1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Thorn Manuals
  4. Bicycle
  5. SOLO
  6. Owner's manual

Thorn SOLO Owner's Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
Owner's Guide
Please read carefully prior to first use

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the SOLO and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Summary of Contents for Thorn SOLO

  • Page 1 Owner’s Guide Please read carefully prior to first use...
  • Page 2 Thank you for purchasing your Thorn bicycle. Here at Thorn Cycles we want you to be delighted with your purchase and have made every effort to try to ensure just that! This owner’s manual outlines the simple maintenance that you will need to carry out on your Thorn bicycle to allow you to gain the best and longest service from your bike.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    STI rapidfire levers STI road levers Transmission chain tension on Rohloff equipped Thorn cycles How to adjust the transmission chain tension on Rohloff equipped Thorn cycles - (not Mercury models) Tensioning the connecting chain on a Rohloff equipped tandem How to adjust the transmission chain tension using the Thorn lightweight mini...

  • Page 4: Preparing Your Bicycle Before Your First Ride

    If you are unsure about any of these tasks, please do not hesitate to contact us. When your new Thorn bicycle bike left our workshop it will have been inspected thoroughly to ensure it meets our exacting standards but it may have travelled many miles in its cardboard box and, although it shouldn’t have been, it may have been roughly handled.

  • Page 5: Correct Reassembly Of Handlebars

    Correct reassembly of the handlebars IMPORTANT YOU MUST READ THIS NOTICE BEFORE YOU ASSEMBLE YOUR NEW THORN BICYCLE The Correct way to assemble the spacers and stem is shown below: The diagram below shows how NOT to assemble the bicycle, this is very dangerous and may...

  • Page 6: Mechanical Safety Checks

    Mechanical safety checks Routinely check the condition of your bike before every ride. 1. Visually inspect the bicycle to ensure no components have been damaged. 2. Check stem & handlebar bolts are tightened securely to the appropriate torque settings. 3. Check that the QR skewers are fitted correctly and tightly closed. 4.

  • Page 7: Tyre Pressures

    The min pressures may be used for comfort or for grip on tricky surfaces but extra care must be taken to avoid large stones and potholes; this is especially important if heavy loads are being carried. The recommended pressures should be the perfect balance between comfort, efficiency and reliability. SOLO 700c tyre Recommended Recommended Absolute...

  • Page 8: Rear Derailleur Adjustment

    SIS derailleur gear adjustment To help ensure that your derailleur gears work efficiently and to prolong their life, they must be kept clean and free from excess dirt and should be properly lubricated. The next few pages and diagrams show the basics of how to adjust derailleur gears. If you have any problems you should contact us before riding.

  • Page 9: Trim Adjustment

    Trim adjustment 1. If the chain will not move to the 2nd gear, turn the right-hand down tube cable adjusting barrel to increase the tension (counter clockwise). If the chain moves past the 2nd gear, decrease the tension (clockwise). 2. Next, with the chain on the 2nd sprocket, increase the inner cable tension while turning the chain wheel forward.

  • Page 10: Cable Tension Adjustment

    Cable tension adjustment In time if your gears do not operate smoothly, it may be that your gear cables have stretched out a bit and need adjustment. You can adjust the tension for the front and rear gear cables by using the in-line barrel adjusters situated on the gear pods (Rapid-fires) or on the down tube (road STI’s).

  • Page 11: Sti Rapidfire Levers

    STI rapidfire levers STI Rapid-fire lever uses two levers mounted conveniently under the bar and are operated by the thumb and index finger. Using the thumb lever you can shift one gear at a time, or shift through the entire cassette with a full stroke push.

  • Page 12: Transmission Chain Tension On Rohloff Equipped Thorn Cycles

    40mm of slack to become 60mm of slack but please don’t worry…this situation will improve dramatically with the passing of the miles. How to readjust the transmission chain tension on Thorn Rohloff cycles (not Mercury models) The following pages (13 and 14) show how to correctly adjust the position of the eccentric to...

  • Page 13: Eccentric (Mercury Models Only)

    ECCENTRIC BOTTOM BRACKET SHELL HOLES FOR ECCENTRIC TOOL ECCENTRIC SCREWS Imagine your bottom bracket shell is a clock face. Your bike will arrive with the eccentric adjusted as close as possible to the 3 O’clock position whilst ensuring optimal chain tension. After riding your chain will become slack and will need to be tensioned.
  • Page 14 ✓ ✓ Pictures 1 to 4 show the range of incremental adjustments that can be made without damaging the eccentric when the eccentric screws are tightened. NB. The thin section of the eccentric is moving from the 3 O’clock position through the 12 O’clock position and ending towards the 9 O’clock position.
  • Page 15 Connecting chain tension on a Rohloff equipped tandem The tension of the chain which transfers drive from the front to the rear of your tandem (connecting chain) is adjusted by way of an eccentric insert on the front bottom bracket. 1) There is always a “tight spot”...
  • Page 16 Thorn lightweight mini eccentric (Mercury models only) In order to save weight, the new eccentric had to be smaller in diameter. Being smaller, means that it can adjust little more than half a link. When no more adjustment can be made with the eccentric, a new chain must be fitted.
  • Page 17 Tightening & loosening Sequence: 1, 3, 4, 2, 1, 3, 4, 2 etc. Finger tighten each screw, and then using an 8mm spanner, tighten each screw by a sixth of a turn (60°) at a time and in the correct order until they are tight (5 Nm is more than sufficient and this removes the chance of shearing the screws).

