pwa wrote:Thorns are about 23kg (large size with the sturdiest "Discovery" frame), just for comparison. But that is only 11.5kg per person, on a heavy duty touring bike that can be loaded up with all your camping kit. Long at the back so the stoker (who can ride more upright, sheltered from the wind by the person if front) has plenty of space.
We've had a Thorn Discovery(3x9sp deraileur model) 24kg,and whilst I can't deny it was nice loaded,it was a pig to wind up without a load,compared with any other tandem we've owned,which can't be the weight alone,as it slowed down quicker when freewheeling,than any other 700c tandem we've owned that are lighter,and that was with any combination of comparitive tyre and TP's.
The Santana which is a fair comparison is a steel touring tandem with V brakes and an Arai drag brake same as the Thorn and same 3x9sp d/train,weighs in at 18.5kg and will do any road touring the Thorn would,the Thorn scored off tarmac,with bigger clearances upto 1.75in tyres IIRC though we only ever rode it with 1.5inch.In fact the achilles heel of but the Santana and C/dale is clearances,only 32mm with M/guards fitted,thought the C/dale takes a 35mm on the rear.
The Cannondale 1kg lighter due to no third Arai drag,just two 203mm cable discs and no provision for a front lowrider rack.
Both are a delight to ride
,but the C/dale has the edge on low speed manoeuvring,over 5mph there's no difference.
The old S/Gal was a nice ride too but a bit noodly especial loaded.
The KHS childback is a surprisingly nice to ride for a cheap tandem and is fitted with some really nice wheels(40hole 26in Rigida Zac rims and Shimano tandem hubs),but suffers the problem as the Santana at very low speed which is due to a steep head angle and not enough fork offset IMHO,great on the move but mildly disconcerting a very low speeds.
I wouldn't want another Thorn,but then we don't do loaded touring any more.