FS Thorn Club Tour 531st 56x55, Silver group. Shimano mix, Nitto, Mavic.

Thorn Club Tour for sale. £375
I have edited this text a bit since posting it on the thorn thread.

56 TT x 55 ST c-c. Last of the 531ST production bikes, I gather. Lugged, oversize DT. Lee Cooper build possibly. Powdercoat in mostly amazing nick, few scrapes of the lacquer. NITTO Randonneur bars, 8sp bar-ends, RX1000 levers in nice nick. Newish drivetrain, Exage cranks (Japan) really quite nice and stiff considering they're 'basic' level gear, RX1000 mechs a bit worn but functioning nicely, newish 8sp SRAM cassette, steel Shimano rings for everlasting bike vibes. Clearances pretty tight by modern standards, i've squeezed a 32c with guards. I definitely would prefer 28c or even a 30c. Direct fit bosses under the bridge/crown, which is how Thorn be rolling.
GB guards, a few dents where i was cackhandedly trying to bend them a bit to make some more tyre clearance. VO Grand Cru headset, a couple of years old, still seems great.

Nice enough proper touring Wheelset... Featuring the now completely diappeared Shimano DH 3N72 front hub, a nice pre-disc dyno 3W hub; rear a very new Deore; 36h on Mavic T261 (triple walled) built with Alpine III. Rims have a bit of wear. I would keep riding these, reckon there's plenty of life in em. Really ace Shimano Cantis BR-CX50, with Kool stops natch. Newish Marathon, should be good for thousands of miles.

It's really great with panniers all over it. I mean, really sturdy, no shimmy.

Two flies in the ointment that I have ignored and enjoyed using this bike:
BB was stuck when I tried to remove a while back. Sealed Shimano UNsomething unit, felt lovely and smooth, gave up and left it.
One of the lowrider barrels on the fork needs the thread re-tapping on the inside pickup, was fine on the outside but my racks required mounting on both sides, today the inside bolt came out a bit stripped. Likely to be powder in there, I recall I had to tap a bit before mounting the rack a few years back, I may not have done a perfect job. I would imagine this is not a terminal problem.

Stuck a horrific white seat pin and saddle just so someone can ride this away. Will find some old donor pedals if needs be.

NOTE: bike has wiring left in place for B&M type lighting i.e. small 'female' spade connectors at the cable ends, suitable for the older type B&M lights which don't come pre-wired.

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@cake has first dibs / refusal

i hope cake takes it so i can stop thinking about it, really lovely bike

Also @King_Saxlingham expressed an interest which I will take as a second dibber. I like the politeness of the dib system.

Nice @Skülly glws

Thanks. It was with a heavy heart ... I just know one day I'll want a solid skinny-tyre tourer like this again and no-one's making them any more. The bike that replaces it is just a bit lighter, an audax thing.

I feel the same about my Galaxy. I know it's going to be perfect in the future but can't justify keeping it at the mo.

Jaysus. H. Christ. What have I told you about getting rid of bikes dirt cheap without consulting me?

On the subject of 'budget' components I was going through the spares box/locker/room/house recently and started to see the value in the crap I've dragged around for a decade. It works. It's sturdy. It doesn't say dura a'che' on it but it's hella cheaper than this modern shit, if you can find a supplier.

Fuck it. In the event the current dibsers pull out I'll take that thorn. Great excuse to come and drink all your grappa

Next dibs please Mr @Skülly

PM incoming

@picco Hah please come and drink grappa

cake
King Saxlingham
picco
jimalex

@King_Saxlingham You are now up for this, cake can't take it off me hands. PMing you...

Yep. Sorry I had to drop out!

Hope it goes to a good home.

Thanks cakeycakes. No big deal!

Please add me to this dibs list
Thanks!

Did this sell ?

Yep I picked it up. Lovely bike, Been putting it back together, took it on a nice 50 miler today but unfortunately realised it's a touch too small for me, which is gutting as it rides amazingly. But I've got a long tour lined up for a few weeks so can't really put up with it!

So, back up for sale! Bike is now down near Portsmouth (on the trainline if helpful), or I can meet you close by?

Two Options,
Option A - £375 as I paid for it, as it was. (spec in Skullys original Post)
Option B - £450 with the below added in :

• Nitto 83 Steel Seatpost
  
• B&M IQ-XS Front Light
  
• B&M Seculite Plus Rear Light
  
• MKS Esprit Pedals
  
• 3 Bottle Cages
  
• Klick Fix Bar Bag Mount
  
  

Photo Below showing current state
Bags, Bell and Brooks Not Included (will put another saddle on)

@picco / @jimalex / @t.hall / @vintageisbest if you're interested in taking it, let me know.

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Thank you for the heads up. The additions are fantastic value, as is the bike. I really mustn't though...... but maybe....... but no........

Have a bump

Tempting to take it back.

I think you pm’d the wrong person.

🤣🤣🤣

Your bikes always look tidy

This is such a nice touring bike -- more elegant than the current Thorn version.

Not sure of the current dibs situation - but I’m interested if none of the above are!

Out. I was kidding.

@vintageisbest messaged me, thinking I am selling it. Did they get in touch with you @King_Saxlingham?