prairiepedaler

Input welcomed on either of these two bikes from those who own or have used them. I think I'd entertain owning one of the newer ones (<10 years old). They look nice and stable, sturdy and strong. Should be able to just barely handle Winnipeg roads. Not much presence of the brand in Canada and even less on the used market here.

Small cog

I do not have either of the models you list I have a Sterling but have watched plenty of videos and read many blogs from people who own them and have gone to the far ends of the earth on them and get the impression they are about the toughest expedition bikes out there, there is a forum if you are not already aware.

https://thorncyclesforum.co.uk/index.php

ExPatTyke

I don't know about the Sherpa or Nomad, but I've seen plenty of Thorn Audaxes and a few Club Tourers on Audax rides here in the UK. They look nice with a good finish and owners I've spoken to have always been very happy with them.

Wildwood 

If Thorn is hard to find and you might consider new try Co-Motion.

Here is their 'toughest' single bike.
Pangea - Co-Motion Cycles

Used rigid mountain bikes are considered tough and also inexpensive. You must have seen the mtb conversion thread in C&V.

jack pot 

SS MTB are great for the casual dirt grinders

prairiepedaler

Hello - thanks for the input and suggestions in this thread. I usually (and currently) ride non-suspension steel framed mountain bikes due to their availability and price. I've also snapped three of those type of frames in the last 10 years, unfortunately. Never seen a Co-Motion in these parts before. Too bad they use disc brakes.

I had thought of joining the Thorn thread but I just assumed they're all biased about their bikes which they spent considerable $$$ on. I'd be using a Thorn around town to haul (I don't have a car anymore) and maybe travel in the future. I also have a Diamondback Ascent that is awaiting paint. It has some nice stiff relatively short chain/seatstays which would be ideal for attaching a trailer to. I almost always ride with an oversized milkcrate on my bikes (including the current ride). They're just so handy and tough! The Diamondbacks' short rear section wouldn't be suitable for the large milkcrate however.

It is tedious "making do" all the time though and I figured why not buy a really long term bike which fits and has known durability, thus the interest in a Thorn. I'm keeping an eye out on the used market.

Rick

Co-Motion bikes are made to order. You can order whatever model with the type of brake mounts you desire. The Thorn Nomad and Sherpa are strong frames. I have a Co-Motion Pangea Rohloff. I purchased it near 10 years ago and have had no trouble with the Rohloff. If you order a Co-Motion make sure the shop you go through has an experienced fitter and they will have it built like you want.

mstateglfr 

here is my input- I don't think you will buy either of these bikes and don't think you are actually considering them.
You have done this for years in related but slightly different ways and this thread is no different.

prairiepedaler

Co-Motion does look like a choice in the mix. Any bike which gets purchased has to come in at a pricepoint. I always search used options first for value. The USA has much more choice and greater probablity of success than here. A Thorn would be great undoubtedly, as by the looks of a Co-Motion. The Toute-Terrain is certainly the upper echelon of similar world touring bikes. Finding something like that on the used market is a tall order so not much point looking.

prairiepedaler

Bots ride bikes?

GamblerGORD53

In flatlandia there, you could get a Brooklyn Driggs 3 speed which has a double top tube. Let's see you try break that. Their large size will fit up to 6'2" easily.
Unbreakable = do NOT use deFAILeurs. With Pinion, you could use all 2.3/ 2.0 spokes. My first SA XL-FDD has 32,000 miles with ZERO worries, has 2.3 mm spokes.
For unbreakable frame you can wrap it with 2 or 3 layers of CF. No need to strip the paint.
My first try with CF I wrapped a broke fork and let it set for 2 days. Put it on a cement floor and WHACKED it with a hammer. The floor shook and nothing deformed on the fork. LOL.
My seat tube and BB area were done on my Rohloff14 tour bike. The bike is 120 lbs loaded. I'll go 43 mph with NO fear. Bonus is 0% of your crank power is wasted on a noodle frame.
I ride it at 73 lbs on 90 to 130 mile rides on freeways. Goes as fast as the wind lets me. The 2nd last day of my tour that was 27 to 33 mph on the way to Red Deer.

mstateglfr 

Yes! Yes! Love it every time it is posted. More! More! Encore!