thinking of selling my thorn raven rohloff...

[templek]

 i have had it around ten years, was thinking what kind of price it will go for. i have kept it in good condition, serviced regular at bike fix in london, one of the few rohloff specialist in the capital and was recommended by Thorn.

I was thinking of replacing it with another thorn but with regular gears. I use it for road use, commutting, i used to be a cycle courier but could end up doing that again. Which would be a good replacement. I have heard that Thorn can arrange to sell second bikes from owners. anyone used that service.

Since i live in london and it is a long train or car drive to somerset, i have heard of Roberts cycles in croydon, who also manufacture their own bikes. How do they compare to Thorn? I was only thinking of going to them because they are nearer!  But i suppose i could get a better package if i sell my old bike through thorn and use proceeds towards the new bike.

any thoughts would be welcome

[Danneaux]

Hi TempleK!

Reading your post through, I find myself wondering why you are considering a sale and new purchase.

Hard to imagine a nicer bike with lower maintenance needs; what does it now lack for you? Not questioning your decision, just thinking if I knew why, I could offer more focused, helpful suggestions.

If the bike seems tired, a respray and some new components can freshen things right up again and make it feel "new". Even a change of tires can make a big difference.

If you find yourself craving a derailleur drivetrain, then the current Sherpa would be a similar bike with a different drivetrain.

Sadly, used bikes of any make don't bring as much on resale as new ones cost. The eBay sale through Thorn is surely one way to go, or if you wished to avoid commission, something like Gumtree, advertising here on the Forum, or on the CTC forum are all good ways to go.

I probably *should* sell-on some of mine that aren't ridden so much, but as a soggy sentimentalist who loves fine tools I can't bear to part with any, especially when seeing and riding them brings back many happy memories.

Best of luck whichever way you decide to go, and you're more than welcome to post it here if you decide to sell. Pictures go far in getting a good price, so the tutorial I wrote on how to easily post photos might come in handy: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4313.0

Best,

Dan.

[templek]

various reasons, a lot of people like the bike, because it looks different due to the gear hub. But as i said in a previous thread i started i found the rohloff slower when riding with others in cheap bikes! we changed bikes and they have noticed the speed difference! another thing, is that some bike shops dont want to touch it due to the gears if i have a problem. They may do the brakes and punctures, but anything else i have to go some distance to bike fix in central london who are only specialist rohloffs!
well i was thinking of it, however having a niche bike does have its upsides and downsides

[Danneaux]

...having a niche bike does have its upsides and downsides

<nods> I see; thanks!

Well, if the rest of the bike is okay for your needs except for the issues related to the Rohloff hub, then something like a Sherpa might be just the ticket.

Hmm. When I consider a new bike, I've found it helpful to make a mental list of the ways my present bikes aren't meeting my needs. By the time I'm done, I have a blueprint for what I need.

Paraphrasing, it sounds as if you're looking for a derailleur bike because it is more mainstream and can be maintained at any number of places for greater convenience. You've also found them faster, and they look a bit more conventional.

Some other things you may wish to consider are design/mission and wheel size.

Would a Club Tour do nicely for you? Still a touring bike but a bit less hardcore than a Sherpa or Raven, has a derailleur drivetrain and 700C wheels, it is a nice all-'rounder.

Best,

Dan.

[templek]

yes thinking of selling it Im taking it for a service at the London rohloff specialist, Bikefix near Holborn. It is black, Frame size 853, 26 inch wheels, marathon plus tyres, bike stand, rear bag rack. Will put photos up later or contact me direct. I have no idea what the going price is for a 9/10 year old bike, that i paid 1300GBP for. I saw on here one went on ebay for 1200GBP

[wheezy]

I'd have thought the hub itself will be the most desirable part of the deal for anyone buying it. Although if it's requiring much in the way of maintenance, I wonder if all's as it should be? Very low maintenance (a squirt of oil every year) is the Rohloff's big selling point.

[in4]

I'd have thought that the right side of 1k was very achievable but a lot would depend on spec', condition and whether the hub has had its oil changes. As a counterweight there is a Sterling on ebay again for £1450 that has not had so much as a tickle in 3 postings. There was a Nomad on here a short while ago that had done some tour of Africa and it looked like it had too. I don't think there were any takers!
Put some photos up and see what offers you get.
Good luck

PS there is an RST on Ebay via SJS right now. Take a look for a reference point.

[phopwood]

This is a tricky one, you can buy a brand new rohloff hub form Germany for about £700 but then you add the cost of the rim and spokes you are upto £850 but still new. 

Then add the cost of the frame, but it all depends on the market on the day, i cycle most days in one form or another and nearly every other bike you see at the moment is a drop handle bar racer with a lycra clad rider ( very nice if they are young fit and firm but there is a point in every life where lycra no longer works), and you can go a buy a nice looking racer for £1200 it may not be of thorn quality but that is where the market is at the moment.

So I say if it cost you £1300 10 years ago and it goes for £900 then your cost of ownership is still a real bargain.

What size is it, what is the rest of the spec, lets see some pictures.

[pelago]

marathon plus tyres are heavy in use - I have only behind, all over the year and nearly every day

[triaesthete]

Pelago's right. Ditch the marathon plus. Fit 1.6 inch Marathon Supremes, then lose the racks and stands and your bike should fly. Mine does.  I bet your riding pals aren't hindered by such things on their "fast" deraileur bikes   
To coin a metaphor you are currently trying to sprint in lead diving boots 

It might also be worth down gearing, if yours is currently high,so you use the top 7 rather than the slower sounding lower 7.
40 or 42x16 should be the highest you'd need in town.

My twopenn'orth
Ian

[templek]

I'm in Stratford east London. Just out of bikefix lambs conduit street after full service Inc gearboxBuyer collects. I have photos but can't load them on here for some reason. Ease email for them: solomonmalcolm@hotmail.com

[templek]

Sorry bike sold