Thorn/Rohloff Bike Equipment Review (25,000km in Africa)

[takeonafrica]

Hi everyone,
I've now finished my ride to Cape Town and thought it was about time I wrote a final review of the bike equipment and thought some of you may be interested.

Since my troubles in Cameroon it's been relatively problem-free - well, regarding the bike anyway. 'cycling' across the Congo and avoiding lions in Botswana was always going to be a bit of a challenge.

For those who don't know, I was riding a Rohloff-equipped Thorn Raven Tour.

So see here for the '25,000km in Africa' Bike Review:
http://takeonafrica.com/bike-expedition/bike-equipment-review-after-25000km/

[thirdcrank]

That's cycle touring with brass knobs on. The bike has done a pretty big mileage (as you have, of course) in demanding conditions and remote from the luxury of being able to pop into the lbs when the funny noises start.

I certainly enjoyed reading about it and I'm glad you are back safe and sound. On balance, it's a pretty good testimonial for the bike.

[snibgo]

Excellent. I love the Beer Consumption Map.

[simonhill]

Firstly, congratulations on a great ride. Well done!

I can't really work out if the Rohlhoff was good or not. You certainly put it to the test, but it also certainly didn't completely stand up to the test as was originally claimed in the early Thorn adverts. Hmmm?

I wonder how it would compare with a decent derailleur set up, which would have been much easier to service/repair/replace while on tour - and cheaper.

[brumster]

Firstly, congratulations on a great ride. Well done!

I can't really work out if the Rohlhoff was good or not. You certainly put it to the test, but it also certainly didn't completely stand up to the test as was originally claimed in the early Thorn adverts. Hmmm?

I wonder how it would compare with a decent derailleur set up, which would have been much easier to service/repair/replace while on tour - and cheaper.

IMO I'd say the Rohloff performed well - It didn't fail did it ? ( The EX box version of the Rohloff hub would have been easier to maintain on such an epic trip, the internal cable versions fraying is just wear & tear - they have an expected service life )_ BTW I'm not against derailleurs, but for such a trip ( 25,000km ! ! ! ) I doubt it'd be cheaper replace the parts of a derailleur set up. The Rohloff just involves less faffing, evrything is nicely hidden away from harms way.
Rohloffs' warranty service / SJS backup is second to none too.

[shane]

I've had my Rohloff for 2 years and all the time I thought I dont need this, it isn't really worth the money.

Then I went to Uganda, climbing uphill on dirt roads, there's nothing nicer than being able to drop 4/5 gears with a twist at almost stand still when you hit a pothole.....This happened dozens of times, and with a conventional system this would of been dozens of standstill and fiddle with the gears moments.

My 2 cents? Cycling in Europe/America or wherever on good roads, dont bother unless you really want to treat yourself. Going mainly offroad or cycling crap roads...priceless.

That said I hope I dont get a wobble in Africa.....

[DougieB]

I'm interested in the Rohloff hub too, as I'm looking to upgrade to an expedition bike and go further afield.

there's a similar difference of opinion in long distance motorbiking. in a nutshell, Japanese bikes tend to have chain/sprockets, BMW's tend to have sealed shaft-drive. and it's a polarising argument which is better. having taken a few chain drive bikes into africa, as long as they are kept dry (no oil) then they appear to last just as long as at home. I wonder if this is similar to bicycle chains ?

the BMW/shaft-drive/Rohloff opinion tends to be that more complexity is fine, if it means it never breaks. the problem being that if it breaks you are running a high risk of being stranded, or the parts have to be returned to source.

the chain-drive argument says I can get spares anywhere, or carry them, and things wear out gradually so it shouldn't suddenly let go. it's a much cheaper option and user servicable, but obviously not fit and (fingers crossed) forget.

