Just registered & looking for solutions

standra

Just Joined
May 4, 2012
2
0
I posted a query on the Thorn forum and was referred to this one.....................

Age, arthritis and now heart problems mean that I've got to consider easing-up (especially on hills)................. electric-assist met with general approval from the Thorn community but the problem is ------ do I have my 'Thorn Raven Tour' (RT) converted by means of a front wheel kit or do I sell the RT and buy an electric 'bike?

Either solution raises difficulties............... I'm completely useless in terms of DIY for the 'bike and would need not just a supplier of the kit but a fitting service too.............. in terms of buying a complete 'bike there seems to be no 'local' means of viewing/test riding any models.................

I'm Daventry based................ any ideas?!?

PS Leisure Bikes have nothing to show me
 

paulhipwood

Pedelecer
Feb 12, 2012
77
1
Halesowen
I converted my Raven Sports Tour, recently.
I changed the forks for twin plate steel ones and fitted a 8Fun kit to the front wheel.

The kit cost £430 and took a few hours to sort out.

I like the Thorn so much and have customised it over the years.
I did not want to get another bike so chose to convert.
The Rohlof hub means virtually no maintenance and has such a big range.

I can now commute each day without getting tired.
What about trying the place where you get your bike serviced - I assume you do not do this yourself.

regards
paul
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,559
30,848
I second the choice of CycleZee for your situation Standra, good well tried kits with flexible battery mount solutions which Cyclezee will fit for you. Since you are quite close you could try one of the eZee models using the same motor first before buying.
 

standra

Just Joined
May 4, 2012
2
0
Many thanks to you all for your help............... I'm going to try to call-in at Cyclezee MK today and see what they have to say................. I must say the 8Fun kit looks and sounds right Paul and I couldn't agree more about the Rohloff, but my local bike-shop haven't shown too much interest in getting involved and I need to feel sure that I've got back-up if(when!) things go wrong................. I'm being urged to consider Electric Transport Shop in Cambridge who have experience of converting the Raven Tour - any comment?

Standra
 

paulhipwood

Pedelecer
Feb 12, 2012
77
1
Halesowen
Dear Standra

Converting a raven is no different to converting any other bike.
Its not a big job, if things go wrong there is only so much you can do.
If a part is faulty there is not to many options if you want to keep the warranty.

On the Raven there are two main issues

1. the fork dropouts will require carefull filing. 20 to 30 minutes. This will be required on most bikes.
2. The pedelec sensor will have to be mounted differently to the designed method. This is due to the space between the crank and the chainwheel. I think this would happen on most "normal" bikes. The fix I did took about an hour.

The only other issue was positioning the thumb switch for the throttle. It should go on the rightbut this is where the gear change is. So it gets a bit crowded. I changed my gear change to the left - this took ten minutes.

I think I would talk to your bike shop or find one who would be interested.

best regards
paul
 
C

Cyclezee

Guest
Hi Standra,

I'm not sure if you called by yesterday, Friday.

We were up in Cumbria for funeral, but back in MK now.

Hope you didn't have wasted journey.

Regards,
 
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