Van Nicholas Pioneer project...

[RonK]

its been a few months now and I was wondering where your thoughts were with regards to your Rohloff.

Hi Rifraf,

I have by now covered more than 2500km now with the Rohloff, but my assessment of it has not changed. However, I have not done a loaded tour on it yet, so it's still possible my thinking might shift, but I doubt you'll ever find me rapturously singing it praises in the way some owners are apt to do.

The dual drive sounds like the right choice for you - it would be hard to justify the expense of a Rohloff hub.

[rifraf]

Looks like planet-x-bikes have some discounted stock:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FRV ... om_bracket
554.99 UK pounds delivered if I'm not mistaken.
Food for thought?

[rifraf]

Such a shame to me that they didn't offer the frame options up a little like Surly.
If you could jump from IGH to derailleur etc and choose whether to utilise a disk brake or V then it would be a much simpler choice. I'd scramble for the light weight and classy Pioneer. Even at the extremely discounted price above its not enough to make for an easy decision so I wont yet make one.

Oh they've just bumped up their price by over 100 pound - moving right along........

[Jonno]

Down to 479.99 quid, or $744.80 delivered. Sure am tempted!

[RonK]

Down to 479.99 quid, or $744.80 delivered. Sure am tempted!

The problem still remains where to get the matching VNT TRX fork...

[Jonno]

Yeah seems to be a real pain to get!

Are there any non OEM fork options to suggest?

[RonK]

Yeah seems to be a real pain to get!

Are there any non OEM fork options to suggest?

You could get a VN MTB fork, but I'm not sure what "suspension corrected" implies for a bike which was designed to be rigid.

It wouldn't have rack eyelets but the are ways around that.

Best may be to see if you can get one direct from VN, although I can't see it listed as a component.

Otherwise (and yes, it goes against the grain), a Surly LHT fork perhaps?

[Jonno]

VN replied to my enquiry:
"The TRX fork is € 150,-  incl 21% VAT"

Another option:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-26-inc ... prod10214/

What do you think Ron? Is this Rohloff project worth it or should I look elsewhere?

[RonK]

VN replied to my enquiry:
"The TRX fork is € 150,- incl 21% VAT"

Another option:
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/thorn-26-inc ... prod10214/

What do you think Ron? Is this Rohloff project worth it or should I look elsewhere?

Yes, this fork would work, but the Pioneer is an expedition bike - would s carbon fork be ok for heavy duty use. I do have one on my Sabarh but it's really a medium weight road tourer.

I'm unimpressed with the Rohloff and would not build another Rohloff equipped bike.