  • Page 18: Cantilever Brakes

    Brake type identification Cantilever brakes If your bicycle has come equipped with drop handlebars, and it is a model from our range of 26” or 700c wheeled bikes, then you may have cantilever brakes fitted. V brakes V Brakes can be on straight or drop handlebar bicycles with specific levers fitted. These are very easy to adjust with a little patience.

  • Page 19: Brake Adjustment

    Cable operated disc brake caliper Some of our Mercury and Club Tour bikes are supplied with disc brakes. Brake adjustment The brakes on your bicycle should have been adjusted correctly by us. However, as cables do stretch, it is important to check the adjustment of your brakes after your first ride. Please refer to the manufacturer’s manual for adjustment instructions for the specific type you have on your bike.

  • Page 20: Handlebar Position

    Handlebar position The position of the handlebar should be set to allow a comfortable and easy reach of gear and brake levers. When riding, your weight should be so balanced that your hands rest lightly on the handlebars. This prevents strain on wrists and forearms when pedalling. If you alter the riding position, remember to tighten all nuts and bolts securely.

  • Page 21: Rear Wheel Removal With Internal Gear Mech

    Rear wheel removal with internal gear mech Removal of the wheel: 1. Release the V brake pipe. 2. Quick-release the two Rohloff cables by twisting them through 90 degrees (see picture below left). 3. Quick release the skewer. 4. Lift out the wheel. Replacement of the wheel: 1.

  • Page 22: Rear Wheel Removal With External Gear Mech

    Rear wheel removal with external gear mech Removal of the wheel: 1. Ensure that the shifter is in gear 14. 2. If the bike has V brakes, release the V brake pipe. 3. Unscrew the cable box thumbscrew see picture below left). 5.

  • Page 23: Maintenance Of S&S Machine Couplings

    Maintenance of S+S machine couplings Keep the threads clean and lubricated with Teflon bearing grease (SJS Cycles Part Number: 1796). No other lubrication is currently approved. Apply enough grease to completely coat the threads then wipe off the excess. Grit and dirt can stick to the grease on the couplings causing damage to the threads, so keep the couplings clean especially when they are open.

  • Page 24: Best Practice For Rohloff Oil Changes

    Tighten the nut with the spanner wrench to at least 35 foot pounds of torque. That requires at least 70 pounds force against the end of a 6" wrench. Tighten the nut as tight as you can get it (we don't think it's possible to over tighten the nut with a 6" wrench). Remember, the 35 foot-pounds of torque is a minimum value.
  • Page 25 Thorn expedition rack If your bike is fitted with a Thorn expedition rack it will either have a rear bar or a plate mount fitted to it depending on whether you have ordered a rear light or not. Whichever one is not used will be supplied with the bike.

  • Page 26: Safer Cycling

    Safer cycling - the basics NOTE: Like any activity, cycling involves risk of injury and damage. By choosing to ride a bicycle, you assume the responsibility for that risk. So you need to practise safe and responsible riding. The following are some points which, if practised, may reduce that risk. The following lists are not exhaustive.

  • Page 27: Wet Weather Riding

    5. Stop at stop signs and traffic lights, slow down and look both ways at junctions. Remember that a bicycle always loses in a collision with a motor vehicle. 6. Use hand signals. Learn the local vehicle code for the correct signals. 7.
  • Page 28 These pages are intended for you to keep records about your Thorn bicycle. To keep your bicycle in tip top condition we recommend that you have your bike regularly serviced by a qualified mechanic. You may wish to record this below. Call 01278441505 to book a service.
  • Page 29 DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE:...
  • Page 30 DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE: DATE: SERVICE:...
  • Page 31 WARRANTY In offering this warranty Thorn Cycles Ltd in no way seeks to diminish your statutory rights as a consumer. Frame and forks The frame and forks have a lifetime warranty against defective manufacture and materials (except the Thorn Voyager and ME’N’U2 which carry 5 year warranties).
  • Page 32 Thorn Cycles Ltd, 91-93 St John Street, Bridgwater, Somerset England TA6 5HX Email: sales@thorncycles.co.uk Telephone: +44 (0) 1278 441505 Company no: 4121096 Incorporated in England...

Table of Contents