I downloaded the Thorn Nomad brochure to have a read about the hubs. the spares and servicing kits seem to add up too, is there a DIY option for routine servicing of the hubs ?


cheers

[shane]

the BMW/shaft-drive/Rohloff opinion tends to be that more complexity is fine, if it means it never breaks. the problem being that if it breaks you are running a high risk of being stranded, or the parts have to be returned to source.

Or buy a local wheel/derailleur and use it while your Rohloff is flying half way across the world. Which you would do with a non rohloff setup if it broke.

[rualexander]

Or buy a local wheel/derailleur and use it while your Rohloff is flying half way across the world. Which you would do with a non rohloff setup if it broke.

Yes this would be a reasonable solution to continuing a time restricted journey, it's a shame that Thorn don't have a derailleur hanger on their Rohloff dropouts or have some method of fitting a removeable hanger.

[brumster]

I downloaded the Thorn Nomad brochure to have a read about the hubs. the spares and servicing kits seem to add up too, is there a DIY option for routine servicing of the hubs ?


cheers[/quote]

An oil change is *all that is required - SJS have you tube clip demonstrating how to do this... maybe worth downloading Thorns 'Living with a Rohloff' brochure too.

*except for sprocket & cable replacement as & when required.

[DougieB]

An oil change is *all that is required - SJS have you tube clip demonstrating how to do this... maybe worth downloading Thorns 'Living with a Rohloff' brochure too.

*except for sprocket & cable replacement as & when required.

nice one, thanks for the pointers; I hadn't seen them.

[shane]

Or buy a local wheel/derailleur and use it while your Rohloff is flying half way across the world. Which you would do with a non rohloff setup if it broke.

Yes this would be a reasonable solution to continuing a time restricted journey, it's a shame that Thorn don't have a derailleur hanger on their Rohloff dropouts or have some method of fitting a removeable hanger.

Just as well that I went for a non Thorn frame Where these kind of details are covered and I have a twist grip on my drop bars It's not cheap but getting your dream bike built by a custom frame builder does have advantages.

[geocycle]

Well done on a fantastic journey. I enjoyed your photos and following your progress from time to time.

Looks to me as though the bike did well given the conditions. I thought you had some poor advice about the likelihood of sprocket changing and the need to plan for this, which led to your biggest delay and could easily have been avoided. I'm glad SJS came good on your return.

Where next?

[takeonafrica]

I agree - overall I think the bike did pretty well and now I'm up to speed on bike maintenance, I'm hoping I'll have the right spares with me on the next trip.... which is the Great Divide - Canada to Mexico. Leaving this August. Finishing, who knows! But this is just a stop gap before another really big ride.... anyway, if you're interesting in following these trips, i'll be writing on here: http://www.helenstakeon.com

[Mattie]

I agree - overall I think the bike did pretty well and now I'm up to speed on bike maintenance, I'm hoping I'll have the right spares with me on the next trip.... which is the Great Divide - Canada to Mexico. Leaving this August. Finishing, who knows! But this is just a stop gap before another really big ride.... anyway, if you're interesting in following these trips, i'll be writing on here: http://www.helenstakeon.com

Well done on your epic trip - put together some video for the tele !

I was thinking a few of your pictures could do Thorn a favour and help them with their marketing, which I think they need to look at. I don't care about Thorn one way or another but looking at their brochure it could do with some sort of professional upgrade (IMHO); a few ideas of mine based on their Thorn Nomad Jan 2011 brochure:

1) Some of the touring pictures feature tiny bikes in huge scenery and the bike is not recognisable as a Thorn and it is often just seen from afar or from behind - Closer up would be better as they are selling the bike not the scenery.

2) The brochure is far to busy with loads of mixed up narrative all over the place - I am sure a more basic modern layout would be more engaging for potential customers.

3) The decals on the bike are a basic M-A-S-H army type lettering - customers buying a custom made bike might expect something with a bit more flair ?

Anyway, just a thought. like I say it makes no odds to me one way or another. Good luck on your US tour.