silly question.

[jags]

Another silly question from yours truly
of all the Thorn models (BIKES) which would be regarded as the  ultimate .
thats it folks

[Danneaux]

Oh, boy, jags -- you've posed the unanswerable question!

Since everyone has different needs and Thorn makes bikes that do well all-'round but excel for specific uses, the answer is likely "All of them".

The Audax is probably the best comfortable go-fast bike in their line, or perhaps the Mercury with Rohloff.

The best all-rounders are probably the Sherpa/Raven twins, differing only in drivetrain.

The best traditional "general touring bike" is likely the Club Tour.

The weight-carrying champ in rugged terrain is the Nomad.

Best advice to those who can afford it? Collect the entire set. To those who can't (me) select the model that fits your greatest need, knowing it is versatile enough for other uses as well and may be the only bike you end up actually needing or riding.

Best,

Dan.

[jags]

Dan  my sons friend showed me his raven sports tour with all top notch gear rohloff  hand made wheels  ceramic rims  xtr brakes  you name it he had it. man it was a stunner only thing  didnt like beside me not owning it was straight bars.
if i had the dosh i would go with the audax xtr groupset throughout.

[Danneaux]

Or -- even while dreaming -- how 'bout a Mercury?

Drop 'bars with Berthoud or Co-Motion or stub-mounted Rohoff shifter or Cresswell ratchet shifter, Rohloff hub, ceramic rims, carbon fork, choice of brakes (disc rear, but caliper or v- front depending on fork choice)....Man! I'd love to spec a go-fast Rohloff road bike!

Brochure here: http://www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/ThornMercuryHiRes.pdf
Pic of a go-fast spec taken from the brochure cover, attached below.

All the best,

Dan.

[jags]

how come i've never noticed that bike before.
class i want it.

[Danneaux]

class i want it.

Oh, I knew you would, jags! Nothing like it!  Ticks all the boxes, doesn't it?

All the best,

Dan. (...who is a mean, mean man for showing this to jags)

[jags]

not at all Dan i love looking at class bikes, 

[Danneaux]

...And I should add, jags, the nature of the bike can be tuned with a change of fork. You can even fit front and rear pannier racks for lightweight touring as you prefer to do. On page 5 of the brochure, Andy Blance says (so long as the Reynolds SuperTourist fork with v-brake and low-rider bosses is used)..."Provided much of the weight is carried on the fork, the bike could carry up to 36kg" (79lb).

That'd be the do-all bike for you, jags -- go-fast club rides, quick solos, yet with wide-range gearing a twist of the wrist away. Comfort and lightweight of the carbon fork you've so often expressed interest in, with the option to actually lightweight/tour on the bike with racks and panniers with a simple swap-out of the fork. All with the simple-use, low-maintenance, long-lived Rohloff hub. It is even available in the re-introduced gunmetal color of your Sherpa, jags.

Much to recommend it. A shame we don't see more here in the hands of Forum members.

Best,

Dan.

[Danneaux]

jags,

Here's a Mercury nicely kitted-out for touring...
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/tech/bikes/129431/4/touring-bikes-grouptest.html

Best,

Dan.

[jags]

yes Dan seems a lot of thought went into this bike.
only thing i like to see improved is the paint work .
I'm thinking a bit of flare in the frames would go a long way.
have you ever looked at colnago frames works of art where as thorns bike are dull,
don't get me wrong i love thorn but for such good well thought bikes the dull paint schems let them down.

OK so put me up against the wall and shoot me  

[jags]

much paint job on that beauti  i love it.lot of bucks though.

[Danneaux]

OK so put me up against the wall and shoot me

Aw, we don' have to do that, jags...not when there's paint jobs like the one Andy Blance has on his personal bike.

Take a look at the brochure pics reproduced below, showing Andy Blance's personal Mercury. Pretty remarkable! (but yes, they are also expensive)

Best,

Dan.

[jags]

ok Dan i take it all back thats a dinger  probably need to rob a bank to buy it.
(custom paint job )

[Danneaux]

...custom paint job

Nah, an option! 

Andy writes, "SkyBlue Team, this is a very flashy, in your face finish. The 'Thorn Sky Blue frame has red, white, and blue decals on every tube. The decals are sealed under a gloss powder lacquer. A stainless 'Thorn' head badge is fitted ot the head tube. Note: The 'Thorn Sky Blue' is actually a cross between sky blue and duck egg green, it is reminiscent of the underwing colour used on WW2 Spitfires...this effect is only enhanced by the use of the red, white, and blue decals!".

Best,

Dan.

[NZPeterG]

Another silly question from yours truly
of all the Thorn models (BIKES) which would be regarded as the  ultimate .
that's it folks

Hi Jags,
A good question?
For me the best all round Thorn is a STD Nomad MK2 in Yellow 
Because it is very good for on and offroad cycle touring (I love dirt roads and tracks when touring and for Fun)
The Nomad X has too short a Toptube for Mountain Biking and is No lighter then the STD Nomad 

How for a 2nd Thorn? I think I would go for a Audax! fast road riding but still OK for and odd Dirtroad 

Pete