Jags!
Happy with my Nomad setup at this point, but that is because I am still finalizing it!
The change to compact drop handlebars and a shorter stem and relocating the brake levers forward put me spot-on for positioning with the 590M frame with drops; checked and done!
The change to 36x17T gearing on the Rohloff drivetrain gave me just the gears I needed where I needed them, matching my preferred derailleur setups and hummingbird-fast cruising cadence. Sorted!
I figured from the start these would be little changes to move the bike from "alright" to All Right. It was the same for my other bikes in years past, and I have learned to not rush the process. Sure, some things make themselves known from the beginning and can be addressed immediately, but for others, "close enough" can be fine to determine if the baseline is correct. Continued riding allows me to plan my course of action in advance and get things spot-on as I'd like. At about the six-month mark, everything begins to coalesce and feel "right"; Familiar in my terms.
I view it all as part of the getting-acquainted process, and such fine-tuning adds to the fun of New Ownership for me. I always try to budget a little financial cushion to allow for changes in bars/stem and basic gearing. It was not till my third cassette on Sherpa that things felt "right" to me, and on the Nomad, all it took was a single chainring change at USD$24 to make right. I'll make up much of that when I sell-on the removed 'ring. The 'bars and stem were about USD$60 total; not bad for a "perfect" fit and still less than USD$100 overall to make the bike fit like a custom-tailored suit with the pockets just where I want them. And yes, even full-on bespoke customs often need little adjustments to stem length and seatpost setback and such once they're ridden. It's normal!
Handlebars are padded but not yet taped. Headlight/taillight and charging system hookup (transferred over from Sherpa) yet to be done. The unexpected kitchen remodel has taken precedence along with some other major DIY stuff. I want a working stove again and am tired of microwaved food. Current stoves are now made wider, so all the countertops, shelving, and cupboards had to be carved wider down to the floor, then rebuilt and re-stained; 3- to 4-wire house electrics conversion at the stove is next. Once that is complete, I can get back to Important Things like finishing the Nomad.
The only "change" still on the Nomad docket is a Hebie Chainglider. I've been in comms with Hebie and they have been very helpful in steering me to the rare and elusive "Extra-Long" model, and have given some operating tips I will share in a separate post.
Finish the above, and I'll be a Happy Camper for the next 20-odd years. My other bikes have remained static that long once I got them finalized to my tastes. The real beauty of a Rohloff Thorn is there's not as much to "upgrade" as on a derailleur bike. I'm future-proofed against ShimaCampaSRAM's tooth-count arms race -- 11, 12-speed cassettes and dedicated shifters and chains for same...what's that? It has created an interesting range of drivetrain technology amongst my bikes. A couple 120mm OLD frames and one at 126 running 5- and narrow-6-speed freewheels on Phil Wood hubs, and only one indexed bike, the tandem (SunTour, yeah!) -- and the Rohloff Nomad. The indexed 7-sp Miyata is being readied for eBay, and the 7-sp indexed cassette-hubbed Folder awaits my brazing a few cable guides, a front mech mount, final brazing of the steering mast, and wet paint. The recumbent is also 7-sp indexed, but awaits my finalizing the boom design and primary drive before it will be on the road. By the way, I keep the old freewheels running by reprofiling the worn cog teeth with a pattern and high-speed die-grinder when they start to hook.
Busy times in Danneauxville.
Best,
Dan.
