Thorn Nomad MK II
During my 2025 Cycling Everywhere bike tour across Europe, I rode a Thorn Nomad MK II, which was bought new in 2013. Due to various circumstances, I think it had been used no more than 10,000 kms before the tour.
Thorn Raven Nomad MK2 - Bicycle Purchase Invoice
I bought this bicycle from SJS Cycles /Thorn back in 2013 for a price of £2,705.99. At the time of purchase, I wanted a heavy duty expedition bicycle that would last for years. I'd say that 13 years later, we can say that is accomplished!
It's a classic steel, 26 inch touring bike basically built like a tank. And it's very yellow.
The only alterations since new have been a cable swap for brakes, brake pads a few times, a few chains, the front chain ring, and rear sprocket. Oh, and I swapped the old Brooks B17 saddle for a new one.
After completing 13,000 kms on the Cycling Everywhere bicycle tour (Athens to Nordkapp To Lisbon), I have to say the bike performed excellently. Not all was perfect though, and if I ever get around to it, I will write down some of my thoughts on the bike, pros and cons and such.
In the mean time, if you want to chart about the bike, just leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post! In the mean time, let's take a look at the specs.
The below details were scanned in from my original invoice. Inflation has probably made this seem a bargain today!
Invoice Summary
- Subtotal: £2,670.99
- Postage & Packaging: £35.00
- Total Amount: £2,705.99
Main Bicycle
- Thorn Raven Nomad Mk2 bike build - £2,199.00
- Frame: Thorn Nomad MK2 Frame & Fork Set - Yellow - 590L
Components & Accessories
Drivetrain & Gearing
- Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 CC 14 speed gear hub 32h Silver with EX box inc. 17T Sprocket & Tandem Axle Plate
- Shimano Deore FC-M590 9 Spd HollowTech II Triple Chainset - Black - 44/32/22T - 175mm - £46.00
- Thorn 104 PCD 4 Arm Reversible Single Chainring 3/32 Inch - Black - 40T
- SRAM PC830 Chain 114 Links 7/8 Speed HG Compatible - Grey
- Shimano PD-M424 SPD Pedals - £37.99
Braking System
- Shimano XT Black V Brakes, with XT levers - £35.00
- Shimano Deore XT BL-T780 Trekking V Brake Levers
- Shimano Deore XT BR-T780 V Brake - Silver (x2)
- Swisstop Blue Brake Pads for Deore / LX / XT / XTR Brakes
Wheels & Tyres
- Rigida Andra 30 26" MTB CSS Rim - Black - 32 Hole Rohloff Drilling (Front & Rear) - £85.00
- Shimano Deore HB-M590 Front Hub - Silver - 32 Hole
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus HS348 Rigid Tyre - 26 x 1.75 Inch (x2)
- Schwalbe SV13 Presta Tube - 26" Tyres (x2)
- SJSC Reinforce Nylon Rim Tape - 26" x 22 mm - Red (x2)
- 6 Spare Spokes - Silver - £5.00
- Wheel Reflectors - Orange
Handlebars & Controls
- Thorn Flat Track Bars & Bell - 25.4mm - Black
- Kalloy AS-009 UNO 1 1/8 Inch Ahead Stem +17 Deg - 25.4mm Clamp - Black - 120mm
- OEM Ergon GP1-L Anatomic Grips - Large - Black - £20.00
- SJSC Ergo Control Bar End Grip - Black - £16.00
- Zefal Ping Bell - Black
Racks & Accessories
- Thorn Expedition Steel Rear Cycle Pannier Rack - Black - £90.00
- Thorn MKV Cro Mo Steel Low Loader - Black Powder Coat
- Profile Design bottle cages x 3 Kit - £21.00
Tools & Maintenance
- Rohloff Full Oil Change Kit - 8410 - £17.00
- Teng Tools TS/TX20 Torx T key for Rohloff hubs - £4.00
- Rohloff Sprocket Removal Tool for Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 - 8501 - £26.00
- Thorn For Rohloff Cast End 2 x M5 to 1 x M6 Stainless Dropout Adaptors
- CroMo Rear Quick Release Alloy Skewer for 135mm OLN Hubs - Silver
Documentation
- Thorn Bicycle & Tandem Owners Guide
This Thorn Raven Nomad MK2 touring bicycle was purchased in April 2013 and has been on several shorter tours, including 6 weeks around Iceland. The Rohloff 14-speed hub gear system and robust steel frame make it perfect for long-distance bicycle touring. With the Cycling Everywhere bike tour complete, it has completed about 23,000 kms. Possibly a little bit more.
Dave is a UK travel writer living in Athens since 2015. With 20 years of firsthand travel experience and over 80,000 km of bicycle touring across six continents, he's been blogging at Dave's Travel Pages since 2005. Every guide is based on places he's actually been.
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