Thorn XTC Classic SWB, 525M FRAME

[RMF]

Sadly it’s time to find a new home for my XTC. It’s been a brilliant bike, comfortable and fast, and the steel frame, 26” wheels and wide tyres (up to37mm) mean it is good on rougher surfaces and when loaded.
The XTC was Thorn’s top of the range lightweight steel tourer. The Classic was hand built in the UK (in approx 2000) with 725 conical tubing and 531C forks.
At the time Thorn, championed 26” wheels because they are stronger, make the bike shorter and more manoeuvrable with good availability of spares. Although 700c is now more popular, the 26" wheels remain especially suitable for shorter riders (the frame fits approx. 5’ 5” to 5’8”) because they allow for a comfortable reach without having to compromise on toe overlap or a high bottom bracket.

Frame size 525mm
Bottom bracket to top of seat tube 510mm
Top tube ctc 510mm
Reach 460mm
Standover at mid-tube 770mm

725 Reynolds conical tubing
Investment cast lugs
Ritchey dropouts
Forks 531C, uncut steerer

Overall length 1650mm

Shimano Ultegra triple flight deck levers
Thorn 80mm silver stem
FSC head set
Shimano Ultegra front mech
Ultegra cranks
Chainrings XT 52-42-30
Cassette 32-12
Shimano Deore XT rear mech
Sunrims CR18 26” alloy rim front
Sputnik alloy rim rear
Shimano STX HB-MC30 front hub
Tyres Panaracer Tourguard 26x1.5 (front), Schwalbe Marathon Plus 26x1.35 (rear)
Avid Shorty 6 cantilever brakes front and rear
Charge Spoon saddle
Thorn layback seat post 27.2mm
MKS GR-9 platform pedals
Full mudguards, rear reflector and Secula rear light
Tubus stainless steel carrier

This bike has been well-used over its life. It has not been ridden for a while and it needs some tlc. Most seriously, the handlebars have been bent (they are still rideable but someone knocked the bike over when it was loaded and one handlebar took the brunt of it). The rubber brake hoods need replacing, the plastic ‘Ultegra’ on the brake levers is missing (cosmetic only), the chain, transmission and cables all have wear and you should plan on replacing in due course. The front mech needs adjusting. There is surface rust on bolts etc. The front rim is the original and I don’t know how much wear is left in it (the back rim has had little use).
The frame has various chips and scuffs to the paintwork as seen, but the frame and forks are straight with no dings.

£250 ono

Location: Horsham, West Sussex

Collection preferred so you can see what you are buying. If you come by train, we are less than a mile from the station. Otherwise, I can box it up and send it on receipt of full payment for +£80.

[RMF]

No takers so far. Any thoughts on whether this is because of the frame size, the style of the bike, condition, or price?

[brumster]

No takers so far. Any thoughts on whether this is because of the frame size, the style of the bike, condition, or price?

Sadly ( for sellers ) the second hand market in classic steel bikes seems to have fallen flat. 26 inch wheel size too is also considered by some as inferior to larger 700c wheel size, though many Thorn owners may disagree. May be worth listing on the Thorn forum or eBay and prepare to be patient? The XTC had an excellent review in Cycling Plus magazine when it was first launched - many XTC's were sold as a result. I still have one and cannot fault it's ride quality. Good luck with the sale.

[RMF]

Thanks for the feedback! For a medium or large frame, I see why people prefer 700c. Personally, I found this bike solved the shorter person's problem that the top tube on a small Galaxy was far too long and other alternatives had toe overlap or a massively high bottom bracket.

[jimlews]

"...an entirely practical modern classic that comes closest to the traditional 700c touring bike in design, looks,weight and feel-with the big exception of gaining all the benefits of 26" wheels and a host of other refinements...
...I'm convinced enough to shed(sic) 700c for all loaded touring and buy one-
any offers on my custom-built Tony Oliver?"
Cycling Plus review March 2001.

These XTC bikes were a bargain when they were sold new for £1330
£ 250 is an absolute steal for this bike. It appears to be in good serviceable condition.
Any "issues" are with consumables that an owner might change for personal taste anyway.
The OP is even offering to box up and post it!
I am very tempted !
Somebody buy it quick-before I have to!

[hinesight]

PM sent

[hercule]

Very similar to mine, except mine is a blue fade from front to rear. Very versatile bikes. Mine has been a bit neglected after neck problems caused me to move over mostly to recumbent trikes. Under threat of it having to go (“you don’t use it anymore!”) I pulled it out a couple of weeks ago and it’s getting more regular use. I do have to modify the riding position as I don’t bend in the middle as well as I did 26 years ago!

£250 is a bargain!

[Norton]

No takers so far. Any thoughts on whether this is because of the frame size, the style of the bike, condition, or price?

I can’t see why it hasn’t been snapped up, except perhaps people don’t realise what this bike is.

Worth noting that this is the SWB version, more of an audax machine than a general purpose tourer and the 26”wheels are not there to accommodate shorter people but to be strong, light and add some zip to the ride. At £250 it’s looks to be a bargain and I would have bought if I didn’t already have 2 (plus a “normal” XTC and the more extreme Nemesis).

Also, can take c. 40mm tyres without guards, to also serve as what young people today call a “gravel bike”.