CYCLE Magazine Raven Twin Bike Test…

Our designer Andy Blance's response to it.


The bottom bracket shell will not need replacing… the alloy eccentric is the only part that can exhibit wear… and we don’t expect the indents to be a problem… to the contrary we expect chain adjustment to be easier “the second time around”.

The L/S that was tested had a shorter base tube because it is (at the back) a small frame… in any event our frame has the same length base tube as the Dawes frame.

Dawes have managed to fit a mechanical disc at the back by using a rear carrier that will not allow the anti-sway devices of most rear panniers to be used… a bad mistake on a tandem that is supposed to be suitable for touring.

"On a couple of occasions it was lazy to shift down into the small chainring" was a comment made about the Dawes
The front derailleur on the Dawes was hesitant to change down under load, even when new… from our experience this will rapidly get worse as the cage looses its rigidity… whereas the Rohloff gets better with age!

It was stated that the gear range on the Dawes was superior but actually they can both have the same 22” bottom gear. Then the Thorn tops out at 114… the Dawes at 118… that is almost exactly the same! It was said that an even smaller inner ring could be fitted to the Dawes but that would compromise gear function even more!

When it was stated that the “Discovery twin” had a set of 48 spoke wheels, it actually meant the Galaxy twin.