eBay: Hire fleet Sherpas for sale £949.00

[Danneaux]

Not mine.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thorn-Cycles-Sherpa-26-Expedition-Touring-Bike-Steel-V-Brake-Shimano-Rack-/331113733098?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&var=&hash=item4d17ea9bea

Eight in various sizes available. Photo appears to be of a large Mk2, but check the sizing.

Sizes as follows:
Extra Small = 500S
Small = 530S
Medium = 565S
Large = 600S

BuyItNow for £949.00 each. Zefal HPX pump and topeak saddlebag with tools for an extra £25.

Best,

Dan.

[macspud]

It would seem that they have made a slight boo-boo as they are cheaper with added accessories (Pump & Pack) than without.

[Andybg]

A nice oppertunity for someone to get a mk2 but I think the prices are a bit ott for a ex hire bike.

Andy

[rualexander]

I notice the sizes listed and the small dimensions table are for the mk3 Sherpa not the mk2 which is what is being sold. The dimensions and geometry of the mk2 and mk3 do differ slightly.

[Swislon]

Yes I also think the prices are too high for an ex Hire bike.

[in4]

Courageous I'd say,  but the market will find its level. Perhaps gives an indicator how much value buyers place on provenance.

[mickeg]

I bought my Sherpa frame and fork used in Spring of 2010.  How do I tell the difference between plain Sherpa, MkII, etc.?  Or is there some code in the serial number that would tell me which Sherpa I own?  It is size 610S.  The seller provided the original receipt from his purchase from SJS (I wanted to make sure I was not buying stolen parts, thus asked for proof of ownership), but I have misplaced that receipt so I do not know when it was originally purchased.

[rualexander]

I bought my Sherpa frame and fork used in Spring of 2010.  How do I tell the difference between plain Sherpa, MkII, etc.?  Or is there some code in the serial number that would tell me which Sherpa I own?  It is size 610S.  The seller provided the original receipt from his purchase from SJS (I wanted to make sure I was not buying stolen parts, thus asked for proof of ownership), but I have misplaced that receipt so I do not know when it was originally purchased.

I would guess that you have a mk2 Sherpa.
I can't remember how the mk1 differed from the mk2 except that the mk1 was built from Reynolds 525 tubing and the mk2 from Thorn's branded 969 cromo 4130 tubing. So if you have a sticker on your frame telling you what tubing is used then that will tell you which mk Sherpa you have.

There is also a lot of useful historical information available from the web archive pages that Dan collated here http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=6975.0

[Danneaux]

How do I tell the difference between plain Sherpa, MkII, etc.?

Quick visual cues to a Sherpa Mk3: No pump peg on the left seatstay, a brazed-on seat clamp, and an extended head tube, rising noticeably above the top tube.

For the difference between Mk1 (original) and Mk2, Rual's observations wrt tubing stickers are excellent.

Best,

Dan. (...who observes you also get a "top tube rental number" with these ex-hire bikes and wonders who'll get Size Large Number 50 in the eBay photo)

[horizon]

I was quite impressed that they were used as hire bikes - the company wasn't scrimping. I would buy one but I agree that at that price you can nudge your way to a new one and get everything exactly as you want (e.g. steerer) and brand new. A lot would depend on exactly what equipment the bike has (e.g. STIs) and whether these would have pushed the price up as upgrades. It's a shame really as the market is crying out for second hand Sherpas and these aren't really second hand prices.

[triaesthete]

The mark 2 had conical (externally tapered) top and down tubes. Mk1s and 3s have regular tubes I think.  The 969 decal on my mk2  is lacquered in so it can't be removed.

Ian

[Relayer]

Yes I also think the prices are too high for an ex Hire bike.

I thought that last year when they were selling a couple of ex hire Audax Mk3's at £1,400 each, one of them was size 525 which I was very tempted by, especially since it had  Ultegra kit. So, I waited thinking the price would come down, but somebody bought it ... I think by a lady who has posted on these boards.

Just goes to show, if somebody wants the bike bad enough, the price is right.

Jim

[SteveC]

I actually bought one of the 'smalls' for my wife, which going by the id on the bottom bracket is a 510s. Frustrating that they don't say this in the ad.

I was impressed with the service I got on the phone. Given its slightly inflated price, I was hoping it would be in excellent condition and I wasn't disappointed. A couple of minor blemishes on the top tube and the cranks are a bit worn but not much else to worry about. Based on my own Sherpa, I would have preferred Thorn's rear carrier and bottle cages but these are minor gripes and not too much of an outlay to resolve.

Does anybody happen to have the official dimension table for the Mk2s just so I can be happy that this is intended for a 5' 3" lady? I know there is no better test than getting on and trying it but I would like to have the reassurance.

Thanks.

[Danneaux]

Does anybody happen to have the official dimension table for the Mk2s just so I can be happy that this is intended for a 5' 3" lady?

Right here, Steve; http://web.archive.org/web/20111005125116/http://www.sjscycles.com/thornpdf/ThornSherpaBroHiRes.pdf chart from the brochure attached below.

All congratulations your (wife's) way! Wonderful to have a new Thorn in the family.

Best,

Dan.

[SteveC]

Thanks Dan! Much appreciated.