December 20, 2017
The Bike: Pics and Specs
The bike for this tour was my 26" wheeled Thorn Sherpa Mark III I bought in the U.K. a few years ago and have used for a several tours in Australia, including a ride of the exceedingly rough Gibb River Road. It's a tough bike, but heavy and truck-like in its handling.
I’ve made a few modifications to lighten the bike for this tour, as the bike won't need to handle exceedingly rough conditions like the Gibb River Road. The roads on this tour will be mostly sealed, and those that aren't won't be real rough-stuff surfaces.
Swapping to lighter wheels was the main modification.
The modifications have been:
- fitted lighter wheels. 32 spoke DT Swiss rims instead of 36 spoke Rigida CSS rims.
- replaced the Tubus Cargo rack with a Tubus titanium Airey rack
- replaced the Pro handlebar with a Salsa Woodchipper handlebar.
- Cane Creek brake levers replaced the Tektro levers
- CrankBrothers pedals replaced with Shimano SPDs
- new cables and outers
- new brake pads
- new Marathon Supreme tyres 1.6”
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THORN SHERPA
Frame Thorn 969, heat-treated, Cro-Mo double butted seamless cold-drawn conical tubes, frame-size 560S
Fork Reynolds 531ST threadless
Saddle Brooks B17
Racks Tubus frontloader, Tubus Ti Airey rear
Pedals Shimano single sided SPDs
Wheels 26" Swiss DT 32 hole rims
Derailleurs Deore XT
Hubs Rear Hope Front Durace
Brakes Shimano XTR M970 V-brakes Swiss-stop black pads
Cane Creek V-brake levers
Shifters Dura Ace SL-BS77 bar-end
Crankset Shimano Deore XT FC-M770 Hollowtech triple chainset 175mm
Tyres Marathon Supreme 1.6" tyres
Gearing Front 22/32/44 rear 11-34 Shimano HG80 9 speed cassette.
Chain Shimano Deore HG93 114 links 9-speed.
Bars Salsa Woodchipper drops;
Stem Shimano Pro LT 1-11/8 reversible 110mm
More detail for technical enthusiasts about Thorn Sherpa geometry. Written by another Thorn Sherpa owner on the Thorn Forum:
http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4245.0
Weight Unladen is 12.9kg including accessories and various attachments e.g. racks, lights, bottles (empty) before the loaded panniers and bags are attached.
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