planned additions and changes:
- locking headset spacer so I can play around with different handlebar heights and stem lengths without adjusting the headset each time.
- maybe a frame-mounted parking lock. I've got these on my visitor bikes and they are very convenient. I reckon they give enough security for short stops in the areas I usually ride. There is plenty of room to fit one on the front of the seat stays.
- I'll shorten the right-hand end of the handlebar once I am sure I get along with the Hubbub-mounted shifter.
- I may eventually do the same mod as Dan with 2 P65 rear mudguards instead of the stock P55. (a cut-down rear mudguard should look neater than my bodged front extension). I reckon P65 will fit, they will give more clearance for mud and studded winter tyres. But not straight away - the Thorn is new and clean, so for snow, ice and mud I'll use one of my other bikes this winter.
- Not sure about the pedals. These GR9 platform pedals are Thorn's recommendation for toeclips/straps (which they don't like much). If I don't like the GR9s I'll fit a pair of Suntour Superbe quill pedals instead.
